Design Tools
The Lead
Top 5 Design Tools of the Week
June 14, 2013 9:14 am | by Melissa Fassbender, Associate Editor, PD&D | Articles | Comments
A new 3D gesture control technology, an evaluation kit that lets you observe responses in real-time, a free viewing solution application, and an online simulation tool are among this week’s top 5 design tools.
Polymer-Coated Catalyst Protects 'Artificial Leaf'
June 17, 2013 11:39 am | by Sebastian Fiechter, Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres | News | Comments
Researchers have modified superstrate solar cells with their highly efficient architecture in...
The Human Centric Design Platform
June 11, 2013 10:03 am | by OPTIS | News | Comments
OPTIS has launched H.I.M. (for Human Interactivity Manikin) enabling ergonomics...
Top 5 Design Tools of the Week
June 7, 2013 9:39 am | by Melissa Fassbender, Associate Editor, PD&D | Articles | Comments
A new 3D scanning technology, a starter kit to accelerate development projects, and a 3D printer...
Programming Model for Supercomputers of the Future
June 18, 2013 1:30 pm | by Fraunhofer | News | CommentsThe demand for even faster, more effective, and also energy-saving computer clusters is growing in every sector. The new asynchronous programming model GPI might become a key building block towards realizing the next generation of supercomputers.
Intelligent Glasses Designed for Professors
June 18, 2013 1:18 pm | by Universidad Carlos III de Madrid | News | CommentsResearchers at la Universidad Carlos III of Madrid have developed a system based on augmented reality that, thanks to intelligent glasses, enables a professor to see notes or comments on the contents of a lesson and to see if the students understand explanations or if, on the contrary, they are having doubts or difficulties.
Turns in Magnetic Thin Films Could Lead to Better Data Storage
June 18, 2013 1:09 pm | by David L. Chandler, MIT | News | CommentsA magnetic phenomenon newly discovered by MIT researchers could lead to much faster, denser, and more energy-efficient chips for memory and computation. The findings could reduce the energy needed to store and retrieve one bit of data by a factor of 10,000, says the paper’s senior author, Geoffrey Beach, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at MIT.
Rambus and STMicroelectronics Announce Settlement
June 17, 2013 5:38 pm | by The Associated Press | News | CommentsMemory chip designer Rambus Inc. and STMicroelectronics, one of Europe's largest chipmakers, announced a licensing agreement Monday and said they have resolved all litigation between them. The companies said their agreement will allow STMicroelectronics to use more security measures in multimedia...
Making Alternative Fuels Cheaper
June 17, 2013 12:51 am | by Anne Trafton, MIT | News | CommentsMIT chemical engineers have devised a cheaper way to synthesize a key biofuel component, which could make its industrial production much more cost-effective. The compound, known as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), is attractive because of its versatility, says Yuriy Román, an assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of the research team.
Unzipped Nanotubes Unlock Potential for Batteries
June 14, 2013 12:51 pm | by Mike Williams, Rice University | News | CommentsResearchers at Rice University have come up with a new way to boost the efficiency of the ubiquitous lithium ion battery by employing ribbons of graphene that start as carbon nanotubes. Proof-of-concept anodes — the part of the battery that stores lithium ions — built with graphene nanoribbons and tin oxide showed an initial capacity better than the theoretical capacity of tin oxide alone, according to James Tour.
New Array Measures Vibrations Across Skin May Help Engineers Design Tactile Displays
June 14, 2013 9:45 am | by Jennifer Chu, MIT News Office | News | CommentsIn the near future, a buzz in your belt or a pulse from your jacket may give you instructions on how to navigate your surroundings. Think of it as tactile Morse code: vibrations from a wearable, GPS-linked device that tell you to turn right or left, or stop, depending on the pattern of pulses you feel.
JT2Go Brings Free JT Viewing to Windows 8 Devices
June 13, 2013 4:32 pm | by Siemens PLM Software | Siemens Plm Software | News | CommentsJT is the common language of PLM and it is the first ISO International Standard (IS 14306-1) for 3D visualization and collaboration. JT2Go enables users to view 3D JT files for free, eliminating the barrier for companies to communicate clearly in 3D with their partners, suppliers and customers throughout the product lifecycle.
Faiveley Transport Event Recorders
June 13, 2013 4:21 pm | by Faiveley Transport | News | CommentsFaiveley Transport’s event recorders stand out first and foremost for their reliability. Analyzing customer feedback has enabled new optimized programs to be launched. One of the design differences is the reduced number of electronic card components, ensuring that only the cards necessary are used.
3D Magnetic Field Measurement
June 13, 2013 12:49 pm | by Fraunhofer | News | CommentsMagnetic field sensors are a contact- and wear-free means of measuring the position of machine parts and products. A new generation of Hall sensors is now making the process even more precise and free of interference.
Data Highways for Quantum Information
June 12, 2013 1:24 pm | by Vienna University of Technology | News | CommentsResearchers at the Vienna University of Technology quantum mechanically couple atoms to glass fiber cables. Now, they have shown that their technique enables storage of quantum information over a sufficiently long period of time to realize global quantum networks based on optical fibers.
Real-Time Power Monitoring
June 12, 2013 1:24 pm | by PD&D Staff | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology (Chandler, AZ) has announced the MPLAB REAL ICE Power Monitor Module, which enables designers to identify and eliminate code that consumes high current, in real time. Microchip’s Power Monitor Module provides programmable power to the target, as well as sampling intervals, enabling users to run at specific voltage levels and see tailored measurements.
Harnessing Ultraviolet Irradiation for Greener Power Generation
June 12, 2013 1:20 pm | by Easan Sivaniah, University of Cambridge | News | CommentsNew research shows that exposing polymer molecular sieve membranes to ultraviolet irradiation in the presence of oxygen produces highly permeable and selective membranes for more efficient molecular-level separation, an essential process in everything from water purification to controlling gas emissions.
An Ultrasensitive Molybdenum-Based Image Sensor
June 12, 2013 1:18 pm | by PD&D Staff | News | CommentsA new material has the potential to improve the sensitivity of photographic image sensors by a factor of five. In 2011, an EPFL team led by Andras Kis discovered the amazing semi-conducting properties of molybdenite, and they have been exploring its potential in various technological applications ever since.
Cheaper and More Flexible Crystalline Silicon Wafers
June 12, 2013 1:13 pm | by Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) | News | CommentsA team of researchers from the Nanoengineering Research Centre and the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech has found a way to make the manufacture of crystalline silicon materials faster and more affordable.
Star-Shaped Polymer Structures Serve as “Nanoreactors”
June 12, 2013 1:06 pm | by John Toon, Georgia Tech | News | CommentsUsing star-shaped block co-polymer structures as tiny reaction vessels, researchers have developed an improved technique for producing nanocrystals with consistent sizes, compositions, and architectures – including metallic, ferroelectric, magnetic, semiconductor, and luminescent nanocrystals.
IS2T: ST's Innovation Booster
June 12, 2013 11:21 am | by STMicroelectronics | Stmicroelectronics | News | CommentsAfter the recent launch of SMT32Java and its rapid adoption by key customers, Carlo Bozotti, CEO and President of STMicroelectronics, presented an award to IS2T at the Innovation Night held on the 3rd of June in Paris, in recognition of the successful cooperation between the two companies.
Top 6 Mobile Apps for Engineers
June 12, 2013 11:07 am | by Brian Spero, www.moneycrashers.com | News | CommentsEngineers of every discipline face new challenges in the modern workplace, whether by keeping pace with rapidly developing technology, or accessing essential software while working in the field. Besides calling on knowledge and experience to get the job done, engineers rely on a host of resources and tools that are becoming increasingly accessible.
High-Voltage Battery Simulator & Test Systems
June 11, 2013 3:57 pm | by Randall Beattie, President of SAKOR Technologies | Sakor Technologies, Inc. | Articles | CommentsHigh voltage battery simulator and test systems are essential for conducting testing of the high voltage DC power systems that are such a critical element of electric (EV) and hybrid/electric (HEV) vehicles. To accurately test a high voltage hybrid or electric drivetrain, you need to be able to provide precise, repeatable high-voltage DC power.
Programmable USB2 Controller Hubs
June 11, 2013 2:14 pm | by PD&D Staff | Microchip Technology Inc. | Product Releases | CommentsMicrochip Technology (Chandler, AZ) has announced the expansion of its USB2 Controller Hub (UCH2) portfolio. The seven new UCH2 ICs across three families provide programmability, enabling the developers of PCs and mobile devices to configure their designs without external memory.
'Popcorn' Particle Pathways Promise Better Lithium-Ion Batteries
June 11, 2013 12:00 pm | by DOE/Sandia National Laboratories | News | CommentsResearchers at Sandia National Laboratories have confirmed the particle-by-particle mechanism by which lithium ions move in and out of electrodes made of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP), findings that could lead to better performance in lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, medical equipment, and aircraft.
RapidFire: 3D Scanning Spider Has Many Eyes for Detail
June 11, 2013 11:56 am | by Eric Sorensen, Coordinator of Multimedia Development | Videos | CommentsOn today's episode of RapidFire we're 3D scanning with the Spider, a new hand-held 3D scanner from Artec3D. With a resolution of up to 0.15 mm and an accuracy from 0.03 to 0.05 mm, the Spider can scan sharp edges and intricate details.
Why Own Expensive Equipment When You Can Lease It?
June 11, 2013 10:16 am | by Chris Fox, Associate Editor, PD&D | Blogs | CommentsThe idea is that owning something as expensive as a jet engine is not only costly, but risky. An investment in an engine of such size and innovation needs to be kept up, and (just like most technology) will eventually wear out and/or find itself quickly outdated.
Photos of the Day: Virtual Reality Brings User into Full-Scale 3D Digital Model
June 11, 2013 10:02 am | by OPTIS | News | CommentsDesigners, engineers, and ergonomists can take the place of the future pilot, crew member, passenger or technician, to experience various tasks and explore a series of technical solutions by interacting directly with the digital mock up.
Development Board for Xtrinsic sensors now available from Newark element14
June 10, 2013 2:54 pm | by Newark element14 | News | CommentsNewark element14 has announced the launch of its multi MEMS development board for Xtrinsic sensors, a low cost enablement solution that allows designers to easily understand and test the latest sensing technologies with a next generation accelerometer, pressure sensor and a magnetometer to measure motion, altitude or pressure, detect magnetic fields and determine physical position.
