Displays: Electronic Paper The evolution of textual communication, from
cave walls and stone tablets to ink on parchment, from the first Gutenberg
press to the latest high-speed printing presses, has always embodied a common
thread of concern: readability. Once taken for granted, the issue jumped back
to the fore in the past few decades when text leaped off the page and onto the
computer screen.
2008 IHA: Targeting Awareness Contrary to popular belief, it is easy being
green; or, if not exactly easy, than at least it is getting easier if the
number of “green” products displayed at the 2008 International Home +
Housewares Show can be believed.
by LarryAdams
Elastomers: Simply Silicone Silicone elastomers are extremely versatile
materials that offer a range of attractive performance characteristics, often
outperforming their TPE cousins. They work well in extreme cold and high heat
temperatures, are chemical resistant, and can be customized with a variety of
unique properties. Combine this with tactile characteristics that range from
soft to tacky to hard, and designers are given a plethora of options. Various
grades of purified silicone materials can also be used in regulated
applications such as foodservice appliances and medical devices.
by LarryAdams
IAQ: Using UV The integration of ultraviolet energy systems
into HVAC/R equipment is rapidly growing. UV has been used for many years to
disinfect air and in recent years has seen increasing growth in applications to
irradiate air-conditioning coils and drain pans. Initially, most of the installations of UV equipment were done in
the aftermarket as retrofits. Recently, however, HVAC/R OEMs have begun to
offer UV equipment as a standard or factory-installed option.
Association Report: PSMA: Online Tool Lists Efficiency Regulations Energy efficiency and going “green” is all the rage these days. All
industries, including those making appliances, electronic equipment, and data
centers, are promoting higher energy efficiency and its resulting savings. The
two aspects of saving, both saving the environment and saving on utility bills,
appeal to a wide spectrum of constituents that includes manufacturers, end
users of products, industry investors, and environmentalists. With the current
level of social awareness, improving the energy efficiency of products can
simultaneously increase sales while delivering societal benefits. In the
future, all energy-consuming products are expected to embrace energy efficiency
as its primary product development objective and marketing theme.
by Mohan Mankikar
Editorial: Crystal Ball as Design Tool The word itself should have been the tipoff: subprime. That observation poses the obvious questions. Would you
knowingly entrust yourself to a subprime surgeon? Would you knowingly fly on a
subprime airplane? Yet, in spite of the clear warning label, the allegedly
shrewd investment community bought into subprime mortgages in a huge way,
subsequently igniting the nation’s current economic crisis. Isn’t this the same
professional class of people presuming to advise us on how to plan our
retirements? Maybe we should be getting our advice from Madame Zsofia , the
fortune teller, at least she charges less.
by RichardBabyak
News Watch: Longer Reach to Energy Star The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has approved
more stringent Energy Star criteria for clothes washers and water heaters and
has expanded the categories of compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL) under the
Energy Star label.
Everlight Electronics The EL30XX family of random-phase and zero-cross TRIAC
driver optocouplers feature a wide operating temperature range of –55 DegC to
100 DegC and offers design flexibility for interface applications between
low-current DC control circuits and AC power loads up to 380 V.
Omron Electronic Components The B3W-9 series of SPST-NO (momentary) configuration LED
illuminated tactile switches are available with red, yellow, blue, green and
bright green LEDs. The keycaps utilize a proprietary diffusion panel to deliver
uniform brightness across the entire surface and are available in color matched
transparent or translucent white versions.
Freescale Semiconductor Three highly integrated 8-bit S08AC
microcontrollers – the S08AC60, S08AC48 and S08AC32 – expand the range of flash
memory and performance options for cost-sensitive large appliance applications.
Microchip
Discover Microchip’s comprehensive motor control solutions, which feature 16-bit digital signal controllers, free software, development tool discounts, technical training and more! click here
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