Each week, the editor of Planet Analog finds items of interest and then features them in two sections, entitled “Also of Interest” and “Elementals”. Each cites items from publications outside the Planet Analog and EETimes portfolios. And we also have an archive of recent weekly Planet Analog Newsletters, as pdf files; see the list at the very bottom.
“Also of Interest” and “Elementals” is an extension of our belief that engineers are interested in on-going tutorial on obviously relevant topics, as well as the serendipity of exploring topics which are not directly related to their jobs, but which will broaden their knowledge and sometimes spurs innovative and creative approaches. The first box highlights items of general interest to the engineer, while the second highlights basic and tutorial electronic-engineering material. Among the publications we check are IEEE Spectrum , Machine Design , Design News , Laser Focus World , EDN , Electronic Design , NASA Tech Briefs , Microwave Journal , RF & Microwaves , and Physics Today , plus others.
Consider these items as “online-only” extras, and worth a look. (Please note: there are also links to the previous weeks' editions, below this week’s items.)
Also of Interest:
- Adhesive bonding improves the looks and durability of low-surface-energy plastics, but pretreatment or special adhesive formulations are a must:
“Special Techniques and Adhesives Needed to Bond Low-Surface-Energy Plastics,”
Machine Design May 22, 2010 - At one time, adaptive optics (AO) was too complex for most non-optics specialists to use; now, plug-and-play AO for microscopy is here, freeing biologists to concentrate on their own area of expertise:
“Adaptive optics sharpens biological microscopy,”
Laser Focus World , May 2010 - Computational fluid dynamics simulation helps reduce drag and improve acoustic performance of GM’s electric vehicle:
“FLUENT Leads Way in Optimizing Chevy Volt,”
Desktop Engineering , June 2010 - Thanks to a higher-energy, lower-cost battery, Nissan believes the electric car is ready for prime time:
“Nissan Bets on the Electric Car,”
Design News , June 2010 - GaAs has become the mainstay of the RF/microwave industry for the last couple of decades:
“2010 GaAs Foundry Services Outlook,”
Microwave Journal , June 2010
Elementals:
- Thinner fins in ultra-high ratio extrusion heat sinks provide more surface area per unit width, at lower cost; also, they reduce air flow back pressure, which allows high air-flow rates:
“Ultra High Ratio Extrusion Heat Sinks Improve Cooling,”
Power Electronics Technology , May 2010 - Depending on the problems at hand, either boundary elements or finite elements may work better:
“The Best Way to Model Magnetic Fields,”
Machine Design , May 3, 2010 - The surface area of bonding wire determines the current carrying ability instead of the cross-section area, and dominates the high-frequency performance of the wire.:
“A Comparison Study of High-frequency Characteristics for Ball and Ribbon Bonding,”
Microwave Journal , June 2010 - You can combine voltage and current sources to produce current that exceeds 100 A:
“Boost current for high-power tests,”
Test & Measurement World , June 2010
Previous “Also of Interest” and “Elementals” Editions:
Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:
0 comments on ““Also of Interest” and “Elementals” for July 26, 2010”