News

50 Most-Read Industry News Stories of 2013: 30 to 21

December 29, 2013 by Power Pulse1595211359

The following is a listing (with links for the full story) of the most read Industry News stories on PowerPulse.Net for 2013, thus providing a window into the "pulse" of the trends and interests in the Power Electronics Industry. This is the third article in the series, which will continue tomorrow.

30: Redox Power Unveils Cube Fuel Cell for Production in 2014

University of Maryland researchers have partnered with Redox Power Systems LLC to deliver breakthrough fuel cell technologies for providing always-on electricity to businesses, homes and eventually automobiles, at about one-tenth the cost and one-tenth the size of current commercial fuel cell systems. The initial model of “The Cube” was unveiled over the weekend. The first-generation Cube runs off natural gas, but it can generate power from a variety of fuel sources, including propane, gasoline, biofuel and hydrogen. The system is a highly-efficient, clean technology, emitting negligible pollutants and much less carbon dioxide than conventional energy sources. It uses fuel far more efficiently than an internal combustion engine, and can have an efficiency up to 80% when used to provide both heat and power. more

29: Low-Cost Batteryless / Wireless Controls Powered by NASA Technology

The Space Foundation has announced its newest Space Certification Partner, PulseSwitch Systems, LC, of Norfolk, Virginia., which is recognized for its licensed product, a batteryless, wireless remote switch marketed under the name Lightning Switch®. The switch uses NASA-developed Thunder® technology to self-power a radio frequency transmitter, sending a unique ID-encoded signal to a Lightning® receiver. It provides portable, remote control of electrical loads at distances of up to 100 feet, or at unlimited range with optional repeaters. more

28: Smart Grid is Now the Growth Driver for AC-DC Power

Unlike the slower growth seen over the past several years, the projected 6.0% growth rate for this market is a result of a dynamic combination of trends including the early demise of the large and once dominant desktop power supply market and the rise of a large number of high-growth emerging applications, all related to the rapid growth of the Smart Grid. These trends should provide manufacturers with a host of opportunities over the next several years as the traditional desktop power supply market was made up of just a few standard form factors and wattage ranges, while the emerging applications are expected to be made up of a variety of power levels, form factors, design types and package styles. This is one of several important findings in the Eleventh Edition of Darnell Group’s “AC-DC Power Supplies: Worldwide Forecasts.” more

27: Johnson Controls Unveils 48V Micro Hybrid Battery Module at North American International Auto Show

Johnson Controls, Inc., the world’s leading supplier of automotive batteries, introduced its 48 volt Micro Hybrid battery demonstration module as part of its full spectrum of advanced energy storage solutions for automobiles. Power Solutions President Alex Molinaroli unveiled the company’s next generation technology at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. more

26: 3D Printing for Power Supplies has arrived at Astrodyne

Manufacturing is experiencing a new revolution — 3D printing. 3D designing and printing is helping enable breakthroughs in everything from the design and production of the latest power supplies to automotive parts. Astrodyne Corporation is among the first power supply makers to have invested in a state-of-the-art 3D printer. This new equipment allows Astrodyne’s engineering teams to deliver rapid solutions for customers. Whether it is for standard or custom product development, 3D printing gives Astrodyne’s engineers an extra degree of freedom to try new ideas and test innovative concepts all while saving money and time. As a result of using the 3D printer, the company can design and produce prototypes and full-run products in a matter of hours instead of days and weeks. more

25: Dana Receives Grant from NRCan to Improve Thermal Management for EV Battery Packs

Dana Holding Corporation has recently received two grants totaling $3 million from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to develop technology to improve thermal management systems for battery systems in electric, plug-in hybrid-electric, and hybrid-electric vehicles. The first project aims to advance the development of aluminum heat exchangers, which are used to thermally manage electric-vehicle battery systems. The grant focuses on improving flux-less aluminum brazing materials and process technology for manufacturing to increase process speeds, enhance cleanliness during production, and reduce overall cost. more

24: SynQor Targets Cisco for Continuing IBA Patent Infringement

SynQor, Inc. has filed a new suit against Cisco Systems, Inc. claiming that Cisco continues to violate two of SynQor’s patents, the '261 patent’ and the '597 patent’ both relating to an "Intermediate Bus Architecture With A Quasi-Regulated Bus Converter." This action follows a recent unanimous decision in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington D.C. affirmed an earlier decision of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas and upheld a $95M jury verdict previously won by SynQor, Inc., as well as the Court’s additional award of supplemental damages and sanctions. more

23: Teen's "Hollow Flashlight" could bring Light to Third World using Peltier Tiles

It’s been a busy past few weeks for 15-year-old science whiz Ann Makosinski. The Victoria, British Columbia teen is garnering plenty of international attention for her hollow flashlight, which operates solely on the warmth of the hand. The invention made her the winner of her age category in last week’s Google Science Fair, and has even sparked talks with an interested company. Ann receives a $25,000 scholarship from Google for her education, where in the future she insists she’ll definitely be studying science. more

22: Silicon-based Supercapacitors can be Integrated into Silicon Wafers

According to its inventors, it is the first supercapacitor that is made out of silicon so it can be built into a silicon chip along with the microelectronic circuitry that it powers. In fact, it should be possible to construct these power cells out of the excess silicon that exists in the current generation of solar cells, sensors, mobile phones and a variety of other electromechanical devices, providing a considerable cost savings. “If you ask experts about making a supercapacitor out of silicon, they will tell you it is a crazy idea,” said Cary Pint, the assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University who headed the development. “But we’ve found an easy way to do it.” more

21: Emerson Selling 51% of Power Business to Platinum Equity for $300 Million

Emerson today announced an agreement to sell a 51 percent stake in its embedded computing and power business to Platinum Equity. Emerson will receive approximately $300 million in cash and will retain a 49 percent non-controlling interest in the business, which will operate as an independent company. Share repurchase will be increased by $600 million to offset associated earnings dilution. Emerson’s embedded computing and power business had 2012 revenue of about $1.4 billion. more