INSIDER: Electronics & Computers
Multi-core processing is a "disruptive technology", transforming the way embedded systems are architected, developed, and debugged. With greatly improved performance and lower power, multi-core...
Blog
A partnership between NASA and the U.S. Naval Academy is offering students the chance to build a satellite called "MidSTAR-2" through a U.S. Department of Defense program that will carry four experiments into space in 2011 to look at different parts of Earth's atmosphere, gamma rays, and solar winds. Scientists at NASA's Goddard...
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Beneath the waves near Key Largo, FL, an underwater lab called Aquarius provides a safe harbor for scientists to live and work for weeks at a time. For NASA, Aquarius provides an environment that is analogous to the International Space Station (ISS) and the space shuttle. To maintain Aquarius, NASA recruited Invocon of Conroe, TX, to...
Blog
The Magtorque sensor provides a simple, low-cost means to monitor torque on rotating elements. It uses a small and magnetoelastic sensor attached to the shaft that is monitored remotely via an inductive pickup. It provides sensitive and repeatable measurements of applied torque without direct physical contact.
More...
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is researching the use of cell phones equipped with sensors that could detect biological agents such as anthrax, as well as radioactive isotopes and toxic chemicals. Since fixed sensors can't be placed everywhere, the solution could soon be in everyone's hands.
Gentag, a Washington,...
Blog
This monthly review lets you "meet" the new advertisers appearing in Defense Tech Briefs (DTB). Here's a sneak peek at the products, services, and offers available from June's first-time advertisers.
Alpha Security Group is a publicly traded company that seeks to acquire a homeland security or defense business. Contact Steve...
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This modulator was developed to provide circuitry and apparatus that create specialized optical signals suitable for use as a digital photonic clock, a pulse amplitude modulator, and a bi-stable optical memory cell.
More information here.
Blog
Researchers from Freight Pipeline Company (FPC) taking part in a National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored project have found that bricks made from fly ash -- fine ash particles captured as waste by coal-fired power plants -- may be even safer than predicted. Instead of leaching minute amounts of mercury as earlier predicted, the...
Articles: Aerospace
Today's warfighters operate some of the most technologically advanced vehicles, aircraft, and weapons systems, and to do so effectively and safely, they require...
Articles: Defense
Colonel Lewis F. Setliff III Commander/District Engineer, St. Louis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
In August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast and became one of the largest natural...
Articles: Motion Control
Robotic system designers should choose the right power source for the job. Often, electric motors are chosen without thinking about the benefits of hydraulics or...
Application Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Traditionally, once they are shaped, but before they are mounted, diamonds are rated by the “4 Cs” — clarity, color, carat, and cut. Modern gemology, however, grades finished diamonds by a more...
Application Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control
Scheduled for completion in 2009, the National Ignition Facility Project (NIF), part of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL, Livermore, CA), is a component of the National...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Nippon Pulse America (Radford, VA) released the Captive LINEARSTEP Series Linear-Type Stepper Motor, a RoHS-compliant, linear-type stepper motor with a one-piece captive shaft. The linear shaft movement is guideless,...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Madison Electric Products (Mentor, OH) offers the C-face ring tachometer that monitors motor shaft RPM when using NEMA C-face, metric flanged, or faced motors. The device is designed with a dual C-face mount to fit between the motor and gearbox, break, or clutch, and has a slim-line profile. Features include single and quadrature...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Boston Gear (Quincy, MA) released Helical Planetary Precision Gearheads for direct attachment to servo and stepper motors. All exposed gearhead parts are composed of stainless steel. Housings are available in anodized...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
From PHD (Fort Wayne, IN), the Series SMF Multiple Position Slide allows for a switch to be mounted at any point along the slide’s travel. Multiple intermediate stopping positions are available, and a stainless steel...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Prior Scientific (Rockland, MA) introduced the PriorPCI2 High Speed Stepper Motor Controller, featuring a 175 × 106 mm design; standard six-axis control for XY, focus, and three filter wheels; shutter control for three...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
From PI L.P. (Auburn, MA), the V-106 QuickScan™ series of PCI-card-driven, high-speed voice coil positioning stages provides resolution to 100 nanometers. The unit features cross-roller bearings, scanning frequency of several...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Fairchild Semiconductor (South Portland, ME) released critical conduction mode (CRM) power factor correction controller (PFC) integrated circuits (ICs), the FAN7529 and FAN7530. Both units use a variable on-time control method...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Austriamicrosystems (Unterpremstaetten, Austria) released the AS5030 and AS5130, two 8-bit absolute magnetic rotary encoder integrated circuits (ICs) with pushbutton and low-power-mode features. Both units provide an angle...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Computer Conversions Corp. (East Northport, NY) introduced a series of Digital to Synchro Converters with 14-, 12-, or 10-bit resolution that can provide up to 25 VA and are designed to drive torque receivers with...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
AMETEK Technical & Industrial Products (Kent, OH) released a line of PITTMAN® brush-commutated DC gearmotors that provides output torque up to 175 oz-in with standard sintered steel spur gearing and output...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Danaher Motion (Wood Dale, IL) introduced the CT Series Step Motors, which use less power to provide more torque, augmenting operating efficiency and machine throughput. Standard and custom motors are available in...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Avago Technologies (San Jose, CA) released the AEAT-60xx series of non-contact magnetic encoders. Coming in a cylindrical package (23 mm in both diameter and height), the unit is for industrial applications. It can...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
BRECOflex Co., LLC (Eatontown, NJ) introduced the Standard Plus Technology line of BRECOFLEX Truly Endless timing belts for high-precision positioning applications using bifilar cable arrangements. The product features lessened...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
Emerson Power Transmission (Ithaca, NY) released Sealmaster® paver bearings for applications dealing with abrasive paving conditions and asphalt materials. A four-barrier seal protects the product’s inner components from...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
From Maxon Motors (Fall River, MA), the EC-max 16 2-wire brushless motor features ironless winding, and its turns are detent-free. The commutation electronics are integrated, and allow direct control with an operating voltage...
Products: Robotics, Automation & Control
The LCB Series from Parker Hannifin Corp. (Cleveland, OH) is a line of compact linear actuators featuring a low-friction, dry running, sliding bearing carriage. An external sliding guide, with dry-film lubricant, is...