Design News - April 1, 2009

Cover Story

From Hamsters to Vocal Chords: Material Draws Energy from Any Mechanical Motion

A materials' science professor at Georgia Institute of Technology has created single-wire "nanogenerators" that could provide autonomous power for applications ranging from PDAs to gas sensors to blood pressure monitors.

Departments

They Said What?
Calamities
The Case of the Spurious Spring
Flash
Have Lie Detector, will Travel
Racers Borrow Green Techniques from Hybrids
Helping The Disabled Speak
Gadget Freak
Gadget Freak Case 138: Monster Power Blender is Sweetly Green
Rant
Recession Equals Inspiration
The Field Report
Design Engineering Detectives
Tips From Titus
Interpret Acceleration Data Several Ways

«2009 Archive Table of Contents

Design News Partner Zones

Light Matters: The Unsung Heroes of Modern Health Care
First, let's define "no-compromise." In an ideal configuration, this lamp would use a high-brightness LED (HBLED) that is built into a small, integrated package and is able to produce a large quantity of focused light, operate with a high level of reliability and generate no audible noise. Is this difficult? Yes, but it is possible.
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Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.