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Test equipment advancing to meet rapidly changing market needs

Although the rise of the IoT, 5G, and advanced automotive electronics markets is instigating rapid changes in technology, test equipment is keeping pace, and not just in extensions to bandwidth specifications or signal resolution. Maureen Lipps, Multicomp Pro Private Label Product Segment Leader, Test and Tools, Newark Electronics, runs through important advances in the industry and its tools.
Read the full article.

Smallest rugged AI supercomputer for avionics

Aitech Systems has released the A178-AV, the latest iteration of its smallest rugged GPGPU AI super-computers available with the powerful NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier System-on-Module. With its compact size, the A178-AV is the most advanced solution for artificial intelligence (AI), deep learning, and video and signal processing for next-gen avionic platforms.
Learn more.

Touchless angle sensors get CAN SAE J1939 interface

Novotechnik has added the CAN J1939 interface (developed for heavy-duty vehicles) to its RFC4800 Series of touchless angle sensors measuring angular position up to 360°, turn direction, turns, speed, and operational status. It can provide one or two output channels. It has a longer life and robustness than an optical encoder. It can signal if a sensor needs replacing or average a programmable number of values to output to reduce external noise if present. This is wear-free angle measurement made easy.
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Radar level sensor monitors liquids and powders

The innovative FR Series non-contact radar level sensor from Keyence has been designed to monitor the level of both liquid and powder in any environment. This sensor features short- and long-range models, as well as chemical and sanitary options to address a wide array of level sensing applications. Works even when obstructions or harsh conditions are present, such as build-up, steam, or turbulence.
Learn more.

Raspberry Pi launches $70 AI Kit

Artificial intelligence (AI) is all the rage, and the makers of Raspberry Pi have created a way for enthusiasts of the single-board computer systems to take part and do a lot of experimenting along the way.
Read the full article.

3D model sharing at Brother Industries cuts rework

When Brother Industries, maker of printers, computers, and computer-related electronics, deployed Lattice Technology's XVL Player as a viewer for sharing 3D models throughout the processes of product design, parts design, mold design, mold production, and QA of molded parts, they reduced rework significantly -- especially from downstream departments. XVL Studio with its Difference Check Option helped address the rework in mold design, for example, by always keeping everyone informed of design changes.
Read this real-world case study.

What is 3D-MID? Molded parts with integrated electronics from HARTING

3D-MID (three-dimensional mechatronic integrated devices) technology combines electronic and mechanical functionalities into a single, 3D component. It replaces the traditional printed circuit board and opens up many new opportunities. It takes injection-molded parts and uses laser-direct structuring to etch areas of conductor structures, which are filled with a copper plating process to create very precise electronic circuits. HARTING, the technology's developer, says it's "Like a PCB, but 3D." Tons of possibilities.
Learn more (video included on page).

New! Thermoelectric dehumidifiers for enclosures

Seifert Systems has just introduced its line of compact Soliflex^® Series thermoelectric dehumidifiers, with or without condensate pump. These IP 56-rated units are designed to dehumidify enclosures and small control panels, can be used indoors or outdoors, and are maintenance free. When used with a hygrostat, Soliflex dehumidifiers will keep enclosure humidity below a defined level and only operate when needed.
Learn more.

More Stego enclosure heater options from AutomationDirect

Automation-Direct has added more Stego enclosure heaters to their Enclosure Thermal Management lineup. These new 120 to 240 VAC/VDC units include small, flat versions that distribute heat evenly within compact enclosures and are available with 8- or 10-W heating capacities. Also added are compact loop heaters that feature a patented loop body design for increased natural convection airflow, reduced thermal stress on the heater, and better heat transfer. Loop heaters are available in 10- to 150-W heating capacities.
Learn more.

Great design: Handle with integrated lighting/signaling

Signaling and indicator lights, switches, and buttons -- elements that hardly any machine can do without. The new JW Winco cabinet U-handle EN 6284 integrates all these functions into a single, compact element. The new U-handle is designed to enhance the operation of systems and machines. It features an integrated button and a large, colored, backlit area on the back of the handle. These elements can be used individually or in combination, providing a versatile tool for system control and process monitoring that can be seen from across the room.
Learn more.

Engineer's Toolbox: What is ground loop feedback?

Improper grounding can create problems in data logging, data acquisition, and measurement and control systems. One of the most common problems is known as ground loop feedback. Experts at CAS DataLoggers run through five ways to eliminate this problem.
Read the full article.

AI development kit for multi-camera products

The QCS6490 Vision-AI Development Kit from Avnet enables engineering teams to rapidly prototype hardware, application software, and AI enablement for multi-camera, high-performance, Edge AI-enabled custom embedded products. The kit facilitates design with the new, energy-efficient MSC SM2S-QCS6490 SMARC compute module based on the Qualcomm QCS6490 processor. Provides support for up to four MIPI CSI cameras and concurrent Mini DisplayPort and MIPI DSI displays.
Learn more.

High-temp cabinet cooler keeps incineration process in business

An EXAIR client company handles waste treatment on a large ship by operating an incinerator. The area where the incinerator is located gets very hot (over 120° F). This causes failures in the electronics package used to control the incineration process. Since compressed air is readily available, EXAIR's Model HT4225 Cabinet Cooler System is being used to keep the panel cool. It saved the customer from having to replace their control units due to the hot conditions in the incinerator room. Thermostat control is also available, conserving air and operating only when needed to minimize air consumption.
Learn about EXAIR's huge selection of Cabinet Coolers.

Compact snap-in capacitors for general-purpose applications

TDK's new EPCOS B43659 series of snap-in aluminum electrolytic capacitors is the next generation of ultra-compact, general-purpose components for voltages of 450 V (DC) featuring an extremely high CV product. It provides the same features and serves the same applications as the previous series but is much more compact. These RoHS-compliant capacitors can be used in a wide range of applications, such as switched-mode power supplies, frequency converters, UPS, medical equipment, and solar inverters.
Get all the specs.

Conductive Brush Ring overcomes current leakage in EV powertrains

SKF's new Conductive Brush Ring paves the way to greater reliability and longer life in high-performance electric vehicle powertrain systems. Using pure carbon fiber bristles, it provides a reliable electrical connection between an EV eAxle rotor shaft and its housing. When used in combination with SKF Hybrid ceramic ball bearings, it helps to alleviate parasitic current effects that can lead to premature failure in bearings and other components. Available in different configurations for wet (oil-lubricated) motor designs -- and soon for dry (sealed) applications.
Learn more.

Siri's first head of product design launches AI startup combating misinformation

Siri's first head of product and design, Mads Rydahl, has funneled his extensive knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) into a new company called Proemial. The startup, co-founded by serial entrepreneur Geet Khosla and tech veteran Brian Pedersen, aims to tackle the most significant problem of accessing credible knowledge through search engines and AI tools: misinformation. The new company's groundbreaking knowledge platform, called "proem," will answers user questions backed by scientific research papers.

"Today's search and AI-powered tools often hallucinate false information, making it look credible, which only adds rocket fuel to the raging fire of misinformation we face globally in every sector of the media, education, policy, and knowledge economy," says Rydahl, who with Proemial wants to give people access to up-to-date, research-backed knowledge. "Proemial is building a platform that makes it possible, for the first time, for anyone to truly understand cutting-edge scientific research at any level of expertise, and apply the insights in their daily lives -- in the classroom, boardroom, research lab, or newsroom."

The team built a simple, yet powerful, way to get answers to complex, important questions supported by references from the largest repository of scientific research in the world. Scientific knowledge is constantly evolving, and proem will keep users up to date on the latest insights by adding over 410,000 new research papers every month. The platform will be open and free, allowing anyone to dive into specific scientific papers, using LLMs to summarize and explain complex topics in the paper and customize an inspiring feed where users can learn, discuss, and connect with others over new insights and breakthroughs.

Uniquely, proem goes beyond just providing summaries of research papers by allowing users to chat with research papers in conversational, non-technical language, enabling deep dives into research, even for individuals and groups with no science background. The developers say proem adapts to users' language style without sacrificing insight and without resorting to misleading info that plague some AI tools' output.

Public beta just released
Proemial's first beta product -- proem -- was released April 28 to a growing waitlist that includes people from organizations like CERN, Novo Nordisk, Google (Alphabet), Facebook (Meta), MIT, Cornell, and Amazon, whose CTO, Werner Vogels, is an advisor and strong supporter of Proemial's vision.

"One of the hardest issues Amazon engineers have to deal with is understanding which research is most applicable to the problem they are trying to solve," Vogels says. "With their innovative use of cutting-edge AI, conversational design, and a deep understanding of science dissemination, Proemial is creating a product that will help us dig through the mountains of publications. I look forward to supporting them in bringing this to life, and I, for one, plan to become a user of their application."

A small group of the company's advisors and invited users have been testing the product for some time, reporting impressive results. One advisor called co-founder and CEO of Proemial, Geet Khosla, to share her experience:

"One of her family members was recently diagnosed with diabetes and prescribed a drug. When she researched this drug using Google and AI tools like ChatGPT, she got general, unreferenced answers or blue links filled with ads," Khosla recalls. "Using proem, she got a meta-analysis conducted on 10,000 people comparing this specific drug to a few other options. For the first time in her life, she could easily understand the research papers referenced and ask further questions to the specific paper, which helped her realize that a different drug might perform better. She sent the paper to the family doctor, who hadn't seen this fairly new research. Her family member is now on a different, better-suited drug."

The diabetes example underscores the value of what happens when people discover, understand, connect, and apply the vast deep knowledge present in scientific papers, says Khosla. "We envision an exciting future, where the knowledge in research papers is actionable for everyone to apply, ushering in a future of continued progress. The solutions to some of our biggest problems are being solved in research papers that nobody reads -- until now."

Check out proem at proemial.ai.

Source: Proemial

Published May 2024

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