Keyword: Switches

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Researchers have discovered a single-molecule switch that can act like a transistor and store binary information such as the 1s and 0s used in classical computing. The molecule is around five...

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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
A new control mechanism may prove useful in devices that make use of optical signals.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Sensing is incorporated directly into an object’s material, with applications for assistive technology and “intelligent” furniture.
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Technology Leaders: Power
To ensure the availability of a UPS system, proper consideration must be taken of each application and its requirements.
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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Applications include telecommunications, optical switching, and quantum computing.
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Articles: Wearables
Water-sensing smartphone screens, a NASA-developed RF switch, and an ultrasound patch.
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Articles: Motion Control
Explore manufacturers and products in over 25 motion-design categories.
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Q&A: Electronics & Computers
Kristin Sampayan from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found a fast way to switch high voltages.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The switch has uses in circuit protection systems in the electric power grid, high-power military applications, and power for materials processing.
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Briefs: Energy
Bioinspired cellulose nanofibrils can be controlled by electricity.
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Briefs: Materials
The improved rectennas could operate low-power devices such as temperature sensors.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
These switches are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing, and heat management of buildings.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
This approach could engineer quantum materials atom-by-atom for new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This approach could lead to entirely new and more efficient logic switches for computer chips.
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Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Linking multiple copies of these devices may lay the foundation for quantum computing.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The domino effect is used to design deployable systems that expand quickly with a small push and are stable and locked into place after deployment.
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Briefs: Communications
Applications include homeland security, vehicle anti-collision systems, telecommunications systems, and industrial instrumentation.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The bus is designed for high-frequency, high-temperature operation in electric drive systems and next-generation power electronics.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
The functional transistors are integrated with ferroelectric RAM.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
The switch is a major new step toward building a computer that uses light instead of electricity to process information.
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Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Salty air the Dutch city of Harlingen causes exposed metal parts to corrode.
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Briefs: Electronics & Computers
This optical switch controls the direction of light passing through optical fibers faster and more efficiently.
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Articles: Electronics & Computers

In the digital age, the measurement of rotation of a mechanical shaft on a motor or a rotating instrument knob needs to be done quickly and efficiently....

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Briefs: Imaging

A 3D-printed polymer-based foam structure was developed that responds to the force of a shock wave to act as a oneway switch, a long sought-after goal in shock research. The...

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Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Experimental photonic switches developed at UC Berkeley have shown promise toward the goal of fully optical, high-capacity switching for...

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Briefs: Materials
All-Fiber, Optically Controlled Optical Switch

An optical switch is a device where information-bearing light may be directed to one of several outputs. Prior art optical switches have mainly been integrated optical waveguide structures such as titanium-diffused (Ti) waveguides in lithium-niobate (LiNbO3) or gallium-arsenide (GaAs)...

Briefs: Communications
MEMS Switch Extends Life of Cellphones

A new type of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) was developed that uses electrostatic levitation to provide a more robust system. All cellphones use MEMS switches for wireless communication, but traditionally there are just two electrodes. The switches open and close numerous times during just one hour,...

Briefs: Semiconductors & ICs

Photons, or units of light, are faster than electrons and could, therefore, process information faster from smaller chip structures. A switch was designed that bypasses a...

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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Polymer Nanofiber-Based Reversible Nano-Switch/Sensor Schottky Diode (nanoSSSD) Device

Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a unique nano-structure device that operates as a nano-switch/sensor for detecting toxic gases and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Conventional microsensors are limited by their short life, high cost and...