Keyword: Switches

Briefs: Materials
Smart Molecules Act as Computer Transistors

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...

Briefs: Nanotechnology
Using Magnets to Toggle Nanolasers Leads to Better Photonics
A new control mechanism may prove useful in devices that make use of optical signals.
Briefs: Materials
3D-Printed Objects Sense How a User is Interacting with Them
Sensing is incorporated directly into an object’s material, with applications for assistive technology and “intelligent” furniture.
Technology Leaders: Power
The Pursuit of an Uninterruptible Power Supply
To ensure the availability of a UPS system, proper consideration must be taken of each application and its requirements.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Coherent Optical Transistor
Applications include telecommunications, optical switching, and quantum computing.
Articles: Electronics & Computers
Products of Tomorrow
Water-sensing smartphone screens, a NASA-developed RF switch, and an ultrasound patch.
Articles: Motion Control
2021 Motion Control Product Directory
Explore manufacturers and products in over 25 motion-design categories.
Q&A: Semiconductors & ICs
Q&A: Switching Technology Improves Power Grid Efficiency
Kristin Sampayan from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found a fast way to switch high voltages.
Briefs: Aerospace
High-Power/Pulsed-Power Electrical Switch
The switch has uses in circuit protection systems in the electric power grid, high-power military applications, and power for materials processing.
Briefs: Materials
Wafer-Thin Nanopaper Changes from Firm to Soft at the Touch of a Button
Bioinspired cellulose nanofibrils can be controlled by electricity.
Briefs: Nanotechnology
New Materials Boost Efficiency and Stability of Optical Rectennas
The improved rectennas could operate low-power devices such as temperature sensors.
Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Nanoscale Thermal Switches
These switches are key to thermal management of nanoscale devices, refrigeration, data storage, thermal computing, and heat management of buildings.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Quantum Switch Turns Metals into Insulators
This approach could engineer quantum materials atom-by-atom for new electronic, magnetic, and sensing applications.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Room-Temperature Magnon Switch
This approach could lead to entirely new and more efficient logic switches for computer chips.
Briefs: RF & Microwave Electronics
Single-Atom Transistors
Linking multiple copies of these devices may lay the foundation for quantum computing.
Briefs: Motion Control
Guiding and Harnessing Transition Waves in Multi-Stable Mechanical Structures
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.
Briefs: Communications
High-Reliability Radio Frequency MEMS Switch
Applications include homeland security, vehicle anti-collision systems, telecommunications systems, and industrial instrumentation.
Briefs: Motion Control
Low-Inductance DC Power Bus
The bus is designed for high-frequency, high-temperature operation in electric drive systems and next-generation power electronics.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Transistors Both Process and Store Information
The functional transistors are integrated with ferroelectric RAM.
Briefs: Electronics & Computers
Low-Energy Device Rapidly Reroutes Light in Computer Chips
The switch is a major new step toward building a computer that uses light instead of electricity to process information.
Application Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
Valve Position Sensor Protects Switch Boxes from Salt Environment
Salty air the Dutch city of Harlingen causes exposed metal parts to corrode.
Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Photonic Switch Increases Speed and Efficiency of Light Through Optical Fibers
This optical switch controls the direction of light passing through optical fibers faster and more efficiently.
Articles: Motion Control
How to Use Rotary Encoders to Quickly Convert Mechanical Rotation into Digital Signals

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....

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
3D-Printed Polymer-Based Foam Structure Responds to Shock Waves

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...

Briefs: Energy
Integrated Silicon Photonic Switch Demonstrates Lowest Signal Loss Ever in High-Speed Data Transmission

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

Briefs: Electronics & Computers
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: Electronics & Computers
Switch Controls Light on a Nanoscale for Faster Information Processing

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...

Briefs: Materials
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...

Top Stories

Technology & Society: Design

Sharp-Shooting Farm Robot

Videos: Photonics/Optics

3 Program Goals for the James Webb Space Telescope in 2023

INSIDER: Communications

Diamond Transistors

Quiz: Communications

How Much Do You Know About GPS and its History?

INSIDER: Imaging

NIF Laser Systems Chief Engineer to Discuss Historic Fusion Ignition...

Articles: Electronics & Computers

Thermal Modeling of Small Satellites

Question of the Week
Blog: Artificial Intelligence: Meet Human Intelligence

Webcasts

Upcoming Webinars: Software

Better Products in Less Time: How Automation and Optimization...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Flexible Technology and Material Options for Automotive...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

EV Motor Improvement With Torque-Dense Materials and Advanced...

Upcoming Webinars: Automotive

Extending ICE Life for Commercial Vehicles

Upcoming Webinars: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Future Trends and Challenges for Connector Solutions in...

Upcoming Webinars: Materials

Conformal Coatings for Product Reliability and Long-term...

Trending Stories

Products: Imaging

Product of the Month: LED Light Engines for Large FOV Fluorescence Imaging...

INSIDER: RF & Microwave Electronics

Diamond Transistors

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

Apparatus for Coating and Cold Welding in Vacuum

Briefs: Physical Sciences

Compact Ku-Band T/R Module for High-Resolution Radar Imaging of Cold Land...

Articles: Imaging

Machine Vision Fundamentals: How to Make Robots ‘See’

Application Briefs: Robotics, Automation & Control

Compiler Selection for Functional Safety in Robots