Archive : 12 December 2014 год

Molex has made what it calls a strategic investment in NuCurrent, a US based developer of wireless power antenna technology. 

"NuCurrent's wireless power antenna capabilities dovetail with our business strategy of helping customers bring pioneering products to market," said Lily Yeung, director of business development for Molex. "Wireless device charging has the potential to drastically change how the world powers its phones and other portable devices and Molex is thrilled to be involved in the early stages of this emerging technology." 

NuCurrent has made strides in developing novel structures for low resistance antennas. Althought developed initially for medical devices, the company is now focusing on consumer wireless power applications. 

Compared to standard antennas, NuCurrent claims its antennas offer higher efficiency, smaller size, longer battery life, greater transmission distance, lower heating and direct integration with circuitry. 

"Being able to tap into the engineering expertise at Molex, as well as the global reach of its manufacturing capabilities and sales force, will be an enormous benefit," said Jacob Babcock, NuCurrent's founder and CEO. "We look forward to the future as we partner with Molex to expand the reach of our innovative solutions."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

A novel type of 'smart' textile that turns garments into active motion sensors has been developed by Cambridge Consultants. Acccording to the company, XelfleX features a fibre optic thread which acts as a sensor. 

"Our aim was to create wearables that people actually want to wear," said XelfleX inventor Martin Brock. "With XelfleX, the garment itself is the sensor and it allows you to create smart clothing that is low cost, durable, useful and attractive to wear." 

Smart garments can be created by attaching an electronics pack to the fibre. When a pulse of light is transmitted down the fibre from the electronics pack, a well defined amount of light is scattered continuously along its length. Bending the fibre results in increased scattering and reflection, which can then be measured. 

By integrating the fibre into a close fitting garment, the movement of a joint can change the amount of bending at a defined sensor point in the fibre. Up to 10 sensors are possible along each fibre. 

Algorithms turn data from the sensors into guidance that users can understand and transmit the results to a smartphone. Whilst the technology is likely to be used for fitness and sports coaching, it could also be used as part of a physiotherapy programme. Other applications include motion capture for virtual reality applications.

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk

Korean based SK Telecom has launched Air Cube, a portable monitoring device that measures air quality and suggests appropriate actions at emergencies via a designated application on user's smartphone. 

Air Cube comes in two models: Air Cube C measures the level of fine dust particles and carbon dioxide; while Air Cube T measures fine dust level and the discomfort index, constructed from temperature and humidity data. Air quality is measured every 15s and the results are shown in five levels, where five is the worst. When the air quality reaches or exceeds level four, the device sounds an alarm. 

Measuring 52 x 52 x 52mm and weighing 80g, Air Cube can be connected to users' smartphones using a Bluetooth 4.0 or better connection. 

"Air Cube is expected to satisfy consumers' desire for a more pleasant and healthy life," said Park Chul-soon, head of SK's convergence business office. "We will continue to make efforts to enhance customer value by developing diverse smart 'appcessories' that can be connected to smartphones."

Author
Graham Pitcher

Source:  www.newelectronics.co.uk