Electronics-Lab.com Blog

A few folks (including us) have iPhone 3Gs units that sometimes say ‘Charging is not supported with this accessory’ – it appears to be a wonky dock connector… jsappo writes -

Hey everybody! I just encountered this same problem and fixed it! It’s a wonky dock connector straight up. I have outlined the entire process for fixing it.. Hit me up with any questions.

iPhone 3gs FIX! – ‘Charging is not supported with this accessory’  - [Link]

A new type of fuel could be an alternative to batteries as energy sources and helping to boost the hydrogen breakthrough.

This goal is pursued by the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, the Excellence Cluster of Engineering of Advanced Materials at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and the Energy Campus Nuremberg, by researching a mobility option that provides for the storage of energy in liquids, making it compatible with today’s petrol / diesel supply. These so-called energy-carrying substances (ETS) will be recycled and not consumed. This distinguishes them from the current system of fuel. [via]

Carbazole: The electric fuel? - [Link]

For sure, right now you’re surrounded by electromagnetic energy transmitted from sources such as radio and television transmitters, mobile phone networks and satellite communications systems. Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have created a device that is able to scavenge this ambient energy so it can be used to power small electronic devices such as networks of wireless sensors, microprocessors and communications chips.

Manos Tentzeris, a professor in the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and his team used inkjet printing technology to combine sensors, antennas and energy scavenging capabilities on paper or flexible polymers. Presently, the team’s scavenging technology can take advantage of frequencies from FM radio to radar, a range of 100 MHz to 15 GHz or higher. The devices capture this energy, convert it from AC to DC, and then store it in capacitors and batteries.

Capture free energy 24/7 - [Link]

Tayken documented Tokyo Hacker Space’s 12V emergency phone charger for the aftermath of the tsunami: [via]

One problem we saw was that people were in these shelters without any type of communication. Sure they had cellphones but cellular system was down and charging their phones impossible as all had left their chargers at home. We couldn’t have done anything about cellular system but there was chance that we could help them charge their cellphones.

12V emergency phone charger v2.0 – [Link]

Have you ever wondered why transformers hum? I have. And no, it’s not because they don’t know the words. But seriously, at first thought, it makes no sense. They’ve got no moving parts, and how can something produce sound without moving a little air? Well as it turns out, with transformers, there’s more than meets the eye.

Magnetostriction (aka: Why Transformers Hum) - [Link]

Another constant current dummy load. This one is capable of up to 10amps at 40volts.

Since I’m planning to build two bench power supplies, I needed to build a current load to test them. So, I’m going to show you my version of the dummy load. Please note that this project was built ONLY using existing parts in my personal stock.

Junk box constant current dummy load - [Link]

crunchgear.com writes:

NEC and a researcher from Japan’s Tohoku University, Professor Hideo Ohno, are working on a power chip that solves a pretty big problem: completely eliminating electricity consumption of electronic devices that are in standby mode. The key piece of technology here is CAM, the world’s first content addressable memory.

This non-volatile memory will be built into the control circuits of TVs, computers and other devices and stores data even when the power is turned off. In other words, constant standby power to maintain data will not be needed anymore (the English press release goes into more technical detail). The picture above shows a prototype power chip.

NEC Develops Zero Standby Power Semiconductor Tech – [Link]

California-based company Leyden Energy is currently working on developing a new type of chemistry for lithium-ion batteries. If these efforts succeed, then experts here may develop batteries that do not overheat like traditional ones do, leading to new applications.

One of the most exciting prospects is the use of Li-Ion batteries in electric vehicles. This could mean that the automotive industry might become more receptive to creating such vehicles in the near future. [via]

Non-heating lithium-ion batteries in the making – [Link]

rsdio tipped us to an app note on isolated power-supply circuits: [via]

Wow! It’s quite interesting to see how to substitute capacitors for a transformer. Without digging deeper, though, it’s not clear whether voltage boost can be achieved.

An integrated H-bridge driver for isolated power-supply circuits (MAX256) usually drives the primary of a transformer, but it can also drive a pair of capacitors that substitute for the transformer in providing isolation and power transfer.

Isolated power using capacitors - [Link]

adafruit.com/blog writes:

Power packs to propel your projects! – If you want to take your project portable you’ll need a battery pack! For beginners, we suggest alkaline batteries, such as the venerable AA or 9V cell, great for making into larger multi-battery packs, easy to find and carry plenty of charge. If you want to go rechargable to save money and avoid waste, NiMH batteries can often replace alkalines. Eventually, however you may want to upgrade to the shiniest new technology – rechargable lithium ion/polymer batteries…

Li-Ion & LiPoly tutorial. Power packs to propel your projects! - [Link]