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14
Mar
2012
GaN power semiconductor market to receive boost
The gallium nitrade (GaN) power semiconductor market is set to receive a boost during the next decade through the design of power supplies, PV inverters and industrial motor devices. This is the finding of a new report by IMS Research, which predicts that profit from the semiconductors will rise from almost zero last year to near £750,000 by 2021. GaN is expected to become a popular choice, as it is a wide bandgap material that boasts low costs. Richard Eden, senior market analyst...
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09
Jan
2012
TDK-Lambda get ZVSC patent
A Devon-based company has received a UK patent on a zero voltage switching converter (ZVSC). TDK-Lambda has developed a ZVSC using a half-bridged switching circuit with additional noise cancelling circuitry to reduce conducted common-mode noise. According to TDK-Lambda, this will reduce the need for additional filtering and will yield a compact, high power density unit, achieving a power density of 8.3W/in3. The new device has been approved by the UK Intellectual Property Office and is...
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03
Jan
2012
3D solar cell breakthrough
An American developer has claimed to have had a breakthrough with 3D solar cell technology. Solar3D has tested its new silicon solar cell design that projects the efficiency to be 35.47 per cent. The company develops solar cells based on three dimensional designs to increase surface area to maximise the amount of energy generated. Jim Nelson, president and chief executive officer of Solar3D, explained: "Our recent tests involve a larger design that contains multiple micro 3D...
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22
Dec
2011
Smart meter chips are a 'lucrative' market
Chips for smart meters will be a lucrative market by 2016, experts predict. With the number of smart meters expected to grow from 20.5 million units to 62 million, the market for chips used in them is also expected to rise from nearly £250 million to almost £750 million. Jacobo Carrasco Heres, spokesperson from IHS iSuppli: "The original motivation for replacing conventional meters with smart meters was energy savings. "However, a more compelling incentive is the...
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19
Dec
2011
Micro energy harvesting ready for mass production
Micro energy harvesting is expected to become a part of mainstream technology in 2012, according to industry experts. Speaking to Electronics Weekly, John Corbett, sales director UK for EnOcean, claimed that energy harvesting wireless sensor technology is already making significant progress and will move towards mainstream rollout in 2012, as more and more independent investors integrate energy harvesting modules into their own products. This progression has been supported by the German...
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13
Dec
2011
Cloud computing will 'transform' business IT
The way in which businesses use computers will be transformed by cloud computing, according to industry experts. Speaking about how the growing use of cloud computing technologies will impact upon how people interact with technology, Dr Mick Grierson, computing lecturer at Goldsmiths, University of London, stated: " I think people in business will still use desktops but not in the same way they used to. "[Currently] you buy a big server [and] you have it in your office. You...
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09
Dec
2011
FSB: Businesses must have access to adequate broadband
Broadband policy must be right to ensure that all businesses have access to adequate internet services, according to industry experts. A report by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) shows that broadband service is vital for online trade growth and urges the government to improve its broadband policy. John Walker, national chairman of the FSB, stated: "Online trading has helped to empower small businesses to find new markets, sell new products, try new models and compete on an...
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28
Nov
2011
Business IT: Cloud computing is secure
Companies are being advised to switch to cloud computing to increase security and improve efficiency.The popularity of cloud computing to consolidate data and improve remote working is increasing among companies across all sectors.Those in the construction and electrical industries are increasingly becoming aware of the benefits of cloud computing when working in changing locations away from central offices.Mark Dempster, associate of the Centre for Cyber Security, stated: "Cloud...
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18
Nov
2011
Homeowners make 'serious, sober' maintenance decisions
Homeowners are keener to make "sober, serious decisions" about spending money on their home than paying for frivolous "fun" additions such as kitchens.More than half of Brits believe gutters, brickwork and roofs should take precedence over internal décor and having an up to date kitchen when it comes to determining the value of a home, according to a survey by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).Only location was rated higher when it came to...
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14
Nov
2011
Micro-CHP: Policy framework is vital for to replace gas-fired heating
Micro-CHP units may replace conventional gas-fired heating systems by 2025 under the right policy framework, according to technology developers.Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (CFCL) claims the new unit could replace dangerous gas-fired heating systems if introduced as a part of the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, which could then be gradually phased out as new building regulations supporting the microchip were phased in.It is hoped that Micro-CHP can actively contribute to the UK's transition to...
