"Also of Interest" for January 16, 2012

The "Also of Interest" listing is the embodiment of our belief that engineers are interested in exploring topics which are not directly related to their jobs, but which will broaden their knowledge and sometimes spur further innovative and creative approaches.

Among the publications we check are IEEE Spectrum, Machine Design, Design News, Laser Focus World, Photonics Spectra, NASA Tech Briefs (in its various manifestations), Microwave Journal, RF & Microwaves, and Physics Today—and there are others, as well.

Consider these items as online "extras", and worth a look and a few minutes of your time. (Please note: there are also links to the past weeks' editions of this feature, in the "Navigate" box to the right.)

Also of Interest:

• By combining the magnification capabilities of a microscope with the spectral analysis capabilities of a spectrophotometer, microspectrophotometers acquire transmission and reflectance spectra in the UV through near-IR region of samples on the micron scale or smaller:
  "Microspectrophotometers take a closer look,"
  Laser Focus World, August 2011
• Well known as a valuable tool in the medical and biophotonics fields, optical coherence tomography is also becoming important for industrial uses such as process control:
  "OCT supports industrial nondestructive depth analysis,"
  Laser Focus World, August 2011
• The IEC Standard describing the test program for PV panels, IEC 61730-2 requires an impulse test up to 8kV delivered across the panel, from the shorted power leads to the outside of the panel via a copper wrap:
  "Proper Application and Evaluation of the Surge Test for PV Panels,"
  Power Electronics Technology, September 2011
• Few young engineers have someone to show them the ropes when the going gets tough. A low-pressure “dry run” can help navigate through difficult times later:
  "Engineering when you don’t have a mentor,"
  Machine Design, August 25, 2011
• Suction pads come in a vast range of sizes, shapes, and designs to safely handle most any product:
  "Suction cups lift almost anything,"
  Machine Design, October 6, 2011
• Limiting leakage in aerospace turbo-machinery has been a focus of engineers ever since the advent of the turbine:
  "Using Fiber Metal Abradable Seals in Aerospace Turbine Applications,"
  Defense Tech Briefs, October 2011
• Among various cooling approaches, the correct solution for your application depends on meeting your requirements at the lowest possible cost and complexity:
  "Five Approaches to Cooling Military Electronics,"
  Defense Tech Briefs, October 2011
• Multiphysics software provides analysis of microwave generation, propagation, and heating:
  "Analysis of Microwave Radiation,"
  Software Tech Briefs, September 2011
• Consideration of tooling issues in part design can save money and dramatically improve part quality:
  "Why Mold Design Matters,"
  Design News, October 2011
• Document control in the cloud can improve quality management systems and productivity for manufactuers:
  "Cloud Control for Quality Management Systems,"
  Desktop Engineering, November 2011
• Researchers help space-challenged RF designers with smaller antennas:
  "Designing New Antennas,"
  Desktop Engineering, November 2011

• January 11, 2012
• January 4, 2012
• December 21, 2011
• December 14, 2011