AVX has released a new version of its SpiCalci simulation software, an engineering tool that calculates performance characteristics and parameters for its switch mode power supply (SMPS) capacitors. Featuring new products, enhanced parts selection and graphing tools, and broader compatibility, the software calculates performance characteristics and parameters for the firm’s advanced multilayer ceramic SMPS capacitors. More detail at http://articles.sae.org/13731.

Ophir Photonics’ 1000WP-BB-34 high-power water cooled thermal sensor is designed with the requirement that all materials coming in contact with the cooling water are either copper or nonmetallic. This eliminates the possibility of contaminating the water or corroding the sensor, improving the accuracy and reliability of the measurements. The sensor features a 34-mm aperture and a wide dynamic range, measuring powers from 5 W to 1000 W and energy from 400 mJ to 300 J. More detail at http://articles.sae.org/13730.

Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed a high-resolution magnetic line camera to measure magnetic fields in real time, which is particularly useful for quality assurance during the manufacture of magnets. Read more at http://articles.sae.org/13706.

Ethanol and other alcohols can disrupt yeast cell membranes, eventually killing the cells. In research funded by the MIT Energy Initiative and the U.S. Department of Energy, researchers at MIT and the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research found that adding potassium and hydroxide ions to the medium in which yeast grow can help cells compensate for that membrane damage. Read more at http://articles.sae.org/13609.

High-tech design causes time to remanufacture engines to nearly triple and adds to cost, while used engines remain a competitive factor. However, Purdue University data shows remanufacturing is far more energy efficient than installing a new powerplant. Read more at http://articles.sae.org/13703.

EnerDel’s second-generation Mobile Hybrid Power System (MHPS) was delivered in May to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Research and Development Center in Champaign, IL. It offers a reduction in diesel fuel consumption of up to 70% “in most use cases as demonstrated by the military.” The MHPS-80, as delivered to USACE-ERDC, features an onboard 15-kW charging generator, an 80-kW·h lithium-ion battery system, power inverter, and dc input for wind and solar energy. Read more at http://articles.sae.org/13540/.

For the defense industry, NAND Flash, with its lack of moving parts, has made it the common storage medium for a variety of field applications. With its small size, low power usage, high performance and robustness in extreme environments, choosing solid state storage has been a clear choice from the beginning.

Many of the computer simulation tools used today got their start in the Aerospace industry but their use has always been coupled with significant physical testing. The introduction of composite aircraft structures, however, is creating a need for more reliance on simulation tools and methods. Aircraft designers find many benefits in composites, but they also are wary of some of the potential difficulties that composites can present—issues that the latest simulation software is designed to manage.

Telecommunications design continues its evolution toward higher bandwidth and performance, fueled by growth in Giga-bit Ethernet, wireless network systems and competitive business models incorporating multi-play network services. Similar data-rich applications characterize military design, with a broad spectrum of image-intensive applications powering modern warfare. With fewer troops on the ground, more use of reconnaissance gathered via autonomous vehicles, and real-time feeds informing command and operations, system developers must deliver more network-centric solutions and applications that offer ideal support to today's warfighter.

Liquid resin infusion (LRI) is a proven manufacturing technology for both small- and large-scale structures for which, in most cases, experience and limited prototype experimentation is sufficient to get a satisfactory design. However, large-scale aerospace and other vehicle structures require reproducible, high-quality, defect-free parts with excellent mechanical performance. These requirements necessitate precise control and knowledge of the preforming (draping and manufacture of the composite fabric preforms), their assembly, and the resin infusion.