Ever wonder how a fighter jet builds up enough thrust to clear the short runway on an aircraft carrier?

Light sensors seem pretty simple. They sense the light, just like a thermometer senses the temperature, and a speedometer senses speed. Temperature and speed are easy to comprehend because we sense them in a straight-forward way. But light is very complicated. Temperature and speed are intensive properties, so they don’t depend on the mass or size of an object.  Light can be measured as an extensive property, meaning the total light collected depends on the size of the collector (e.g. a landfill solar array collects more light than a tiny solar phone charger), or intensively by dividing by the area.

But what are light sensors even measuring? Photons? Energy? It’s complicated. The units are important to understand before attempting to understand light sensors.

Throughout modern industrial times gear systems and belt systems have been the norm in the main stream thinking for power transmission.  However, a different type of system, traction drives, have been around for many years and offer significant improvements in efficiency, noise/vibration and simplicity.  Traction drives were first invented in the 1800’s, but their benefit could not be realized until today when advancements in manufacturing, materials and fluids made it possible.

Machine automation is entering an era of rapid changes and technological advances, enabling businesses to improve their production efficiency, lower the operational costs, and boost their bottom line.

The motion control system is widely used in various industries in order to develop automated systems. This system encompasses a broad range of components that control motion sequences, enabling the engineering team to control the precise speed, the position, and the torque of the system.

Electronic gadgets have become an integral part of our lives. They have made our lives more comfortable and convenient. From aviation to medical and healthcare industries, electronic gadgets have a wide range of applications in the modern world. In fact, the electronics revolution and the computer revolution go hand in hand.

Most gadgets have tiny electronic circuits that can control machines and process information. Simply put, electronic circuits are the lifelines of various electrical appliances. This guide explains in detail about common electronic components used in electronic circuits and how they work.

In this article I will provide an overview on electronic circuits.  Then I will provide more information on 7 different types of components.  For each type I'll discuss the composition, how it works, and the function & significance of the component.

1. Capacitor
2. Resistor
3. Diode
4. Transistor
5. Inductor
6. Relay
7. Quartz Crystal

We often make assumptions that companies and the public sector folks that are involved in the SBIR/STTR solicitation and grant process are familiar with all aspects of the program.  Then you talk to a peer in another company, or meet with a government representative or come across information on the web and realize, “I didn’t know that, or they didn’t know that, wow”.

However, as you consider the breadth of the program and the numerous entities involved, it really is no surprise that beyond one’s direct area of involvement there is much to learn.