eNewsletter

July 2010

Magnets Trump Metallics
Magnetic fields can block conductivity of carbon nanotubes
Metallic carbon nanotubes show great promise for applications from microelectronics to power lines because of their ballistic transmission of electrons. But who knew magnets could stop those electrons in their tracks?

Rice physicist Junichiro Kono and his team have been studying the Aharonov-Bohm effect, the interaction between electrically charged particles and magnetic fields, and how it relates to carbon nanotubes.  While doing so, they came to the unexpected conclusion that magnetic fields can turn highly conductive nanotubes into semiconductors. 

"When you apply a magnetic field, a band gap opens up and it becomes an insulator," said Kono, a Rice professor in electrical and computer engineering and in physics and astronomy. "You are changing a conductor into a semiconductor, and you can switch between the two. So this experiment explores both an important aspect of the results of the Aharonov-Bohm effect and the novel magnetic properties of carbon nanotubes."

Kono, graduate student Thomas Searles and their colleagues at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and in Japan successfully measured the magnetic susceptibility of a variety of nanotubes for the first time; they confirmed that metallics are far more susceptible to magnetic fields than semiconducting nanotubes, depending upon the orientation and strength of the field.

Single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs), rolled-up sheets of grapheme, would all look the same to the naked eye if one could see them. But a closer look reveals nanotubes come in many forms, or chiralities, depending on how they're rolled. Some are semiconducting; some are highly conductive metallics. The gold standard for conductivity is the armchair nanotube, so-called because the open ends form a pattern that looks like armchairs.

Not just any magnet would do for their experiments. Kono and Searles traveled to the Tsukuba Magnet Laboratory at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan, where the world's second-largest electromagnet was used to tease a refined ensemble of 10 chiralities of SWNTs, some metallic and some semiconducting, into giving up their secrets.

By ramping the big magnet up to 35 tesla, they found that the nanotubes would begin to align themselves in parallel and that the metallics reacted far more strongly than the semiconductors. (For comparison, the average MRI machine for medical imaging has electromagnets rated at 0.5 to 3 tesla.) Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the metallics, particularly armchair nanotubes, were two to four times more susceptible to the magnetic field than semiconductors and that each chirality reacted differently.

The nanotubes were all about 0.7 to 0.8 nanometers (or billionths of a meter) wide and 500 nanometers long, so variations in size were not a factor in results by Searles. He spent a week last fall running experiments at the Tsukuba facility's "hybrid," a large-bore superconducting magnet that contains a water-cooled resistive magnet. 

Kono said the work would continue on purified batches of nanotubes produced by ultracentrifugation at Rice. That should yield more specific information about their susceptibility to magnetic fields, though he suspects the effect should be even stronger in longer metallics. "This work clearly shows that metallic tubes and semiconducting tubes are different, but now that we have metallic-enriched samples, we can compare different chiralities within the metallic family," he said.

Co-authors of the paper include Yasutaka Imanaka and Tadashi Takamasu of NIMS, Tsukuba, Japan; Hiroshi Ajiki of the Photon Pioneers Center at Osaka University, Japan; and Jeffrey Fagan and Erik Hobbie, researchers at NIST, Gaithersburg, Md.

Searles conducted the majority of the research during a visit to NIMS supported in part by a National Science Foundation Partnerships for International Research and Education grant to Kono and his co-principal investigators. Other funding came from the Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the Robert A. Welch Foundation and the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. 

MEDER electronic, Inc. – Adaptable Automotive Liquid Level Sensors
All trucks and automobiles currently utilizing internal combustion engines have fuel tanks.  To the driver of the fueled motor vehicle, one of the most important instruments on his front panel is his fuel gage. It is important that the gage provides an accurate reading of the fuel level.  To properly measure the fuel, some form of instrument must exist inside the fuel tank.  To survive this environment and make accurate measurements is not an easy undertaking.  To supply the reliability and assurance of accurate fuel readings, Reed Sensors are being widely used because they operate reliably and accurately for billions of operations, while presenting an economical solution.

The LS05 Series Liquid Level Sensors is the most diverse level sensor yet, combining hundreds of standard options ranging from switching power and connectivity to fluid types and number of liquid levels.  The LS05 housing stem, constructed of V2A stainless steel can vary in length up to 6.5 feet long and hold any number of magnetic floats with a minimum spacing of 1.5” between them.  The LS05 can be mounted to the top or bottom of a tank or reservoir using a number of different mounting options.  Its stainless steel housing will withstand high pressure up to 12bar and temperatures up to 200°C when coupled with stainless steel floats.  Choose from any MEDER KSK or OKI Reed Switch up to 1000 Volts and 10 different magnetic floats to produce single, multiple or continuous output signals.

For more information visit http://www.meder.com/us_fuel-level-multi-sensor10.html

Space Efficient 2 Watt SMD DC/DC Converter
Measuring in at 0.24 inches high, Aimtec’s AM2LP-NZ series of DC/DC converters are well designed for a multitude of applications in need of low profile components.

A choice of 10 models offer input voltages of 5, 12 and 24 VDC and either step up or step down single outputs 5, 12 or 15 VDC to meet the specifications for highest volume of applications.

Producing output currents of up to 400 mA, with input/output isolation of 1,000 VDC, at efficiency rates up to 81 percent allow these versatile converters to help maximize battery lifetime and minimize unwanted heat generation. 

Operate within a temperature range of -40°C to 85°C at full power without derating or forced air cooling, the AM2LP-NZ series boasts a cold start-up temperature of -40°C, an important design feature for outdoor applications.

The AM2LP-NZ series compliments Aimtec’s 0.25 watt and 1 watt surface mount converters, providing design engineers with the ability to scale up or down between 0.25 watt, 1 watt and 2 watt modules.

Competitively priced starting at $3.58/1,000+pcs, samples for the AM2LP-NZ can be immediately ordered from stock through one of Aimtec’s franchised distributors.

Crouzet’s New Line of Geared Brushless DC Motors Provide Automated Solutions with Compatible Controllers, Brakes and Smart Drives
Crouzet North America, a company of Custom Sensors & Technologies, has introduced a new line of high performance, geared BLDC motors available with a complete tool kit of selectable gear boxes, controllers, brakes and smart drives.  The innovative concept allows different configurations to be quickly assembled for fast prototyping and provides a complete automated solution tailored to fit individual customer needs.

The new BLDC motors feature a wide selection range for power, speed, torque and size.  Motors include continuous power up to 400 watts, speeds between 1,500 and 6,100 RPMs, and motor constants up to 15 ounce per square root watt (103 mNm per square root Watt).  Maximum torque constants feature up to 198 ounce- inches/amp (1,400 mNm/amp).  The six new models include two round and four square designs with lengths ranging from 41 mm to 114 mm.  Motors can be ordered with a factory-mounted optical or magnetic encoder and can also be fitted with electro-mechanical fail safe power off brakes.  
 
Compatible gearboxes feature Spur, Planetary and Worm styles with torques from 0.4 Nm to 120 Nm. 

The BDE30 and BDE40 external drives are offered in 6 A or 14 A max respectively.  Internal drives are offered on BLDC motors that feature power ranges from 40 to 100 watts.  A wide range of accessories are also available. 

The new motor control solution is suitable for a wide range of applications in the medical and industrial markets.  Specific uses include automation for endoscopy, x-ray and dental equipment, robotic pool equipment, peristaltic pumps, access control, printing and bill boards.

“Crouzet’s new motor line offers a significantly expanded performance range and selection for greater application flexibility,” said Jim McNamara, Crouzet Application engineer.  “Our new ‘tool kit’ approach of  interchangeable motors, gear boxes, controllers, brakes and smart drives, allows us to provide fast automated solutions at an excellent value.”

Dolphin Integration and Infolytica Corp. Enable Mechatronic System Simulation Using Magnet and Motorsolve Coupled with Smash
Dolphin Integration SA and Infolytica Corp. have announced that their solutions for mixed signal simulation and electromagnetic field simulation can now work together to perform powerful mechatronic system simulation. Smash, from Dolphin Integration, can directly simulate response surface models of electric motors generated in VHDL-AMS by MagNet or MotorSolve, from Infolytica, and can perform a system level simulation of both the device and the control circuitry.

The multilingual and mixed-signal simulator SMASH "All-in-One" is an EDA must for hierarchical SoC Integration, with patented features for DfY, and the most extensive VHDL-AMS language compliance. It serves as the cornerstone for the Virtual Fab Process enabling ViC and SoC Right-on-First-Pass Silicon.

Infolytica Corp. offers several electric motor and electromagnetic design software solutions. The company’s MagNet and MotorSolve software can be used to generate response surface models of various motor types in VHDL-AMS. 

Designing mechatronic systems requires understanding the significant interactions between the electromechanical components and the analog or digital electronics. The VHDL-AMS models are functionally equivalent to the original MagNet or MotorSolve models, but they can be evaluated extremely quickly in a transient circuit simulation. The files can be integrated into a circuit description in Smash to perform a simulation taking into account the interactions between the machine and control circuitry.

“Addressing the domain of magnetic models is a huge step forward for our users in the automotive industry, who are more and more often faced with the tricky mixing of magnetic, mechanical and, of course, electrical models” said Thierry Villard, EDA Sales director at Dolphin Integration. He continued on to say this work “represents recognition of the performances of our mixed-signal simulator SMASH in terms of VHDL-AMS language compliance and simulation speed.”

MagNet v7 and MotorSolve v2, with their VHDL-AMS export capabilities, are now available for PC's running Microsoft Windows XP, Vista and 7.

Vicor Adds 28 V Wide-Input Mini Family of DC-DC Converters
Vicor Corp. has added a new 28 V Wide Input Mini Family of DC-DC Converters.  With a wide input range of 9 V to 36 V, the modules are appropriate for MIL-COTS and industrial applications operating from 12 V or 24 V inputs, which are typical for battery systems in vehicles. Fully encapsulated, Vicor Mini modules utilize a proprietary spin-fill process to assure complete, void-free encapsulation making them suitable for the harshest environments.
 
The new 28 VDC Mini series models offer eight different output voltages ranging from 3.3 V to 48 V with a maximum power of 150 W, and four operating temperature grades, including -55ºC. Baseplate options include slotted, threaded and through-hole.
 
“The 9 V to 36 V input range allows designers to specify one converter to operate in both 12 V and 24 V vehicle systems, making this product particularly cost effective for the end-user,” said Kai Johnstad, Sr. Product Marketing manager.
 
Pricing for the 28 VDC input Mini models range from as low as $119 USD (C Grade) in 100-piece quantities. Lead times can be as short as three weeks for prototype quantities.

Quadrant Introduces New High Performance, Machinable PI and PEEK Materials
Quadrant has released Duratron D7000 PI and Semitron MP370 (a modified PEEK). These two new materials will help engineers and designers fill performance gaps with machinable polymers that not only offer improved performance – but real value.

Duratron D7000 PI is a new, high performance polyimide material that brings the benefits of polymer materials to applications that require thermal performance in the 600°F (315°C) range. While polyimide has been widely used in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing equipment for years, Quadrant’s new Duratron D7000 PI range opens up new design possibilities with sheet thicknesses and tube configurations not previously available.  It also provides access to these shapes via the strongest worldwide distribution network in the materials industry.  Other grades of Duratron PI are available including a bearing grade, Duratron D7015G PI. Many engineers have used polyimide as a “catch all” for high-temperature applications. Quadrant’s approach of helping to select the “right” material for each application brings real value to equipment builders by not immediately jumping to ultra-exotic (and ultra-high priced) solutions. 

Semitron MP370 gives test socket designers one more option – allowing builders to more closely tailor the socket material to the application environment.  Quadrant has already developed a range of machinable Duratron PAI (Torlon), Ketron PEEK and Semitron ESd materials that are industry standards.  Semitron MP370 gives a new option to engineers who found generic, ceramic filled PEEK materials interesting but were scared off by the average machinability that jeopardized next-generation; small hole and fine pitch designs.  Semitron MP370 PEEK also is not subject to the “soft center” or inconsistent physical properties that can be found in injection molded shapes.  Homogeneous Semitron MP370 PEEK is a stable platform for new design ideas.

Vishay Extends 900 V to 2700 V Heavy Duty Capacitors for Power Electronics with New Capacitance Values Up to 2235 µF
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. is extending its heavy-duty Vishay ESTA HDMKP capacitors for power electronics with new capacitance and packaging options.  HDMKP capacitors are available in six standard voltages from 900 V to 2,700 V (DC). Previously offering capacitance values from 40 µF to 1,100 µF, the series has now been extended to offer capacitance values up to 2235 µF, with a capacitance tolerance of ±5 percent. 

The HDMKP capacitors are aimed at DC and AC filtering and DC linking applications in power converters for uninterruptible power supplies, wind turbines, and in power converters for traction and industrial drives. They will also serve as impulse discharge capacitors for magnetizing and welding.

The metalized-film HDMKP capacitors feature current ratings as high as 150 A, high impulse current of up to 25 kA, and low self-inductance of less than 70 nH.

In addition to their low inductance and high current ratings, the HDMKP capacitors offer extremely low losses at high frequencies, low ESR and high resistance to the effects of shock and vibration for high reliability and life expectancy in rugged environments.

In addition to new capacitance ratings, the series is gaining a new case option for a total of four. Capacitor height options range from 105 mm to 260 mm, with diameters of 84.4 mm and 116 mm. The devices feature a non-polar dielectric and are easily mounted using an integrated M 12 stud on their base. 

Devices in the HDMKP series are specified for an operating temperature of -40°C to 70°C at full rated voltage, or up to 100°C at half of the rated voltage, and meet IEC 61071 1, EN 61071, IEC 68 2, and IEC 61881 standards. Terminal-to-terminal test voltage is 1.5 times the rated DC voltage for 10 seconds.

Samples and production quantities of the HDMKP series capacitors are available now, with lead times of eight to 10 weeks. Pricing for US delivery in 50 piece quantities starts at $ 43.75 per piece.  

Class 2 Transformers Certified for use with Audio-, Radio-, and Television-type Appliances
Foster Transformer has introduced a pair of transformers which are well suited for use in many industrial control systems including radio and audio applications. Transformer models 15951 and 15952 are UL and C-UL listed to UL 5085-3, Class 2 Transformers, and UL 1411, Transformers and Motor Transformers for use with Audio-, Radio, and Television-type appliances.  Proprietary design protects against failures due to short circuit or overload conditions, and because they are classified as inherently limited, no additional fusing or circuit protection is required.  In addition to fire and burglar alarms, these new transformers are well suited for intercom systems, paging systems, doorbells, HVAC applications, industrial control panels, commercial appliances and others requiring a UL listed Class 2 Control Transformer. 

Both models work from a 115 V, 50/60 Hz input and have an output of 16 VAC.  The model 15951 is rated 15 VA while the 15952 has a 30 VA rating.  When used with a rectifier and filter capacitor these transformers are suitable for 24 VDC control systems.  Both transformers are intended for permanent installation and offer a variety of mounting options including clamp, conduit nipple and outlet box cover plate styles.  Low voltage connections are made to a two position screw terminal for convenient field installation.
Designed for low temperature rise and long life, these US-made transformers are well suited for government contracts, which require domestically sourced components.  Samples and small quantities are typically available from stock.

“These transformers are ideal for stimulus-funded projects like building rehabilitation for greater energy efficiency,” said Foster VP Herm Harrison.  “We designed them to be a long-term solution because we've engineered the most common failures shorting and over-heating out.  The result is a long-lasting, trouble-free transformer that is made in the USA.”

Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. Introduces New Three-Phase Brushless DC Motor Pre-Driver IC
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. has introduced a new three-phase brushless DC motor pre-driver with outputs for direct high current gate drive of an all N-channel power MOSFET three phase bridge with a maximum supply voltage of 38 V. Allegro’s A4936 device has three Hall-element inputs, a sequencer for commutation control, fixed off-time pulse width modulation (PWM) current control and locked-rotor detection. The key applications for this new device are laser printer and copier drum drives within the office automation market.

Output current is scaled by the capability of the external MOSFETs. Locked rotor detection delay is set by an external capacitor on the CLD terminal. The PWM, DIR, BRAKE and STOP inputs can be used to control motor speed, position, and torque. Motor speed can be determined using motor FG coil signal that is amplified and shaped with the internal differential amplifier and comparator to produce a digital FGS output. The external MOSFETS can be Pulse-Width-Modulated (PWM’d) using an external signal on the PWM input, or using the internal PWM current regulator. In either case, Allegro’s A4936 synchronous rectification feature reduces power dissipation by turning on the appropriate MOSFETs during current decay.

The Hall elements can be inexpensive types when used with internal noise filtering to prevent false commutation signals. The A4936 provides a regulated 7.5 V supply to power the three Hall elements. Internal circuit protection includes thermal shutdown with hysteresis, under voltage lockout and dead time protection. Special power-up sequencing is not required. The operating temperature range is -20°C to 105°C.

The A4936 is supplied in a 5 mm by 5 mm, 32-terminal QFN package with exposed thermal pad. This small footprint package is lead (Pb) free with 100 percent matte tin lead frame plating. It is priced at $1.00 in quantities of 1,000.

MAGNETICS 2011:
Call for Presentations Deadline is This Friday!

Magnetics 2011 will be held March 1-2, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. This global event will be organized to provide numerous opportunities for networking including refreshment and networking breaks, discussion sessions, daily luncheons, reception, and tabletop or portable exhibits. The 2011 Magnetics Conference will again be co-located with the 2010 Motor, Drives & Automation Systems Conference.

GET INVOLVED –
Submit an abstract for the opportunity to speak and this industry-leading conference. We are looking for energetic and knowledgeable speakers to share their vision, ideas and solutions with our audience.

Magnetics 2011 will have 3 tracks to address the magnetics market including Rare Earths, Ferrites and Soft Magnetics. Each track is designed to cover the latest advancements in applications, technology, materials and economic development.

SUBMISSIONS SOUGHT FOR:

Other Areas of Coverage to Include:
- Materials Pricing & Economic Development
- New Frontiers in Magnetics Research & Development
- Emerging Technologies that Utilize Magnetics

Submit your abstract for consideration in the program by Friday, July 23, 2010.   

Full-conference registration fees will be waived for all confirmed speakers.

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL:
The basis of the proposal or the presentation may not be the promotion or marketing of a product.
Please Note: Proposals and Submissions will be accepted only electronically by email. Send your proposal in the body of your email letter and include supporting material and complete presentations as attachments.
**All submission guidelines must be included for abstract consideration. Visit the conference Web site for complete submission guidelines.

Submit abstracts to Heather Krier at heatherk@infowebcom.com or 720.528.3770 x129.

Interested in Exhibiting or Sponsoring? Contact Sue Hannebrink at sueh@infowebcom.com.

Magnetics 2011 will focus on the latest advancements in magnetic applications, technology and materials. Serving OEM developers of products that utilize magnets and magnet systems, design engineers, OEM developers involved in EMC technology and magnetic effects, magnetics manufacturers and integrators, and material suppliers in the magnetics industry.

In 2011, the Magnetics Conference will be co-located with the Motor, Drive & Automation Systems Conference. We feel this addition to be a natural fit, one that will provide added benefit to attendees, exhibitors and sponsors of both these world class technical events. Attendees to either event will have access to the combined exhibit halls and networking breaks, receptions and luncheons. And for a nominal additional fee, attendees can have access to both conference programs.

austriamicrosystems and Dexter Magnetics Technologies, Inc. Announce a Value Added Distribution Partnership
Dexter Magnetic Technologies will be a franchised value-added provider of austriamicrosystems’ magnetic sensors and associated magnetic products, including engineered modules, in North America. This arrangement is focused on providing magnetic sensor customers with a complete engineered solution incorporating sensors and magnetic technology. Customers will have the ability to work with a single and dedicated source for all of their sensor and magnetic requirements. Dexter Magnetic Technologies has designed an assortment of precision magnetic components to complement austriamicrosystems’ magnetic sensors IC’s.

“This partnership between our two companies is very unique for the design engineer as we are bridging the industry gap in magnetics knowledge and providing a single point of magnetic sensor design support for our customers,” said Robert K. Brinley, senior vice presiden, Business Development.

David Bates, austriamicrosystems’ Channel Partner Manager, Americas said, “Dexter Magnetic Technologies’ expertise in magnetic, electronic, and mechanical solutions brings new capabilities to our family of magnetic encoder IC’s, and extra value to our customers.”

Mouser First to Stock KEMET Power Solutions (KPS)
Mouser Electronics, Inc., known for its rapid introduction of the newest products, today announced it is the first to stock the KEMET Power Solutions (KPS Series) MLCC Capacitors.
                                                                             
KEMET’s KPS series (KEMET Power Solutions) utilizes proprietary lead-frame technology to vertically stack one or two multilayer ceramic chip capacitors (MLCCs) into a single compact surface mount package. The attached lead-frame mechanically isolates the capacitor/s from the printed circuit board, therefore offering advanced mechanical and thermal stress performance.  Isolation also addresses concerns for audible, microphonic noise that may occur when a bias voltage is applied.
       
A two chip stack offers up to double the capacitance in the same or smaller design footprint when compared to traditional surface mount MLCC devices.
       
Providing up to 10 mm of board flex capability, KPS series capacitors are environmentally friendly and in compliance with RoHS legislation. Available in X7R dielectric, these devices are capable of Pb-free reflow profiles and provide lower ESR, ESL and higher ripple current capability when compared to other dielectric solutions. 
       
Andy Kerr, Mouser Vice President of Passives, said, “The KEMET Power Solutions KPS Series MLCC Capacitors feature extremely low ESR and ESL when compared to other dielectric solutions. The space savings, combined with twice the capacitance, makes the KPS Series an ideal solution in commercial and automotive applications.”
       
Jeff Franklin, KEMET Ceramic Specialty Product Manager, is pleased to offer the KEMET Power Solutions MLCC Capacitors to Mouser. “Mouser’s design-engineer customers will appreciate the many advantages of the lead-free, RoHS compliant KPS Series. A non-polar capacitor, the KPS Series minimizes installation concerns and is available in X7R dielectric for thermal protection up to 125°C.”     

The Technology World in One Location • October 19-20 • Dallas, Texas

Click here to download a brochure

For the first time ever, six leading market-focused events will be co-located and sharing a combined exhibit hall in the Dallas area this fall. Each attracts leading technical professionals in their respective field. Together, it means a show floor populated by top design engineers, system engineers, manufacturing and facility managers, control and wireless communication specialists, and management executives from multiple industries and markets throughout North America.

The event is backed up by the programs of five separate in-depth annual conferences and more than 15 intensive workshops and master classes covering many of today’s hottest technologies and fastest-growing markets. Additionally, a series of free educational classes on energy efficiency for engineers and managers will take place on the exhibit floor for Energy Efficiency Expo.

Discover how and where to integrate new technologies into your systems to improve performance and efficiency, as well as new market trends and how they can impact your company. Find new suppliers and solutions for a variety of technology needs in your organization.

Battery Power 2010 • Advancements in Thermal Management
REMOTE Site & Equipment Management 2010 • Energy Efficiency Expo 2010
Antenna Systems 2010 • Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Expo

Download a PDF Copy of the Summer 2010 Issue of Magnetics Business & Technology Magazine

Features & Columns:

• Spontaneous Thoughts: A Three Pronged Approach
• Understanding Permanent Magnets
• Global Permanent Magnet Industry 2010 - 2020
• R&D: Children’s Cancer Center Magnetically Lengthens Nine-Year-Old’s Leg as She Grows

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