Development of Low-Profile TACT Switch for Portable Devices by ALPS
Alps has released a new SKSH Series TACT switch ideal for portable devices such as mobile phones and audio players. In developing new switch, Alps has applied its simulation technology, a new metal contact with a pressed microscopic doughnut-type extrusion, providing a wide operational range despite its compact size. Furthermore, has added a partitioned construction to the fixed contact area in order to improve contact reliability. This will result in a stable contact by increasing contact points while allowing dust and foreign substances to flow into the separate slit area. Read more
Development of New technology for Extending the Life of Industrial Lithium-ion Batteries by HITACHI
Like any other new novel technology with a proven concept and then its commercialization, the cost of the development at first is never an issue until it goes through the mass market. Material science by no means is an exception to this theory, where the scientist usually work with a material which speeds up the making of the final product regardless of its cost and its scarcity, and later on move to an alternative substance which provide a cost effective product with same set of features if not better. Lithium-ion battery technology some how follows the same processing path. Today, lithium-ion batteries are in use in a wide array of consumer electronic applications such as mobile phones, Laptop PCs to name a few, as well as hybrid automobiles and other vehicle applications, where in a not so distance future are expected to be used as compact storage devices in connection with wind power generation and other power facilities designed exclusively to contribute in reducing environmental impact. Currently, the main cathode material used in these batteries are cobalt, at least for the consumer applications, which forms the largest market segment for these type of batteries. However, their growing popularity raised a concern in securing a steady supply of cobalt, being a scarce resource. Based on this, Hitachi has turned its attention to an alternative material in replacing cobalt in this type of application. Read more
Ultra small Magnetic Switch AMR by Murata Manufacturing
This is really tiny as you can see from company’s own photo. This is a magnetic switch that has been commercialized to be used in mobile phones and laptops PCs as well as digital cameras for open/close detection.
Up to now, mechanical switches have been used for open/close detection of mobile phones and laptop PCs; but recently, magnetic switches and magnetic field sensors have been gaining popularity. This is due to the fact that unlike their mechanical counterparts, magnetic switches eliminate wear which is caused by contact between sensor and magnet. Read more
