VoltJots

This week's selection brings a blend of groundbreaking innovations, retro-inspired projects, and powerful tools. From a single-molecule transistor pushing the boundaries of electronics efficiency to 3D-printed transistors that could shake up manufacturing, there’s plenty of exciting news.

And for those who love hands-on projects, we have a couple of fantastic DIY builds, including enhancing a vintage Radio Shack microcomputer with a Raspberry Pi Pico and creating your own smart energy meter using ESP32.

On the tools front, Wokwi provides a fantastic online electronics simulator for fast prototyping (by far my favourite find this week), and we dive into QSPICE—a great resource for LTspice users wanting to explore its unique features and broaden their simulation skills.

Jump in and discover what’s new and noteworthy in the world of electronics!

Hope you enjoy! Until next week,

VoltJots

Single molecule transistor for greener, faster electronics🔗

Silicon Labs on wireless, compute, and security🔗

Silicon Labs is a big player in wireless tech, and at embedded world North America they talked about how it's being used to develop new things like remote diagnostics and configuration for devices, highlighting the growing need for strong compute power as well as security in these devices. 

Wearable sensors monitor factory worker fatigue in real time🔗

Fatigue sensors help monitor workers' energy levels and can alert them when it's time to take a break. These devices aim to improve safety and productivity by reducing the risks associated with overexertion.

3D-printed transistors could revolutionize electronics manufacturing🔗

Researchers have successfully 3D-printed transistors that can perform some of the same functions as traditional transistors, but they are not quite as complex.

Open source hardware certifications for September 2024🔗

The OSHWA offers a free program to certify open-source hardware, ensuring it meets community standards. With over 2,870 certifications and 15 new additions in September, there's a wide variety of open-source hardware to explore.

Using a Raspberry Pi Pico to enhance a vintage Radio Shack microcomputer kit🔗

Who fancies a trip down memory lane with a modern twist? This article shows you how to use a Raspberry Pi Pico to breathe new life into a vintage Radio Shack microcomputer kit and build a customizable clock with an LED display.

Maker builds Raspberry Pi RP2350 powered PyDOS hand-held in a BlackBerry form factor🔗

Ever wanted a handheld computer with a retro vibe? This project shows you how to build a Raspberry Pi-powered device inspired by the classic BlackBerry, running a custom MS-DOS-like operating system.

Solve is a smart, Espressif ESP32-powered pocket calculator with a 40-year history🔗

Peter Balch designed the Solve, a smart pocket calculator powered by the Espressif ESP32, which features a retro design and integrates modern technology. The device combines nostalgia with functionality, allowing users to perform calculations using a classic interface while utilizing advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity.

An Espressif ESP32-powered kv4p turns any Android phone into a VHF ham radio🔗

Calling all tinkerers and ham radio enthusiasts! This project lets you convert your ordinary Android phone into a full-fledged VHF ham radio, complete with features like text messaging and voice conversations with live captioning.

DIY ESP32 solar LoRa + GPS node🔗

ESP32 TFT with LVGL: Display BME280 sensor data on a table🔗

Here's a comprehensive project on how to display sensor data using an ESP32 and an LVGL library on a TFT screen! This guide walks you through setting up the BME280 sensor and creating a dynamic data table that shows temperature, humidity, and pressure in a clear, user-friendly format.

DIY smart energy meter with ESP32 + Home Assistant🔗

Create a smart energy meter using an ESP32 and integrate it with Home Assistant for real-time energy monitoring. This project guides you through the wiring, coding, and setup to help you track your energy usage easily.

Wokwi: an online Electronics simulator🔗

Have you seen this before? Wokwi is an interactive platform where you can build, code, and simulate electronics projects right in your browser, featuring a vast library of components and easy-to-use code examples. You can design and build for Arduino, Raspberry Pi Pico, ESP32, STM32, and loads more. Oh, and if you get stuck, the docs are pretty extensive too. Check it out here.

LumenRadio’s nRF52840 based Wireless Modbus module aims to simplify Modbus RTU installations🔗

LumenRadio's NR52840 wireless Modbus module simplifies Modbus RTU installations by providing a flexible, low-power solution that operates in complex environments. It supports multiple devices and allows for easy integration into existing wireless networks, enhancing automation processes.

Microchip releases 20 advanced Wi-Fi products for industrial and commercial applications🔗

Microchip Technology has just unveiled a lineup of 20 cutting-edge Wi-Fi products designed specifically for industrial applications. These new products offer enhanced security, reliability, and performance, making them ideal for a wide range of industrial IoT projects.

Pimoroni Clipper 4G LTE Breakout Review: Easy IoT🔗

The Pimoroni Clipper 4G LTE Breakout provides a convenient way to add cellular connectivity to your Raspberry Pi Pico projects. This compact board includes key features like an onboard antenna and easy connections, making it perfect for DIY projects that require mobile data.

D-Robotics RDK X3 dev board features Sunrise X3 quad-core SoC and 5TOPS NPU🔗

The D-Robotics RDK X3 dev board features a powerful Sunrise X3 quad-core SoC and delivers impressive AI performance with a 5 TOPS NPU. It supports various interfaces and connectivity options, making it an excellent choice for robotics projects and AI applications.

ESP32-S3 board features 1.91-inch AMOLED display and QMI8658 6-axis motion sensor🔗

Check out the new ESP32-S3 board that comes with a vibrant 1.91-inch AMOLED display and a QMI8658 six-axis motion sensor, making it perfect for dynamic projects. It offers enhanced graphics and motion detection capabilities, allowing creators to build exciting and interactive applications easily!

Open-source semiconductor chip design tool celebrates success🔗

The open-source semiconductor chip design tool, called OpenSPARC, has reached a significant milestone by completing its first successful chip design. This tool enables designers to create advanced chips more efficiently and supports collaboration within the semiconductor community.

A simplified design process🔗

A simplified design process helps streamline product development by breaking down complex tasks into manageable steps. This approach encourages collaboration and enhances communication among different teams, leading to faster and more efficient design outcomes.

Critical security flaws found in GoAhead web server deployed across IoT, embedded, ICS devices🔗

Security flaws found in the GoAhead web server affect various IoT and embedded ICS devices, posing risks to critical infrastructure. Researchers have identified vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access and remote exploitation of affected systems.

Introduction to QSPICE for LTspice users, part 1🔗

QSPICE offers a fresh take for LTspice users by combining the intuitive interface of LTspice with advanced simulation capabilities. The guide dives into unique features of QSPICE, such as multi-threading and large circuit analysis, making circuit simulation more efficient and powerful.

October 2024