VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

Issue 46

Author

VoltJots
June 19, 2025

Welcome to the latest edition of the VoltJots newsletter, linking you to the very best electronics and IoT news, products, and projects.

Hope you enjoy! Until next week,

VoltJots

NEWS & ARTICLES

If you're planning on going to Mars soon, or just staying on Earth, you'll be pleased to know that scientists have improved lithium-carbon dioxide batteries with a new catalyst, which not only enhances their stability, but also improves their energy storage, and lifespan.

MiSTer Pi is an affordable FPGA development board that runs the MiSTer operating system, offering all the necessary hardware for accurate emulation without the high costs of typical FPGA boards.

Vacuum tubes, especially travelling wave tubes, still play a crucial role in RF and microwave applications, generating high power and operating at impressive frequencies, proving they're not just relics of the past.

Researchers have created the first complete CMOS computer using just two 2D materials, molybdenum disulfide and tungsten diselenide, paving the way for ultra-thin, fast, and energy-efficient electronics.

Powering up your phone on the go could soon be a reality with innovations in energy-efficient chips and self-charging technology that aim to eliminate the hassle of frequent recharging.

Wearables and health tools will benefit from this Origami-based sensor that generates power from movement, folds itself, and needs no battery.

Marking a significant advancement in lunar surface operations, Astrobotic and WiBotic's wireless charging system offers dust-resistant, connector-free power transfer, and is now ready for lunar missions.

Tria's new embedded modules support Windows, Android, and Linux, powered by Qualcomm Dragonwing processors for high performance and low power consumption.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

Create an RFID attendance system that tracks check-ins and check-outs, displays info on an LCD, and logs attendance with timestamps.

CrokPocket's a DIY handheld gaming device powered by an ESP32-S3, running Retro-Go firmware to emulate classic games like NES and Game Boy.

Create a flashy pixel clock with Cloxel that shows time and WLED effects, fully customisable via a web interface or app, and even sends short messages on its LED matrix.

Learn how a two-way Wilson current mirror improves current balance by adding a third transistor to the basic two-transistor design, effectively addressing the Early effect that causes imbalances in voltage drops over a couple of volts.

LoRa's low power and long-range perks come with issues like no data reception confirmation and low transmission rates, but adding CRC checks and a bidirectional acknowledgment system can boost data integrity and reliability.

PRODUCTS

Waveshare's new RP2350-CAN development board packs a dual-core MCU, CAN Bus support, and runs up to 150MHz, all for just $9.99!

RAK11160 module packs LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, and BLE into a dual-core design, featuring ultra-low power consumption and versatile connectivity for IoT applications like remote sensors and asset tracking.

Perfect for space-constrained electronics, the PE24111 offers a low-profile design (under 1.2 mm), adjustable output voltage from 0.35 to 0.85 V, and can be paralleled for higher power delivery.

JUMPtec launches the SMARC-sAM67, an industrial SoM with a TI AM67x processor, offering up to 8GB LPDDR4, 64GB eMMC, dual Gigabit Ethernet, and support for AI and vision applications in harsh environments.

GigaDevice launches the GD32C231 series of entry-level microcontrollers, offering high performance, a wide range of peripherals, and affordability for various applications like home appliances and automotive solutions.

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