VoltJots | Electronics and IoT

NEWS & ARTICLES

Turning transistor flaws into performance gains

What was once seen as a limitation in organic thin-film transistors (small energy barriers at their metal/semiconductor interface) has been shown to enhance their stability and reliability, according to new research.

How TinyML brings smart decisions to tiny devices

By deploying full ML models on tiny, low-memory microcontrollers, TinyML lets devices like sensors and wearables process data on-site for faster, private, and more efficient operation.

3D-printed chips get a major upgrade

A new method called HMNL combines 3D printing with nano-lithography to make semiconductor chips more efficiently and sustainably, opening up possibilities like embedding AI in robots or aerospace gear with tailored electronic designs.

Simplify robot vision wiring with GMSL

Robots use GMSL to send high-resolution video, control signals, and power through a single cable, delivering microsecond latency and low error rates that help build scalable, robust vision systems.

Light-based sensors gain ground

Instead of relying on electrical signals, optical sensors detect with light, bringing promising improvements in accuracy and safety across various industrial and high-tech fields.

How DRAM pricing shapes edge AI design

Hailo’s CTO Avi Baum breaks down how rising DRAM costs push engineers toward low-memory AI models and specialised accelerators for smarter edge devices.

Battery-free Bluetooth tags go industrial

Paragon ID and Dracula Technologies are rolling out XgenTag-L, a light-powered Bluetooth Low Energy tag that runs without batteries, thanks to organic photovoltaic modules. This tech aims to cut CO₂ emissions and boost supply chain tracking across logistics, healthcare, and more.

PROJECTS & TUTORIALS

GPS tracking made simple with XIAO ESP32-S3

Using the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32-S3, this project lets you create a GPS tracker that uploads coordinates directly to GeoLinker for live tracking and geofence alerts, all without extra communication hardware like GSM modules or SIM cards.

How to use both ESP32 cores

Some ESP32s have two cores available for your use, but Arduino sketches usually run on just one. This guide shows how to run code on core 0 as well, unlocking the ESP32’s dual-core power.

Portable AI agent powered by ESP32-S3

Combine the UNIHIKER K10’s dual-core ESP32-S3, 2.8-inch LCD, microphone, speaker, and expansion ports with Xiaozhi AI firmware to create a compact, interactive AI system ready for hands-on edge computing projects.

Build a 5-day rainfall forecast display

Build a sleek e-paper weather station using an ESP32 that shows current temperature, humidity, pressure, and a 5-day rainfall forecast with probabilities pulled from the OpenWeatherMap API. It’s a low-power, always-on setup that’s easy to read in daylight.

Buck-boost control explained simply

Learn how alternating control in buck-boost circuits regulates output voltage by cycling through operating modes and how this method enhances transient response. The role of average current-mode control in boosting design efficiency is also covered.

Create ESP32 UIs without coding

The ESPHome LVGL UI Designer offers a simple web-based drag-and-drop system to build ESP32 interfaces using 19+ LVGL widgets, producing production-ready YAML files for ESPHome.

Back to basics: understanding Raspberry Pi GPIO components

When you connect components to your Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins, it might feel confusing at first. This guide breaks down key parts like resistors, LEDs, buttons, and transistors, explaining their roles and how to use them safely with your Pi.

PRODUCTS

All-in-one robotics kit for easy learning

This kit offers three main PCBs plus a chassis, motors with encoders, and wheels, so you can build a robot with ease. It’s made for both engineers and students, featuring solder-free assembly and supporting software for iOS and Android.

New PicoScope features sharpen signal analysis

The latest PicoScope 7.2 release brings Waveform Overlays to visualise signal envelopes and advanced serial decoding filters that help you pinpoint and isolate data packets across 40 protocols.

Satellite-ready nRF9151 IoT module from Nordic

Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF9151 cellular module has gained certification for Skylo’s satellite network, supporting LTE-M, NB-IoT, and 3GPP Release 17 non-terrestrial standards. It operates on batteries and connects through a simple antenna setup.

Compact dexterous robotic hand kit

With four fully actuated fingers and 8 degrees of freedom, the Amazing Hand offers a compact, low-cost, and lightweight 3D-printed design. Its flexible shells allow natural finger movement, making it a versatile open-source tool for robotics and education.

New PMIC boosts power from hybrid solar cells

Designed for hybrid solar cells, e-peas’ AEM15820 PMIC pulls maximum energy from both indoor and outdoor light sources, handling power levels from tiny microwatts to several watts.

New TVS diodes protect 12 V car batteries

Littelfuse has rolled out asymmetrical TVS diodes made for 12 V automotive batteries, offering lower negative clamping voltages and simpler front-end designs to protect anti-reverse circuits in various vehicle electronics like ECUs and infotainment systems.