VoltJots

IN THE NEWS

Carbon fiber composite sensors offer solution for efficient traffic monitoring

Researchers at UNIST have developed self-powered carbon fiber composite sensors that monitor traffic and road conditions in real-time, reinforce infrastructure, and generate electricity from vehicle pressure without performance loss.

Arduino to switch from Arm Mbed to Zephyr RTOS

Arduino is transitioning from Arm Mbed to Zephyr RTOS for various boards due to Arm's upcoming discontinuation of Mbed support, with the first beta expected by the end of 2024.

MIKROE simplifies integration of Arduino Portenta with over 1600 Click boards

MIKROE has introduced a Click shield for Arduino Portenta, allowing seamless integration with over 1600 Click boards.

Next-generation soft robotics and wearable technologies could sport foam-based fluidic circuits

Rice University engineers have developed innovative foam-based fluidic circuits that use the unique properties of soft materials to perform digital and analog tasks, offering potential advancements in wearable technologies and soft robotics.

CircuitPython 9.1.1 released!

CircuitPython 9.1.1 has been released with new features and bug fixes, enhancing support for various hardware and improving overall performance.

PROJECTS AND TUTORIALS

Air Quality ESP32: Build a portable IoT sensor

Build an ESP32-based portable air quality sensor with a live dashboard to measure air pollution.

Getting started with Enviro+

This "Getting Started with Enviro+” guide from Pimoroni offers step-by-step instructions on setting up the Enviro+ sensor board for environmental monitoring. It covers installing the necessary software, connecting the hardware, and running example Python scripts to read data from sensors like temperature, humidity, air quality, and more. The guide also includes tips for troubleshooting and optimizing your setup.

Display distance measurements on an OLED

A fun tutorial explaining how to use an ultrasonic distance sensor and an OLED display with an Arduino to show real-time distance readings. The guide covers the wiring, coding, and troubleshooting steps needed to get your project up and running smoothly.

World's smallest MAME arcade cabinet

A detailed guide on building a miniature MAME arcade cabinet, including materials, instructions, and tips for assembling a functional and compact gaming machine. It covers the step-by-step process of constructing the cabinet, wiring the controls, and installing the software, with a focus on creating a nostalgic and space-efficient arcade experience.

Running a Python Flask web app on a Raspberry Pi

Here's a comprehensive tutorial on creating a web application using Flask on a Raspberry Pi, including setup instructions, coding examples, and deployment tips. It guides users through building a simple web app that can be accessed from any device on the same network, demonstrating how to take advantage of the Raspberry Pi’s capabilities for web development.

Arduino compatible OLED board with 4 channel 16-bit ADC

Here's a neat project for an Arduino-compatible OLED board equipped with a 4-channel 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC). This board is designed to display data on the OLED screen and can measure analog signals with high precision, making it suitable for various sensor applications.

PRODUCTS

STM32 solutions for USB Type-C and power delivery

Explore how STM32's USB-C and Power Delivery (PD) solutions can enhance your designs with robust, efficient, and versatile technology suitable for a wide range of applications. Discover innovative tools and resources to simplify your development process and bring your projects to life faster.

LILYGO T-Halow is an ESP32-S3 board with long-range WiFi HaLoW, OV2640/OV5640 camera support

Discover the LILYGO T-Halow ESP32-S3 board, featuring long-range WiFi HaLoW, camera module compatibility, and extensive GPIO expansion, making it a versatile choice for IoT applications with up to 1.2km range.

Water cooling kit for the Raspberry Pi 5

Enhance your Raspberry Pi 5's performance with the Seeed Studio Water Cooling Kit, featuring a stylish RGB fan and effective heat dissipation for demanding CPU tasks.

PSoC-based eval kit focuses on edge AI

This article on EDN discusses a new evaluation kit based on PSoC (Programmable System-on-Chip) technology, which is designed to simplify the development of edge AI applications. It highlights the kit's features and potential benefits for engineers working on AI-driven projects.

The Zerowriter Ink is an Espressif ESP32-powered distraction-free ePaper writing tool

The Zerowriter Ink is a distraction-free, open-source ePaper word processor built in partnership with Soldered Electronics, featuring an Inkplate 5 display, low-profile mechanical keyboard, and powered by an Espressif ESP32 microcontroller.

IN-DEPTH

PCB 101: An insider’s guide to PCB fabrication

This white paper covers the essentials of printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication. It explains the processes involved, from design to production, detailing materials, techniques, and quality control measures used in the industry. This guide is helpful for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of PCB manufacturing.

MicroPython: An intro to programming hardware in Python

This article introduces MicroPython, a lean implementation of Python designed for microcontrollers and embedded systems. It highlights MicroPython's features, including its ability to run Python code on constrained hardware, and provides examples of its use in various projects and applications.

OLDIES, BUT GOODIES

Getting started with Arduino

The "Getting Started with Arduino" guide is an awesome introduction to Arduino's hardware, software tools, and its API. The guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to set up your Arduino board, install the Arduino IDE, and create your first program to blink an LED, making it perfect for beginners.

Understanding Ohm’s Law

Back to basics: this page explains Ohm's Law, which relates voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit using the formula V = I x R. It provides a clear overview of how these three components interact and offers practical examples of its application in various electronics projects.

Raspberry Pi Pico getting started guide

Here's a great getting-started guide for the Raspberry Pi Pico, providing information on its features, required parts, and a tutorial on setting up MicroPython software for programming.

WEBINARS

Simplifying secure matter compatibility and design integration

Mouser Electronics and Infineon are hosting a webinar on August 27, 2024, at 5:00 PM CET. Attendees will learn about Matter protocol security, certificate management, and Infineon's provisioning services. Register to join live or receive a recording if you can't attend.

SHOWS AND CONFERENCES

August 2024

September 2024