A silver lining for extreme electronics

Researchers are building tougher circuits to help withstand the grueling demands of energy production, space exploration and more.

New optical hydrogen sensors eliminate risk of sparking

A new study documents an inexpensive, spark-free, optical-based hydrogen sensor that is more sensitive -- and faster -- than previous models.

Small generator captures heat given off by skin to power wearable devices

Scientists have developed a small, flexible device that can convert heat emitted from human skin to electrical power. In their research the team showed that the device could power an LED light in real time when worn on a wristband. The findings suggest that body temperature could someday power wearable electronics such as fitness trackers.

Mapping the electronic states in an exotic superconductor

Scientists mapped the electronic states in an exotic superconductor. The maps point to the composition range necessary for topological superconductivity, a state that could enable more robust quantum computing.

Nontoxic, flexible energy converters could power wearable devices

Wearable electronics have increasingly become a part of everyday life, so researchers wondered if these could be powered by harvesting electricity from waste heat. Further inspiration came from a desire to ultimately fabricate energy converting devices from the same materials as the active devices themselves. The researchers report the design and fabrication of single-wall carbon nanotube thermoelectric devices on flexible polyimide substrates as a basis for wearable energy converters.

Silicon could be a photonics game-changer

New research has shown that silicon could be one of the most powerful materials for photonic informational manipulation - opening up new possibilities for the production of lasers and displays.

New 2D superconductor forms at higher temperatures

Researchers have discovered a new way to generate 2D superconductivity at an interface of an insulating oxide material, at high transition temperatures.

Fully recyclable printed electronics developed

Engineers have developed fully recyclable printed electronics. By demonstrating a crucial and relatively complex computer component -- the transistor -- created with three carbon-based inks, the researchers hope to inspire a new generation of recyclable electronics to help fight the growing global epidemic of electronic waste.

Fast material manipulation through a laser

Researchers have found out that ultrafast switches in material properties can be prompted by laser pulses -- and why. This knowledge may enable new transistor concepts.

Physicists map new route to control sound in thin films

In a new paper, physicists describe a theoretical path to make artificial composite thin films in which sound waves can be stopped, reversed and even stored for later use.

New conductive polymer ink opens for next-generation printed electronics

Researchers have developed a stable high-conductivity polymer ink. The advance paves the way for innovative printed electronics with high energy efficiency.

Combining light, superconductors could boost AI capabilities

As artificial intelligence has attracted interest, researchers are focused on understanding how the brain accomplishes cognition so they can construct systems with general intelligence comparable to humans' intelligence. Researchers propose an approach to AI that focuses on integrating photonic components with superconducting electronics; using light for communication and complex electronic circuits for computation could enable artificial cognitive systems of scale and functionality beyond what can be achieved with either light or electronics alone.

Wearable sensors that detect gas leaks

A research team has developed wearable gas sensors that display an instantaneous visual holographic alarm.

New nanoscale device for spin technology

Spin waves could unlock the next generation of computer technology, a new component allows physicists to control them.

3D-printed proton-conductive membrane paves way for tailored energy storage devices

The advent and increased availability of 3D printing is leading to more customizable parts at lower costs across a spectrum of applications, from wearable smart devices to autonomous vehicles. Now, a research team has 3D printed a proton exchange membrane, a critical component of batteries, electrochemical capacitors and fuel cells. The achievement also brings the possibility of custom solid-state energy devices closer to reality, according to the researchers.

Giant electronic conductivity change driven by artificial switch of crystal dimensionality

Scientists demonstrate the artificial control of crystal structure dimensionality to switch electronic conductivity in three orders of magnitude. The scientist succeeded to induce the direct phase transition between three dimensional and two dimensional crystal structures in a lead-tin-selenide alloy semiconductor, which shows the abrupt band structure switch from a gap-less metallic state to a semiconducting state. The present result would lead to further functional property switching in semiconductors.

No batteries? No sweat! Wearable biofuel cells now produce electricity from lactate

Wearable electronic devices and biosensors are great tools for health monitoring, but it has been difficult to find convenient power sources for them. Now, a group of scientists has successfully developed and tested a wearable biofuel cell array that generates electric power from the lactate in the wearer's sweat, opening doors to electronic health monitoring powered by nothing but bodily fluids.

How To Edit Symbol in KiCad

I was recently asked how to edit a symbol in KiCad. The question was actually how to stretch a component that was in the standard library, so I made a quick walk-through on how to do that.

You can edit the symbol in the symbol editor. Just right-click on the symbol that you want to edit in the schematic and choose Properties, then Edit With Library Editor.

But you’re not allowed to overwrite the standard KiCad libraries, so unless you already have a custom library you need to create a new library to save the new symbol in first:

Click on File -> New Library

Choose where you want to save it. Then choose if this should be a Global library that all projects will have access to or a Local library that only this project will have access to.

Now you need to create a copy of the symbol in your custom library. Just right-click on the symbol and choose to Save a Copy As…:

Find the library you created above and save the copy in that library.

Now you can edit the symbol. Hold your mouse over the lower border of the component and press g on your keyboard. Then you can drag it and make it larger:

Then move the pins apart by holding your mouse over a pin and pressing m on your keyboard.

When you’re finished go to File and select Save. Then close the window.

Now you can go back to your schematic and add the new symbol you just created:

I was a bit short on time, so I didn’t actually move the pins, but you get the picture.

Back to the main KiCad Tutorial

Copyright Build Electronic Circuits

Discovery could help lengthen lifespan of electronic devices

Researchers have made a significant discovery in the field of materials science, for the first time providing a full picture of how fatigue in ferroelectric materials occurs.

Graphene: Everything under control in the quantum world

In a new study, a team of researchers demonstrates that graphene's nonlinearity can be very efficiently controlled by applying comparatively modest electrical voltages to the material.

A breakthrough that enables practical semiconductor spintronics

It may be possible in the future to use information technology where electron spin is used to store, process and transfer information in quantum computers. It has long been the goal of scientists to be able to use spin-based quantum information technology at room temperature. Researchers have now constructed a semiconductor component in which information can be efficiently exchanged between electron spin and light at room temperature and above.

The spintronics technology revolution could be just a hopfion away

A research team has created and observed quasiparticles called 3D hopfions at the nanoscale (billionths of a meter) in a magnetic system. The discovery could advance high-density, high-speed, low-power, yet ultrastable magnetic memory 'spintronics' devices.

A new, positive approach could be the key to next-generation, transparent electronics

A new study could pave the way to revolutionary, transparent electronics for potential integration in glass, flexible displays and smart contact lenses -- bringing to life futuristic 'scifi-like' devices. A decades-long search for electronics based on semiconducting oxides could also find use in power electronics and communications, reducing the carbon footprint of our utility networks. The introduction of a new 2D semiconductor fills a crucial gap in the materials spectrum to enable fast, transparent circuits.

Elasticity to position microplates on curved 2D fluids

A team of polymer science and engineering researchers has demonstrated for the first time that the positions of tiny, flat, solid objects integrated in nanometrically thin membranes - resembling those of biological cells - can be controlled by mechanically varying the elastic forces in the membrane itself. This research milestone is a significant step toward the goal of creating ultrathin flexible materials that self-organize and respond immediately to mechanical force.

Atom-based radio communications for noisy environments

Researchers have demonstrated an atom-based sensor that can determine the direction of an incoming radio signal, another key part for a potential atomic communications system that could be smaller and work better in noisy environments than conventional technology.

Less than a nanometer thick, stronger and more versatile than steel

Scientists report a breakthrough involving a material called borophane, a sheet of boron and hydrogen a mere two atoms in thickness.

Me looking back at 5 years of Ohmify (it’s our birthday!)

5 years ago today, I launched Ohmify from my laptop while traveling in Colombia.

I had spent the previous night in a tree hut on the beach to recharge my batteries.

Now the moment had come…

I was finally launching Ohmify!

Something that I’d dreamed about for a long time.

I created Ohmify to be a place to learn electronics. But unlike most electronics courses and forums, I wanted this to be a welcoming place – even for complete beginners.

A place where there’s no such thing as a “stupid question”.

With practical, down-to-earth explanations, that both kids, adults, and seniors could understand.

My life looked quite different back then.

I was traveling all over the world while working from my laptop.

In Colombia, I fell in love with Pilar, who is now my wife.

We left Colombia together. Spent a few months in Europe before we found ourselves in Australia.

I have such fond memories of sitting in my shorts and t-shirt, sweating, in a tiny basement apartment, building electronics.

And whenever I needed any parts, I just walked over to Jaycar in the city center and got them.

Oh, how we loved Australia.

But we felt a bit too far from our families, so we decided to head for Norway.

When I first launched Ohmify, I didn’t have any expectations of what it would become.

I just felt inspired to create it, so I did.

But I was doing it along with ten other projects. Like writing Electronics For Kids and A Beginner’s Guide To Circuits. And developing electronics for the coffee roaster ROEST.

At this point I was getting messages from members regularly, telling me how much they loved the courses. Which motivated me to start saying ‘no’ to other projects. So that I could focus on Ohmify.

After some time in Oslo, my wife and I needed a change of environment. So we went back to Colombia for a few months.

I had a lot of fun doing an Arduino robot workshop with some locals. It was really nice to be doing this in a group. Which inspired me to make Ohmify more collaborative.

So I did a total remake of the whole Ohmify platform.

And it worked.

Suddenly the forum was booming with conversations, questions, and members showing the cool things they had made!

I started creating more courses. Which is what I love to do.

More members joined.

But I was doing web programming, marketing, design, accounting, customer support, creating new courses +++

And it was a lot for just one person.

That’s when Matthew appeared.

“Do you need help with anything?” he said.

“Uhm, yes, actually I do” I replied.

And just like that, Ohmify was no longer just me. We had become a team.

Matthew was just what I needed, and he was such a good addition to Ohmify. He understood what I was trying to do.

That freed up more time for me. More time to create courses and projects for our members.

Also, more mental space to come up with ideas.

So many ideas!

Which meant I needed more help. This led me to Ermin, who recently joined the Ohmify team.

Now we’re a team of three people, and we’re busier than ever. So many things to create! And so many interesting discussions to take part in over at the community forum.

We chat with our members every day. Hearing about what they’re struggling with. What inspires them. What they’d love to be able to do one day.

From that we get ideas. And we create new stuff.

I just checked, and we are soon reaching 500 different lessons available to Ohmify members!

Wow, that’s much more than I was able to imagine when I started.

Ohmify has grown a lot in 5 years.

I’m also a different man today compared to five years ago. My wife and I even have a little one on the way – which I’m sure will turn our lives upside down (in a good way).

I have no idea what Ohmify will be in another 5 years. All I know is that it will be exactly what it’s supposed to be.

The path appears as we walk it.

To celebrate our birthday, we’re doing a promotion for the next few days. If you sign up for the annual subscription before Monday night, you’ll get a beginner’s component kit + a Blinking LED soldering kit as a welcome gift.

Keep On Soldering!
Oyvind @ build-electronic-circuits.com

Copyright Build Electronic Circuits

Kirigami-style fabrication may enable new 3D nanostructures

A new technique that mimics the ancient Japanese art of kirigami may offer an easier way to fabricate complex 3D nanostructures for use in electronics, manufacturing and health care.

Researchers link silicon atoms on surfaces

A team consisting of various working groups from the fields of chemistry and physics has now linked silicon atoms on surfaces. From silicon polymers, the researchers hope for innovative material properties and new, promising candidates for potential applications.