The Kynix Blog

The piezo actuator with haptic feedback and integrated sensor functionality has been presented by TDK Corporation at this year’s electronica. The new actuator features unrivalled performance in terms of acceleration, force and response time, and offers an unprecedented quality of haptic feedback. The compact and powerful actuator enhances the sensory experience of HMIs significantly by engaging the full range of human tactile sensitivity.Driven by the miniaturisation of devices and applications and the requirements for more ease of use, multifunctional touchscreens and touch surfaces have become nearly ubiquitous. While these human-machine interfaces (HMI) do feature many advantages, there is one important drawback: the haptic feedback to user actions is very limited and not strong enough.As a result of this such HMIs are often less user-friendly and prone to errors. They can sometimes be s safety risk.The new actuator is based multilayer piezo plates with cost-effective copper inner electrodes. Thanks to the multilayer technology the actuators can be driven with relatively low operating voltages up to 120V.When activated, the piezo plates only expand minimally in the z axis, but due to the constant volume of the piezo effect contract simultaneously in both the x and y axes. The new component employs cymbals on both sides of the plate as levers to amplify the contraction by a factor of 15 in the z axis. The actuator is initially available in two types, a 5N type that achieves a displacement of up to 100µm and a 20N type that can achieve a displacement of more than 200µm. Despite their compact dimensions of 12.7x12.7x1.6mm and 26x26x2.4mm, respectively, the new actuators can generate forces of up to 5N and 20N.Compared with conventional electromagnetic solutions such as eccentric rotary motors (ERMs) and linear resonant actuators (LRAs), the piezo actuator with haptic feedback features the highest acceleration and force, the lowest insertion height and the fastest response time, all in a single component with integrated sensor functionality: Under a load of 0.1kg, the 5N type delivers an acceleration of 5.0g with a rise time of 2ms while the 20N type features 15.0g after just 1ms.Unlike conventional electromagnetic solutions the piezo actuator with haptic feedback can excite the entire stimulation range between 1-1000Hz. They have no significant frequency or amplitude limitations for customized haptic feedback to key human mechanoreceptors. In this way, the new actuator enables designers to custom develop high-definition haptic feedback profiles that users expect from cutting-edge HMIs. Applications for the piezo actuator with haptic feedback can be found, for example, in vehicles, smartphones and tablets, household appliances, ATMs and vending machines, game controllers, industrial equipment and medical devices. Main applicationsVehicles, smartphones and tablets, household appliances, ATMs and vending machines, game controllers, industrial equipment and medical devices.Main features and benefitsVery large forces of 5N and 20N, respectivelyLarge displacement of 100µm and 200µm, respectivelyExtremely low insertion height of 1.6mm and 2.4mm, respectively Reference:KY45-EKMB1203111KY45-AMN41122KY45-AMN14112 

A new kind of wearable. It doesn’t track your steps, or how many calories you’ve burned in a day. Nor does it analyse your sleep cycles and record your workouts. This wearable analyses something else, your posture. The UpRight is a posture trainer that does not only read your posture when sitting, but also rectifies it by providing real time biofeedback.Your back posture has a knock-on effect across your bodily functions, and when your posture is poor, this has negative repercussions from decreased lung capacity, increased blood pressure, decreased digestive function, back pain and decreased bone density.The UpRight sensor affixes to the user’s back via single-use adhesives and vibrates when it senses the user has slacked from a good postural position, to remind them to adjust accordingly.The vibration and sensitivity levels can be manually adjusted on the UpRight app, allowing the user the choose how strict they want their posture training to be.The app has tutorials on correct posture and how to use the UpRight vibration sensorproperly, as well as an easy to understand infographic displaying the user’s training progress and history.The UpRight sensor can be worn for a length of time at the user’s discretion, but UpRight suggest wearing it for 15 minutes to an hour every day. The Upright training programmes to gradually train core muscles and build muscle memory.“UpRight’s training is built on Skinner’s theory of operant conditioning negative reinforcement, which explains that a behaviour is strengthened by removing an aversive stimulus. In UpRight’s case, the vibration is the aversive stimulus. Skinner’s theory explains why UpRight’s training is almost entirely subconscious and trains you to naturally improve your posture gradually,” UpRight explain.The UpRight blog regularly updates with information on the benefits of good posture, not only physical, but also psychological. Read the ‘5 reasons to start working on your posture, and one way to do it’ blog here.Reference:KY45- D7E-1KY45-BU-27135-000KY45-1005940-1

The Hall-effect sensor HAL 18xy family from Micronas, a TDK group company, has been expanded with the introduction of the HAL 1860. This small, robust and cost-effective product also possesses output signal supervision capabilities.  Several programmable output signal clamping levels extend error signalling capabilities to indicate various fault conditions like under/overvoltage, under/overflow of the signal path, or overcurrent. A one-pin programming interface enables simultaneous programming of several devices through the output pins. Other major sensor characteristics like magnetic field range, sensitivity, offset and temperature coefficients are programmable in a non-volatile memory. “The small package and the protection functions of our new HAL 1860 sensor are perfectly suited for space constrained and harsh environments. The type of diagnostic and clamping used to enhance the signal integrity are usually found on higher-end devices. Furthermore, our customers will improve productivity thanks to our programming interface enabling the sensor performances to be optimised at the end of their production line. You clearly get more for less!” said Matthieu Rezé, Product Marketing Manager at Micronas. Thanks to the aforementioned benefits, the HAL 1860 can measure small angle (<90°) or linear displacement (few mm) in stringent applications. For example, it can be used as gear position detection sensor in dual clutch automatic transmission or steering torque sensor for industrial and recreational vehicles. The HAL 1860 is qualified according to AEC-Q100 and is packaged in an industry standard 3-pin TO92-UA, lead (Pb) free, with matte tin lead frame plating. It comes with two lead forming configurations: an online version with 1.27mm pin-to-pin spacing or alternatively a spread version with 2.54mm pin-to-pin spacing, better suited for welding process. Micronas will present the HAL 1860 from 8th to 11th November at the electronica exhibition in Munich (hall A6, booth 219).      

Transistors, the workhorses of the electronics world, are plagued by leakage current. This results in unnecessary energy losses, which is why smartphones and laptops, for example, have to be recharged so often. Tom van Hemert and Ray Hueting of the University of Twente's MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnology have shown that this leakage current can be radically reduced by "squeezing" the transistor with a piezoelectric material (which expands or contracts when an electrical charge is applied to it). Using this approach, they have smashed the theoretical limit for leakage current. Tom van Hemert will defend his PhD dissertation on 6 December.If silicon is squeezed, this affects the freedom of movement of the electrons in this material. This can promote or restrict the flow of electrical current. Compare it to a garden hose. When you stand on it, less water comes out. But strangely enough, the flow of electrons in silicon actually increases when the material is compressed.Only pinch when necessaryIn modern microchips, every single transistor is continuously exposed to enormous pressures of up to 10,000 atmospheres. This pressure is sealed in during the manufacturing process, by surrounding the transistors with compressive materials. While this boosts the chip's processing speed, the leakage current also increases. The use of piezoelectric material means that the transistors are only put under pressure when this is necessary. This can generate considerable savings in terms of energy consumption.Limit smashedThe underlying concept was originally developed by Ray Hueting. In order to turn this into reality, Tom van Hemert had to find a way of linking theories of mechanical deformation with quantum-mechanical formulas describing the electrical behaviour of transistors. The calculations indicate that "garden hose transistors" are much better than conventional transistors at switching from off to on. According to the classical theoretical limit, a charge of at least 60 millivolts is needed to make a transistor conduct ten times more electricity. The piezoelectric transistor uses just 50 millivolts. As a result, either the leakage current can be reduced, or more current can be carried in the on-state. Either way, this will boost the performance of modern microchips, while - importantly - cutting their energy consumption.Reference:KY56-2SA1987KY56-C4706KY56-2sb1647 

Gas Sensors Market size was USD 1.9 billion in 2014 and is predicted to achieve USD 2.9 billion in 2022 as estimated by Global Market Insights, Inc.  These devices are effectively used for maintaining the safety level especially in toxic environment condition. These sensors check the level of toxic gases mainly in industrial environments for avoiding any mishap.With a focus on security measures for preventing gas leakages, an exponential growth on this product is predicted. In addition, government norms for ensuring the health and security of workers are anticipated to increase demand over the projected period. Oxygen sensors are widely used in vehicles for maintenance of air quality. And also the effort to control emission across Asia Pacific is going to give a significant boost to the regional industry.Let's take a look on some of the figures forecasting the future of sensors and their importance in near future.Nitrogen oxide sensors touched USD 150 million in 2014 and are anticipated to rise at CAGR of 6.5% from 2015 to 2022. Medical gas sensors market share had exceeded 10% of global revenue in 2014. In addition to this, CO2 gas sensor size was gone above USD 500 million in 2014 and is estimated to fuel up to USD 800 million in the year 2022. Latin America market has noticed 10% of global rise in 2014. Europe is expected to rise at a CAGR of over 4.5% in the coming years. These rising digits are not going to stop in future because of wide use of sensors in numerous industries.Apart from above mentioned sensors and their statistics, semiconductor gas sensing technology is also widely used for checking the gas level by measuring the change in resistance of semiconductor.  It contributed to 18% of overall gas sensors industry in 2014. Along with cost effective feature, these sensors are known for eliminating toxic and combustible gases present in the environment. Chief manufacturers of sensors include Alphasense, Membrapor, Dynament, Figaro Engineering, City Technology and Dynament. All of them have dominated the market accounting for over 50% of the industry in 2014. In addition to new product development, companies working in this sector have adopted long-term agreements, along with mergers and acquisitions as primary growth strategies.However, use of shale gas especially in electricity production may challenge the growth rate. It has emerged as an eco-friendly way of electricity production over the power generated through coal. But as per the predictions of market trends, these products are going to thrive in next coming years.Reference:KY45-KGZ10KY45-KGZ10-SPKY45-GMS10RVSKY45-605-00007 

Today, more and more people prefer lead crystal batteries over lead acid batteries. This is because of the unparalleled advantage that they offer in comparison. Some of them are – Longer Battery Life Acid batteries come in varied designs suitable for different applications. Some come as Cyclic Batteries which are designed to cycle, but others are so designed that that can give out high currents for short duration of time. The applications make the designs differ. A typical acid battery can charge and discharge for an average of about 300-350 cycles. In contrast, if they are replaced by lead-crystal batteries and keep the other conditions same, the output would be about 700-800 cycles. Thus lead- to crystal batteries show almost double performance and have a longer life of about 7 to 10 years which is highly cost effective and better alternative. Shelf Life Compared to acid ones, lead-crystal batteries discharge much slower when fully charged and are either stored or transported. These batteries can be immediately put to use even after as long in storage conditions as two years. They need not be charged like the acid ones require. The 2V series retains 99.9% of the capacity even though they have not been used for over 2 months. This makes the logistics much simpler as one is freed from the responsibility of cycling the batteries in stock to be charged every couple of months. The High Rate Discharge Lead crystal batteries have special technology which facilitates high-rate discharge characteristics. Compared to the acid varieties which work optimally at discharge rates of only 3C, the lead crystal battery discharge can work optimally even at discharge rates of 10C. Excellent Performance in Terms of Charge The time taken by a lead crystal battery is only 20% of the time required by the old normal lad batteries. This improves the battery efficiency and maintenance dramatically. Depth of Discharge The lead crystal battery can be easily restored to a full rated capacity with ease even after it has been discharged to 0 Volt which may not be possible with the acid ones. There is a high probability that the acid ones may die and not recover under the circumstances. Thus the usable battery capacity of a lead crystal battery is much higher. Low Temperature Resistance The crystal ones lead batteries can function to satisfaction in a temperature range of -40 to +50 degrees Celsius. They exhibit more 85 % of its rated capacity even at minus 40 degrees Celsius where the acid ones have shown a sharp decline in ability to discharge. Green Manufactured from new materials, new processes and new formulations, lead crystal batteries are more environmentally friendly and pollution free. They do not ooze mist or emit harmful gases, unlike the acid batteries.