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Bacteria also smoke

06.01.2008

Until recently, it was believed that the protein, to which nicotine molecules attach when they enter the body, exists only on the surface of the nerve cells of humans and other higher animals.

Now French neuroscientist Pierre-Jean Corringer has found a similar protein, the nicotine receptor, on the cell surface of primitive cyanobacteria. These microscopic organisms lived on Earth long before the advent of not only animals, but also tobacco plants. Their nicotinic receptor is simpler than a human one, but in principle it is arranged in the same way. Why he bacteria - is unclear.

Scientists hope that studying the bacterial receptor for nicotine will help improve the means for weaning smokers from tobacco.

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Bourns pulse transformers for isolated power supplies 06.03.2020

Bourns has announced a new series of isolation transformers, the HCT series push-pull transformers, to power isolated CAN, RS-485, RS-422, RS-232, SPI, I2C, and low power LAN interfaces.

A feature of the series is the air gap between the primary and secondary windings increased to 8 mm, which allows to provide insulation voltage Vrms=4200 V (for 60 s). HCT series transformers comply with IEC 60950-1, IEC 62368-1, IEC 60664-1 and AEC-Q200.

The HCTs are designed for use with the SN6501, SN6505B, and SN6505D drivers from Texas Instruments, and the MAX256, MAX258, MAX13253, and MAX13256 drivers from Maxim Integrated. In addition to supplying interfaces, HCTs can be used in medical equipment (sensors), industrial automation devices (DC/DC converters), and other applications where isolation from high voltages is required.

Key Features:

Input voltage: 3,3...5 V;
Output voltage: 3,3...15 V (at I=350 mA);
Operating voltage: 800V;
Insulation voltage: 4200V;
Operating temperature: -40°С...125°С.

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