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Molecule for collecting and storing solar energy

10.09.2020

Swedish researchers at Linköping University have created a molecule that can be used to efficiently collect and store solar energy.

A molecule created as a result of supercomputer simulation can exist in two different forms. The "parent" form absorbs solar energy, and the "modified" form is a more energy-intensive version of the "parent", and, at the same time, is more stable. Thanks to this "two-faced" solar energy can be stored more efficiently.

The development of Swedish scientists belongs to a group of molecules that are commonly called "molecular photoswitches". Such molecules can always exist in two different forms (isomers), which differ in chemical structure. The structure of photoswitches is affected by the energy of light - that is, the properties of the molecule can be changed by exposure to solar energy.

The properties of the molecule were first studied using computer simulations, and then scientists were able to confirm them in experimental studies. Now the authors of the project are working on ways to extract the energy stored in molecular photoswitches. The project opens up great prospects in molecular electronics and photopharmacology.

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Cloud connected microcontroller 10.03.2012

The idea of "cloud computing" has firmly captured the minds of developers and manufacturers of electronic devices. One of the evidence for this is an announcement made by Digi International. In collaboration with Freescale Semiconductor, iDigi Device Cloud, a secure and scalable cloud solution provider, has integrated cloud connectivity into Freescale Kinetis and ColdFire microcontroller platforms. The actual connection is made through the open interface iDigi Connector, designed, according to the developer, "for devices of any type."

As a result, users of Kinetis and ColdFire MCU systems have access to a web and mobile application development platform and device management tools. Partners emphasize that the connection is available "out of the box", without any additional components.

The motto of iDigi Device Cloud is the phrase "Any App, Anything, Anywhere", which, by the way, is registered as a trademark. Permeated with maximalism, it means the availability of any application and in general everything in any place. Marketing overhead aside, this means that consumers who operate electronic devices based on Freescale Kinetis and ColdFire microcontrollers will be able, in particular, to use the functions of remote and centralized administration of these devices, sharing and data exchange using the "cloud".

An example of how this works was demonstrated by iDigi at the Embedded World 2012 that ended yesterday. Kinetis K53 with MQX RTOS and iDigi Device Cloud access was used to demonstrate management functions such as updating firmware, checking status and configuration, rebooting devices. In addition, it was possible to exchange information via the "cloud" about the status of the built-in peripheral units - ADC, a PWM generator, LEDs, an accelerometer and other sensors. These features are available through the iDigi Manager Pro web interface from a cell phone or PC.

Freescale Kinetis and ColdFire platforms with iDigi Device Cloud integration will hit the market in July 2012.

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