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Supplier Eye Research Lab
Sourcing Re-Evaluation Underway
The events of the last few months (re: tariff structures) underscore that the world is becoming more insular. Last month’s column (on re-regionalization) outlined that major markets like China, the U.S. and the EU already have or are increasingly building a moat around their markets. Read on for this month's column.

News Software
Cox Automotive's One-Stop Shop for Repairing, Recycling EV Batteries
At Cox Automotive’s EV Battery Solutions center in Oklahoma City, the conglomerate most famous for its KBB, Autotrader and Manheim auction brands, has become a go-to...

Articles Sensors/Data Acquisition
MEMS-Based Accelerometer to Measure Microgravity for In-Orbit Manufacturing
Looking ahead, the continued development of MEMS technology will likely unlock new possibilities for space exploration and utilization, ensuring that projects like ForgeStar remain at the forefront of scientific and technological progress. Read on to learn more.

Briefs Semiconductors & ICs
Streamlined Microcomb Design Provides Control With The Flip of a Switch
Researchers at the University of Rochester describe new microcomb lasers they have developed that overcome previous limitations and feature a simple design that could open the door to a broad range of uses. Read on to learn more.

Supplier Eye Mechanical & Fluid Systems
We've Been Here Before
For a couple of decades, virtually every global original equipment manufacturer spent significant capital and attention raising their sales/production profile in China. It became the world’s largest light vehicle...

Supplier Eye Regulations/Standards
New Keys to Success
Much has been written about the extraordinary vehicle production and market environment of the past four years in North America and beyond. The plethora of negative impacts from COVID, chip availability, scarcity of...

Briefs Unmanned Systems
New Method to Measure Wind Speed Could Unlock Drones’ Potential
Dr. Marc Compere, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus, recently described a new approach to measuring wind effects.

Articles Weapons Systems
Key Measurements to Maintain Performance of Critical Electronic Systems on Military Aircraft and Warships
Wireless technology is a critical element of the modern battlefield, making accurate and consistent transmissions of high-speed data essential for mission success. Ensuring wireless system performance has additional challenges when implemented on warships and aircraft.

Articles Materials
Ensure Aerospace Composite Quality with Force Measurement, Material Testing
Force measurement and material testing is an essential process for product designers and manufacturers to ensure part integrity, and to gain insightful data for creating the highest quality composite components.

Supplier Eye Mechanical & Fluid Systems
'Scaling' EVs Won’t Come Easy
Regular readers of Supplier Eye will note that this author tries to outline the positives and the negatives of supplier strategies. It’s a moving target. A recent deluge of negative headlines with respect...

Briefs Imaging
Spatial Calibration for Accurate Long Distance Measurement Using Infrared Cameras
All commercially available camera systems have lenses (and internal geometries) that cannot perfectly refract light waves and refocus them onto a two-dimensional (2D) image sensor. This means that all digital images contain elements of distortion and thus are not a true representation of the real world.

Briefs Photonics/Optics
Determining Optical Material Parameters With Motion in Structured Illumination
Ellipsometry measures the amplitude ratio and the phase difference between polarized light reflected from the surface of a film and determines the refractive index or thickness by fitting the experimental data to an optical model that represents an approximated sample structure.

Articles RF & Microwave Electronics
Advances in Military Avionics Technologies Create New Challenges for RF Test and Measurement
One of the common features of modern military avionics systems is the adoption of high-frequency and millimeter-wave (mmWave) communications to achieve higher data rates and enhanced resistance to interference.

Articles Connectivity
Assure 5G NTN Performance Before Launch
Simulation and emulation support NTN exploration and testing, verifying current performance while supporting next-generation evolutions.

Briefs Test & Measurement
Methodologies and Equipment for Measuring High Temperature Tensile Properties of Subscale Specimen Geometries for Additively Manufactured Metallic Materials (Continued)
Despite the existence of standards, the issue persists where, in general, equipment is unavailable to measure maximum bending strains at elevated test temperatures.

Briefs Aerospace
Repeatability and Reproducibility of a Standard Test Method for Measuring Head-Supported Mass Properties
During development of military helmets and HMDs, materiel developers need a valid and repeatable test methodology for measuring their mass properties.

Supplier Eye Power
Electrification Brings Supplier Value Closer to Home
Various aspects of life and business come full circle. While I’m not waiting for bell bottoms from the 1970s to make a triumphant return, the automotive industry is quickly returning...

Briefs Aerospace
Multi-Scale Structuring of the Polar Ionosphere
Ionospheric variability is a critical consideration for communication systems, GNSS, and space asset management.

Briefs Power
Improving Accuracy of Battery Charge Measurement
The issue of battery usage inefficiency in EVs resulting from an inaccurate battery charge measurement may finally get resolved.
Supplier Eye Energy
BEV – a New Business Model
Stellantis’ commitment of €30 billion ($35.5B) to electrifying its product portfolio across 14 brands by 2025 joins the seemingly endless flow of capital and human resources towards the electric-mobility...

What We’re Driving Power
When a Van Beats a Pickup
As a utilitarian tool, the 2021 Great American Pickup truck has some fundamental flaws. Its open bed jeopardizes any cargo that’s valuable (exposing your payload to the world) or not waterproof. Worse, however,...

Road Ready Propulsion
Nissan Reveals Design for Next-Generation Z Sportscar
Giving hope to automotive enthusiasts that niche models will remain in at least some automakers’ lineups, Nissan this week revealed the Z Proto, “signaling the company's intent to...

Briefs Weapons Systems
Bore Elevation and Azimuth Measurement System (Beams)
A newly developed laser apparatus verifies that the pointing accuracy requirement of a weapon’s fire control system is met.

News Manned Systems
Mecalac Designs Unique-Pivoting Swing Loader
Mecalac markets itself as an urban-equipment manufacturer, and the company’s focus on designing machines for constricted-space jobsites so prevalent in cities is manifested in the AS1600 swing...

Editorial Packaging & Sterilization
ConExpo Excels amid COVID-19
Las Vegas seemed to be in a bubble from March 10-13, the week of ConExpo-Con/Agg & IFPE 2020. Tens of thousands of attendees crowded the halls inside the Las Vegas Convention Center and outside on the new...

News Manufacturing & Prototyping
Aerospace & Defense, Maintenance, Manufacturing Embrace Cloud, SaaS
Cloud and software-as-a-service (SaaS) adoption is up across aerospace & defense (A&D), energy, engineering, manufacturing, and field service globally. The...

Articles Test & Measurement
Tips for Reducing Error When Using Eddy Current Measuring Techniques
Inductive eddy current technology is an extremely versatile non-contact method for measuring an object's position, distance, or vibration.

Articles Test & Measurement
The Three Rs of Analog Position Sensor-Based Mechanical Measurements
Learn about Repeatability, Resolution, and Response.

News Data Acquisition
J.D. Power Launches New Vehicle-Engineering Award at SAE’s WCX 2019
Long known for its groundbreaking surveys measuring automotive customer satisfaction, quality and dependability—and presenting corresponding awards to top-achieving...

Top Stories
INSIDERDesign
Supersonic X-59 Completes Cruise Control Engine Speed Test Ahead of First Flight
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3D-Printed C-17 Replacement Part Saves Thousands for Air Force
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Aitech’s New Palm-Sized Satellite Enables Space-Based AI Processing
INSIDERElectronics & Computers
Microsoft, PsiQuantum Designing Quantum Computer Prototypes for DARPA US2QC...
INSIDERAerospace
Two Startups Partner to Expand Hydrogen-Powered Drone Production
INSIDERSoftware
Bombardier is Digitally Upgrading its Aircraft Design, Engineering and...
Webcasts
Materials
Optimizing Electric Powertrains: Advanced Materials for Performance, Safety,...
Imaging
Breakthrough in Infrared and Visible Imaging: One Dataset with...
Test & Measurement
Improving Rocket and Flight Vehicle Testing Under Capital...
AR/AI
Advancing Automotive Manufacturing with Digital Twins
Defense
Powering NewSpace Missions: Navigating the Cost vs. Reliability...
Electronics & Computers
Solving Thermal Challenges in Defense: The Role of ECUs and...