An IR blaster (infrared blaster) is a device that emulates an infrared remote control. IR blasters are used in situations where one device controls another. For example, it can be connected to a computer in order to control virtually every other infrared device in the room from that computer. IR blasters are usually small and can power themselves from whatever device they are plugged into. How an IR Blaster Works An IR blaster works in much the same way that an infrared remote control does, but the IR blaster features Read More

Some materials have the ability to produce electricity when subjected to mechanical stress. This is called the piezoelectric effect. This stress can be caused by hitting or twisting the material just enough to deform its crystal lattice without fracturing it. The effect also works in the opposite way, with the material deforming slightly when a small electric current is applied. Piezoelectricity was discovered more than one hundred years ago and has many applications today. It is used in electronic clocks, gas ovens, inkjet printers, and many other appliances. It is Read More

LCD projectors work by using three liquid crystal panels, a lamp, a prism, and filters to create the image on the screen. The lamp provides white light that passes through a polarizing filter. Polarizing works by accepting light that is traveling on the same plane. All other light will be blocked. From the polarizing filter the light is then passed through a series of dichroic mirrors. Dichroic mirrors work by only allowing certain colors in the light spectrum to be reflected, while others pass through. The dichroic mirrors in LCD Read More

Batteries are used constantly by the public, from cars, computers, laptops, radios, to portable MP3 players, cell phones, and clocks. A battery, in a nut shell, can be defined as a can filled with certain chemicals that produce electrons from electrochemical reactions. Alessandro Volta created the first battery in 1800. In order to accomplish his motives, he stacked layers of zinc, blotting paper soaked in salt water, and silver. He alternated the layers, making sure the top and bottom layers were different metals. With a wire attached, he managed to Read More

A rectifier is a device that is able to convert an alternating current into a direct current through a process known as rectification. This device is very important because most electronic devices require direct current. Rectifiers are often used in power supplies (such as the power adapter used in laptop computers) and to detect radio signals as well as fires. A rectifier is the exact opposite of an inverter and can be seen in virtually all electronic devices. Alternating Current Alternating current is a type of electric current that alternates Read More

Television antennas are generally installed on top of buildings, which makes the entire structure susceptible to lightning strikes. In order to protect the building that the TV antenna is attached to, the antenna has to be grounded properly. Another danger of mounting a television antenna that is not grounded properly is the excessive static electricity build-up that is discharged to the base structure. Additionally, most city or local ordinances require TV antennas to be grounded in order to minimize fire hazards in residential structures. How to Ground a TV Antenna Read More

An anthropomimetic machine is a robot that micics a human in all different forms: externally as well as internally. Researchers in Europe went about creating their anthropomimetic machine because, in the past, robots externally were able to mimic humans; however, once they were opened up, it was obvious that they were a robot with all the bolts and screws. What they were hoping to do was develop and create a robot that was able to respond and react to different stimuli that other robots would be unable to detect. More Read More

A momentary switch is one that is capable of turning a device on or off when a user presses it. Momentary switches represent one of two forms of switches, the other being a traditional on/off switch. They are found in many electronic devices and are usually buttons. Momentary switches are a type of biased switch and are available in two types: push-to-make and push-to-break. How a Momentary Switch Works A momentary switch acts as a regular switch in order to connect two metal contacts and complete an electrical circuit. However, Read More

A speaker is a device that converts electrical signals into actual sound. Speakers accomplish this by using a magnetic reader or antenna to receive an electrical signal from a radio station or magnetic storage device. The magnetic reader is then connected via a wire to an electromagnet that can be turned on and off in accordance with the electrical signal. The electromagnet is then used to pull a diaphragm back and forth, which moves the air around it. As the air moves, the listener’s ears and brain are able to Read More