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No. 39/2024 (November 25, 2024)
Will paper batteries power small electronics?
Researchers at Binghamton University in the US have proposed a breakthrough approach to green wearable electronics. They have developed paper-based devices that use moisture from the environment to generate electricity. This eliminates the need for frequent charging or battery replacement.
The device is based on a biodegradable paper substrate filled with biofilms of bacterial endospores. Bacterial spores, on contact with water, break down water molecules into positive and negative ions. As the paper capillaries absorb water, they create an ionic gradient, with more positive ions at the top than at the bottom. This imbalance leads to the generation of an electrical charge. To increase the efficiency of moisture absorption, the material has two different sides – the hydrophobic one (repels water) and the other hydrophilic (attracts water). This design greatly improves the device's ability to collect moisture and ensures effective operation even in low humidity environments.
When the spore biofilm was placed at 37°C, the device sustainably and reliably generated 0.45 V for more than 2,000 minutes. As the temperature dropped to 20°C and 0°C, the voltage decreased to 0.37 V and 0.15 V, respectively. The generated power is at 0.5 µW/cm², which is five times better compared to other biofilms. In high humidity conditions (90% RH), the device achieves a short-circuit current close to 2.5 µA, while in low humidity conditions (20% RH), the generator still delivers a short-circuit current of about 1.6 µA.
A key advantage of the technology is its scalability – combining units in series allows higher voltages, opening up new possibilities for use in small electronic devices. After combining 20 units, the system was able to charge an external supercapacitor with a capacity of 470 nF and provide enough energy to power a liquid crystal display (LCD).
A system based on this technology can power sensors, IoT devices or even liquid crystal displays, and has great potential in creating green energy solutions for electronics of the future.
A key advantage of the technology is its scalability – combining units in series allows higher voltages, opening up new possibilities for use in small electronic devices. After combining 20 units, the system was able to charge an external supercapacitor with a capacity of 470 nF and provide enough energy to power a liquid crystal display (LCD).
A system based on this technology can power sensors, IoT devices or even liquid crystal displays, and has great potential in creating green energy solutions for electronics of the future.
Paper energy generators open a new chapter in the development of wearable technology. The devices are disposable and biodegradable, significantly minimizing their environmental impact, addressing the growing problem of electronic waste.
The generator's lightweight, flexible and environmentally friendly design allows it to maintain stable performance under a variety of conditions, including bending or prolonged use. The technology's scalability allows it to be mass-produced, making it a viable solution for health monitoring devices and diagnostic systems. This opens the door to more sustainable and accessible medical technology that meets the needs of today's users.
The generator's lightweight, flexible and environmentally friendly design allows it to maintain stable performance under a variety of conditions, including bending or prolonged use. The technology's scalability allows it to be mass-produced, making it a viable solution for health monitoring devices and diagnostic systems. This opens the door to more sustainable and accessible medical technology that meets the needs of today's users.
Is it possible to connect 2 cameras with one network cable?
A standard Ethernet cable (category 5e or 6) consists of 4 pairs of conductors (8 cores in total). Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps) transmission actually uses only two pairs, or four of the eight cores. Data is transmitted on cores 1, 2, 3, 6. The remaining two pairs are unused. In emergency situations, properly plugging the wires into the RJ-45 connectors will make it possible to connect two devices. Importantly, PoE power can also be provided on the same pins as the data (the camera must support 802.3af mode A).The connection can be made by manually plugging in the appropriate pins, or by using the P-PoE2 M18954 adapters that allow the signal and power from two devices to be transmitted simultaneously over the same cable. The use of adapters ensures reliable connection and smooth operation of the system.
Diagram of the use of P-POE2 splitter to transfer data and power from the switch to the cameras
Circuit diagram
Broadcasting your own advertising channel in DVB-T2 TV system.
Using an HDMI-DVB-T modulator is a very good way to introduce your own advertising channel into a TV system, especially in places where the DVB-T2 terrestrial TV system is used. You can use it to transmit your own signal (e.g., advertising signal) through regular antenna TV cables and receive it on standard TVs on the network. The HDMI-DVB-T modulator allows you to convert an HDMI signal (e.g. from a computer, media player) into a DVB-T digital signal, which can be transmitted through the building's antenna system. TV sets receive this signal as an additional digital channel, without the need to connect devices to each screen.The HDMI-DVB-T modulator is an effective tool for broadcasting your own advertising channel on a TV network. This solution will be great for hotels, hospitals, shopping malls or offices, where access to a single advertising channel on multiple screens can bring significant marketing benefits.
Benefits of using an HDMI-DVB-T modulator:
- Easy integration with existing DVB-T2 TV system – no need to install additional devices at each TV set.
- Full HD 1080p digital signal is fully digital for high quality picture and sound.
- The content displayed on the advertising channel can be changed by updating the material in the HDMI signal source. For example, you can connect a computer or media player, which will automatically play the programmed content.
Hikvision IP cameras with hybrid illuminator.
Hikvision IP cameras that have the designation -LI in the model name have a hybrid illuminator (Smart Hybrid Light), which combines the advantages of white light and infrared illumination. Traditional cameras have an IR illuminator, which illuminates the scene and allows recording images at night, at the expense of color loss. ColorVu cameras, can record color images around the clock, but the use of white light illumination is not always expected. To meet these requirements Hikvision offers smart hybrid cameras equipped with three modes of scene illumination: classic infrared, white LED light and smart mode. In smart mode, the camera triggers white light when it detects a human or vehicle silhouette, providing a color image. Once the object leaves the detection zone, the camera switches back to IR mode. In addition to illuminating the scene to provide a color image, the LED light has the additional function of deterring an intruder. What mode the camera will operate in is decided by the user.Cameras with Smart Hybrid Light technology available in Dipol's store can be found here.
 When there is no person or vehicle on the scene, the camera uses IR mode |  When a person or vehicle appears on the scene, the camera turns on the LED illumination and switches to color mode |  When a person or vehicle leaves the scene, the camera will switch back to IR mode |
- SFP module temperature,
- Power supply voltage,
- Laser/diode supply current,
- Transmit power on Tx port,
- Receive power on Rx port.
Moreover, depending on the implementation of the protocol in the switch itself, it is possible to display messages on the transmission problems and total loss of signal. DDM in connection with SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) allows more efficient network management and monitoring of its parameters at physical layer level. It is possible, among other things, due to possibility of defining alarm levels for individual parameters.
View of the DDM data window in the TP-Link TL-SG3428X switch with Ultimode L1430 SFP+ insert
Frequent questions about selection of antennas for LTE and 5G.
Wireless Internet access services provided by mobile network operators are an increasingly popular access method chosen by subscribers. The growing popularity is due to falling prices and higher transmission speeds for the services offered. An absolute hit here are the LTE and 5G technologies enabling to achieve bandwidths similar to those offered by local ISPs. Below is a list of the most common queries about antenna selection is presented:- When should I use an external antenna?
An external antenna should be used when the signal strength indicator on your cell phone or modem shows a low level (less than -85 dBm, (less than 3 bars on a 5-degree scale)). Such information can be found in almost every smartphone. Another reason to use an external antenna is when the signal level fluctuates a lot – for example, due to periodic reflections or worse weather conditions.
- How to choose an external antenna?
- Contact your service provider to:
- Determine the service (GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, 3G, HSPA+, LTE, 5G) and the frequency on which it operates (450, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600, 3600 MHz).
- Determine the location of the nearest base station.
- Check what connector the modem has (usually SMA, TS9 (connector E83201), TS5 (connector E83206)).
- To select an external antenna:
- Do the antennas of different providers differ?
Antennas are devices that convert electromagnetic waves into electrical signals and vice versa. If an operator provides services in a band supported by some antenna (information on the frequency band(s) of the antenna is given in its data sheet), then the antenna will also improve the operation of the modem for services available in the same band(s) from other operators.
- What cable and connectors are used to connect the antennas?
Antennas used to improve a mobile operator's signal have an impedance of 50 ohms, so every part of the radio path must have this impedance value (TV coaxial cable is not allowed as it has an impedance of 75 ohms). The exemplary cable used to extend the antenna cable is the Tri-LAN 240 E1171.
The antenna is usually equipped with the FME connector , to which the antenna connector dedicated to a particular modem is connected.
![Antenna TRANS-DATA 5G KYZ 10/10 + 5 m cable + SMA [698-960, 1710-2700, 3300-3800 MHz]](https://static.dipol.com.pl/images/en/pict/a741024_5.jpg)
A high energy gain antenna designed for 5G networks:
Antenna TRANS-DATA 5G KYZ 10/10 + 5 m cable, SMA, 698-960, 1710-2700, 3300-3800 MHz A741027_5
Antenna TRANS-DATA 5G KYZ 10/10 + 5 m cable, SMA, 698-960, 1710-2700, 3300-3800 MHz A741027_5
 | Buffer power supply for PoE switches Pulsar SWB-60 (52 V, 60 W, 1x 7 Ah / 12 V, housing) The M18907 is designed for uninterruptible power supply for PoE switches with 52 VDC. It is designed based on a switching power supply module with an integrated DC/DC converter with high energy efficiency, housed in a metal enclosure (RAL 9003 color). The housing has room for a 7 Ah/12 V battery and is equipped with a microswitch that indicates the opening of the door (headlamp). The use of a DC/DC converter that raises the voltage allows to reduce the cost of operating the system by reducing the number of batteries to one unit. | |
 | Buffer power supply for PoE switches Pulsar SWS-60 (52- 53 W, 60 W, housing)) The M18906 is designed supplying equipment with 52 VDC. The design is based on a pulse power supply with high energy efficiency, housed in a metal enclosure in RAL 9003 color. The device has a removable universal mounting plate, which allows the attachment of PoE switches with maximum dimensions of 200 × 110 × 50 mm. | |
 | Protect 308 digital mobile DVR (4 x 1080p, H.265, 25 fps, 2 x SD card, GPS, RJ-45) M80308 is a four-channel mobile DVR designed for use in coaches, public transportation, company and passenger vehicles and special vehicles, i.e. TIRs, police cars, prison or military vehicles and ambulances. It has been specifically designed to provide increased resistance to vibration and shock. The DVR is designed to be mounted inside the cab of a vehicle, e.g. under the seat, in a glove compartment or boot. | |
Worth reading
Redirecting calls from the Villa Hikvision IP door/gate station directly to a smartphone. 1-subscriber Villa Hikvision IP video gate/door stations have the ability to be added directly to the Hikvision cloud and to redirect calls to a smartphone with the Hik-Connect application installed without the need for an additional internal monitor (otherwise a monitor is always required). To use this functionality, connect the gate/door station to the Internet via wired or Wi-Fi link, create an account at www.hik-connect.com, install the Hik-Connect application and add the device to the account. Once the system is configured, pressing the call button on the door station will set up a connection on the smartphone with the app installed. After answering the call, it will be possible to have a two-way conversation and open the electric door strike or the gate...>>>more
Video intercom system based on IP Villa DS-KV8113-WME1(C) G73632 door station
Ultimode – optical path measurement equipment
