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no. 16/2025 (April 21, 2025)
A betavoltaic battery – energy for 1000 years.
Scientists at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology have developed a prototype betavoltaic battery that uses C-14 carbon, a radioactive isotope of carbon known as radiocarbon. This isotope only emits beta radiation. These compact and economical energy sources could provide a safe, long-lasting power supply for decades and eliminate the need for regular recharging. Radioactive carbon, a by-product of nuclear power plants, is cheap, readily available and recyclable. Furthermore, due to its very slow degradation, a radio-carbon battery could theoretically last for thousands of years. Nuclear batteries generate energy by utilizing high-energy particles emitted by radioactive materials. Not all radioactive elements emit radiation that is harmful to living organisms, and some types of radiation can be effectively blocked by suitable materials. For example, beta particles (known as beta radiation) can be shielded with a thin layer of aluminum, making beta voltaics a safe and promising solution for nuclear batteries.
Photo credit: Igor Omilaev via Unsplash
Most lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in a wide range of devices only last for a few hours or a few days on a single charge. What's more, their performance gradually decreases, making it necessary to recharge them more and more often. Scientists are developing miniature, long-lasting nuclear batteries using radio carbon. These betavoltaic cells outlive lithium batteries and provide power for decades without needing to be recharged. Their innovative design can contribute to a safer and more sustainable energy future.
In a typical betavoltaic battery, electrons generate electricity when they hit semiconductor. Semiconductors play a key role in these batteries because they are responsible for energy conversion. Therefore, scientists are intensively researching advanced semiconductor materials to increase conversion efficiency – an indicator of how effectively a battery converts electrons into useful electrical energy. To significantly increase the energy conversion efficiency in a new project, the researchers used a semiconductor based on titanium dioxide (a material commonly used in solar cells) enriched with a ruthenium-containing dye. They strengthened the bond between titanium dioxide and the dye using citric acid. When the beta rays emitted by the radio carbon interact with the ruthenium-based dye, they trigger a cascade of electron transfer reactions, known as an electron avalanche. The electrons are then effectively collected by a titanium dioxide layer and transferred to an external circuit.
The innovative battery design uses radio carbon in both the anode and the cathode. With this solution, the scientists have increased beta ray emission while minimizing energy losses due to the distance between the electrodes. During prototype testing, it was discovered that the beta rays released from the radio carbon at both electrodes activated the dye on the anode, which initiated an avalanche of electrons. Compared to an earlier design in which the radio carbon was only in the cathode, the new design with radioactive isotopes in both electrodes significantly improved the energy conversion efficiency from 0.48% to 2.86%. This betavoltaic design converted only a small fraction of the radioactive decay into electrical energy, resulting in lower efficiency compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Researchers suggest that further efforts to optimize the shape of the beta emitter and develop more efficient beta absorbers could improve battery performance and increase energy generation.
DVB-T digital modulators – characteristics and advantages.
Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial (DVB-T) modulators are devices that convert audio-video signals from various HDMI-compatible sources (e.g. recorders, players, decoders, computers) into the DVB-T digital format used in digital terrestrial television. This allows the TV signal to be distributed via the existing antenna system without the need for additional cabling.Advantages of the digital DVB-T modulators:
- Easy integration into existing infrastructure – DVB-T modulators allow for signal transmission through standard antenna systems without the need for new cables
- supports multiple signal sources – various devices can be connected, such as surveillance recorders, satellite receivers, computers and multimedia players
- long-distance transmission capability – thanks to the use of the DVB-T standard, the signal can be distributed to multiple receivers over a large area without loss of quality
- flexible configuration – the user can adjust transmission parameters such as transmission frequency, RF output signal level, and data rate
Thanks to their advantages, digital DVB-T modulators are used in hotels, hospitals, monitoring systems, conference centers and wherever high-quality TV signal distribution to multiple receivers is required.
 |  |  |  |  | |
| Name | Signal | Signal-420 | WS-6990 | WS-7992 | WS-7990 |
| Code | R86301 | R86700 | R86701 | R86702 | R86704 |
| Standard | DVB-T | DVB-T/C | |||
| No. of ch. | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| Inputs | HDMI | RF, 1x HDMI | 1x A/V (RCA), 1x HDMI | 2x A/V (RCA), 2x HDMI | 4x A/V (RCA), 4x HDMI |
| Resolutions | max. 1080p | ||||
| Image type | HD | SD / HD | |||
| Installation method | individual | ||||
| RF range [Mhz] | 174...230 / 470...862 | 50-860 | |||
| Max output level [dBμV] | 100 | ||||
+What tools for fiber optic splicing?
Installers often ask what tools to purchase when buying a fiber optic splicer. Several tools are offered with the splicer, including: a fiber stripper and a fiber break guillotine. However, this is not all. Buying several additional accessories is necessary, which can be divided into two groups: absolutely essential accessories and optional tools (the purchase of these is conditioned, among other things, by what kind of cables the installer will have to deal with).Essential tools/accessories:
- L5913 lint-free wipes – essential for cleaning fibers after removing them from the acrylic layer, for cleaning gel fibers, etc.
- IPA alcohol L5915 – also necessary for cleaning fibers
- splice protectors 40 mm L5554_100, 60 mm L5555_100 – although they are usually included with the splice closures as an accessory, it is worth having some in stock
- cable slitter 4.5 – 11 mm L5928 – basic tool for “opening” all cables from the DIPOL range with a diameter exceeding 5 mm
- slitting tool for tubes and cables 1.5 – 3.3 mm L5926 – tool for cutting cable sheaths with a diameter of 3 mm and fiber tubes
- Ideal L5922 rotary stripper – a tool with several applications, in the context of the DIPOL offer it is the best tool for scratching and breaking fiber tubes for universal cables and more
Longitudinal cable slitter 4.5 – 11 mm L5928 is useful for processing most
cables from DIPOL range – including universal, outdoor and ground cables
cables from DIPOL range – including universal, outdoor and ground cables
Optional tools/accessories (may also be necessary in certain situations):
- kevlar cutter L5904 – in most situations, standard pliers or cutters are sufficient for processing (stripping) cables, but these types of cutters are perfect, for example, when cutting aramid fibers, which are part of the structural reinforcement of many cables; these fibers are relatively difficult to cut with standard pliers, especially if they are not freshly sharpened
- tool for making notches in tubes L5925 – useful when it is necessary to remove fibers from the cable at a certain point in the system (the cable must have a suitable design) without cutting the remaining fibers
- L59161 and L59162 connector cleaning machines – useful wherever OTDR measurements are taken
- L5918 fiber waste container – for those who care about a clean and safe workplace
How do I read the labeling of a twisted pair cable?
A twisted-pair cable is a type of signal cable used for data transmission in telecommunications systems and computer networks. Currently, it is most commonly used in analog telephony and Ethernet networks. It consists of one or more pairs of wires that are twisted together to reduce the impact of electromagnetic interference and crosstalk, i.e. interference between pairs of wires.The ISO/IEC 11801:2002 standard defines how twisted computer cables should be labeled. According to this standard, the cable description should be in the form xx/yyTP, where “yy” defines the structure of a single pair of wires, while “xx” refers to the design of the entire cable.
The xx and yy symbols can be as follows:
- U – unshielded
- F – foiled
- S – shielded
- SF shielded and foiled
- U/UTP – unshielded
- F/UTP – foiled
- U/FTP – each pair foiled separately
- F/FTP – foil screened cable with foil screened balanced elements
- SF/UTP – overall braid and foil screened cable with unscreened balanced elements
- S/FTP – overall braid screened cable with foil screened balanced elements
- SF/FTP – overall braid and foil screened cable with foil screened balanced elements
![CAT 5e UTP Cable: NETSET BOX U/UTP 5e [305m], indoor](https://static.dipol.com.pl/images/en/pict/e1408_1.jpg)
One of the most popular twisted pair cables for indoor applications.
Przewód NETSET U/UTP 5e E1408_305 cable.
Przewód NETSET U/UTP 5e E1408_305 cable.
Control of relays in the IP Villa 2 gen. door station from external buttons.
The IP Villa 2 gen. door stations from the DS-KV8xxx series have two independently triggered relays, which can be used to control a gate, for example. By default, the second relay in the door/gate station is off and should be activated with the iVMS-4200 app or via a web browser. Those outputs can be triggered using the iVMS-4200 PC client application, indoor stations or after shorting to ground (GND) of AIN4 (DOOR2 relay activation) and AIN3 (DOOR1 relay activation) inputs. Those inputs are often used for the installation of local opening buttons, mounted at a safe distance so that they cannot be reached from outside the fence. The solution can open the wicket without a key, if no movable handle or knob is installed on the inner side. The gate can open quickly without the need for a remote control.Connecting to local opening buttons to Villa door/gate stations
DS-KV8113-WME1(C), DS-KV8213-WME1(C), DS-KV8413-WME1(C)
DS-KV8113-WME1(C), DS-KV8213-WME1(C), DS-KV8413-WME1(C)
 | 8p (RJ-45) and 6p (RJ-12, RJ-11) modular connector crimping tool, shielded The E7914 is used to install 6P, 8P “classic” and 8P shielded modular connectors with a cable clamp. It has the following functions: 6P modular connector crimper (RJ10-6P2C, RJ11-6P4C, RJ12-6P6C), 8P modular connector crimper (RJ45-8P8C), 8P modular connector crimper (RJ45-8P8C) shielded with cable clamp, cable clamp crimper. | |
 | Hikvision DS-2CD1663G2-LIZU/SL compact IP camera (6 MP, 2.8 -12 mm FZ, 0.005 lx, hybrid IR up to 50 m, MD2.0, alarm LED) K05056 is a compact IP camera from Hikvision with a hybrid illuminator, part of the EasyIP Lite series. The cameras in this series have the basic, most commonly used functions, so they are ideal for most systems where stable and trouble-free operation is required. Motion detection 2.0 eliminates false alarms by filtering out human/vehicle objects. The camera has a 1/2.4” CMOS sensor with a resolution of 6 MP and a hybrid illuminator with a range of up to 50 m to ensure proper visibility in the absence of light. Thanks to the IR and LED illuminator in a single housing, it is possible to select one of three low-light modes: IR white light LED or smart mode. The 2.8 – 12 mm variable focus lens of the Motozoom type allows remote changing of the viewing angle in the range of 106 – 35.6°. | |
Worth reading
OTDR measurement at 2 wavelengths – locating the kink in the cable. Below is the result of an OTDR measurement of a section of fiber-optic cable with a macroscopic kink. The measurement at a wavelength of 1310 nm does not show any anomalies – two cable sections (102 m and 103 m) spliced together with a loss of approx. 0.69 dB – this connection has an intentionally increased loss – the splice program available in the Sendun SD-9+ L5877...>>>more
OTDR traces for the wavelengths 1310 nm (white) and 1550 nm (green – active)
Signal Fire AI-9 – go for a proven solution
