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STMicroelectronics has been named Top 100 Global Innovator 2022. Recognising ST’s position among the world’s most innovative organisations, the annual list from Clarivate sets a benchmark for accelerating global innovation by measuring excellence focused on exceptional consistency and scale in innovativeness.

“A four-time winner of the Top 100 Global Innovator Award, ST is an integrated semiconductor device manufacturer driven by collaborative innovation across the various technology ecosystems where it is present globally. Our efforts focus on technologies enabling smarter mobility, helping car manufacturers make driving safer, greener, and more convenient for everyone; more efficient power and energy management for all industries, and supporting the use of renewable energies; and enabling the deployment of the IoT and 5G, supporting the proliferation of smart connected devices,” said Alessandro Cremonesi, Executive Vice President, Chief Innovation Officer, STMicroelectronics. “ST is recognised as a leading semiconductor technology innovator in a number of areas including smart power technologies, wide bandgap semiconductors, edge AI solutions, MEMS sensors and actuators, optical sensing, and digital and mixed-signal technologies.”

ST has 8,400 R&D employees and engages in extensive collaboration with leading research labs, innovative start-ups, and corporate partners around the world. The Company’s Innovation Office focuses on connecting emerging market trends with internal technology expertise to identify opportunities, stay ahead of the competition, and lead in new or existing technology domains.

Gordon Samson, Chief Product Officer, Clarivate, said, “Global inventive activity today is far higher, more diverse and more complex than a decade ago, when we first launched Top 100 Global Innovators. The Top 100 Global Innovators 2022 exemplify above-the-bar excellence in innovation. We congratulate this year’s Top 100 companies. They demonstrate the capabilities, consistency and creativity that are delivering new value and ingenuity for the world.”

The Top 100 Global Innovators 2022 come from 12 countries and regions. As global ideation patterns change and the way they are measured evolves, the composition of the Top 100 Global Innovators changes too. Clarivate analysts use informatic techniques targeting innovation excellence to compare 50 million ideas, across thousands of baselines, through billions of calculations, to discover the 100 innovators at the very top.​

Mecmesin‘s ground-breaking VTG digital torque tester combines a highly responsive, capacitive 5” colour touchscreen with sophisticated torque measurement features driven by the power of Mecmesin’s Vector OS.

The VTG Tornado is packed full of innovative features, accessible via an intuitive touchscreen interface that sets it apart from other torque testers. It is easy to navigate, just swipe or press-and-hold to access menus, toolbars, and settings.

Vector OS is the technology platform at the heart of the VTG Tornado enabling operators to customise the touchscreen interface, configure the tester to their requirements and analyse test results quickly in the field.

Benefits of dual zone display

Representing a major step forward in portable torque testing, the VTG Tornado boasts an array of advanced capabilities. It includes a dual zone display with the upper zone clearly showing the peak readings in N.cm, lbf.in and other common units of measurement.

The lower zone provides a live graphical plot of the torque applied so that critical events can be easily identified. For example, when testing plastic closures the key parameters, such as the release torque, bridge-breaking of a TE band and strip torque, are all clearly shown. Alternatively, the lower zone can be allocated to a statistical overview, which calculates the Max, Min, Average and Standard Deviation from the peak readings captured and stored in the VTG’s memory.

A configurable first-peak function, coupled with the standard maximum reading, ensures that both the initial slip torque and the secondary break torque are captured. This is particularly valuable when measuring the performance of plastic and metal tamper-evident closures (e.g., ROPP), where a maximum reading alone is insufficient to determine both characteristics.

Individual results can be transmitted immediately via RS232 to a PC or printer for analysis. Additionally, an internal memory of over 500 peak results is also available for mass storage when batch testing. An external SD memory card captures all the individual data-points for each test in .csv format so that they can be exported to Excel and other software packages.

Built-in safeguards

The VTG Tornado also features a configurable alarm setting to alert an operator with red & green lights during testing when the torque reading falls within or outside the tolerance limit.

To avoid the risk of operators inadvertently changing units of measurement or the operating mode, there is a password-protected lock function. This is particularly useful when the instrument is being used over several shifts by operators of differing skill levels.

Equally at home in the laboratory or at the point of production, the compact and portable VTG Tornado features a tough, water-resistant casing (rated to IP54), fabricated in non-painted polypropylene, making it suitable for use in pharmaceutical environments.

Four models are available with capacities ranging from 1.5N.m for delicate assessments, to the 3N.m, 6N.m and 10N.m versions for increasingly robust applications.

A calibration certificate traceable to national standards is included at no extra charge – ensuring full compliance during external audits.

Ideal for use in a range of industries

Designed to meet the demands of testing from applications as diverse as the low-level torques associated with small rotary knobs and controls through to actuation torques of medical devices and release torques of packaging caps and closures, the VTG Tornado is the ultimate digital torque tester.

“Mecmesin has been manufacturing digital torque testers for over 30 years and the new VTG Tornado represents the perfect blend of performance and functionality combined with the very latest touch screen technology.”, said John Page, PPT Group Managing Director,” The VTG Tornado has clearly reset the bar in the industry and represents the best-in-class torque instrumentation on the market today.”

Analog Devices, Inc., a leading global high-performance semiconductor company, has announced it will invest €100 million over the next three years in ADI Catalyst, a 100,000 square foot custom-built facility for innovation and collaboration located at its campus in the Raheen Business Park in Limerick, Ireland. This latest phase of expansion will also see the creation of 250 new jobs in the Irish market by 2025 as a reflection of ADI’s continued commitment to expansion in Europe.

ADI Catalyst is a state-of-the-art collaboration accelerator where ecosystems of customers, business partners, and suppliers engage with ADI to rapidly develop industry-leading solutions. Utilising technologies in simulated environments and real-world end applications accelerates the development and adoption of these innovative solutions. The newly created jobs at ADI Catalyst will primarily focus on the development of software-enabled solutions and artificial intelligence (AI) innovations in areas such as Industry 4.0, sustainable energy, automotive electrification, and next generation connectivity.

As an example, one of the current Catalyst projects is focused on supporting healthcare’s exciting migration from a mass market approach to one of customised treatment and therapies. ADI is working closely with its customers and their larger ecosystem to create flexible, next generation modular manufacturing systems that enable the rapid changeover of production lines needed for personalised treatments like CAR T-cell therapies and human implants.

Commenting on the launch, Vincent Roche, President and CEO of Analog Devices said, “ADI Catalyst is our latest investment in the future of innovation, not just in Ireland or Europe, but globally. It provides the ideal environment for experts in their fields to connect, collaborate, test, and pilot new technologies, business models, and ecosystems. Opening ADI Catalyst enables us to share ideas, capabilities, and resources with teams in Europe, and around the world, for the greater good.”

The Catalyst project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Commenting on ADI’s latest investment, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD said, “ADI’s ongoing commitment to Ireland, as witnessed over many decades, is to be celebrated today as we mark yet another significant milestone. In a world where technology continues to permeate every facet of our lives, continued investment in today’s modern digital economy has never been more important. ADI Catalyst further reinforces Limerick and Ireland’s position as both a manufacturing hub for semiconductors and a centre of excellence for innovation in Europe.”

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar said, “Congratulations to the Analog Devices Inc. team on this latest expansion, which will create 250 new jobs over the next three years in Limerick. It’s fantastic to see the company go from strength to strength. This additional €100m will be invested in new and emerging technologies in AI and machine learning, automotive electrification and next generation connectivity, including 5G applications – really exciting areas which will create the jobs of the future. Thank you to the team at ADI for your continued commitment to Ireland and the very best of luck with this next stage.”

Also commenting on the launch of ADI Catalyst, CEO of IDA Ireland Martin Shanahan said, “An investment of this scale by ADI – a global leader in its field – is terrific news for the Mid-West Region. Since 1976, ADI has had a presence here in Ireland, where it employs more than 1,300 people. This latest investment in ADI Catalyst, is not only testament to the company’s continued focus on driving innovation, but also its longstanding commitment to Ireland and Europe more broadly. In choosing to expand operations here in Limerick, ADI has located in a region with a buoyant business ecosystem, a strong track record of established global businesses and talented and highly skilled workforce. I wish to assure ADI of IDA Ireland’s continued support.”

In addition to ADI Catalyst, Ireland is home to ADI’s European Research and Development Centre, which has an established reputation for developing cutting-edge technology and includes the assignment of more than 1,000 patents. ADI launched its European manufacturing and R&D hub in 1976 in Limerick, Ireland, which remains ADI’s European headquarters today. ADI employs more than 2,200 professionals across 14 European sites.

• Learn more about ADI Catalyst: Analog Devices Catalyst Website
• Watch a video about ADI Catalyst: Analog Devices  Catalyst Video

Automation sensors and other specialist instrumentation used in the food and beverage industries are often required to deliver the tricky balance between reliability, product safety and affordability. The latest process automation sensors available from BAUMER can certainly help engineers working in these industries strike the right balance, but what about the often over-looked consideration of long-term reliability and accuracy, especially over varying temperature conditions?

For example, does your pressure transmitter consistently provide the desired accuracy at 50ºC? Also considering that long-term drift will add further inaccuracies what about sensor performance about 60 months from commissioning? Maybe it’s time to check the spec!

Baumer’s range of PFMH hygienic pressure transmitters are a good example of sensors which have been put to the test as a way of illustrating their reliability of performing satisfactorily over the long term. They were pitted against some other manufacturers’ equivalent products to compare the full-scale accuracy (non-linearity, hysteresis, non-repeatability, zero-point and span) figures. The results indicated that the Baumer sensor retained its accuracy much better across the whole temperature range whereas others were almost +/- 3% accurate at only 50ºC.

This could have a huge impact when using pressure temperatures for hydrostatic level applications on outdoor tank installations with the likelihood of varying ambient temperatures. This could also have a detrimental effect on the efficiency of the system or machine, resulting in higher running costs and shorter life-span of components. It could also have a consequential effect on product consistency, especially for food and beverage applications.

Baumer’s PFMH fully welded pressure sensors with hygienic connection, touch-screen control and flush membrane are designed to meet 3-A sanitary standards (FDA-compliant) and EHEDG requirements.

Ideal for pressure and continuous level measurement applications, they are resistant to all CIP (Clean-In-Place) cleaning media and are SIP (Steam-In-Place) capable to 150ºC Max, >60 min, with versions also available for high media temperatures up to 200ºC.

They also feature a built-in graphical display, with Baumer CombiView DFON available as an option and can be programmed by touch screen or with FlexProgrammer 9701. Other options include versions with additional relays, 4 to 20 mA with HART and also those with ATEX approval (4 to 20 mA output signal). So when detail can make a big difference with the long-term accuracy and reliability of process automation sensors in food and beverage applications, it pays to check the spec.

With the new LW2720 radar level sensor from ifm electronic, accurately measuring the level of liquid media in large tanks and vessels is no longer a problem; this innovative sensor has a measuring accuracy of ± 2 mm at ranges up to 10 m. In addition, it is fully certified for use in hygienic areas, making it an ideal choice for food and pharmaceutical applications, including those that involve CIP and SIP operations.

The ground-breaking LW2720 measures levels using an FMCW radar-based system operating at a frequency of 80 GHz. This provides stable and accurate non-contact measurements that are unaffected by changing pressure, temperature and the presence of steam or condensates. In addition, the 80GHz operating frequency of the sensors provides a very narrow beam angle that gives a reliable level measurement even in applications where agitators, stirrers and scrapers are present.

Compact and very easy to install and commission, LW2720 radar level sensors are readily parameterised via their integral IO Link interface, which can also be used to check settings and to monitor measurements. As well as the IO Link interface, the sensors can be configured to provide either one analogue output and one switching output or two switching outputs. This wide range of output options facilitates integration with almost any type of control system.

All stainless construction and IP rating up to IP69K ensure that LW2720 sensors will provide long reliable service even in demanding environments and applications. They can be used with media over the temperature range -40 to +150 ºC, and a pressure rating of -1 to 8 bar. To complement these sensors, ifm offers an extensive range of accessories, including hygienic mounting adaptors, and pre-terminated M12 connecting cables

Almost two months before the opening, preparations for SENSOR+TEST from May 10-12, 2022 in Nuremberg are in full swing. More than 300 exhibitors will present their latest achievements and technologies from sensor and measurement technology on site. Visitors can already discover a whole series of these innovations now.

“We have turned into the home straight and are very pleased to finally be able to return to the Innovation Dialog with exhibitors and participants in Nuremberg and resume it with all its facets. The more than 300 expected exhibitors are looking forward to the presence event, which was sorely missed in the last two years, to present their innovations to the interested public in person again,” says organiser Holger Bödeker.

However, numerous innovations can already be marvelled at today. For example, many product highlights are already available for visitors on the SENSOR+TEST website – and there are more every day.

“So it’s worth taking a closer look before, during and even after the three days of the event,” recommends Holger Bödeker. This year, the exhibitors will once again show the diversity of their innovative developments not only in text and images, but also in a large number of video presentations.

Save exhibition ticket now

Visitors can now save their exhibition ticket online. Registration is at https://www.sensor-test.com/voucher. “We cordially invite all interested visitors to SENSOR+TEST 2022 in Nuremberg. Register and enter into the innovation dialog with experts. Follow the activities of exhibitors and speakers on our internet portal, via newsletter as well as in the social media channels and network with them. This year, interested parties will finally be able to grasp cutting-edge technology with all their senses on site again. Each participant will be able to obtain the information that is important to him first-hand and make new valuable contacts,” says Bödeker.

Teledyne FLIR has announced the release of an expanded free thermal dataset for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and self-driving vehicle researchers and developers. The expanded starter dataset nearly doubles the original, industry-first free dataset and features more than 26,000 annotated images from the US, England, and France in day and nighttime conditions. It also triples the number of categories and now includes person, bike, car, motorcycle, bus, train, truck, traffic light, fire hydrant, street sign, dog, skateboard, stroller scooter, and other vehicle labels. The expanded free starter thermal imaging dataset allows the automotive and academic community to quickly evaluate the vehicle safety algorithm performance, neural network testing, and thermal sensors, such as the FLIR ADK.

“The industry-first free thermal dataset has been used by developers and as a tool in academic research to explore safety of automated driving technology with thermal imaging,” said Chris Posch, director of automotive engineering at Teledyne FLIR. “The expanded dataset, with more images and categories, will further enhance detection and classifications models, especially focused on automatic braking capabilities as part of a multispectral, sensor-fused system.

“When combined with visible light cameras, LIDAR, and radar, thermal sensors help create a comprehensive and redundant system to identify and classify roadway objects using sensor fusion data. Testing has demonstrated that thermal sensors are uniquely capable of seeing pedestrians, large animals, and other vulnerable road users in conditions where current automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems are challenged, including win total darkness, most fog, smoke, shadows, inclement weather, and sun or headlight glare.”

In an ongoing effort to make roads safer, twenty automakers committed to the U.S. Congress that all newly manufactured cars and trucks will be equipped with AEB systems by September 1,2022. Furthermore, high-profile testing and demonstrations from leading organisations including AAA, demonstrate the need for more effective and intelligent systems to improve vehicle safety, especially in challenging conditions where thermal cameras excel. With the potential for millions of thermal-enabled AEB on vehicles, Teledyne FLIR anticipates the cost of its thermal sensor to continue to decrease significantly, which will encourage wide-scale adoption and ultimately enable safer vehicles and roads.

Paragraf, the developer of graphene electronics technologies and products, has completed a $60m Series B funding round. This investment will enable Paragraf to expand its sales and engineering support team globally to complement its existing world-class capabilities in graphene science and in the development and manufacturing of graphene-based electronics products.

Supported by Paragraf’s expanded commercial operations, electronics manufacturers and developers worldwide will for the first time be able to take advantage of the unique low-power and high-performance characteristics of graphene-based electronics devices. Led by a larger, global sales and customer support operation, Paragraf will spearhead the drive to adopt graphene-based electronics in high-volume end product designs in the automotive, medical, aerospace, telecoms, computing and other markets.

Paragraf is the first company to develop scalable technology for the mass production of transfer-free graphene on semiconductor industry-compatible wafers. Paragraf uses this technology to produce graphene-based electronics devices such as Hall sensors. The ultra-low power, very high sensitivity, low noise and high accuracy of the devices, as well as their robust performance even in ultra-low temperature cryogenic systems, are an indication of the massive advantages which graphene offers over conventional silicon electronics products.

Driving proven technology into new applications

The new injection of venture capital finance, which was backed by existing and new investors, follows the validation of Paragraf’s graphene electronics technology by research institutes and companies around the world including CERN (Geneva, Switzerland) and Rolls Royce.

The Series B funding will enable Paragraf to scale up its sales and customer support teams in the Americas, Asia and across Europe. Commercial expansion supported by the Series B funding round means that Paragraf can collaborate with and educate organisations around the world about the advantages of Paragraf’s graphene products and technologies, and to accelerate their adoption.

Paragraf CEO Dr Simon Thomas said: ‘The injection of such substantial financing from long-standing investors, as well as new backers, is a mark of their confidence that Paragraf holds the key to the mass deployment of graphene. Graphene is the material which will move the microelectronics industry beyond conventional semiconductors. In the foreseeable future, high-volume manufacturers will be able to use Paragraf chips which offer far better performance at far lower power than any silicon-based device is physically capable of.”

The round included current investors Parkwalk, Amadeus Molten Ventures, IQ Capital as well as new investors New Science Ventures, British Patient Capital through its Future Fund: Breakthrough, and US based In-Q-Tel.

An electrical test and measurement company has been named one of North East England’s best providers of adult apprenticeship training.

Seaward, based in Peterlee, has been crowned ‘Employer of the Year’ by MTC Training, which is a commercial unit of Sunderland University with responsibility for delivering a range of apprenticeship training courses to local companies.

The achievement follows Seaward’s decision to invest in adult apprentices in recent years to help upskill its workforce, improve its commercial operations and retain staff. The firm, which has seen its investment in training the next generation of workers rewarded, currently has two adult apprentices who work as a supervisor in the dispatch department and a team leader.

A third member of staff is expected to join the firm’s apprenticeship programme this April as part of their ongoing training and personal development.

The annual MTC Training awards recognise the best apprenticeship employers across the North East who are helping their employees to develop industry focused skills.

Sir David Bell, vice chancellor and chief executive of Sunderland University, said MTC Training works with some outstanding employees and added: “Seaward, which is relatively new to apprenticeships, has fully embraced them as a way of recruiting and training talent. So, congratulations and good luck in the future.”

With offices also in Tampa, Florida and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Seaward currently employs around 174 people and is a market leading manufacturer of electronic test and measurement instruments used in a wide variety of electrical, medical, industrial and energy sector applications.

Wendy Chaplin, HR officer at Seaward, said its important to invest in employees by providing them with training, qualifications and everything else needed to develop and fill existing skills gaps.

“It’s brilliant to win this award, which recognises our commitment to apprenticeships and investment in upskilling our workforce. Our apprenticeships are gaining important new skills and developing their careers in a move that will ultimately help Seaward to become a better company and continuously improve its service to customers.”

Fluke, a global technology leader in the manufacture of compact, professional electronic test and measurement tools and software, has today announced the launch of an exclusive video series to celebrate engineering innovation in recognition of World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

Listen to real engineers

The new online video series showcases the views of Fluke’s industrial and electrical test engineers on the role engineers play in ensuring sustainability, the importance and impact of engineering on the modern world and the future of the industry. Personal stories outlining what inspired each engineer to get into the industry are also featured in the series, with the goal to inspire future generations to consider a career in engineering.

Paul Feenstra, Vice President EMEA at Fluke said: “We are very proud to acknowledge the invaluable contribution engineers make in changing our world for the better. As part of World Engineering Day, we wanted to celebrate engineering innovation by sharing the voices of Fluke’s own dedicated team of engineers. Every day, engineers continue the great work of their predecessors, finding new solutions to overcome critical challenges and safeguard our future. Engineers deserve more credit than the single day that is dedicated to them.”

Building a sustainable future

Rick Rodriguez, Mechanical Hardware Engineer at Fluke recently comforted his young son after he expressed concerns about the future of the world, stating: “There are a lot of very creative and passionate people right now, out there addressing the issues – and the one that plays centre stage is the engineer.”

Han Tran, an Electrical Engineer and Industrial Application Specialist at Fluke, agreed with this sentiment. For Han, the goal of celebrating World Engineering Day is “to make sure that younger engineers see that it is possible for people who are not always seen in engineering to be part of engineering”.

A global celebration of engineers and engineering

World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development presents an opportunity to highlight the achievements of engineers and engineering in the modern world and improve public understanding of how engineering and technology are central to sustainable development. March 4 is the founding day of the World Federation of Engineering Organisation (WFEO), an international association dedicated to representing the engineering society of the world.

Fluke offers special thanks to Marcella Bennet, David Gibson, Han Tran, Levi and Zoe Cline, Jennifer Bronson, Rick Rodriguez, Jessica Woods, Naveena Vemulapalli, Mark Bakker, Dileepa Prabhakar and Alexander Bardakov for dedicating their time and sharing their knowledge as part of World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development.

For more information and to watch the videos online, go to: https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/blog/electrical/world-engineering-day