IEEE Recognizes Technology Advancements During 125th Anniversary
In commemoration of its 125th anniversary, IEEE, a member and accredited standards developer of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), has celebrated Engineering the Future Day on May 13, 2009.
Recognizing the contributions and impact that IEEE, its members, and engineering professionals have made to improve everyday life, the event has been part of a series of celebrations worldwide aiming to increase awareness of technology advancements.
Two competitions were also launched to mark the anniversary: IEEE Engineering Your World Contest, which invites individuals to submit videos of how they use science, engineering or technology to improve their living spaces; and IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition, which invited students to identify and solve a real-world problem by using engineering, science, computing and leadership skills.
For more information, please visit IEEE 125th Anniversary web site.CEA Issues Yearly Report on Consumer Electronics Spending
According to the 11th Annual Household CE Ownership and Market Potential Study issued by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) – an ANSI member and accredited standards developer – the average U.S. household spent $1,229 on consumer electronics (CE) products over the last twelve months.
While consumers have spent $176 less than in the prior year, ownership of nearly all products measured in this study is higher than before, indicating that consumers are purchasing CE products at lower price points.
Other findings show that video products are expanding, that men spend more than women, and that young adults purchased more than any other age group.
A comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry, CEA's study was conducted between January 29 and February 2, 2009.
For more information, please visit CEA online.
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Calculates Energy Savings
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer, has released the 2008 Energy Efficiency and Consumption Trends data.
With all home appliances observed to operate more efficiently than previous models sold, the study shows how manufacturers are making yearly improvements that reduce the amount of energy used to run such devices and lead to major savings on consumers’ energy bills.
For more information, please visit AHAM’s web site.
NIST Engineers Skeptical on Transistor Noise Theory
Engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seem to have found a flaw in the current theory of transistor noise, a phenomenon affecting the electronic on-off switch needed in computer circuits.
A defect in the materials used for a transistor can divert the flow of electricity and cause the device to fluctuate erratically between “on” and “off” states. Up to now, scientists have adopted a theory, known as the elastic tunneling model, saying that as transistors shrink, the fluctuations should consequently increase in frequency.
During their studies of progressively smaller transistors, NIST scientists have discovered that, even in nanometer-sized transistors, the fluctuation frequency remains the same, implying that the widely accepted model on electronic noise theory must be incorrect, especially at the smaller nanoscale regimes.
The findings, if unresolved, will affect the creation of low-power transistors that allow devices, such as laptop computers and cell phones, to run longer on less power.
ANSI Applies for U.S. TAG Accreditation
ANSI has submitted an application for accreditation and a request for approval as Administrator for a proposed U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Project Committee (PC) 245, Cross Border Trade of Second Hand Goods.
The Institute has submitted this application with technical and financial support from the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), CEA, Philips Healthcare, and SMART.
ANSI is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations.
Comments on ANSI's application should be offered by July 6, 2009 with a copy to Mr. Jim Thompson, the recording secretary of ANSI’s Executive Standards Council (fax: 212.840.2298; [email protected]).
To receive additional information or to offer comments, please contact: Ms. Rachel Howenstine (telephone: 212.642.4938; [email protected]).