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Infineon Technologies AG of Munich, Germany has expanded its XHP 2 power module portfolio with new variants incorporating CoolSiC MOSFETs 2300V, designed for high-voltage power systems. The new 2300V-class devices support DC-link voltages of up to 1500V, addressing the industry trend toward higher system voltages...

Lumentum Holdings Inc of San Jose, CA, USA (which designs and makes photonics products for optical networks and lasers for industrial and consumer markets) has been included in the Nasdaq-100 Index. The firm is expected to join the index prior to the market opening on 18 May...

Custom ASIC/ASSP and power solutions provider Cyient Semiconductor Pte Ltd of Hyderabad, India has launched seven new gallium nitride (GaN) power devices for the Indian market, developed using the GaN technology of Navitas Semiconductor Corp of Torrance, CA, USA — which provides GaNFast gallium nitride (GaN) and GeneSiC silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors...

Photonic simulation CAD software developer Photon Design Ltd of Oxford, UK says that it has enabled the industry-first 3D quantum dot laser simulation, by integrating its HAROLD QD quantum dot laser simulation tool with its PICWave laser diode, SOA and photonic integrated circuit (PIC) simulator...

Market analyst firm TrendForce’s latest research into the micro-LED industry highlights how generative AI is driving rapid growth in demand for high-speed optical communications. Micro-LED technology offers power consumption as low as 1–2pJ/bit and ultra-low bit-error rates (BER) of ≤10-10. It is also emerging as one of the three major short-distance, high-speed intra-rack transmission solutions for scale-up data-center networks, alongside active electrical cables (AEC) and vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL)-based near-packaged optics (VCSEL NPO). As a result, TrendForce projects that the micro-LED CPO optical transceiver market will reach US$848m by 2030...

Кампус КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського стає ще зеленішим kpi пн, 05/11/2026 - 15:27

Kick-off GreenChem Accelerator 2026 у КПІ ім. Ігоря Сікорського kpi пн, 05/11/2026 - 15:20

When structures bend, stretch, or compress, engineers need a way to translate that invisible mechanical stress into measurable data. Strain gauges do exactly that—tiny sensors that convert deformation into electrical signals with remarkable precision.

From monitoring bridges and aircraft wings to ensuring the reliability of everyday electronics, strain gauges are the quiet workhorses that make stress visible, quantifiable, and actionable.

How resistance reveals stress

At the heart of every strain gauge lies a deceptively simple principle: when a conductor or semiconductor is stretched, its electrical resistance changes. Engineers harness this effect by arranging strain gauges in a Wheatstone bridge circuit, amplifying tiny resistance shifts into measurable voltage signals.

It’s a clever translation—microscopic deformations become clear electrical outputs. Narratively, this is where the magic happens: the silent stress within a bridge girder or aircraft fuselage suddenly speaks in numbers, allowing designers to predict failures, validate models, and ensure safety long before cracks appear.

Stress signals in the real world

A strain gauge is the sensing element itself, while a strain gauge sensor is the complete packaged device that integrates the gauge with wiring, housing, and often signal conditioning for practical measurement. That distinction becomes critical when sensors are deployed in demanding environments.

Consider aerospace wing testing: engineers attach arrays of strain gauges across critical points of an aircraft wing. As the wing flexes under simulated flight loads, each gauge’s resistance shifts, feeding signals into a monitoring system. The sensor assemblies ensure those delicate gauges survive vibration, temperature swings, and handling. This is where theory meets reality—tiny resistance changes become the data that validates aerodynamic models, ensures passenger safety, and drives innovation in lighter, stronger aircraft designs.

Civil infrastructure offers another compelling example. Bridges endure constant stress from traffic, wind, and temperature cycles. Embedded strain gauge sensors provide early warnings of fatigue, helping engineers schedule maintenance before cracks or failures occur. In this narrative, strain gauges are not just measuring stress, they are safeguarding lives and economies by keeping critical structures resilient and reliable.

A technical note: A strain gauge directly measures strain (physical deformation). From this measurement, we determine the internal stress—the intensity of the forces resisting that deformation—using the material’s known stiffness.

Strain gauge vs. load cell vs. FSR

Since this post is focused on strain gauges, here is a quick distinction. A strain gauge measures material deformation as a resistance change, forming the basis of precise force sensing. A load cell builds on this, packaging strain gauges into a calibrated transducer for accurate weight and force measurement in industry. By contrast, a force-sensing resistor (FSR) is a low-cost sensor whose resistance shifts with pressure—handy for relative force detection in consumer and robotic applications, but far less precise.

Figure 1 Strain gauges and force-sensing resistors convert mechanical input into changes in electrical resistance, yet their responses vary in linearity, sensitivity, and application scope. Source: Author

So, in essence, when designers and engineers need to measure force, two of the most widely used technologies are force sensing resistors and strain gauges. Both convert mechanical input into changes in electrical resistance, yet their principles, accuracy, and applications differ greatly.

A force sensing resistor is a thin, flexible, polymer-based sensor whose resistance decreases as pressure is applied to its surface. A strain gauge, on the other hand, is made of fine metallic foil or wire arranged in a grid and bonded to a stable substrate. Rather than detecting direct pressure, it measures strain—the deformation of the material it is attached to. As the material stretches or compresses, the strain gauge deforms as well, producing a slight change in resistance. This change is typically measured using a Wheatstone bridge circuit for precise results.

Similarly, load cells build upon strain gauge technology by integrating one or more gauges into a mechanical structure that translates applied force into measurable strain. This makes load cells highly accurate and reliable devices for quantifying weight and force in industrial, commercial, and scientific applications.

Figure 2 A compact button-type load cell, based on strain-gauge technology, delivers compression measurements in space-limited applications. Source: ATO

Wheatstone bridge configurations for precision strain measurement

In practical applications, strain measurements typically involve very small changes rather than large strain values. Detecting these minute variations requires precise measurement of small resistance changes. A Wheatstone bridge circuit (WBC) is widely used for this purpose, as it translates subtle resistance shifts into measurable voltage outputs.

A standard Wheatstone bridge consists of four equal resistors arranged in a square. An excitation voltage is applied across one diagonal, while the output voltage is measured across the other. In its balanced state, the bridge produces zero output voltage. For strain measurement, one or more resistors are replaced with active strain gauges, whose resistance varies in response to external forces acting on the structure.

To achieve higher sensitivity and improved accuracy, different Wheatstone bridge configurations are employed: quarter-bridge, half-bridge, and full-bridge. In a quarter-bridge, a single resistor is replaced with a strain gauge. A half-bridge uses two strain gauges, while a full bridge replaces all four resistors. These configurations not only enhance measurement precision but also help compensate for temperature effects, making them essential in modern strain gauge instrumentation.

Figure 3 Diagram illustrates a quarter Wheatstone bridge, where one resistor is replaced by the strain gauge. Source: Author

Selecting the right strain gauge

Selecting the right strain gauge requires balancing geometry, resistance, and environmental compatibility to achieve accurate measurements while controlling installation costs. Options range from simple linear gauges for uniaxial stress fields to rosette configurations—rectangular, delta, or tee—for analyzing complex or unknown stress directions, and bridge arrangements for enhanced sensitivity and thermal compensation.

The choice of grid orientation and gauge length must align with the material’s homogeneity and the stress distribution being measured. Equally important are electrical parameters such as the nominal resistance, which determines compatibility with the measurement circuitry, and self-temperature compensation, which offsets thermal effects to maintain accuracy and improve signal-to-noise ratios under fluctuating operating conditions.

Environmental and installation considerations in strain measurement

As stated before, strain gauges are inherently sensitive to temperature variations, and changes in temperature can alter their electrical resistance. If not properly compensated or controlled, this effect can introduce significant measurement errors.

Beyond temperature, external factors such as humidity, moisture, vibration, and electromagnetic interference can also degrade performance and accuracy. Appropriate protective measures—such as encapsulation, shielding, and environmental sealing—are therefore essential to ensure reliable operation.

Equally important is the bonding of the strain gauge to the surface of the substrate. A strong, uniform bond ensures that the gauge accurately follows the strain of the underlying material. Achieving this can be challenging when working with dissimilar materials or irregular surfaces. Poor bonding may result in signal instability or inaccurate readings, undermining the integrity of the measurement system.

Practical strain gauge systems: Bridges, amps, and test kits

In a Wheatstone bridge, the strain gauge serves as the variable resistor whose resistance shifts under mechanical deformation, producing a differential voltage proportional to strain. Because this resistance change is extremely small—often less than 0.1% of the gauge’s nominal value—the bridge must be energized with a stable excitation source and paired with an amplifier stage to extract the signal from noise.

For basic designs, a differential amplifier can provide initial signal conditioning, but for precision applications, an instrumentation amplifier (INA) is preferred due to its superior common-mode rejection and high input impedance.

Keep in mind that the bridge configuration depends on accuracy requirements: a quarter-bridge offers simplicity, a half-bridge adds temperature compensation, and a full-bridge delivers maximum sensitivity. The choice of amplifier ensures the bridge’s delicate balance is preserved while enabling reliable strain measurement.

Today’s compact strain gauge amplifiers make the entire measurement workflow far more straightforward by integrating multiple critical functions into a single, easy-to-use module. Not only do they provide clean signal gain and low-noise performance, but many also feature built-in excitation voltage sources, eliminating the need for external supplies.

They often include automatic bridge balancing to correct minor mismatches in resistance, ensuring the Wheatstone bridge remains stable and accurate. With high input impedance, filtering options, and sometimes digital outputs, these amplifiers reduce design complexity, accelerate setup, and deliver reliable strain data. For engineers, this means less time spent on circuit design and more confidence in capturing precise measurements across lab and field applications.

Figure 4 Compact strain gauge amplifier modules meet growing demand for industrial strain measurements, where miniature size and easy setup are essential. Source: Transmission Dynamics

Moreover, when it comes to strain gauge test kits, they offer a practical, all-in-one pathway for converting mechanical stress into precise electrical signals. These kits typically include gauges with standard resistances (120 Ω or 350 Ω), along with surface preparation tools, adhesives for secure bonding, and protective coatings to ensure durability in challenging environments.

Once integrated into a Wheatstone bridge, the kit enables detection of minute resistance changes defined by the gauge factor, directly linking strain to output voltage. Thus, strain gauge kits simplify what would otherwise be a complex measurement workflow, making them indispensable across fields ranging from structural health monitoring and aerospace stress testing to advanced biomechanics.

That wraps up today’s dive into strain gauges. From foil to semiconductors, the evolution continues—and now it’s your turn to engineer what comes next.

T. K. Hareendran is a self-taught electronics enthusiast with a strong passion for innovative circuit design and hands-on technology. He develops both experimental and practical electronic projects, documenting and sharing his work to support fellow tinkerers and learners. Beyond the workbench, he dedicates time to technical writing and hardware evaluations to contribute meaningfully to the maker community.

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The post Strain gauges: Turning stress into signal appeared first on EDN.

For fiscal third-quarter 2026, Wolfspeed Inc of Durham, NC, USA — which makes silicon carbide (SiC) materials and power semiconductor devices — has reported revenue of revenue of $150.2m, down 10.6% on $168m last quarter and 19% on $185.4m a year ago...

I built a GPS and temperature data logger equipped with an alarm buzzer and an EEPROM for offline data backup and ESP32S3. I made a mistake with one net name but I was able to solve it. Pd: How is the market in EE ? Is any opportunity for the new one? submitted by /u/Licantropos1 [link] [comments]

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Man the difference between linear and logarithmic pots and faders for volume is pretty interesting. This is my third TX-6 style mixer that I had time to finally finish. The first used linear faders and pots, and the second had faders that were too high value resistance so it was more on the quiet side. submitted by /u/Edboy796 [link] [comments]

«Золоті почесні знаки» від Національної технічної організації Федерації науково-технічних товариств Польщі KPI4U-1 пт, 05/08/2026 - 23:15

maybe it's time to start using PCBs submitted by /u/Effective_Vacation21 [link] [comments]

For more detail: https://blog.mehmetasaf.me/how-to-build-a-uart-to-half-duplex-converter-for-your-servo-projects/ Tomorrow, I will build this schematic on a breadboard. I might add some pictures later. Thanks for reading. submitted by /u/PineappleOk7203 [link] [comments]

Нова лабораторія керування промисловими системами на ФЕЛ kpi пт, 05/08/2026 - 17:48

I have designed and built a test jig that will automatically test a small USB output for bench power supplies adapter called USBpwrME. The USBpwrME allows users to connect USB powered electronics to a power supply during test, evaluation troubleshooting etc. Test jig in action The test jig is built around the PIC18F27K22. This is my goto chip at the moment. It has a lot of configurable peripherals, ADC with really high resolution and a huge amount of memory for being a small MCU. And wide supply voltage range! Test sequence will cover all the functions of the USB adapter with as few operator interactions as possible. One "funny" mistake i made during the design was not noticing that the relays i use has actually polarized coil so the pos/neg has to be connected in correct way to make the relay click. I missed this so i needed to hand modify all three relays. Second mistake i made was actually a bit harder to foresee. One test that is performed is to invert the the input polarity to the USBpwrME to see that the polarity protection works. Well the design mistake was that the GND between the jig and the adapter is connected together thru the GND shield of the USB cables. So when the polarity switches the test jig short-circuits itself and restarts. I solved this by adding in the test sequence when to actually connect the USB cables and performing the polarity test just before. Even my eight year old son can operate it :) :) Quite happy although with the result submitted by /u/KS-Elektronikdesign [link] [comments]

Noise, India’s leading connected lifestyle brand, announces the launch of NoiseFit Halo 3, a bold, design, first round dial smartwatch crafted to seamlessly blend style, productivity and AI-powered utility. Design for those who refuse to compromise, Halo 3 combines the refined aesthetics of a classic dress watch with the intelligence and functionality of a modern smartwatch. It delivers what consumers have long sought: a timeless round-dial design paired with meaningful smart capabilities. Building on the Halo legacy, Halo 3 features a sculpted integrated-strap silhouette, a vibrant 1.43″ AMOLED display with 1000 nits brightness, and Noise AI Pro, a productivity-first AI ecosystem offering voice commands, voice recording and transcription, health insights, and personalised wallpapers. 

With Noise Vault for QR pass access, a customizable Smart Dashboard, one-tap health checks and up to 7 days of battery life, Halo 3 is built for the modern man who wants to make an impression, moving effortlessly from a boardroom meeting to a boarding gate, with a watch that transitions as fluidly as he does.

Noise AI Pro with Smart Productive Dashboard

At the core of Halo 3 lies Noise AI Pro, a productivity-first AI layer built for modern routines. Voice commands enable hands-free actions, morning briefs summarise sleep and activity insights, and AI Transcription transcribes voice notes into clean notes. Super Notifications refine alerts by surfacing contextual updates like OTPs, ride statuses and delivery notifications (Android supported). Complementing this intelligence is a customizable Smart Dashboard that supports up to five widgets,  from music control and AQI to sleep insights and hydration tracking, ensuring the most relevant information is always within reach.

Round-Dial Design with AMOLED Brilliance, built to command attention

NoiseFit Halo 3 features refined curves that flow into an integrated strap design, creating a cohesive, sculpted silhouette. Precision cuts along the dial edge add depth and character, while the 1.43” AMOLED display with 1000 nits brightness delivers striking clarity and effortless visibility across lighting conditions. Available in metal, leather and silicon strap options, Halo 3 adapts seamlessly from boardrooms to social settings, offering long-wear comfort without compromising on presence.

Noise Vault & Seamless Utility, scan and move

Halo 3 introduces Noise Vault, allowing users to store QR codes for flights, concerts, movies and more directly on the watch. Acting as a digital passbook, it enables seamless, hands-free scanning at entry points and boarding gates, reducing dependence on the phone during high-movement moments.

Health Insights & Week-Long Battery, built for uninterrupted days

The smartwatch supports one-tap heart rate, stress and SpO₂ monitoring alongside continuous tracking throughout the day. Backed by up to 7 days of battery life, Halo 3 ensures users stay informed and connected without frequent charging interruptions.

Price and Availability

Available in four elegant colours with strap options – Metal (Black) , Leather (Brown, Blue) & Silicon (Black),  the NoiseFit Halo 3 is live on sale, at an introductory price of 5,499 on gonoise.com, Amazon and Flipkart. 

Product Specifications
NoiseFit Halo 3

Specification	Details
Display	1.43″ AMOLED, 1000 nits
Strap options	Metal (Black), Leather (Brown, Blue), Silicon (Black)
Core AI	Noise AI Pro: Voice commands, Morning briefs, AI Transcription, Super Notifications (Android-only advanced notifications)
Health	One-tap Heart Rate, Stress, SpO₂; continuous tracking
Compatibility	Android & iOS
Battery	Up to 7 days

 

About Noise

Noise is India’s leading smartwatch and connected lifestyle brand. The brand prioritises consumer centricity, design innovation, and product excellence to constantly reinvent and introduce future-forward innovations in audio, wearables, and the connected lifestyle ecosystem. As a homegrown brand, it is committed to creating an experience-led ecosystem through futuristic yet meaningful technology. With patents and a strong R&D focus, their innovation arm, Noise Labs, boasts many industry-first breakthroughs and houses some stellar technologies across categories. 

Noise is leading the charge to foster the growth of the industry and the nation’s vision by boosting the manufacturing efforts under the Make in India initiative, fostering a strong community of people who want to connect on health, lifestyle, and fitness on the NoiseFit App, while helping businesses ensure their employee wellbeing through the Corporate Wellness Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Next-Gen Upgrade to the Halo Series, NoiseFit Halo 3 brings Presence-Led Design and AI to the Wrist appeared first on ELE Times.