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  • Quantum crystals could spark the next tech revolution
    Auburn scientists have designed new materials that manipulate free electrons to unlock groundbreaking applications. These “Surface Immobilized Electrides” could power future quantum computers or transform chemical manufacturing. Stable, tunable, and scalable, they represent a leap beyond traditional electrides. The work bridges theory and potential real-world use.
  • Decades-old photosynthesis mystery finally solved
    Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Caltech have finally solved a decades-old mystery about how photosynthesis really begins. They discovered why energy inside plants flows down only one of two possible routes — a design that lets nature move sunlight with astonishing precision. Using advanced computer simulations, the researchers showed that one […]
  • A century-old piano mystery has just been solved
    Scientists confirmed that pianists can alter timbre through touch, using advanced sensors to capture micro-movements that shape sound perception. The discovery bridges art and science, promising applications in music education, neuroscience, and beyond.
  • Princeton’s AI reveals what fusion sensors can’t see
    A powerful new AI tool called Diag2Diag is revolutionizing fusion research by filling in missing plasma data with synthetic yet highly detailed information. Developed by Princeton scientists and international collaborators, this system uses sensor input to predict readings other diagnostics can’t capture, especially in the crucial plasma edge region where stability determines performance. By reducing […]
  • Heisenberg said it was impossible. Scientists just proved otherwise
    Researchers have reimagined Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, engineering a trade-off that allows precise measurement of both position and momentum. Using quantum computing tools like grid states and trapped ions, they demonstrated sensing precision beyond classical limits. Such advances could revolutionize navigation, medicine, and physics, while underscoring the global collaboration driving quantum research.
  • This new camera sees the invisible in 3D without lenses
    Scientists have developed a lens-free mid-infrared camera using a modern twist on pinhole imaging. The system uses nonlinear crystals to convert infrared light into visible, allowing standard sensors to capture sharp, wide-range images without distortion. It can also create precise 3D reconstructions even in extremely low light. Though still experimental, the technology promises affordable, portable […]

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Illustration of a futuristic battle scene between two armored warriors symbolizing MOSFET and IGBT. The MOSFET side features a sleek, agile figure wielding a glowing sword in a tech-blue environment, while the IGBT side shows a bulky, powerful mech-like figure firing from a heavy arm cannon in an industrial orange setting. The image represents the comparison between MOSFETs and IGBTs in power electronics.
IGBT vs MOSFET: How to Choose the Right Power Switch
This article compares IGBTs and MOSFETs for power electronics applications It covers efficiency trade-offs, conduction and switching losses, voltage/current guidelines, structural differences (such as body...
Featured image from Florisera.com showing various capacitor types and their symbolic representations, likely used to introduce a detailed article on capacitor basics and usage in electronics.
Introduction to capacitors
This tutorial introduces the basics of capacitors, covering their structure, energy storage, and behavior in DC and AC circuits. It explains capacitance, charging/discharging processes, and...
Featured Image of the post on essential tools for electronic hobbyists (2024)
Essential tools for electronic hobbyist (2024)
Lab equipment is essential for home electronics projects. Key tools include a multimeter, soldering station, oscilloscope, and power supply. This guide covers affordable options for...
Illustration of resistors with color bands and a reading example (332M ± 0.5%). The text reads "Resistor color code Online tool" and shows a DIP chip, emphasizing electronics utility and learning.
Resistor color code – Online tool
A resistor is a fundamental two-terminal component used in countless electronic devices to limit or regulate electric current. Resistors are often marked with color bands...
Educational graphic showing the analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) process using the PIC16F877A microcontroller. On the left is a graph of a smooth analog voltage waveform sampled at discrete points (shown as red dots), and on the right is the PIC16F877A chip with MPLAB X IDE branding. The image illustrates how analog voltages are digitized for processing in microcontroller-based systems.
PIC16F877A Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
The ADC module in microcontrollers indeed allows them to interface with the analog world by converting continuous analog signals into discrete digital values. This capability...
Graphical illustration of PWM signal showing narrow and wide pulses with varying duty cycles. Includes a 10V signal graph, labels for voltage levels, and mentions PIC16F877A microcontroller and MPLAB X IDE.
Using PWM in PIC16F877A
Digital signals (0 or 1) and analog signals (range of values) are both used in electronics. Analog inputs can be converted to digital through an...

Prerequisits

To make it easier, I assume you have a basic knowledge of the following:

  • Basic circuitry knowledge; such as resistors, transistors, diodes, relays.
  • Basic programming knowledge in C; understand what are functions, operators, data types, and more.
  • Digital electronics, such as logic gates.

On some occasions I will explain it from scratch, but to understand everything, it is best to brush up on the basics so that you can follow the tutorials.

Required Software

For these tutorials we use Microchip’s own software package that includes:

  • MPLAB X IDE
  • XC8 Compiler
  • PICKIT3 programmer/debugger

All the tools can be downloaded at the official website of Microchip Technology

Required Hardware

The full tutorial consists of many different types of electrical components, sensors and actuators. It depends completely on your own project what you need. However, in all cases you will need a Pickit3 tool to install the software and you need at least 1 PIC16F877A microcontroller to install it on.