U.S. RFID Tags Market Growth Driven By Increasing Application of RFID in Healthcare Sector

RFID has made a significant impact on the healthcare industry over the past few years. The technology has been instrumental in reducing manual efforts in maintaining, tracking and managing inventory in hospitals and promises to reduce losses and misplacement of supplies.

U.S. RFID tags market growth is driven by increasing application of RFID in the healthcare sector. In August 2020, Germany-based Fresenius Kabi introduced plans to add a portfolio of medicines with RFID embedded into their labels. RFID tags are tags that can be attached to various objects and are used to track assets, inventory, and people. They come in many shapes and forms and are often tied to industrial devices, bicycles, or forklifts. They are also used in buildings for access control.

Various benefits of RFID tags aid in growth of the U.S. RFID tags market. RFID tags have many benefits. For example, they can be used to track the returnable containers and pallets of a company. These containers and pallets can represent millions of dollars in capital investment. With RFID technology, you can avoid unnecessary loss of assets, which can cut down on capital costs. If you are in the business of shipping or receiving goods, you should consider using RFID tags to track your assets.

Moreover, RFIDs can be integrated with other technologies that can enhance a company's security. It is possible to track a person's location remotely with the help of an RFID tag. Consequently, an RFID tag can also be used to monitor the condition of an asset. RFID tags can be easily integrated with sensors, GPS technology, and wireless LAN to ensure a secure asset. It can be incorporated into a security system that helps identify and track a particular asset.

However, there are several disadvantages of RFID tags. Since these tags operate on radio frequency, they are susceptible to interference. This can disrupt their functionality, causing longer wait times and less productivity. Various environmental conditions can cause the signals to get jammed, which will reduce the accuracy of the tracking. These issues can cause problems with the tags' functionality. Generally, active RFID tags are used in harsh environments, where the signals are susceptible to interference.

Microhydro-Electric Systems are capable of achieving up to 90% mechanical efficiency and can generate around 100 kW of hydro-electricity

Microhydro-Energetic systems, also called microhydro-electric systems, are mainly refers to plants or large-scale systems, which are located in remote locations with the capacity for power production capacity of equal to or greater than 100 kW. Global freshwater levels are rapidly decreasing and the major cause behind this is depleting groundwater. For instance, in July 2021, Bluehouse Consulting Group launched a new pressure reducing valve which integrates the micro-hydro solutions with smart pressure control and aims to cater to the fresh water challenges faced by U.S. citizens. Moreover, the global population is growing at a very fast rate and the demand for fresh water will continuously rise in the coming years. This will place huge pressure on already over-crowded aquifers and will lead to severe shortages in the future.

In general, hydro systems tend to be more reliable than microhydro-electric systems. For example, a faulty switch can stop a whole turbine from working and it might not be safe to install it. On the other hand, microhydro-electric turbines can get damaged when the temperature rises beyond the turbine's operating temperatures range. This can lead to a reduction in the amount of electricity generated.

Microhydro-electric systems come in different forms. In the present time, there are only two main varieties which are generally used in domestic applications like dryer, water heater, and furnace. In the dryer type, there is a cartridge which is filled with detergent and water, and after the detergent gets evaporated; the hot steam is created. In the case of a water heater, the system includes the tank, condenser, pipes, and outlets.

Wind generation microhydro-electric systems also find widespread use these days. A typical windmill consists of wind generators which catch the wind and spin the blades in order to create electricity. A further complication involved is that, these systems require support from the utility grid for storage of excess electricity produced. Similarly, solar panels can also be used for the same purpose. However, the efficiency offered by such systems remains questionable and not much research has been done in this field.

Body Integrated Programmable Interface; Used To Augment Physical Capabilities of Humans

 

Body integrated programmable interface, body integrable components/systems or wearables, is/are used to augment physical capabilities of humans. Wearables, or wearable technology, is a category of electronic devices that can be worn as accessories, implanted in the user's body, embedded in clothing, or even tattooed on the skin. The increasing adoption of body integrated programmable interface has placed wearable technology at the forefront of Internet of things (IoT). The market is broadly segmented into products such as headwear, wristwear, eyewear, footwear, bodywear, fashion and jewelry, and others.

Body integrated programmable interface, such as body integrable systems are designed for use in the human body and provide a means to integrate the nervous system, endocrine system, and lymphatic and circulatory systems through an interface called an integrator. The theory behind integrability states that energy from one system will be used to drive energy into the next. The concept is also expected to reduce the cost and time involved in applications such as tissue grafting and tissue replacement, using a body integral system.

Body integrable systems or devices are incorporated into items that can be comfortably worn on a body. These wearable devices are used for tracking information on real time basis. They track day to day activities and sync them with mobile devices or laptop computers. They work in coordination with a smartphone app for display and interaction. Body-mounted sensors help monitor and transmit biological data for healthcare purposes. In healthcare, wearable devices are used to monitor health conditions and vitals, track sleep and medications, and follow the recovery of post-op patients.

These devices will be especially important for improving the health and control of chronically ill patients and for those with conditions such as diabetes, COPD, asthma, and cardiovascular disease. Scientists from Japan have developed a wearable medical device that can help diabetic elderly or overweight people to lose fat and treat type 2 diabetes. The device affects visceral fat loss and improves blood glucose (sugar) by helping overweight or elderly people exercise, which is effective for the treatment of diabetes.

Apart from the healthcare industry, body integrated programmable interface or wearables is/are being incorporated into advanced textiles, navigation systems, and commercial uses.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a network of smart networks which aids in monitoring electricity usage from a remote location

 

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is a combination of many components: consumption meters, two-way communications network and a data repository (customer's data management). The key components of advanced metering infrastructure include digital command control panels, meter readers, and a software application that provides the interface between the customers and meter providers. This is the heart of the advanced meters system - the Digital Command Control Panel or DCPC. It is the part that gives meters readings and reports. For instance, in April 2021, an IoT technology providing firm, Itron, launched Ehz-B smart meter with innovative functions for the cities in Germany.

The DCPC provides a communication gateway between meters and utilities. In addition, it also provides a control interface for utilities and controls the process of automatic meter reading. The use of this software is critical in the entire smart grid architecture. Advanced metering infrastructure provides a single, centralized, consolidated and secure data collection and analysis platform that links different utilities, appliances and customers. The centralized data repository eliminates the need for separate hardware or software that would potentially fail or be compromised.

Meters used in smart meters can be customized with parameters such as meter position number, time period for readings and other time-based or hourly measurements. Meters are able to provide both soft and hard traffic that can be accessed by multiple personnel in offices or facilities. One key advantage with advanced metering infrastructure is that it provides real-time syncing, which is important for administering and monitoring the electricity usage in large buildings. As such, the installation of advanced metering infrastructure is highly beneficial to utilities and meter subscribers.

In addition to smart meter applications, advanced metering infrastructure also plays a role in smart utility networks. In a smart grid system, utilities are provided with demand response and pollution controls. The demand response ensures that electric loads are balanced and the pollution controls prevent overloads. In other words, advanced metering infrastructure facilitates coordinated effort among utilities to efficiently manage their operations.

Advanced metering infrastructure also enables two-way communications between utilities and meter data management companies. This facilitates direct demand response and pollutant moderation. In the two-way communications setup, advanced metering infrastructure allows the submission of information regarding load status and the generation of voltage adjustments in real time.

Smart wind helps in maintaining a high output of power and enable blades to rotate at different heights above the ground

 

A smart wind energy concept with an innovative dual-use hybrid electrical energy conversion system has been tested. The concept relies on the principle of extending the blades of the wind turbine when low wind levels occur, thereby increasing the swept area and thus maintaining a high output power level. Dual-use wind turbines are not new, but the innovation with respect to wind height and wind speed was a new aspect of the design.

A smart wind power generator concept was studied with an innovative hybrid energy conversion system and variable height blades. The concept combines the benefits of the two. The variable height blade system uses the concept of extending the turbine's blades as wind speeds drop below a preset maximum level, thus enhancing the swept area and thereby maintaining a high output of power. The second benefit from this is that it allows the wind blades to rotate at different heights above the ground. This means that the wind blades are in constant use of the stored energy for the generation of electricity. In addition, it also offers greater capacity to produce wind power than conventional generators.

Some of the other technologies would include sensors for the direction and velocity of wind, or for the rate of wind flow. With the integration of these 2 concepts the ability of the wind turbine to produce electricity would increase. Smart Wind Turbines are designed for ground operation, such as on farms or nearby city centers.

There is a new concept coming out of Europe that shows promise with the development of new wind farms. The Smart Wind Turbine is the development of the concept that is being tested around the world. With this new technology, we could see the evolution of new wind farms being possible within a few years’ time. As a result of the Smart Wind Turbine concept, new wind energy technologies would be available to consumers around the world.

Self-reconfiguring modular robot has garnered significant popularity with major applications in automotive, electronics, and precision engineering

Self-Reconfiguring modular robots or self-moderating modular robots are fully autonomous modular machines having variable geometry. They can be assembled in a semi-automatic manner and vary in shape according to the requirements of the users. The parts of a self-reconfiguring robot are made from polystyrene resin, rubber, and thermoplastic elastomeric resins, which can be easily pieced together if needed to form a complete robot.

In the present day's manufacturing system, most of the parts of most of the industrial units are produced by the use of automated machines that are called self-reconfiguring modular robots. These modular robots have great potential to increase the productivity level of factory employees. This is possible due to the fact that they can work according to the definite instructions given by the engineers and programmers who are operating them. By using some sophisticated programs that are designed especially for self-reconfiguring modular robotic systems, these machines can work according to the changing production line policies and can execute their tasks perfectly without any help.

A self-reconfiguring modular robot is highly useful in several industries that require smooth locomotion in various types of circumstances. These include applications such as mining, construction, and manufacturing, as well as supply chain operations that involve both forward and backward movement. Basically, it is capable of performing both tasks with ease. This is what makes it a great choice for applications that require smooth locomotion in both forward and backward directions. This flexibility is one of the main factors why modular robots have an edge over their counterparts. Since the robots can easily change their shapes, the production process can be fastened to the exact specifications needed by the factory. This allows robots to do tasks that may be tiresome for humans, such as drilling holes and making carts. It also allows factories to have greater control over the robots' movement. The presence of a single unit makes it easy for workers to move the robots from one place to another.

German Ministry Announces Smart Power Technology Funding Through a Three-Year Project to Investigate Use of Blockchain in Energy Trading

 

Smart power technology is the latest innovation at a time when electronics, computers and communications equipment are undergoing rapid changes in both form and function. These devices can be as small as personal computers and phones, and as powerful as industrial routers and switches. While they are continuously developing, these devices have several common attributes.

Smart power technology uses electrical power semiconductor devices to control the electrical power transfer in electronic systems. Over recent years, various governments have focused on investing in these technologies. In February 2021, The German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy announced to fund a three-year project to investigate use of blockchain in energy trading.

There are two broad categories that define smart power technology. The first is passive power device integration. This includes integration of semiconductor logic and diodes into non-powered circuits. The second is active circuit integration, which refers to the use of active semiconductor diodes and transistors in the presence of electricity. These two types of integration can be integrated in any existing electronic circuit design. Some of the examples of passive and active circuit integration include communications, data communications, remote safety and health, industrial, PLC, automotive, healthcare, and consumer products.

In addition to using power supplies for the purpose of powering electronic devices, smart power technology can also be applied to medical imaging. Medical instrumentation requires stable power supplies to enable images to be displayed for patients. With the aid of a digital imaging camera and the right interface electronics, this is now possible. For example, the medical imaging camera now has the ability to communicate with a computer and a digital display device. This enables the medical staff to view images in real time from just about any location.

Another application for smart power technology is the development of portable and battery-powered personal medical instruments, such as ultrasound machines, glucose meters, and pacemakers. The development of the cost microcontroller controller, a form of smart microcontroller, is now making these types of personal medical instruments more practical for application in field hospitals and clinical settings. For instance, a cuff-type insulin system can be built using a cost microcontroller and a glucose sensor. Once connected, it can be programmed so that the insulin dose is adjusted automatically according to the condition of the patient.