The government and private sectors turn to sophisticated technology to ensure safety and security, spending millions of dollars in the process. And everyone breathes a sigh of relief. But if you really want reliable sensors to guarantee your safety, think simple.More>>

A recent article on the Australian POST Web site talked of a new project to install shark listening stations off the Cottesloe and North Cottesloe beaches in Perth, Western Australia, to provide a real-time warning of when sharks are near beaches, thus avoiding unfortunate human shark interactions.More>>

The ultimate in sophisticated air travel not so long ago (as in maybe 12 years) was to go with zero luggage. No carryons, no checkthroughs. Perhaps a small but important piece of reading matter tucked into a jacket pocket. Those extremely cool flyers shipped everything ahead to their destinations....More>>

Wireless sensor networking, as technology forecaster Paul Saffo predicted several years ago, is drawing big fish to the pond of sensor development, which was previously occupied primarily by small companies. In particular, some of the big fish are focusing on the combination of RFID and sensor...More>>

It's customarily said the other way, hail and farewell. Or, if you will, hello and goodbye. Today, though, I'm saying goodbye to a great physicist/astronomer/engineer, and greeting a competition sponsored by the U.S. Navy. There's a connection between the two that I hope will endure.More>>

The reader feedback pages of many engineering trade magazines could make you think engineering is a truly horrible profession, and that no sane person would want to go into it. Why is that? I went into it, and most of you did too. What gives?More>>

In 2003, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, described a Quiet Crisis in engineering and science education. Namely, that although engineers and scientists are vital to our economy and society, we aren't fostering interest in these fields and we need to change how...More>>

Fallout from the would-be liquid bomb brigade just keeps getting weirder. These past few days I?ve been doing more TV than newsprint, checking out reputable networks and hearing some surprising reflections and opinions. Maybe cameras lure words that the print media can miss. What did some of those...More>>

Every now and then, you read about an emerging technology, and you just know it's going to be big. Last week, I read two news items on Sensors' Web site on printable electronics, and I knew it had the potential to turn the sensors industry upside down.More>>

Powerhouses in their respective camps, Banner Engineering Corp. (developer of photoelectric and vision sensors) and Turck Inc. (known for its proximity, flow and pressure sensors) have a history of partnering. While I was in Minneapolis recently I had the opportunity to meet with both companies....More>>