Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have demonstrated how low-cost, wearable inertial sensors could detect firearm usage. [ + ]

The European Commission (EC) has fined Infineon, Philips and Samsung €138m for setting up a smartcard-chip cartel.  [ + ]

Switzerland-based engineers have developed a new batteryless cardiac pacemaker, which is based on an automatic wristwatch and powered by heart motion. [ + ]

Optoelectronics devices, such as touch screen panels, liquid crystal displays and solar cells, require transparent conductors. The transparent conductors currently used for such applications are made of indium tin oxide (ITO).  [ + ]

The Osram plant in Berlin is celebrating 100,000,000 xenon lamps. Since the introduction of xenon technology in the 1970s, 100 million xenon lamps have been produced at the plant.  [ + ]

Researchers have developed a simple, one-step method to grow germanium nanowires from an aqueous solution. The process could make it more feasible to use germanium in lithium-ion batteries. [ + ]

Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory have discovered that the conductivity at the edges of graphene devices is different to that of the central material. [ + ]

Murata Electronics North America and Peregrine Semiconductor have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Murata will acquire all outstanding shares of Peregrine not owned by Murata for $12.50 per share in cash, or a total transaction value of around $471 million. [ + ]

Researchers at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) have designed a new device for wireless energy transfer that will, for example, charge mobile phones or laptops without needing cables. [ + ]

Engineers Australia has announced 49 engineering projects as finalists in this year's Sydney Division Engineering Excellence Awards. The projects collectively contribute substantial investment to the Australian economy. [ + ]

La Trobe University's eNurse has won the best technical development award, and received an overall 'highly commended', in Telstra's 10-week M2M (machine to machine) University Challenge for students from across Australia. [ + ]

You may know moulded connectors are a good option for harsh environments, but you may not know what to look for when specifying one in particular. [ + ]

MIT researchers have developed a system that recycles materials from discarded car batteries - a potential source of lead pollution - into new, long-lasting solar panels that provide emissions-free power. [ + ]

With the global economy stabilising, steady improvements in overall demand and a strong recovery in the smartcard market segment, microcontroller sales are set to reach a new high of $16.1bn, according to IC Insights' new mid-year update to the 2014 McClean Report. [ + ]

element14 and Adafruit have announced the finalists in its 'Hats Off' global design challenge. [ + ]