Researchers are incorporating a mix of renewables into the design of a smart grid for Germany's largest charging station where up to 30 electric cars can be recharged at a time. [ + ]

Taking photos with a wink, checking one's calendar with a glance of the eye, reading text messages - Google wants to make it all possible with Google Glass. [ + ]

Researchers at University of Cincinnati are discovering ways to manipulate light to better view the world's tiniest objects through a super-lens, as well as hide an object in plain sight. [ + ]

M2M Connectivity has been appointed the authorised distributor of Libelium wireless sensor network products in Australia and New Zealand. [ + ]

Consumer electronics and portable devices are becoming increasingly thinner and more power hungry, according to IDTechEx. The multiple functionalities at device level represent variable power demands. The new components are allowing a more efficient use of energy in portable devices. [ + ]

Freescale Semiconductor has introduced Kinetis KL03 MCU, which is said to be the world's smallest and most energy-efficient 32-bit MCU based on ARM technology. The MCU builds on the previous generation Kinetis KL02 device with new features, advanced integration and greater ease of use - all in an even smaller 1.6 x 2.0 mm² package. [ + ]

element14 has received the Best Marketing award from Tektronix at its recent 2014 Asean/ANZ Channel Partner Meeting for its distributors. The award recognises element14's e-commerce marketing programs and performance across ASEAN/ANZ for marketing and sales of the Tektronix ranges of oscilloscopes, power analysers, and test and measurement equipment. [ + ]

The BMW i8 is said to be the first production vehicle in the world to use laser headlights on public streets, and lamps and lighting systems manufacturer Osram has made a contribution, as a system partner, in the development of this laser technology. [ + ]

QNX, ARM and solvertec have received the embedded Award 2014 in the Software, Hardware and Tools categories, respectively. [ + ]

Escatec, Smart HMI and UID have launched the Smart HMI stick at Embedded World Show 2014. [ + ]

Researchers have developed a way to shrink capacitors even further, which could accelerate the development of more compact, high-performance next-gen devices. [ + ]

Bats and other flying creatures have inspired Virginia Tech researchers to design small flying vehicles known as 'micro air vehicles' with flapping wings. [ + ]

Sales in the connector industry in the Asia Pacific region, including Australia, ended last year slightly better than forecast at $US8 million. [ + ]

Cleverer management of the local memory banks known as ‘caches’ could improve computer chips’ performance while reducing their energy consumption. [ + ]

Celemetrix has announced the acquisition of SmartCal, effective immediately. [ + ]