EMSc, the Australian-based subsidiary of UK-based EMSc, has established a new office in Melbourne to meet the growing demand for its Powerstar voltage optimisation system in Australia. [ + ]

Microfluidic devices are allowing microelectronic engineers to shrink laboratories to the size of a computer chip. By ferrying reagents through a series of microscopic channels and reservoirs carved into a flat plate, researchers can develop new chemical reactions or monitor the cellular effects of drugs on a much smaller scale, potentially saving time and money. [ + ]

RS Components (RS), the trading brand of Electrocomponents, distributor of electronics and maintenance products, has entered into a global distribution agreement with LED technologies company Philips Lumileds. [ + ]

ElectroneX, the annual electronics design and assembly expo, will be held in Melbourne from 11-12 September 2013. [ + ]

Researchers at University of California, Santa Barbara, in collaboration with colleagues at the École Polytechnique in France, have conclusively identified Auger recombination as the mechanism that causes light emitting diodes (LEDs) to be less efficient at high drive currents. [ + ]

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has released a new technical specification for solar-powered, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting devices, such as solar lanterns. [ + ]

Solar photovoltaic (PV) industry module revenues are forecast to decline 20% in 2013 to $20.5 billion from $25.5 billion in 2012. While revenues will remain below 2012 levels during 2013 and 2014, they are set to increase from 2015 onward. [ + ]

National Instruments has opened registrations for the 2013 LabVIEW Developer Days, providing an opportunity for new or existing LabVIEW users to learn about time-saving tips and expert development techniques. [ + ]

A new process for growing forests of manganese dioxide nanorods may lead to the next generation of high-performance capacitors. [ + ]

Advantest Corporation, a semiconductor test equipment supplier, is set to acquire US firm W2BI, a provider of system level test automation software focusing on wireless communications. [ + ]

ABB, a global power and automation technology group, is set to acquire Power-One, a provider of renewable energy and of energy-efficient power conversion and power management solutions. [ + ]

Throughout decades of research on solar cells, one formula has been considered an absolute limit to the efficiency of such devices in converting sunlight into electricity. [ + ]

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) researchers have been developing a timing and inertial measurement unit (TIMU) that contains everything needed to aid navigation when GPS is temporarily unavailable. [ + ]

Two teams of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) performers have achieved world record power output levels using silicon-based technologies for millimetre-wave power amplifiers. [ + ]

The second annual IEEE Photonics Society Optical Interconnects Conference will be held at The Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe, New Mexico from 5-8 May 2013, with approximately 120 industry, academia and government attendees. [ + ]