Researchers at Columbia Engineering have used miniaturised electronics to perform the fastest recordings of single ion channels ever performed. [ + ]

Codan, an Australian-listed manufacturer and supplier of communications, metal detection and electronic equipment, is claimed to have been targeted by Chinese hackers, according to the ABC’s Four Corners program. [ + ]

Researchers uncover key insights into the optical and electronic properties of molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂), which can be either conducting or insulating to form the basic ‘on-off switch’ for all digital electronics. [ + ]

element14 (formerly Farnell) will present the latest products for applications in communications, wireless, sensing and industrial automation at CeBIT 2013 from 28-30 May in Sydney. [ + ]

Porosity is not something that may immediately spring to mind when considering switches or connectors yet it is a real problem in the real world and can substantially affect the workings of these humble devices. [ + ]

Northwestern University researchers have developed a graphene-based ink that is highly conductive and tolerant to bending. They have used it to inkjet-print graphene patterns that could be used for extremely detailed, conductive electrodes. [ + ]

Peratech and CPI are working on new ink formulations to enable QTC sensors and switches to be printed using industry-standard processes for printed electronics. [ + ]

The app called InSight uses ‘spatiograms’ gleaned from smartphone use to develop a ‘fashion fingerprint’ of the device’s owner based on his clothing and location. This information can then be shared with other users, allowing those wearing Google Glass technology to identify, and even communicate virtually with, others. [ + ]

The Raspberry Pi camera board enables pictures and video to be taken with the Raspberry Pi which can be used for security and VoIP projects as well as image and video capture. [ + ]

Glyn High-Tech Distribution has opened an office in Christchurch and appointed Martin de Lange as NZ Business Development Manager. [ + ]

Dyesol, an Australian-listed cleantech company, claims to have achieved a ‘game changing’ technical breakthrough by achieving a solid-state DSC efficiency of 11.3% at full sun. [ + ]

Battery technology company Nexeon has announced that it has achieved certification to the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management standard. The certification is based on an external evaluation and validation of the company’s quality management system. [ + ]

Home furnishings retailer IKEA has completed its 38th solar project in the US with installation of a PV array system at its store in Stoughton, Massachusetts. [ + ]

A plastic-enclosed electronics manufacturing system developed at Griffith University has won a Global Innovation Award. The revolutionary construction method has been acknowledged by an industry-reviewed panel as one of the best early-stage innovations in the world, with the greatest potential for a specific industry sector. [ + ]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has issued proceedings against P & N (Euro Solar) and Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing (Australian Solar Panel) over allegedly false or misleading claims about the country of origin of the solar panels they supply. [ + ]