There is fascinating news that IPC has hit out at faulty science contained in the latest revision of the Greenpeace electronics scorecard.

Greenpeace International (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) has for several years produced a scorecard of the top electronics companies ranging from Apple and Hewlett-Packard to Nokia, Samsung and Toshiba. Greenpeace has marked companies down and criticized them for not doing all that could be done to remove toxic and hazardous substances from the manufacturing processes for their products.

You can see their latest report here.

Now IPC has returned fire by criticizing what it considers to be bad science in the latest revision to Greenpeace's electronics scorecard, Guide to Greener Electronics.  The guide rates consumer electronics companies against Greenpeace criteria on hazardous substances, take back and recycling, and energy use and climate change.

IPC argues that certain steps that Greenpeace is demanding of electronics companies are not necessary according to scientific research with particular regard to brominated flame retardents (BFRs) in general and the BFR Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) in particular.

IPC state that Greenpeace continues to mark down leading consumer electronics manufacturers for failing to lobby for an agenda based on faulty science. Several computer manufacturers received lower scores for not aggressively removing brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from their products.

The science does not support the need to phase out all BFRs. In fact, the World Health Organization and the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks conducted separate, comprehensive scientific assessments of Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), a widely used BFR, and both found TBBPA to be safe for human health and the environment

In addition, IPC, on behalf of its members, is extremely concerned about Greenpeace's tactics in penalizing companies for 'failing to openly support restrictions on ... brominated flame retardants (BFRs)...' In fact, Greenpeace provides specific wording it would like to see companies use in calling for an expansion of the RoHS Directive to include the ban of BFRs.

I think this is important as while we in Electronics are trying to do all we can to reduce our environmental impact it is important that we reach a balance between those of us who want to see big companies do better and the science to support the environment impact of our activities.  

By way of being balanced, the following video from The Aspen Institute discusses globalisation's impact on the environment:

http://fora.tv/2007/07/06/Globalization_and_the_Environment

I know some people find the whole thing tedious but seriously it's only informed individuals that can make the rational decisions about our future and the part our industry has to play.

C&K Components' launch Fast-Locking D-connector System for Satellite Applications.  This innovation enables the user to install their connectors including hybrids onto PCB's in a fraction of the time taken for traditional connectors.

Although this system has primarily been designed for Satellite Applications I can think of many other industrial and Hi-Tec application that this could be used for.   

You can see a video of the product demonstration:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAW5nxxbSO0&feature=player_embedded

While on the theme of Space IEEE Spectrum is reporting that NASA will send the world's first humanoid robot to space later this year. The humanoid, dubbed Robonaut 2 or R2, is set to launch on Space Shuttle Discovery on November 1, 2010, and will travel to the International Space Station, where it will become a permanent resident and work alongside humans as a robotic helper.

Connector industry angle? Harwin's Mix-Tek Datamate connectors are used all over the Robonaut, specifically in the head and arms.

Harwin says that the Robonaut design team was looking for a board-to-board connector family that could handle fairly high currents of between 10 and 15A, while also handling signal and power, and all in the same, small package.

Mix-Tek 2mm pitch Datamate connectors are available in more than 7.8 million different configurations of signal, power and coax, effectively allowing the customer to design their own Datamate connector, specific to their application.

Turned contacts, used in conjunction with Harwin's four-finger Beryllium Copper contact clip, ensure contact reliability. Mix-Tek Datamate connectors are available in Male PC Tail, Female Crimp, Male Crimp and Female PC Tail options with a maximum of 50 low frequency contacts or 12 special (coax and power) contacts. They mate with known industry equivalents to allow retro fitting and are ideally suited to demanding, high vibration applications.

Mouldings are polarised and have a UL94V-0 rating. Mix-Tek connectors comply with BS9525-F0033; CECC 75101-008; MIL C 55302 standards and are optionally available with jackscrew terminations for added security in applications which are subject to high vibration.

If you want to see the Robonaut you can check it out in this video by NASA:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lY-SJyS18lA&feature=player_embedded

As we ease ourselves into 2011 wondering what this year will bring in interconnection and innovation there is news that Apple's iPad &iPhone may soon sprout magnetic connectors for fast disengage.

Patently Apple is reporting that a recent - and apparently rather hastily published - continuation patent application seems to reveal the company's intention to integrate its MagSafe power connector into future versions of portables such as the iPhone and iPad.
 
The MagSafe connector is held in place magnetically so that if tugged on, it disengages from the socket easily and safely, without damaging it or the computer. Thus alleviating the dreaded laptop-hits-floor scenario when someone accidentally pulls or trips on the power cord!
 
Wikipedia notes that the MagSafe is similar to the magnetic power connectors that many deep fryers and Japanese countertop cooking appliances have in order to avoid spilling their dangerously hot contents.

I like what Darius Chang, commenting at CNET Asia, has to say on all this:
    "The MagSafe connector is one of those features which makes so much          sense that one wonders why it has not become a universal standard...Still,      not all patents actually take on physical form, take this with a pinch of salt      for now".

Having had personal experience with having my laptop being pulled off the table by my daughter pulling on the power lead (busted laptop daughter unharmed), I can't wait to see this type of connector system more widely adopted. It is something many insurance companies would be keen to see introduced too!