Abstract: An electronic device for monitoring. The electronic device includes a functional module arranged to provide an active function, a communication module arranged to communicate with an external communication device, and an energy harvesting module arranged to transform a source energy from an external source to electrical energy for energising both the communication module and the functional module.

Abstract: A three-phase AC-DC converter is provided that can offer a low total harmonic distortion (THD) of input current and good power factor with the capability of soft-switching of the active switches. In one aspect, a phase shift is introduced to the gate signal of one of the primary side active switches of the three-phase AC-DC converter and the gate signal of a corresponding one of the secondary side active switches of the three-phase AC-DC converter.

Abstract: A system for separating and extracting heavy metals from polluted liquid waste includes a pressurizing unit for pressurizing an extracting solvent using a high-pressure gas, so that the extracting solvent contains supersaturated air and is then jetted into a pneumatic stirring, reacting and separating apparatus, in which the supersaturated air in the extracting solvent instantaneously leaches out to thereby produce a large quantity of micro-sized extracting solvent-bearing bubbles that react with heavy metal-polluted liquid waste contained in the pneumatic stirring, reacting and separating apparatus to separate heavy metals from water. A gas supplying device is connected to and supplies gas to the pneumatic stirring, reacting and separating apparatus to stir the heavy metal-polluted liquid waste. And, a pumping unit is connected to the pneumatic stirring, reacting and separating apparatus to pump out heavy metal-separated water to achieve the object of removing heavy metals from liquid waste.

Abstract: Adsorbent media are prepared by contacting support material with iron containing solutions, followed by drying to coat the support material with iron. Support materials such as sand and olivine are described. The adsorbent material can be used to remove metal contaminants and natural organic matter from water.