This week at the desk, we're working on getting more designs wrapped and out the door so we can keep a steady supply of new products into the shop.
First up is a TPS61169 constant current booster, designed to make driving nOOds easier—especially 12V or 24V ones, but also series-connected 3V filaments.
🔗 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/TPS61169DCKR/5048578
🔗 https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=nOOds
Next, we got our BQ25798 MPPT battery charger prototypes in—they look good and didn’t explode when powered!
🔗 https://blog.adafruit.com/2025/05/15/eye-on-npi-ti-bq25798-i2c-controlled-1-to-4-cell-5-a-buck-boost-battery-charger-mppt-for-solar-panels-eyeonnpi-digikey-digikey-adafruit/
The same cannot be said for the LM73100—we think a Rev B with slew rate limiting and a proper voltage divider will help.
🔗 https://blog.adafruit.com/2025/05/08/the-lm73100-is-a-cute-ideal-diode/
Finally, we got a tip that the popular TPS61023 we use in many boards as a 5V 1A booster has a more powerful big sister, the TPS61033! We designed two boards using this chip for generating 5V at up to 2A.
🔗 https://www.adafruit.com/product/4654
🔗 https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/texas-instruments/TPS610333DRLR/22106777
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The Great Search – UV LEDs for Costuming
We recently got a request to make LED sequins with bright UV LEDs for costuming projects using UV-reactive paints and textiles. Also known as 'blacklight' paint or fabric, these dyes glow fluorescent when exposed to UV light.
🔗 https://www.digikey.com/short/bndtdnbr
🔗 https://www.adafruit.com/search?q=led+sequin
🔗 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet
However, not all UV LEDs will work! UV ranges from 100nm to 450nm, and some frequencies are used for curing or disinfection. For light effects, 365nm is the 'peak' frequency to look for. Let’s find a ~365nm SMT UV LED we can pick and place onto a small PCB for easy sewing. ✨🧵