The important non-fundamental electrical components?

[Boltzman Oscillation]

TL;DR Summary

What are the most important non-fundamental components I should learn about.

Through my 2 analog classes and 2 electronics classes I have learned about resistors, inductors, capacitors, BJTs, Mosfets, and FETS. What are some other fundamental components that I should be taking a look at? To add to this, I don't consider gates as fundamental because they are built up from transistors and thus I don't count them here.

 

[berkeman]

You might have to say more about what you consider fundamental and composite (or whatever other term). Would these qualify?

• Transformers (for isolation, impedance transformation, impedance matching, power conversion, etc.)
• Antennas (all different sizes and shapes and frequency bands)
• Heat sinks
• Fuses / MOVs / TVS devices, etc.

 

[Averagesupernova]

I find it amusing that nowhere in this thread has the lowly diode been mentioned.

 

[Boltzman Oscillation]

I find it amusing that nowhere in this thread has the lowly diode been mentioned.

Lol yeah the diode too.

 

[Boltzman Oscillation]

You might have to say more about what you consider fundamental and composite (or whatever other term). Would these qualify?

• Transformers (for isolation, impedance transformation, impedance matching, power conversion, etc.)
• Antennas (all different sizes and shapes and frequency bands)
• Heat sinks
• Fuses / MOVs / TVS devices, etc.

Fundamental to me is similar to something that cannot be broken down into other components and is used to build up other components.

 

[hutchphd]

Light emitting diodes, Photodiodes, Thermisters, piezoelectric elements, liquid crystal displays,various solid state lasers

 

[Baluncore]

Memristor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memristor

 

[Tom.G]

Wire!

 

[Rive]

I don't consider gates as fundamental...

Then you are wrong. Gates are fundamental within their own context.

Well, just around the wires: PCBs are fundamental too.

 

[Tom.G]

Then you are wrong. Gates are fundamental within their own context.

As are boxcars in the context of a train. Just depends on where you choose the demarcation for discussion.

 

[Jody]

Do you have a rough idea of what kind of things you want to work on when you graduate?

 

[Lord Jestocost]

Memristor. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memristor

Meanwhile, it should be clear that the "memristor" was some hype without a sound physical basis.

 

[Boltzman Oscillation]

Do you have a rough idea of what kind of things you want to work on when you graduate?

Yes, telecommunications.

 

[Boltzman Oscillation]

Wire!

See people laugh at you but wire is something you should be considering specially with long wires. You also want to make sure you minimize reflection and thus you have to take into consideration the impedance of the wire.