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This page analyzes sustainability issues associated with the single transistor full-wave rectifier. Blackboard contains the design idea article.

The design idea's relevance to the 4 "E"s or sustainability:

A. Ecology
This design benefits the environment by using fewer components than other active rectifiers which typically use op-amps. This leads to less overall material usage, thus allowing for more device yield from finite natural resource supplies.

B. Energy
In some applications, this design saves power over passive rectification methods. However, it requires a supply voltage at least above the peak value of the input.

C. Economy
This circuit may find use in high volume, simple devices where performance is not crucial. However, for devices needing higher performance, this design will not suffice.

D. Social and Political Equity
By making full-wave rectifying circuits easier to mass produce, more people can have access to devices that utilize these circuits. This design favors no particular political mechanisms, so it has political neutrality.

The design idea's relevance to green engineering design principles:

9. Actively engage communities and stakeholders in development of engineering solutions.
References: David L. Albean, and Don Tuite, Electronic Design 55.20, 9/13/2007, pp. 80-81.