Bench Talk

Distributed Energy: The Future of Power Grids

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:52:09 GMT

(Source: Tonton1541/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

For more than a century, electricity has flowed in one direction—from large, centralized power plants outward to homes and businesses. But today, that flow is changing. Rooftops are becoming micro‑power stations, businesses are installing smart batteries, and wind systems are appearing in places once considered impractical.

Over the last few decades, our centralized, top‑down power system has begun giving way to something far more dynamic: decentralized energy generation. This shift is not simply about adopting renewable energy. It’s about rethinking how entire national grids function and how everyday people—homeowners, small businesses, and communities—participate in the energy ecosystem.

This transition is accelerating quickly. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that rooftop solar alone will be installed in more than 100 million homes by 2030, up from just 25 million today.^[1] And as these small power sources multiply, they are transforming everything engineers thought they knew about designing and managing the grid. As distributed energy resources (DERs) scale at a record pace, it’s worth exploring the technologies that make this decentralization not only possible but also increasingly efficient, resilient, and intelligent.

Why Power Is Becoming Decentralized

Centralized power plants—massive coal, gas, hydro, or nuclear facilities—have supported society for a century. But these systems are slow to build, expensive to maintain, and increasingly unable to keep pace with rising demand. Nuclear plants, for example, can take six to eight years to bring online.^[2] By contrast, solar farms can be completed in just one to three years,^[3] and residential solar installations can be finished in a matter of weeks.^[4]

At the same time, renewable technology costs have dropped dramatically. Solar panels and wind turbines that were once niche are now commonplace, and energy storage technologies such as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are more stable, scalable, and affordable than ever. This combination of faster deployment and lower cost makes dispersed, smaller-scale energy sources an obvious choice for expanding capacity.

But decentralization is driven by a cultural shift as well. More individuals and organizations want energy independence—whether to reduce bills, increase resilience, or lower carbon footprints. This creates a landscape where energy doesn’t just flow in one direction anymore. Today, homes and businesses both consume and produce electricity, fundamentally changing how the grid must operate.

New Technology Is Fueling the Momentum

The story of decentralization isn’t just about more solar panels and wind turbines. It’s a story of engineering breakthroughs that make small-scale energy far more effective.

Smarter, More Efficient Solar and Wind

Early 2000s solar panels hovered around 15 percent efficiency.^[5] Modern panels routinely reach 20 percent,^[6] and cutting-edge perovskite-on-silicon tandem cells are pushing toward 30 percent.^[7] These jumps matter because each percentage point reduces the space needed for solar installations—making them viable for more rooftops and locations.

Wind technology is evolving as well. Bladeless turbines, for example, use oscillations rather than spinning blades to generate power. They have fewer safety concerns, create less noise, and require less maintenance. These engineering advantages allow wind energy to fit into environments where conventional turbines cannot—urban edges, rooftops, or constrained industrial zones.

Power Electronics Are Quietly Transforming the Grid

One of the most significant advances—though often overlooked by the general public—comes from power electronics. Specifically, silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors.

Inverters convert the direct current (DC) from solar panels or batteries into the alternating current (AC) power that homes and businesses use. Traditional silicon inverters can reach around 98 percent efficiency, while SiC inverters push this to about 99 percent.^[8] That 1 percent gain sounds small, but when scaled across a national grid, it amounts to gigawatts of additional usable energy. Engineers also appreciate SiC’s improved thermal performance, resulting in smaller, lighter, and more reliable hardware. These improved inverters are helping decentralization accelerate by making installations more compact and cost‑effective.

Energy Storage Gets Smarter

Decentralized power wouldn’t be viable without parallel breakthroughs in battery energy storage systems (BESS). Solar and wind generate intermittently; storage ensures that energy remains available at night or when demand spikes.

Today’s BESS technologies are undergoing rapid evolution:

LFP Batteries for Greater Stability

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry has emerged as a leading option thanks to its superior thermal stability and longevity compared to traditional lithium‑ion chemistries. These traits make LFP ideal for residential and commercial storage installations where safety, cycle life, and cost matter.

Modular, Scalable Designs

Battery systems are increasingly built like data centers—modular racks configured to match evolving power needs. This flexibility allows users to add storage capacity over time, enabling a smooth path toward partial or full energy independence.

AI‑Enhanced Battery Management

Perhaps the most exciting development is the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into battery management systems. AI‑enabled BMS platforms can predict degradation, dynamically optimize charge cycles, and balance energy flows in real time. This intelligence extends battery life, improves efficiency, and increases system resilience—especially as the grid becomes more complex and more distributed.

What This Means for Engineers—and Everyone Else

For electrical engineers, decentralized energy is not a simple expansion of existing systems; it’s a complete rethinking of design priorities. Traditional grids assumed predictable, controllable central generation. But DERs operations, which constitute millions of small power systems, behave more like a constantly shifting ecosystem.

Engineers must now account for bidirectional energy flow, grid balancing with intermittent renewables, microgrid control strategies, cybersecurity, and countless new failure modes. At the same time, this shift creates opportunities to design smarter electronics, more efficient power converters, safer storage systems, and more adaptive grid architectures.

For consumers, the benefits are more intuitive. Decentralization means lower energy bills, greater resilience during disruptions, and the ability to play an active role in building a sustainable future.

The Future Is Distributed

Decentralized power is not a distant future—it is rapidly becoming the norm. As more homes and businesses generate their own power and advancements in SiC-based power electronics and intelligent storage systems continue, the grid will become cleaner, more resilient, and increasingly user‑driven. For engineers, this evolution opens new frontiers in system design, control algorithms, and grid architecture. For consumers, it offers energy independence, sustainability, and long‑term savings.

We are still early in this transition. But the momentum is unmistakable, and the innovations emerging today will shape how we power our world in the next era of electricity.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read the full article, “The Growing Decentralization of Power Grids.”

This blog was generated with assistance from Copilot for Microsoft 365.

[1] https://www.iea.org/reports/approximately-100-million-households-rely-on-rooftop-solar-pv-by-2030
[2] https://hannahritchie.substack.com/p/nuclear-construction-time
[3] https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/solar-panels/complete-guide-solar-farms
[4] https://www.susenergy.co.uk/how-long-does-it-take-to-install-solar-panels.html
[5] https://www.forbes.com/sites/peterdetwiler/2013/07/16/as-solar-panel-efficiencies-keep-improving-its-time-to-adopt-some-new-metrics/
[6] https://www.enel.com/learning-hub/smart-home/solar-panel-efficiency-bill-savings
[7] https://www.oxfordpv.com/press-releases/oxford-pv-solar-energy-innovation
[8] https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/silicon-carbide-solar-energy

New Tech Tuesdays: Protecting EV Chargers with High-Voltage Pre-Charge Relays

Tue, 26 May 2026 21:10:27 GMT

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

Engineers designing next-generation electric vehicle (EV) chargers and energy storage systems face relentless pressure to increase efficiency and capacity. Meeting this demand requires shifting to higher operating voltages, often up to 1500V_DC. While elevated voltages improve energy conversion and integration with renewable sources, they introduce significant challenges in component sizing. This week’s New Tech Tuesdays explores the engineering challenges of managing high-voltage inrush currents and examines how modern printed circuit board (PCB) power relays shrink footprints while protecting critical circuitry.

Managing High-Voltage Scaling

Power architectures in EV charging infrastructure, energy storage systems, and solar-plus-storage installations continue to push DC bus voltages higher. At a given power level, a higher DC bus voltage can reduce current, which helps lower conduction losses, heat generation, and conductor sizing. In EV fast-charging and energy storage system (ESS) architectures, this can enable higher-power charging and more practical integration with local energy storage and renewable generation. However, scaling up the voltage often inflates the equipment size. Historically, controlling such large DC voltages requires bulky, heavy contactors, creating a footprint dilemma for designers who must keep systems compact.

Protecting Systems with a Pre-Charge Relay

High-voltage systems rely on large capacitors that draw a large inrush current when powered on. Unchecked, this sudden surge can easily damage sensitive electronic components. A pre-charge circuit safely manages this initial load by pairing a pre-charge relay with a current-limiting resistor. When the system powers up, the pre-charge relay closes first, routing current through the resistor to safely charge the capacitor. Once the DC-link capacitor reaches a predefined voltage threshold near the source voltage, the main contactor closes, and the pre-charge circuit disengages.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The G9KJ PCB high-power relays (Figure 1) from Omron Electronics provide a compact PCB-mounted option for high-voltage pre-charge circuits. OMRON optimized the G9KJ for inrush-current prevention in high-voltage DC systems up to 1500V_DC. Capable of handling a 25A making current and a 5A carry current, this relay is designed for controlled pre-charge operation in EV charging, energy storage, and power conversion systems.

Figure 1: The G9KJ drastically reduces mounting area and volume compared to traditional screw-type relays. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Transitioning to a PCB-mounted design yields significant space savings. Compared to general-purpose screw-terminal relays rated for 1500V_DC, the G9KJ delivers an 80 percent reduction in mounting area and a 90 percent reduction in weight.^[1] Tipping the scales at a mere 16g, the relay eliminates the need for manual screw fastening, which streamlines board assembly and reduces wiring space.

In addition to form factor, safety and efficiency remain paramount in high-voltage design. The G9KJ features a minimum 14mm clearance and 25mm creepage distance between the coil and contacts, ensuring robust isolation. Additionally, the relay operates with high sensitivity, requiring only 530mW of coil power.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

As EV chargers and solar-tied battery banks move toward 1500V_DC architectures, safely mitigating inrush current is no longer just a design goal—it is a strict necessity for performance and safety. By transitioning away from bulky, traditional screw-mounted contactors, engineers can leverage modern PCB power relays to maintain rigorous safety standards without sacrificing valuable board real estate.

Sources

[1] https://www.mouser.com/pdfDocs/c249ef2d-221a-48e5-a9f4-2254f41125d1_G9KJ-White-Paper.pdf

SMRs Are Gaining Ground in On-Site Data Center Power

Fri, 22 May 2026 18:42:36 GMT

(Source: Infinitylight/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Power is emerging as the biggest constraint on data center expansion in some markets.^[1] In major data center regions like Northern Virginia, Texas, and parts of the Western US, developers are finding it difficult to access enough electricity to run these behemoth facilities. Accessing it can take years, even after a site is ready for construction. The time required to connect large new loads to the grid often causes this delay.

While that constraint is real, data center demand doesn’t appear to be slowing anytime soon. Organizations like the International Energy Agency^[2] and the US Department of Energy^[3] suggest that data center electricity use could double within this decade, all driven by artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.

Instead of waiting for grid updates or navigating extended approval cycles, some hyperscale operators are opting to secure power generation directly or build it alongside their facilities. In this way, power is not an external dependency and becomes part of the system architecture.

The blog will explore how that change can impact power system design, where small modular reactors (SMRs) fit in, and what engineers should be thinking about in terms of power generation.

“Bring Your Own Power” Isn’t Always What It Sounds Like

On-site power generation is often referred to as “bringing your own power,” but there are many approaches to this task.

According to Brian M. Smith, Chief Technology Officer, Nuclear Science and Technology, Director, Nuclear Reactor Development, Idaho National Laboratory, “bringing your own power doesn’t always mean existing in a grid islanded environment.”

In a grid-islanded configuration, the data center operates independently of the utility and relies on its own generation and power management systems to keep operating. That type of control is appealing, especially in places where grid access is constrained.

Not every operator is willing to give up the benefits of staying connected, though. Grid access can add a layer of redundancy, even when on-site generation is available.

As Smith explains, “there are some data center developers who tell me, I never want to be grid islanded because I want redundancy from the grid.”

Some are moving in the opposite direction, making independence from a system that can introduce delays and uncertainty a top priority.

“Others say, get me out of this… I don’t want to deal with interconnection. Grid islanded is what I want to work on.”

Delivering large amounts of continuous power in a constrained footprint is not something every energy source can do, though. SMRs are one of the technologies under consideration in this space.

A Power Source That Matches the Constraints

SMRs have characteristics that align well with the specific constraints that data centers face (Figure 1). Compared to traditional generation, they can deliver high power output from a small footprint, allowing power generation to be placed closer to the load without requiring large areas of land. This can be a valuable feature in places where space is limited, transmission capacity is scarce or permitting timelines limit expansion.

Figure 1: Cross-sectional views of SMR concepts, highlighting internal structure and configuration. (Image Credit: Illustration courtesy of Idaho National Laboratory)

Operators looking to colocate generation with their facilities are often limited by available land, making nuclear’s high energy density a practical advantage. As Smith explains, the energy density of nuclear allows developers to “get hundreds of megawatts… in tens of acres,” making it possible to deliver large-scale power without the spatial requirements associated with other generation options. For reference, 1 acre ≈ 0.405 hectares (ha).

How these systems are built and deployed will also directly impact cost, timelines, and feasibility. SMRs follow a more modular, factory-based design rather than traditional large-scale infrastructure approaches. This introduces complexity into an off-site, controlled manufacturing environment. Doing so improves cost and schedule predictability, which can be as important as total project cost for developers and financiers.

In addition, SMRs’ operational characteristics are appealing. Nuclear systems run constantly, often generating power more than 90 percent of the time.^[4] This level of consistency allows a steady power source to meet most of a data center’s power demand and reduces the need for backup systems.

SMRs also enable data centers to be built in more locations. “There are reactors… that are fully air cooled. They use no water for cooling… that would seem to be an opportunity for places that are in a water scarce environment… parts of Texas… Arizona…,” says Smith. Cooling approaches vary by reactor and balance-of-plant (BoP) design; some emphasize dry (air) cooling to minimize water needs, while others may still require water for auxiliary systems. This opens up deployment options in regions where water availability could be limited.

But integrating nuclear generation into a data center is not just an extension of existing power architectures.

“It’s not as easy as just connecting a nuclear reactor to a data center,” Smith points out. “How the data centers leverage that and the power management architecture… that's an important component of the bring your own power framework.”

The Challenge Is Not the Reactor

The advantages SMRs bring do not automatically create a working system. Reactors run at a constant output, but data centers don’t behave that way. Reactors can adjust output, but they do it slowly. Changes are measured in minutes, not seconds. Data centers operate on a completely different timescale. As Smith explains, load changes can happen in milliseconds, and in some AI workloads, demand can swing from roughly 20 percent to 80 percent multiple times within a single minute.

Everything between the reactor and the load becomes very important. High-performance compute, especially those tied to AI workloads, can swing power demand up and down in ways a steady generation source can’t follow.

“There’s always something in between,” Smith says. “And those typically are batteries… and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system.”

These systems are responsible for more than just backup. They absorb rapid changes in demand, smooth out power delivery, and maintain stable power as it moves through the facility. Power from an SMR doesn’t go straight to a server rack. It passes through multiple stages—conversion, distribution, conditioning—and each must withstand constant change.

When the system is tied to the grid, some of that will happen outside the facility. In hybrid or grid-islanded setups, that responsibility can move inside. The data center will need to coordinate generation, storage, and load.

SMRs Are Taking Shape Now

Bringing SMRs into full-scale deployment for data centers hasn’t happened yet, but it is clearly moving in that direction. Projects are already underway in industrial settings where colocated power is easier to implement.^[5] Data centers are looking at the same basic model. One example is the multi-unit SMR project in Texas, where several reactors are being developed to supply dedicated power and steam to a large manufacturing site.^[6]

Federal programs from the US Department of Energy (DoE) are accelerating development by supporting advanced reactor designs through pilot and demonstration projects. At Idaho National Laboratory (INL), these efforts are moving into real operating environments. Test platforms are being built to gauge how reactors perform when they are connected to storage systems and dynamic loads and not just operating on their own.^[7]

Until recently, SMRs mainly supported grid-facing applications, but AI-driven workloads have drawn large tech companies towards exploring colocated generation.

Companies like Google^[8] and Amazon^[9] are working directly with developers like Kairos Power and X-energy to explore how SMRs could support future data center capacity. These partnerships indicate more dedicated or colocated generation models are coming, rather than relying solely on grid-supplied power.

The focus now is not proving that SMRs can operate, but on refining how they fit into larger systems. Manufacturing approaches, supply chains, and supporting infrastructure are being developed alongside reactor technology, to enable deployment at scale.

At INL, several demonstration reactors are on track to reach initial operation by 2026, bringing the technology from design into active deployment. These systems are not yet commercial at scale, but they do mark a critical step toward it. “I think in this decade, we'll see commercial deployments,” said Smith.

Reaching that point will not mean the work is done. Early deployments are likely to be limited, and broader rollout will depend on how quickly the supporting infrastructure can scale. Fuel production and enrichment capacity will need to expand with reactor deployment, and supply chains for components needed for these systems are still being built out. Workforce availability is another factor, as deploying advanced reactors at scale requires specialized engineering, construction, and operational expertise.

The next phase of growth brings the industry into the 2030s. Some early commercial systems may come online before that, but making them widespread will require continued coordination across manufacturing, fuel infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks. As Smith says, even after initial deployments, “it’s going to continue to be all hands on deck to scale.”

Conclusion

Data centers are entering a new relationship with power. It used to be delivered, but now it’s being designed, integrated, and managed inside the system. SMRs will be part of the data center power story moving forward because of their ability to deliver high-density, continuous power in a small footprint, making them one of the few realistic options for supporting the scale and location constraints that data centers face.

[1] https://www.iea.org/news/data-centre-electricity-use-surged-in-2025-even-with-tightening-bottlenecks-driving-a-scramble-for-solutions
[2] https://www.iea.org/news/ai-is-set-to-drive-surging-electricity-demand-from-data-centres-while-offering-the-potential-to-transform-how-the-energy-sector-works
[3] https://www.energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-new-report-evaluating-increase-electricity-demand-data-centers
[4] https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/what-generation-capacity
[5] https://www.energy.gov/ne/advanced-reactor-demonstration-program
[6] https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/application-lodged-for-construction-of-texas-smr-plant
[7] https://www.energy.gov/ne/demonstration-microreactor-experiments-dome
[8] https://www.kairospower.com/updates/google-and-kairos-power-partner-to-deploy-500-mw-of-clean-electricity-generation
[9] https://www.ans.org/news/2025-10-20/article-7473/amazon-provides-update-on-its-washington-project-with-xenergy/

Upfitting for a New Generation of Emergency Vehicles

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:14:04 GMT

(Source: Marek/stock.adobe.com)

Today's patrol cars are not just simple transport assets. As a result of digital technology, these vehicles act more like mobile command and response units. From secure communications to mobile data terminals that are wirelessly connected to headquarters, they are very different from patrol cars of the past. Emergency vehicles are not delivered from the factory with these features already integrated, though. The mission-specific equipment is added later, in a process known as upfitting.

Upfitting involves taking a vehicle directly from the manufacturer and equipping it with the systems required for operational service. Before the introduction of mobile electronics, upfitting meant installing lights, sirens, and radios, along with the associated switching and power distribution. The task was largely electrical, connecting equipment to the vehicle's 12V system using the existing harnessing. This blog details how the upfitting task has become a far more complex integration process due to additional networked, software-defined systems, and considers new solutions to these new demands.

From Standard Vehicle to Operational Platform

The vehicles used by emergency services usually begin as standard production models. They are often upgraded for the demanding duties of their future role, meaning they are fitted with high-capacity alternators and heavy-duty suspension. This is the chassis that is delivered to the upfitter.

Each department has distinct needs when upfitting a production vehicle for its specific service. Urban police forces may require extensive in-car video systems and constant access to centralized databases. Highway patrol units may prioritize communications range and high-visibility lighting. Fire, rescue, and EMS vehicles may need to include medical devices, detection systems, or additional computing equipment.

Radios, sirens, and light bars are still central, but are now joined by wireless routers, cameras, and charging docks for body-worn systems. These devices must function reliably under high vibration, in harsh weather, and during prolonged idle periods.

The increased load of technology places greater demands on the electrical system into which it is integrated. Power distribution must support continuous loads while protecting sensitive electronics. The hardware used in upfitting must allow departments to tailor their vehicles without redesigning the entire platform (Figure 1) Components must also be readily available, so vehicles do not sit out of service while waiting for parts. Upfitters work within tight service windows, which makes component standardization a logistical and technical requirement.

Figure 1: Modern emergency services vehicles that operate as mobile command and response platforms require standardized, modular power distribution hardware that supports continuous electrical loads, protects sensitive electronics, enables rapid customization without platform redesign, and minimizes downtime through readily available components compatible with tight service windows. (Source: Digital Storm/stock.adobe.com)

A broad scope of automotive-rated solutions is needed to help with different upfitting stages. Littelfuse offers products ranging from power delivery and circuit protection to rocker switches and in-cabin charging ports to support the demands of modern emergency vehicles. ZCASE^® fuses and protection devices help safeguard factory-fitted and upfitted wiring in 12V and 48V systems.

Precise low current fuses and durable high current fuses mounted in sealed fuse holders and power distribution modules, designed for harsh environments. Sealed continuous duty relays provide dependable control of high-current loads and support the long shifts common in emergency vehicles. Switches, switch modules, and in-cabin power solutions enable practical integration of auxiliary systems into the latest architectures.

Changes in the Automotive Industry

Vehicle manufacturers are moving away from large, centralized wiring harnesses and toward zonal architectures. Instead of routing individual circuits throughout the vehicle, power and data are managed through localized control units connected by high-speed networks. This reduces harness weight and can improve packaging efficiency, but it also alters how additional equipment must be integrated.

Upfitters do not just work with isolated circuits. These designs require careful analysis and disciplined installation strategies to add auxiliary equipment without disrupting existing systems. Power distribution is also changing. While 12V systems are still common across the automotive industry, many manufacturers are adopting 48V architectures to meet growing electrical demands. Increasing supply voltage allows equivalent power transfer at lower current, reducing conductor size and resistive losses. A significant benefit of this shift is that the reduced weight of thinner conductors positively impacts the range of electric and hybrid vehicles.

A vehicle that uses a 48V system may still need to provide 12V feeds for legacy systems. Components must be selected with voltage ratings and switching characteristics for these new demands. Acceptable design and installation practices for 12V systems can introduce risk in mixed-voltage environments. As such, protection and switching devices must be rated appropriately when higher-voltage subsystems coexist with sensitive data electronics within the same vehicle.

Electrification and High-Voltage Considerations

Emergency departments worldwide are adopting electric and hybrid vehicles,^[1] with some declaring goals to move away from fossil fuels.^[2] This change will affect the upfitting process. In conventional powertrains, the alternator and 12V battery provided a familiar and predictable source of power. In hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (EVs), the energy source is the high-voltage battery pack, with DC-DC converters required to supply power to lower-voltage systems.

The power needs of integrated equipment impact the capabilities of EVs. Extended operation of lights, communications equipment, and onboard electronics reduces range, particularly for vehicles that are expected to be at incident scenes for long periods.

In automotive applications, DC systems with voltages above 60V are often regarded as hazardous. Working around these systems requires specific training and strict separation between high-voltage and low-voltage circuits in order to maintain operator safety. Upfitting now requires coordination across power distribution, network architecture, and safety.

As HEVs and EVs become more common in emergency fleets, upfitters need components that support modular and scalable installations. Littelfuse designs components that are tested for use in modern vehicle platforms, with features including compact design, standardized footprints, and clear derating guidance to help reduce delays during fleet builds.

Conclusion

Emergency vehicles have become mobile technology hubs, and the upfitting process now plays a defining role in ensuring that these platforms are ready for real‑world demands. As power systems shift toward zonal architectures, mixed‑voltage distribution, and electrified drivetrains, upfitters must integrate communications hardware, safety electronics, and mission‑critical devices without compromising reliability or vehicle performance. This requires components that are robust and automotive‑rated, as well as adaptable to the wide variety of fleet requirements.

Littelfuse supports this evolution with an extensive portfolio designed for every stage of the upfitting workflow—from high‑capacity fuses and protection devices that safeguard increasingly complex power architectures to sealed relays, DC contactors, rocker switches, and in‑cabin charging ports that bring functionality and durability to daily operations. By providing components engineered for continuous duty, modular integration, and mixed‑voltage environments, Littelfuse helps ensure that today’s emergency vehicles can meet the expectations of modern field operations.

As emergency fleets continue adopting hybrid and electric platforms, the need for dependable, scalable, and fleet‑ready solutions will only grow. Upfitters, engineers, and fleet managers can rely on Littelfuse to deliver the circuit protection, power management, and user‑interface components required to build vehicles that remain operational—no matter the mission, environment, or technological change ahead.

Author

David Pike is well known across the interconnect industry for his passion and general geekiness. His online name is Connector Geek.

[1] https://www.nyc.gov/site/dcas/news/009-25/dcas-fdny-30-all-electric-vehicles-including-city-s-first-ever-ev-paramedic-units
[2] https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PRN00712_NHS-Net-Zero-Travel-and-Transport-Strategy.pdf

Quantum Computing Paves a Smarter Path to Resource Optimization

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 19:53:13 GMT

(Source: Bartek Wróblewski/stock.adobe.com)

Quantum computing holds great promise for revolutionizing the way industries manage and conserve resources. From energy grids to data centers, quantum systems promise to deliver faster, more efficient solutions that could significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. But as with any new technology, the road to widespread adoption comes with unique challenges.

In this blog, we dive into how quantum computing can transform resource optimization across sectors, with a special focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and the challenges that lie ahead.

The Quantum Advantage in Resource Optimization

At the heart of quantum computing lies its distinctive capability to solve multiple problems simultaneously through the superposition of qubit states. With this ability, quantum computers can outperform classical systems in speed and efficiency, especially when tackling optimization problems.

Perhaps the most transformative impact is expected to be in the energy sector, where quantum computing can optimize everything from grid operations to developing more sustainable energy production. Even energy-intensive processes like machine learning (ML) could become more sustainable, thanks to quantum computing’s ability to perform calculations faster and with less power. So, regardless of whether it’s optimizing the energy industry itself, or helping to conserve energy resources in other industries, quantum computers could help to improve resource use and advance sustainability efforts on many fronts.

Improving Energy Grid Efficiency

As energy infrastructure works toward more advanced smart grids, solutions are being sought that optimize diverse grid operations, from balancing supply and demand and developing advanced renewable energy forecasting to predicting grid needs and improving energy storage. By performing faster calculations and accounting for a multitude of factors, as well as its ability to solve multiple problems simultaneously, quantum computing offers such solutions. With the increasing integration of decentralized smart grids, quantum computing can address many different grid challenges—such as load balancing and fault detection—due to predictive modeling and analysis capabilities that show significant improvements over classical systems.

Enhancing Demand Response and Battery Longevity

In periods of high demand or low energy generation, energy storage systems play a critical role in maintaining grid stability. Quantum computing can optimize when and how these systems are used, ensuring energy is deployed only when necessary.

This not only improves grid resilience but also extends the lifespan of batteries by optimizing their charge and discharge cycles. Fewer replacements mean less waste and lower resource consumption over time.

Forecasting Renewable Energy with Precision

Another key area where quantum computing can assist with improving energy grid efficiency is through better prediction of renewable energy forecasts. Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are inherently variable. Quantum computing can take data from weather models—such as wind speeds and solar irradiation—historical trends, and environmental sensors at much larger scales than classical computers in order to build more robust forecasting models. With better forecasting models, grid operators can better anticipate renewable energy demand to adapt grid operations and ready battery energy storage systems (BESS) for storing energy during increased supply periods, ensuring there are enough resources in low harvesting periods. Additionally, quantum computers can maximize which renewables should be used at different times based on demand, stored energy levels, and anticipated maintenance schedules.

Real-Time Grid Optimization

Beyond forecasting, quantum computing can optimize grid operations in real time. It can identify energy bottlenecks, detect faults, and balance supply and demand more accurately than classical systems. These capabilities reduce line losses and conserve energy, while predictive modeling helps prevent issues before they arise.

Increasing Energy Efficiency of Computing Operations

One of the most compelling arguments for quantum computing is its potential to drastically reduce the energy consumption of computing operations. Today’s supercomputers consume massive amounts of electricity, but quantum systems could possibly offer a more efficient alternative.^[1]

For example, the Aquila 256-qubit quantum computer uses less than 7kW of electricity—just 0.05 percent of what powerful supercomputers require.^[2] Even if quantum computers handle only a fraction of supercomputing tasks, the energy savings could be substantial. Performing just 5 percent of those tasks could result in a reduction of 10GWh per year.

This enhanced efficiency is especially relevant in data processing, which is estimated to account for over 1,000TWh of global energy consumption in 2026.^[3] As quantum computing becomes more capable, it could significantly reduce the environmental impact of data centers and analytics operations.

Reducing Environmental Impact of Data Processing

As the energy demands of data processing and data centers continue to skyrocket amidst efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the current trajectory is unsustainable. Advanced algorithms—especially those powering artificial intelligence (AI)—consume staggering amounts of energy. For perspective, training a single deep learning model on classical computing infrastructure can generate up to 284,000kg of CO₂,^[4] which is more than the lifetime emissions of five American cars. Large language models like ChatGPT add to this footprint, producing hundreds of thousands of kilograms of CO₂ monthly. With AI adoption accelerating, the environmental impact of data processing is becoming a critical challenge.

Quantum computing offers a promising path forward. Unlike classical systems, quantum processors can perform complex calculations exponentially faster, slashing energy consumption and carbon emissions. This efficiency could transform data centers and supercomputing facilities, where power demands currently reach megawatt levels and grow by 20–40 percent annually. Quantum computing offers a way to curb this trend. By executing data processing tasks more efficiently, quantum systems can reduce both energy consumption and the associated emissions. This optimization could help make AI development more sustainable without sacrificing performance.

The Promise and the Challenge

Even with its advantages in energy efficiency, quantum computing also poses its own set of energy challenges. One of the biggest concerns is the energy required to cool quantum systems. Many quantum computers rely on cryogenic cooling, which can offset some of the efficiency gains achieved during operation. Additionally, there’s no universal standard for quantum architectures. Different systems have varying energy requirements based on their components and number of qubits. Until more systems are deployed at scale and standards are established, it is difficult to quantify the true net energy savings. Still, even with these uncertainties, quantum computing is poised to outperform classical systems in terms of sustainability. As the technology matures, its resource-saving benefits will become clearer.

Conclusion

Quantum computing holds immense potential to optimize resource use across industries, particularly in energy and data processing. While uncertainties remain—especially around cooling requirements and architectural differences—the technology is poised to make a significant impact. As quantum computing develops, it could play a pivotal role in resource optimization, including reducing the energy demand of computing operations and improving the efficiency of resource management.

[1] https://journals.aps.org/prxenergy/abstract/10.1103/PRXEnergy.4.023008
[2] https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/opinions/the-dual-pronged-energy-saving-potential-of-quantum-computers/
[3] https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/6b2fd954-2017-408e-bf08-952fdd62118a/Electricity2024-Analysisandforecastto2026.pdf
[4] https://arxiv.org/abs/1906.02243

Emerging Battery Testing Approaches: A New Era of Diagnostics

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 23:11:50 GMT

(Source: Steveandfriend /stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

As the world becomes increasingly electrified—from smartphones to electric vehicles (EVs)—the demand for high-performance, long-lasting, and safe batteries has never been greater. Lithium-ion batteries, although powerful and widely used in high-tech consumer applications, are prone to issues such as current leakage, dendrite formation, and thermal runaway. Each of these issues can cause catastrophic failure. To address these risks, engineers and researchers are developing new testing approaches that probe deeper into battery behavior, uncovering microscopic degradation mechanisms and offering real-time insights into battery health. In this blog, we examine some of the new and emerging diagnostic tests for batteries being developed, highlighting the ways these approaches deliver advanced energy storage.

The Push for Safer, Smarter Batteries

If the lithium-ion (Li-ion) fires in the smartphone and EV space over the last few years have taught us anything, it is that there is a continued need to build more stringent and robust safety and testing practices. These incidents have underscored the importance of robust testing protocols that go beyond surface-level diagnostics. Emerging battery testing approaches include physical and simulation-based testing that can probe current dynamics and battery structures at much smaller levels to check that batteries are running optimally and safely, as well as to detect any microscopic issues before they develop into a major thermal event. These methods include graphene Hall sensors and electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS), and they are utilized in quality control (QC), in-field diagnostics, and research and development (R&D), providing a more comprehensive understanding of battery behavior throughout its lifecycle.

Graphene Hall Sensors: Mapping Current with Precision

One of the most promising innovations in battery diagnostics is the graphene Hall sensor, which measures the magnetic field in batteries to determine the local current. In Hall-effect sensors, when the active sensing surface is placed into a magnetic field, the charge carriers in the material deflect, causing a potential difference across the material. This process generates a voltage in the material, and by measuring the deflection and generated voltage, the strength of the magnetic field can be determined. In graphene-based sensors, the Hall effect is amplified due to graphene’s exceptional electrical properties, allowing for precise measurement of localized currents and fast response times.

Because they are non-contact, non-destructive, and can monitor localized currents without affecting battery operation, graphene Hall sensors can be deployed in real time, even in operational environments like EVs. Using graphene Hall sensors, engineers can:

monitor charge and discharge cycles,
assess the state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH),
detect current spikes and leakage,
identify hotspots that could lead to thermal runaway, and
map current distribution across the battery.

Graphene Hall sensors are especially well-suited for monitoring and testing one of the biggest safety challenges of higher powered Li-ion batteries: thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is a rapid increase in temperature that results from a defect. These rapidly spiking temperatures propagate through the cell and the battery pack, leading to fires and potentially an explosion. Graphene Hall sensors can be used as a battery monitoring tool to map currents and defects before they become serious thermal events. In this way, graphene Hall sensors can act as an early warning system for thermal runaway and other serious battery safety issues.

Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

While graphene sensors focus on electrical behavior, electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS) offers a window into the chemical processes occurring inside batteries. One current example of this diagnostic approach is Spectro Inlets, a Danish company pioneering the use of EC-MS to study gas evolution in Li-ion cells,^[1] which is a key indicator of degradation.

Traditionally, analyzing gas emissions requires complex setups in controlled environments. EC-MS simplifies this by using microfabricated membranes that interface directly with the battery cell, allowing gases to diffuse naturally into the spectrometer without the need for additional carrier gases or electrolyte loss. This technique enables researchers to identify specific degradation pathways, measure gas production rates over time, and predict real-world battery life spans more accurately than simulations alone.

EC-MS is particularly valuable in R&D, where understanding the root causes of battery aging can lead to more durable designs. Although currently used on a small scale, the technology has attracted attention from organizations like the Faraday Institution, signaling its potential for broader adoption.

Physics-based Simulations’ Role in Battery Testing

While physical testing is essential, physics-based simulation approaches are becoming equally vital in battery development. Simulations are important during the development of batteries to show how they should theoretically perform across several given scenarios. Physics-based models have gained popularity for battery monitoring and diagnostics. Recently, physics-based simulation models specifically geared toward batteries have emerged that more accurately predict the internal properties and degradation of batteries over time.

One standout platform is Python Battery Mathematical Modelling (PyBaMM), an open-source tool that enables engineers to simulate degradation mechanisms, performance metrics, and lifetime predictions based on fundamental physics.^[2] With thousands of engineers already using PyBaMM worldwide, it’s becoming a cornerstone of battery R&D. The platform allows for:

detailed analysis of degradation scenarios,
optimization of battery design and materials, and
integration with experimental data for hybrid testing approaches

Conclusion

Battery testing is entering a new phase—one defined by precision, sensitivity, and predictive capability. Whether it’s detecting microscopic faults before they become hazards or simulating complex degradation pathways, the tools now available are reshaping how we understand and manage battery performance.

As power demands grow and safety standards tighten, these emerging diagnostic methods will play a pivotal role in ensuring that batteries are not only powerful but also reliable and safe. The combination of physical and simulation-based testing will be the key to unlocking the full potential of energy storage technologies in the years to come.

[1] https://www.faraday.ac.uk/success-stories/spectro-inlets/
[2] https://pybamm.org/

New Tech Tuesdays: Solar-Powered Industrial Automation: Efficiency Off the Grid

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 06:01:00 GMT

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

In an era where sustainability and decentralization are reshaping industrial operations, solar-powered automation is emerging as a vital solution. This technology harnesses solar energy to drive variable speed drives (VSDs) and motor control systems, enabling efficient and reliable operation in remote or off-grid environments. Whether it’s powering irrigation pumps in agricultural fields or running ventilation systems in rural facilities, solar-powered automation offers a compelling alternative to diesel generators and fixed-grid infrastructure.

The appeal of this approach lies in its dual advantage: environmental responsibility and operational independence. As industries face increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs, solar-integrated systems provide a path forward that aligns with both ecological goals and practical needs. Many industries have reached a point where the ability to build systems that operate autonomously and sustainably is no longer a futuristic ideal—it’s a present-day imperative. In this week’s New Tech Tuesdays, we explore how solar-powered automation evolved from a niche concept to a practical solution enabling engineers to design resilient and sustainable systems for industries that demand efficiency beyond the grid.

From Grid Dependency to Solar Versatility

The rise of solar-powered industrial automation has been driven by a confluence of technological and market developments. Advances in power electronics have made VSDs more adaptable to variable energy inputs, allowing them to function efficiently even when solar irradiance fluctuates. Central to this capability is the integration of maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) algorithms, which continuously optimize the power drawn from solar panels. These algorithms ensure that systems operate at peak efficiency regardless of weather conditions, making solar a viable energy source even in less-than-ideal environments.

Equally transformative has been the evolution of hybrid energy architectures. Systems that can switch seamlessly between solar DC input and traditional AC grid power offer unmatched flexibility. This dual-supply capability ensures that operations remain uninterrupted, even when solar energy is insufficient. The growing demand for autonomous systems in agriculture, infrastructure, and remote monitoring has further accelerated innovation, pushing manufacturers to develop solutions that are both rugged and intelligent.

Designing for Tomorrow’s Demands

Looking ahead, solar-powered automation is poised to become even more sophisticated. The integration of edge intelligence and artificial intelligence (AI) will enable smarter energy management and predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and optimizing performance. Battery storage technologies are also advancing rapidly, allowing systems to operate beyond daylight hours and improving overall resilience.

Modularity and scalability will be key to future designs, enabling engineers to tailor solutions to specific applications—from small-scale farms to large industrial complexes. Regulatory incentives and carbon credit programs may also play a role in driving adoption, particularly in regions where sustainability is both a necessity and a strategic advantage.

Despite these promising trends, challenges remain. Ensuring long-term reliability in harsh environments, managing installation costs, and maintaining system performance over time all present ongoing concerns. However, continued innovation in materials science, control algorithms, and system integration is steadily addressing these issues, paving the way for broader deployment.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

Designed specifically for solar-powered motor control applications, Schneider Electric Altivar™ ATV320 solar VSDs (Figure 1) combine robust performance with intelligent energy management. They feature integrated MPPT algorithms that maximize solar energy utilization, ensuring optimal efficiency throughout the day. The VSDs’ dual-supply capability allows them to operate from both solar DC input and conventional AC grid power, providing critical flexibility for hybrid systems.

Figure 1: Schneider Electric ATV320 Solar VSDs power motors from photovoltaic (PV) arrays without the need for stored energy solutions. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Built to withstand demanding environments with IP20 protection ratings, these drives support both asynchronous and synchronous motors, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, such as irrigation, ventilation, and remote telemetry.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Solar-powered industrial automation is more than a trend—it’s a strategic evolution in how we think about energy and efficiency. As technologies like MPPT and dual-supply drives become standard, engineers are empowered to create systems that are not only sustainable but also resilient and intelligent. The sun, once a passive backdrop to industrial activity, is now a driving force behind its future.

Engineering Nature: Electronics Driving Seagrass Restoration

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 00:11:31 GMT

Ruggedised electronics and precision engineering accelerate ecological regeneration in the UK’s vulnerable coastal ecosystems

The finished seagrass harvester. (Source: Tandem Ventures)

Engineering is often associated with consumer convenience or industrial automation, but its role in ecological restoration presents a more complex and impactful challenge. Unlike conservation, which focuses on protecting existing ecosystems, regeneration demands active intervention to rebuild degraded habitats, combining precise and scalable engineering with environmental science.

In this sustainability project, Mouser Electronics worked with Tandem Ventures, led by engineers Sam Rogers and Edwin Towler, and Project Seagrass. Leveraging the combined expertise of engineers and ecological specialists, the team developed an innovative system to accelerate seagrass restoration. By integrating ruggedised electronics with targeted mechanical systems, the project demonstrates how industrial automation, informed by ecological insights, can make large-scale environmental regeneration faster, safer, and more efficient.

The Ecological Design Challenge

Seagrass meadows are critical carbon sinks, capable of storing carbon up to 35 times more efficiently than tropical rainforests. They account for roughly 10 percent of the ocean’s carbon despite covering only 0.2 percent of the seabed.^[1] Yet historical analysis indicates that at least 44 percent of the UK’s seagrass has been lost since 1936, with long-term losses potentially reaching as high as 92 percent.^[2] Beyond carbon storage, these underwater ecosystems stabilise sediments, protect coastlines, and support rich biodiversity, underpinning both fisheries and global food security.

Fortunately, regenerative conservation efforts offer a path to recovery. Organisations such as Project Seagrass are dedicated to protecting and restoring these vital meadows. Frameworks, such as those enforced by bodies like Natural Resources Wales, now provide greater protection for sensitive coastal zones, preventing the kind of reckless activity that once threatened these environments.

However, seagrass restoration relies on seed collection, which is currently a manual, diver-intensive process that is slow, expensive, and difficult to scale. The primary objective of this project was to automate this step by developing a mechanised harvester capable of collecting seeds up to 100 times faster than existing methods without disturbing sediment or the delicate rhizomes that anchor the plants.

This challenge demanded a solution that balanced precision, efficiency, and environmental sensitivity. The harvester had to operate without disturbing sediment or the delicate rhizomes that anchor the plants, while meeting environmental protection standards and selectively trimming the seed-bearing canopy.

Iterative Development of the Harvester

With the objectives clearly defined, the team at Tandem Ventures, working alongside Sam Rees from Project Seagrass, began translating them into a working prototype. The starting point was a sled architecture previously explored by Project Seagrass, which provided a foundation for a towed submersible capable of gliding just above the seabed. One key requirement was to trim the seed-bearing upper canopy without disturbing the root structures, a task that demanded precision in both motion and cutting.

Meeting this unique challenge required the harvester’s mechanical design to evolve through numerous iterations, addressing the immediate difficulties of operating in a complex marine environment. Early bench tests focused on the hydraulic transport of biomass, although standard pump configurations proved inadequate, as the shear forces generated during pumping macerated the plant material, compromising the integrity of the seed pods.

To resolve this, the team developed a vacuum-based filtration system in which water and biomass were drawn through reinforced collection vessels that served as pre-filters. Initial prototypes revealed that high-pressure differentials caused the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containment barrels to collapse (Figure 1), prompting the team to design reinforced vessels capable of maintaining structural integrity under negative pressure while remaining vacuum-tight.

Figure 1: The collapsed HDPE barrel that prompted the redesign. (Source: Tandem Ventures)

While reducing the drag coefficient remained a key objective, field trials in shallow coastal waters introduced a constraint that quickly outweighed pure hydrodynamic optimisation. Submerged driftwood and accumulated debris created a persistent risk of fouling both the cutting assembly and the intake path. This prompted further refinement of the chassis and access design to ensure that entanglement could be cleared rapidly and safely, preserving operational continuity during extended deployment cycles.

The Electronic Anatomy of a Seagrass Harvester

While the mechanical and hydraulic systems form the backbone of the harvester, its operational success relies on the electronics supplied by Mouser Electronics, which provide control, monitoring, and data logging capabilities.

These components ensure that the harvester can operate efficiently and safely, and that the seed pods are collected without disturbing delicate seagrass structures. The electronics controlled a unique double-barrel filtration system, which allows continuous separation of biomass from water without interrupting the tow—a process critical for maintaining throughput and protecting the plants.

At the heart of the system is the underwater data logger (Figure 2), which acts as the harvester’s central processing and telemetry hub. It records key operational and environmental parameters, including pitch, roll, depth, water turbidity, pressure, and temperature, providing the team with insight into both the harvester’s performance and the conditions of the surrounding environment.

Figure 2: The electronic design was built upon Tandem Ventures’ WHASER technology, which was developed for a previous project with Mouser Electronics. (Source: Tandem Ventures)

The processing core is the Espressif Systems ESP32-S3-WROOM-1/1U wireless module. Built around an Xtensa dual-core 32-bit LX7 microprocessor running at up to 240MHz, it integrates 2.4GHz Wi-Fi^® and Bluetooth^® 5 Low Energy connectivity, 36 general-purpose input/output (GPIO) pins, and a rich set of peripherals. The module also provides hardware acceleration for signal processing and lightweight neural network tasks. While commonly used in the Internet of Things (IoT) and industrial automation, in this application, the module serves as the central controller for coordinating the mechanical subsystems, including the hydraulic cutter and double-barrel filtration system, while logging mission-critical data.

Orientation and motion are tracked by inertial measurement units (IMUs), including the Analog Devices EVAL-ADXL362 evaluation board and the STMicroelectronics LSM6DSO 6-axis IMU. These components deliver high-resolution measurements of pitch, roll, and vibration, allowing operators to confirm that the cutter maintains the correct height and angle above the seabed, avoiding disturbance to sediment and rhizomes.

Within the harvester, robust interconnects from JST and Hirose Electronics ensure reliable operation in high-pressure, high-moisture conditions. The system is housed within a pressure-rated enclosure featuring a perforated sensor bay, which allows the harvester to collect environmental data while protecting sensitive components from water ingress.

Together, these low-power, off-the-shelf components provide precise control over the harvester’s cutting and filtration systems, enabling high-throughput seed collection while preserving delicate habitats. The project demonstrates how thoughtful engineering and compact electronics can scale ecological restoration efforts, supporting faster, safer, and more efficient recovery of seagrass meadows while safeguarding the environment.

Validation and Field Impact

After final assembly and thorough safety approvals, the harvester was transported to Porthdinllaen Bay, North Wales, for testing in a sensitive seagrass meadow. The primary objective of this field trial was to validate the fully integrated system, ensuring the coordination of the hydraulic cutter, towable chassis, and double-barrel filtration system while collecting seed pods without disturbing sediment or rhizomes.

Testing occurred outside the peak seed collection season, meaning only a very small number of seed pods were available—enough to validate the system, but not a significant harvest. Even this limited recovery provided critical empirical confirmation that the design functioned as intended (Figure 3). During testing, the reinforced filtration barrels withstood operational pressures, and the hydraulic cutter maintained consistent depth and angle thanks to real-time feedback from the IMUs.

Figure 3: An image from inside the harvester during field testing (Source: Tandem Ventures)

Data recorded by the underwater logger confirmed that both the harvester’s movement and environmental conditions were within safe parameters, verifying that ecological safeguards were upheld during seed collection. Following these successful trials, the harvester was delivered to Project Seagrass headquarters, marking a milestone in its development and providing a working system with scope for refinement, offering a foundation for more efficient and scalable seagrass restoration in the future.

Conclusion

The seagrass harvester demonstrates how targeted engineering and electronics innovation can directly support ecosystem regeneration. By integrating innovative off-the-shelf components with precision mechanical systems, engineers can scale conservation efforts that were previously slow and labour-intensive.

Projects like this highlight the potential for collaboration across product design, environmental conservation, and electronics sectors to create solutions that are both effective and environmentally sensitive. More broadly, the initiative underscores the role the electronics industry can play in enabling measurable ecological impact, demonstrating that the intelligent use of technology and out-of-the-box thinking can accelerate the restoration and protection of critical habitats worldwide.

Sources

[1] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/seagrass-secret-weapon-fight-against-global-heating
[2] https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.629962

Engineering the Invisible Smart Home with Ambient Computing

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 20:14:46 GMT

(Source: somsri/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Ambient computing is the idea that technology should fade into the background, quietly enhancing our lives without demanding our attention. It’s a vision first articulated by computer scientist Mark Weiser in the early 1990s,^[1] and it’s no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s a real-world engineering challenge that’s reshaping how we interact with our homes and environments. But despite the explosion of smart devices, sensors, and edge computing, the dream of truly ambient homes remains just out of reach.

As smart devices become more capable and connected, the demand for seamless, intuitive systems grows. However, behind every smooth interaction lies a complex web of engineering decisions that determine whether ambient technology truly disappears into the background—or becomes another gadget we have to manage.

This blog explores the technical foundation of ambient computing, highlighting the engineering disciplines that make it possible and the hurdles that still stand in the way.

The Nervous System of Smart Environments

Ambient computing begins with awareness. Sensors act as the nervous system of a smart home, detecting motion, temperature, light, sound, and air quality. These inputs allow systems to respond to human presence and environmental changes—adjusting lighting, climate, or even air filtration without a single command.

But designing sensors that are both accurate and reliable is a nuanced task. They must distinguish between a person and a pet, detect subtle shifts in humidity, and operate consistently across diverse conditions. Engineers are working to make these digital senses as trustworthy and seamless as our own, which requires precision calibration, robust signal processing, and thoughtful placement throughout the environment.

Always On, Always Ready

For ambient systems to feel truly invisible, they must be “always on.” That means devices need to operate continuously without draining batteries or requiring frequent maintenance. This is where power efficiency becomes a cornerstone of ambient design.

Engineers are exploring energy harvesting techniques—like solar, kinetic, and thermal power—to keep devices running without interruption. Additionally, radio frequency (RF) harvesting has been employed as a technique for ultra-low-power wireless devices, as RF energy is often more readily available in an indoor environment than solar, and is used for systems like passive radio-frequency identification (RFID). In new construction, hardwiring devices into the electrical system offers reliability.^[2] On the other hand, in retrofits or existing homes, battery-powered solutions remain dominant, demanding clever trade-offs between performance and longevity.

Making Tech Feel Natural

Ambient computing enables automation by shifting the user interface away from screens and buttons and toward more natural interactions—voice, gestures, and movement. These interfaces must interpret human behavior accurately and contextually, which requires sophisticated hardware and software working in tandem. This tandem relies heavily on machine learning (ML) models for real-time inference, specifically in areas like gesture recognition and speech processing.

Voice assistants are a good start, but engineers are pushing further, designing systems that respond to subtle cues and making technology feel less like a tool and more like a companion. Imagine controlling your home with a glance or a wave. This is again where ML models come into play, enabling designs to interpret human behavior in context. When done right, these systems make technology feel a natural part of the surrounding environment.

Processing at the Source

To maintain speed, privacy, and reliability, ambient systems rely heavily on edge computing. Instead of sending data to the cloud, devices process information locally—analyzing inputs and making decisions in real time.

This approach to data processing reduces latency, protects user information, and ensures functionality even when internet connectivity is lost. But fitting advanced intelligence into compact, energy-efficient devices is no small feat. Engineers must balance computational power with constraints on size, cost, and energy consumption.

Getting Devices to Talk

One of the biggest engineering challenges in ambient computing is interoperability. Devices from different manufacturers often use incompatible communication protocols—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth^®, Zigbee^®, and Z-Wave—creating fragmented systems that require multiple apps or hubs.

Efforts like the Matter standard aim to unify device communication, but engineers must still navigate privacy, security, and performance concerns when integrating diverse technologies. Creating a cohesive ecosystem requires not just technical compatibility but also trust and transparency in how data is shared and used.

Human-Centered Design

Even the smartest system will fail if people don’t trust its operation, performance, and security. Ambient computing often acts without explicit commands, which can make users feel uneasy. Engineers must build transparency into these systems—explaining what’s happening, why, and how users can take control.

Accessibility is another critical factor. Systems must work for everyone, regardless of age, ability, or tech-savviness. That means designing interfaces that accommodate diverse needs and testing with real users—not just ideal ones.

And then there’s privacy. With always-on sensors and microphones, users need assurance that their data is safe. Engineers must build security into every layer—collecting only what’s necessary, anonymizing data, and giving users control over their information.

From Gadgets to Infrastructure

Smart homes today are filled with gadgets. But the future lies in embedding intelligence into the very infrastructure of our homes, from walls, floors, windows, and appliances that quietly respond to our needs.

For engineers, this means designing systems that are not just smart, but invisible. Systems that enhance life without interrupting it. Systems that work for everyone, all the time.

Ambient computing isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating homes that harmonize with people’s lives.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read the full article, “What Does It Take to Build Seamless Ambient Systems?”

This blog was generated with assistance from Copilot for Microsoft 365.

[1] https://doi.org/10.1145/329124.329126
[2] https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2008.927494

New Tech Tuesdays: Hybrid Power Modules Simplify High-Power Bus Conversion

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 06:00:00 GMT

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

The 48V bus was once considered a high-voltage niche for telephony, tucked away in dedicated rooms. Today, the 48V voltage rail is the backbone of modern data centers, networking, and industrial power architecture, driving the need for increasingly compact and efficient converters to step down to lower, usable voltages. Engineers are constantly seeking a system-in-package (SiP) solution that can handle high power without compromising efficiency or generating excessive heat.

This week’s New Tech Tuesdays explores how hybrid DC-to-DC power modules can leverage advanced switched-capacitor topology to redefine non-isolated intermediate bus conversion.

Enhancing Telecom and Networking Power

The telecom and networking equipment industries present the greatest demand for high-efficiency, non-isolated conversion. These systems rely on the 48V intermediate bus for power distribution, requiring a high-density solution to efficiently step down to voltage rails between 4.5V and 18V. DC-to-DC power modules, such as those with a hybrid switched-capacitor topology, can drastically improve performance for these applications. This topology can expertly handle the wide voltage range while helping to maintain peak efficiencies, which is a critical metric in energy-conscious data centers.

Critical Conversion in Test and Industrial Systems

Robust, high-current conversion is equally vital in industrial power architectures and test and measurement equipment. Many industrial power buses operate up to 55V, demanding a highly reliable converter that can source power as well as sink it in bidirectional applications, such as those involving regenerative loads. Furthermore, features like short-circuit protection with an adjustable retry-timer and overtemperature monitoring are essential for maintaining uptime and reliability in harsh factory and laboratory settings.

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

To manage the power challenges associated with robust 48V bus conversion, the LTM4654 hybrid step-down µModule^® bus converter from Analog Devices offers a solution with low electromagnetic interference (EMI), source and sink capability, and a wide input voltage range. The highly integrated converter, which requires only external flying and bulk capacitors, is scalable by paralleling multiple units to support much higher current demands. The device’s combination of high efficiency and thermal innovation makes it the definitive choice for next-generation power systems.

Thermal and Scalability Advantages

The µModule’s physical design is optimized for high power density within a compact ball grid array (BGA) package (Figure 1). One of the device’s key innovations is the deliberate exposure of the power inductor on the top surface, which creates an intrinsic and direct path for heat to escape up and out, thereby minimizing thermal stress on the PCB and enabling operation up to an internal temperature of 125°C. For applications requiring more than 300W, the module is easily scalable and can be parallel, ensuring excellent current sharing for much higher-power systems without sacrificing board space.

Figure 1: Module converter is housed in a compact BGA package that integrates a switching controller IC, power MOSFETs, and magnetics, significantly simplifying power system design and reducing board space. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

Hybrid Switched-Capacitor Topology

Whether in telecom, networking, test, or industrial applications, the µModule’s performance is made possible by a specialized power architecture. The LTM4654’s hybrid approach combines the soft-switching benefits of a switched-capacitor front-end with a traditional step-down regulator. This combination efficiently steps the high input voltage down to an intermediate half-voltage point before the final regulation stage. Additionally, these bus converters support a maximum 36A load current while integrating essential features like a proprietary capacitor balancing phase during startup, which minimizes inrush currents typical of purely capacitive switching circuits.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Hybrid-topology power modules, such as the LTM4654 µModule, are essential for modern power management, particularly in telecom, networking, test, and industrial systems. Its specialized architecture, which combines a switched-capacitor front-end with switching regulation, delivers excellent efficiency and thermal performance for 48V non-isolated intermediate bus conversion. The module provides a robust, scalable solution with bidirectional power flow and fault protection, making it ideal for achieving high power density in constrained and demanding applications.

Smarter Power and Cooling Strategies for Modern Data Centers

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 01:31:49 GMT

(Source: Nomad_Soul/stock.adobe.com)

As data centers push to pack in more computing capacity per unit area to meet increasing workload demands, powering all the IT equipment, cooling technology, and other building systems becomes a limiting step. McKinsey projects that global data center capacity demand will grow at 19 to 22 percent annually from 2023 to 2030, reaching between 171 and 219 gigawatts.^[1]

This surge is driven by AI workloads that consume significantly more power than traditional applications and it accelerates the need to mitigate thermal effects resulting from fitting more power into smaller spaces. Recent developments in power distribution, backup systems, and thermal management demonstrate how emerging engineering solutions address these increasing power demands. In this blog, we cover some of the latest approaches to improving power and thermal efficiency in modern data centers, highlighting efficient and dependable solutions from Molex.

Rethinking Power Distribution with Open Rack V3

The Open Rack V3 (ORV3) specification developed by the Open Compute Project (OCP) changes how data centers approach power distribution. The specification defines scalable, adaptable rack power distribution with the ongoing transition from 12V DC to 48V DC power. Higher voltages increase efficiency while increasing data center power per unit area (power density), subsequently mitigating spatial constraints that often plague data center designs.

With this transition, power is distributed through a 48V busbar in each rack, to which servers connect directly. By eliminating the 12V conversion step, facilities improve overall efficiency and reduce energy losses during transmission. The architecture saves space by removing individual power supplies for each server, as servers run directly off the 48V busbar. This consolidation reduces component count, simplifies maintenance, and improves power density within each rack.

Moreover, the shift to 48V DC represents more than an incremental energy-efficiency improvement. Higher voltage enables lower current draw for the same power delivery, which translates to reduced conductor sizing requirements and decreased resistive losses. For enterprise-sized facilities, these efficiency gains compound across thousands of racks. The ORV3 specification provides a standardized framework that allows interoperability between vendors while giving operators flexibility in system configuration.^[2] Molex PowerPlane Busbar Connectors and PowerPlane OCP ORV3 cable assemblies are at the forefront of component innovation designed to meet these architectural requirements.

Designing Reliable Backup Power Systems

Getting power from the grid to servers presents one set of challenges, but building redundancy against grid failures introduces an additional set of engineering opportunities. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) must draw on battery banks and generators to fill gaps if grid power fails, and the transition must occur seamlessly to prevent service interruption. In data centers, continuous operation is the top priority.

Online double-conversion UPS systems are currently the preferred topology because they can provide instant, clean, and consistent power.^[3] These systems continuously convert incoming AC power to DC for battery charging and system operation, then invert DC back to AC for output. This double conversion isolates the load from grid disturbances and ensures zero transfer time during power interruptions.

UPS performance depends heavily on how much resistance exists at each connection. Lower contact resistance reduces heat and voltage loss, improving both reliability and energy efficiency. As stated in the 2023 State of Power survey from Molex, 40 percent of data center engineers cite power management, including circuit protection, switchgears, and battery systems, as their most significant design challenge (Figure 1).^[4]

Figure 1: Responses to a 2023 survey on what industrial application is most challenging for designing or implementing power systems. (Source: Molex)

Components engineered for high current density and low contact resistance address this concern by ensuring reliable power delivery under varying load conditions. Molex offers an innovative line of power management solutions designed with these electrical parameters as primary specifications, enabling data centers to achieve peak efficiency and reliability.

Tackling the Cooling Challenge

Approximately 40 percent of data center electricity consumption goes toward cooling,^[5] making thermal management one of the largest operational expenses for facilities. With power consumption at this magnitude, engineers and fluid chemists have intensified focus on cooling efficiency to reduce both energy costs and environmental impact.

Immersion cooling has emerged as a promising technique that improves energy efficiency compared to traditional air-cooling systems, while also reducing the physical footprint of cooling equipment.^[6] In immersion cooling, servers are submerged in dielectric fluid that directly absorbs heat from components. This eliminates the need for air handlers, so the system does not have to work as hard to move heat, translating to lower energy use and more efficient heat removal within the same footprint.

There are also single- and two-phase immersion cooling approaches, as well as direct-to-chip (DTC) cold plate cooling. These liquid cooling methods improve data center power usage effectiveness (PUE) between 1.03 and 1.2, whereas air-cooled systems operate between PUEs of 1.2 to 2.0.^[7] PUE compares total facility power against IT equipment power, meaning lower PUEs are more efficient. A PUE of 1.0 is theoretically perfect, but impossible to achieve due to losses. Reducing PUE from 2.0 to 1.2 represents a 40 percent facility power reduction, for example.

Regardless of the cooling method deployed—air, DTC, or immersion—connectors for cooling hardware must meet strict environmental requirements. These connectors must be rated for harsh conditions and sealed against moisture to prevent corrosion and electrical failures. High power and heat make reliability a constant concern. If connectors cannot handle temperature or humidity, even a small failure can spread quickly through the system.

Engineering for Efficiency at Scale

Data center engineers are finding new efficiency gains not by tweaking existing systems, but by rethinking how power, backup, and cooling are built from the ground up. Part of this new approach involves moving to 48V DC power distribution to lessen conversion losses, online double-conversion UPS systems with low contact resistance connectors to maintain power quality during transitions, and immersion cooling to reduce the energy overhead of thermal management.

Engineers who apply these design principles now will be ready to meet today's efficiency goals and tomorrow's growth demands. Each advancement increases computing capacity within tighter power and thermal envelopes. As workload demands continue to grow, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence applications, these solutions increase the limit for what is possible.

Author

Adam Kimmel has nearly 20 years as a practicing engineer, R&D manager, and engineering content writer. He creates white papers, website copy, case studies, and blog posts in vertical markets including automotive, industrial/manufacturing, technology, and electronics. Adam has degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering and is the founder and principal at ASK Consulting Solutions, LLC, an engineering and technology content writing firm.

[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/ai-power-expanding-data-center-capacity-to-meet-growing-demand
[2] https://www.molex.com/en-us/industries-applications/servers-storage/open-compute-project/ocp-rack-and-power-orv3
[3] https://www.molex.com/en-us/blog/ups-key-data-center-continuity
[4] Molex, "2023 State of Power Survey Report," May 2023
[5] https://www.energy.ca.gov/publications/2024/demonstration-low-cost-data-center-liquid-cooling
[6] https://www.molex.com/en-us/blog/orv-immersion-cooling-insights
[7] https://www.thegreengrid.org/

New Tech Tuesdays: The Rise of Intelligent EV Hardware

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 06:00:00 GMT

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

Today’s electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more like moving data centers. To support features like smart braking, adaptive cruise control, predictive maintenance, and driver monitoring, EVs and hybrid EVs (HEVs) depend on a growing stack of software to operate efficiently and safely.^[1] Instead of having separate control units for functions like braking, steering, and infotainment, modern EVs are moving toward centralized platforms that can manage all of these operations with software (Figure 1). This vehicle architecture enables over-the-air (OTA) updates, flexible feature deployment, and faster iterations for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Figure 1: Electric vehicle systems are becoming increasingly centralized, combining powertrain, artificial intelligence, safety, and diagnostics onto fewer, smarter hardware platforms. (Source: Rere_Art151/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

This shift comes with considerable computing demands, though. Vehicles must have ultra-reliable real-time processing for safety-critical tasks, local machine learning (ML) to adapt in real time, and hardware virtualization to consolidate functions without interference. Engineers need more than power to keep up. They need platforms that can provide efficient and adaptive workload management from the start.

In this week’s New Tech Tuesdays, we see how engineers are meeting these demands by turning to three critical technologies: real-time processing, ML acceleration, and hardware virtualization.

Real-Time Processing Is Non-Negotiable

Even a minor delay of a few milliseconds in adjusting torque can throw off how the vehicle feels to the driver. That kind of lag can create jerky acceleration (or even unresponsiveness), especially during quick changes in speed or terrain. This delicate reactive nature of EVs is why motor control, battery management, and power conversion systems depend on precise timing.

Modern automotive microcontrollers (MCUs) must handle both high-speed processing and guaranteed response times, even while balancing multiple tasks. In electric drives, that could mean calculating vector modulation while simultaneously monitoring fault signals and communicating over a controller area network (CAN) or local interconnect network (LIN).

ML Acceleration Delivers Smarter Decisions at the Edge

Today’s vehicles don’t wait for the cloud to think. ML models that run locally in EVs assist with tasks like checking battery health, detecting unusual motor activity, and adjusting braking patterns in real time. Because the data doesn’t have to be sent to the cloud, the system can react faster to tweak performance or flag issues as they occur. This can help extend battery life, improve range estimates, and make the driving experience more responsive.

ML technology unlocks unique features in modern vehicles, but running those models can take enormous computing power. To keep things fast and efficient, automotive processors now include built-in artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators. This gives them the ability to handle inference locally, so the main central processing unit (CPU) doesn’t get bogged down, and the system draws less power overall. ML acceleration also makes it possible for vehicles to support smart features like predictive maintenance or adaptive drive settings without relying on cloud connectivity.

Hardware Virtualization Isolates EV Applications

As cars pack more features into fewer chips, those chips need to run different systems simultaneously without interfering with each other. Hardware virtualization lets engineers run several independent applications, such as motor control, diagnostics, and infotainment, on the same processor without risking cross-contamination or crashes.

In a typical system, critical functions, such as torque control, may run alongside non-critical ones, like the infotainment user interface (UI). Hardware virtualization allows both to share the same processor while remaining isolated, so a software update to the display system won’t affect real-time control loops or safety logic.^[2]

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The NXP Semiconductors S32E288-975EVB evaluation board is designed to help engineers prototype EV and HEV control systems that demand high performance, safety, and flexibility. Built around the S32E2 real-time processor, the board supports complex workloads with a 32-bit Arm^® Cortex^®-R52 core, integrated motor control peripherals, and support for ISO 26262 ASIL D safety levels.

The board supports hardware-assisted virtualization and ML workloads, making it well-suited for software-defined vehicles. Developers can test time-sensitive control algorithms, edge inference models, and consolidated architectures—all on a single platform.

With its suite of I/O ports, expansion headers, and debugging support, the S32E288-975EVB helps accelerate the development of high-reliability automotive systems.

Tuesday’s Takeaway

EVs and HEVs are only getting smarter, and the brains behind them must keep pace. As architectures become increasingly software-driven, the control hardware needs to support real-time processing, safety isolation, and embedded AI on a shared compute platform. Choosing a development board with these capabilities built in can reduce system complexity and speed up validation. Whether you’re prototyping a traction inverter, a zonal controller, or a diagnostics system, the NXP S32E288-975EVB offers the processing performance and hardware isolation needed for production-grade development.

Sources

[1] https://www.mobilityengineeringtech.com/component/content/article/46224-sae-ma-06960

[2] https://www.nxp.com/docs/en/data-sheet/S32E27.pdf

Thermoelectric Nanomaterials for Energy Harvesting in Electronics

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:54:17 GMT

(Source: LIPO@SEXTAO22 /stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

In the pursuit of smaller, more powerful electronics, energy efficiency has become a driving force behind innovation. As devices become more compact and expand their performance capabilities, they also generate more heat. Traditionally viewed as a waste byproduct, heat is now being transformed into energy through the integration of thermoelectric technologies in electronic devices. At the forefront of this transformation are thermoelectric nanomaterials—minute structures that are enabling new applications in wearables, remote sensors, and autonomous systems. As we explore their capabilities in this blog, we will uncover how thermoelectric nanomaterials are paving the way for smarter, more sustainable electronics.

The Thermoelectric Effect: Converting Heat into Electricity

Thermoelectric devices convert heat directly into electricity through a phenomenon known as the thermoelectric effect. This effect is governed by three interrelated mechanisms:

Seebeck effect: A voltage is generated across a material when a temperature difference exists.
Peltier effect: Heat is absorbed or released at the junction of two materials when an electric current flows.
Thomson effect: Heat is generated or absorbed along a conductor carrying current through a temperature gradient.

Thermoelectric efficiency depends on a material’s Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. Materials with high electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity are ideal, as they maximize electricity generation while minimizing heat loss.

While bulk materials have long been used in thermoelectric systems—from industrial heat recovery to spacecraft power supplies, portable electronics, sensors, cooling devices, and power generation systems—nanomaterials are now emerging as game changers, especially for compact and specialized applications.

Why Nanomaterials Are Game Changers

Nanomaterials behave differently from their bulk counterparts because quantum effects dominate at the nanoscale. These quantum effects allow nanomaterials to manipulate heat and electrical transport in ways that bulk materials do not. For example, nanomaterials can modulate and separate their thermal and electron transport properties, leading to high-performance thermoelectric materials.

Low-dimensional nanomaterials—such as 1D nanowires and 2D sheets—exhibit quantum confinement, where electrons are restricted in at least one dimension. This confinement creates discrete energy bands, which alter the material’s density of states in a way that boosts the Seebeck coefficient without sacrificing electrical conductivity. These nanomaterials’ discrete energy bands improve the density of states, which is a critical factor for thermoelectric performance.

On the thermal side, nanomaterials excel at selectively and effectively scattering phonons—a vibrational quasi-particle in a material related to atomic vibrations that play a role in heat transfer. This reduces the thermal conductivity of the material without affecting its electrical conductivity properties. Specialized mechanisms like Umklapp scattering in 1D materials and surface scattering or edge effects in 2D materials further enhance this property. Since thermoelectric efficiency improves as thermal conductivity decreases, these characteristics make nanomaterials particularly attractive.

Emerging Thermoelectric Nanomaterials

Thanks to advances in fabrication and epitaxial growth techniques, designers can now create a wide variety of nanomaterials tailored for thermoelectric devices. While bulk materials still dominate commercial use, nanomaterials are gaining traction in research and niche applications.

Among the most promising 1D nanomaterials are carbon nanotubes (CNTs), silicon nanotubes, bismuth telluride nanowires, and silicon-germanium nanowires. These materials combine low thermal conductivity with high electrical performance, making them ideal for compact thermoelectric devices.

When it comes to 2D materials, graphene stands out—though it must be modified due to its naturally high thermal conductivity. Other contenders include black phosphorus, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), MXenes, and layered compounds from groups 14 to 16.

Beyond standalone materials, designers are integrating nanomaterials into thin films, conductive polymers, and coatings, enhancing existing thermoelectric systems. Nanocrystals, with their uniform shapes and tunable properties, represent another frontier in tailoring thermoelectric performance.

Thermoelectric Nanomaterials in Modern Electronics Applications

Thermoelectric nanomaterials serve as the building blocks of thermoelectric generators (TEGs), which harness heat and convert it into electricity. TEGs are especially useful in powering small, wireless devices, such as remote sensors and off-grid Internet of Things (IoT) systems, where traditional power sources are impractical.

Nanomaterial-based or nanomaterial-enhanced thermoelectric devices hold great promise in a range of application areas where bulk thermoelectric devices are currently employed. This includes:

Converting waste heat from a car’s exhaust into electricity to improve fuel efficiency
Supporting thermal management systems for electronic devices
Converting heat from decaying isotopes in space to power spacecraft
Harnessing the excess heat given off by industrial processes and using the generated electricity back on-site
Powering remote sensors in military and other remote monitoring devices that do not have access to traditional power sources
Recovering heat back into electricity to improve energy use in portable electronics

Alongside more conventional applications, the small size and unique properties of nanomaterials also enable them to be used for more specialized applications. One example is the use of nanomaterials and nanomaterial-based thin films in flexible and wearable devices, as the materials can bend with the wearer without experiencing any drop in performance. Nanomaterial TEGs can be utilized as a power source for various self-powered wearable devices, including health monitors, fitness trackers, and other wearables that operate solely on body heat. Another exciting area is photodetection. Photodetectors based on the photothermoelectric effect—an offshoot of the Seebeck effect—generate electrical signals from absorbed light. Nanomaterial-based TEGs are well-suited to power these tiny devices, especially in remote sensing, environmental monitoring, night vision, and astronomy, where compact and self-powered systems are essential.

Conclusion

Thermoelectric nanomaterials are enabling more efficient, compact, and sustainable power solutions for modern electronics, ranging from wearable devices and IoT systems to industrial applications and space exploration. While they may not replace bulk thermoelectric materials in every application, nanomaterials are poised to play a critical role in the future of energy harvesting—especially in the growing fields of IoT, remote sensing, and self-powered electronics. As fabrication techniques continue to evolve, expect even more innovative uses for these tiny but powerful materials.

Context-Driven Models for Smarter Forecasts

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:34:01 GMT

(Source: decorator/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Most forecasters are statistical or deep models trained on the target series alone. That approach works when future data points are expected to look like past ones. However, they falter when the signal depends on outside forces or if historical data contains anomalies that require explanation to understand their impact, such as retail promotions, weather, outages, or policy changes. Retail sales jump during sales promotions, energy demand moves with temperature and holidays, and operational metrics respond to planned interventions. A model that learns from numbers alone will miss these real-world driving forces. Large-language models (LLMs) trained for advanced reasoning can change this workflow. By combining the numerical data with a concise domain brief, these models can integrate real-world context, produce forecasts, and explain the “why” behind them. This blog covers when pure time series methods struggle, how context-aware LLM forecasters work, what to include as additional context, as well as practical strengths and limitations.

When Data Isn’t Everything

Time series forecasting models perform well with sufficient data and when the past contains most of what the future will look like. However, because these models learn patterns from the numbers alone by implicitly capturing elements like seasonality and trend, they struggle when important drivers live outside the series. This can happen for various reasons, such as a short history of available data, future events expected to affect predictions, or even past activities that caused anomalies in the data that may not count as outliers. In these cases, while the model tries to infer the “rules” of predicting this time series from the data, it will be unable to. With insufficient data, such models cannot determine if particular data points should be given more weight. For instance, if mid-year and end-of-year data are crucial but only one year of monthly data is provided, it will be impossible to derive that knowledge. Equally, if a new marketing campaign or promotional event is known to drive sales by a certain percentage, or if a failure occurs that will cause predictions to drop, models that only learn from time series data will be unable to account for these factors. The other major pitfall of classical forecasting models is their blackbox nature, which means that it’s not clear how these models make decisions from the data given, and the reasoning behind certain predictions is not easily known. When users seek to understand why a model made a specific forecast but are unable to gain this knowledge, their trust in the results is often called into question.

Context Is Key in LLM Forecasting

To take into account these various kinds of domain knowledge when forecasting, developers can repurpose LLMs to provide predictions based on prior data as well as contextual information. The method involves selecting an appropriate LLM, establishing a baseline prompt template, and injecting relevant historical data with the specific context required to forecast well for that target. Following what a subject matter expert (SME) might do, the process of forecasting involves several logical steps, like reviewing the data, understanding how it might move as a result of the given domain knowledge, and then applying both to form a prediction for a future time point. As such, the models that can replicate this type of behavior the best tend to be reasoning models, such as Gemini Pro 2.5 and GPT o4-mini or GPT-o3, which typically perform some kind of chain of thought to establish and then work through the steps of a process. Alternatively, more advanced LLMs, like Llama-3.1-405B-Inst, can also perform well with different contexts.

Contextual information to be paired with numerical data can include elements like “intemporal” information, such as constraints on values or seasonalities that have more extended periods than the duration of available data. Historical facts that cannot be inferred from the series should also be included. For example, sensor maintenance that caused a dip, or a work stoppage that suppressed volume, should be tagged as spurious so the model does not extrapolate the anomaly unless a similar event is expected to recur. Additionally, causal information should be provided, such as known interventions with timing and expected magnitude or prior effect sizes. “Campaign A starts in October and typically lifts orders 8–12 percent for 2 weeks” is an example of an actionable statement that can guide the forecast beyond pattern matching.

Here is a simple contextual prompt structure:

Describes the series and target horizon
Lists historical data as dates and values, providing any additional numerical data as needed (Figure 1)
Adds all relevant context required to understand the rules of forecasting, including information that affects the forecast but is not visible in the data
Describes how the output should be formatted and if the results should be consumed by some upstream process (Figure 2)

Figure 1: Example of a templated prompt for context-is-key LLM forecasting. (Source: Author)

Figure 2: Example of the filled-in template with relevant context and historical data. (Source: Author)

With this contextual model structure, the model’s job is to reconcile the numeric history with the brief, then surface a prediction and the reasoning behind it.

The Reality of Context-Aware LLM Forecasting

Context-aware LLM forecasters excel when rules are describable and the domain has known external drivers, such as retail with promotional calendars, energy with weather forecasts and holidays, or operations with scheduled outages. They are especially attractive when you need interpretability, since reasoning-oriented models can return a natural-language rationale. However, on the downside, these can fail more significantly than other models, for example, by producing values that under or overshoot the ground truth by up to 500 percent,^[1] as researchers found. Additionally, cost and latency matter. Bigger models often reason better, but they also consume more tokens, so picking the smallest model that meets accuracy and interpretability needs is important. Moreover, combining traditional forecasting methods with LLM-based ones can also limit the impact of errors, a common technique known as ensembling.

Conclusion

Pure time series models are efficient pattern learners, but they underperform when known, external factors drive the future. Context-aware LLM-aided forecasting closes that gap by encoding rules, constraints, and dated interventions to align with the numeric history to produce both a prediction and a defensible rationale. The approach is strongest when clear causal notes with concise and relevant background information can be provided, and when interpretability is part of the requirement. While the accuracy of these models can dramatically exceed that of models trained on numerical data alone, they can fail more significantly, so it is recommended to pair a capable numeric model with a well-briefed reasoning model to get forecasts that are both smarter and easier to trust.

[1] https://arxiv.org/pdf/2410.18959

Choosing the Right Inverter for Residential Solar Systems

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 21:12:28 GMT

(Source: ArgitopIA/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

The worldwide residential solar market is poised for strong growth after a tenuous 2024. According to McKinsey & Company, the boom observed from 2020 to 2023, fueled in part by government incentives, was not sustainable.^[1] As those incentives were pared back and interest rates rose, the industry faced headwinds. But rising electricity rates and falling residential solar equipment costs are keeping solar technology competitive, even without the incentives, and McKinsey forecasts that residential solar’s cumulative installed capacity will more than double by the end of the decade.

To meet the needs of this growing industry, manufacturers must offer optimized solutions for every customer. Residential solar installations present particular challenges, with an emphasis on compact, high-power-density, and low-cost systems that operate safely and fit unobtrusively into an environment not necessarily designed to accommodate solar equipment. To best serve the residential market, manufacturers and installers will need expertise in solar-inverter topologies and detailed knowledge of the electronic components that make up a residential solar system. In this blog, we detail key solar topologies and investigate some of the reliable, fast-switching electronic components crucial to developing effective residential solar systems.

The String Inverter

When choosing an inverter for solar system designs, key topology options include the string inverter and the microinverter. A residential string inverter takes the DC output of several photovoltaic (PV) panels in series and inverts it to an AC power level that matches the frequency and voltage level of the utility grid with which it will interface. Like most PV inverters, a string inverter typically incorporates maximum power point tracking (MPPT) to ensure extraction of the maximum possible power from PV panels in accordance with the panels’ varying illumination levels. One drawback to the string inverter is that if one of many panels connected to it experiences partial shade, that panel—the “weakest link”—will limit the total available output power.

In a typical string inverter (Figure 1), a group of panels connects to input protection and filtering circuitry, which incorporates devices such as metal-oxide varistors (MOVs) that provide high energy absorption capability and meet third-party safety standards. From the filter stage, DC power flows to a DC-DC boost converter with an MPPT, which makes use of metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). The DC-DC stage connects to a DC-AC inverter, which incorporates MOSFETs or insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) to generate an AC power level that matches the utility grid, such as 230V at 50Hz (common in Europe and many other regions) or 120V at 60Hz (common in North America). Finally, an output filter and protection stage makes use of MOVs, fuses, and other protection devices to generate a safe, smooth output voltage.

Figure 1: Diagram of a string inverter connecting to multiple solar panels. (Source: Littelfuse)

The Microinverter

In contrast, the microinverter connects to a single solar panel, and each individual microinverter’s MPPT will extract the maximum power possible for a particular panel’s level of illumination. Consequently, a partially illuminated panel does not limit the power level available from other, fully illuminated panels, eliminating the string inverter’s “weakest link” problem.

As shown in the implementation in Figure 2, a single solar panel connects to a microinverter’s input filter, which in turn connects to a high-frequency DC-AC inverter that incorporates MOSFETs. That inverter’s output is routed to a high-frequency transformer. This transformer provides the galvanic isolation between the panel and the grid connection that is often required by relevant electrical codes for grid-connected renewable energy systems, such as UL 1741 or IEC 62109. Because of the high frequency, the transformer can be much smaller than it would be if it were operating at the 50Hz or 60Hz grid frequency. The transformer’s output is rectified and then goes to a low-frequency DC-AC inverter, which employs MOSFETs or IGBTs to develop the 230V, single-phase 50Hz or 60Hz voltage that gets smoothed in the output filter and protection stage.

Figure 2: Diagram of a microinverter connected to a single solar panel. (Source: Littelfuse)

Other circuit blocks common to both the string inverter and microinverter include gate drivers that control the power switches used in the DC-DC converters and DC-AC inverters. Effective gate drivers offer fast rise and fall times, high immunity to latch-up, and fast thermal response in compact packages. The inverters also incorporate auxiliary power supply, which derives a regulated DC voltage from the panel input voltage to power the inverter circuitry, including a microcontroller unit (MCU), gate drivers for the DC-DC and DC-AC power components, and wired and wireless communications interfaces, which report operating conditions like panel voltage, AC voltage, and temperature to other connected equipment.

Littelfuse Residential Solar Solutions

Navigating the specific power management requirements of residential solar environments demands a wide range of component options for different energy needs. Littelfuse offers a broad portfolio of circuit protection, MOSFETs, and gate drivers for residential solar systems. Their residential solar solutions feature a variety of components for use throughout inverter designs, ranging from cartridge fuses to silicon (Si) and silicon-carbide (SiC) MOSFETs and MOSFET modules. Discrete MOSFETs provide maximum design flexibility, while Littelfuse’s MOSFET modules, which incorporate fast recovery diodes, enable compact, high-power-density designs.

For a string inverter’s DC-DC boost phase with MPPT, Littelfuse offers MOSFETs with ultra-low on-resistances (R_DS) and high current-handling capability. These devices are easy to mount and save space as a result. For the microinverter rectification stage, Littelfuse’s silicon Schottky diodes provide very low forward voltage drops. These devices ensure low current leakage and are available in a common-cathode configuration with single-screw mounting.

For the DC-AC stages in both string inverters and microinverters, Littelfuse offers MOSFETs and IGBTs that can handle high surge currents with reduced thermal resistance and fast switching speeds to minimize losses. And for the inverters’ input and output filter stages, they provide MOVs that deliver high energy-absorption capability and reduce qualification times by complying with third-party safety standards. These residential solar solutions feature a variety of MOVs with wide ranges of voltage, current, and energy ratings. In addition, Littelfuse’s range of cartridge fuses are suited for output stages. Available in a variety of package sizes and ampere ratings, these fuses are available with fast-acting, medium-acting, and time-delay characteristics to meet specific application requirements.

Littelfuse also offers components that can be used throughout string inverters and microinverters, including transient-voltage-suppression (TVS) diode arrays that protect against voltage surges and negative-temperature-coefficient (NTC) sensors that can detect overtemperature conditions.

Conclusion

The burgeoning residential solar energy market presents significant opportunities for inverter manufacturers and system installers. Players across the industry will gain a competitive advantage by choosing the optimal topology for each residential end customer’s specific application and by implementing the required equipment using high-performance, reliable, and compact components ranging from cartridge fuses to power MOSFET modules.

Author

Rick Nelson is a technical journalist who has served as executive editor of Test & Measurement World, chief editor of EDN, and executive editor of EE-Evaluation Engineering. He has also contributed to publications including Vision Systems Design and Electronic Design, and he has participated in many live panel discussions and webcasts. Rick has also held systems-engineering and product-development positions at General Electric and Litton Industries. He received his B.S.E.E. degree from The Pennsylvania State University.

[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/electric-power-and-natural-gas/our-insights/residential-solar-down-not-out

Cutting the Cord: How Energy Harvesting Powers the Future of IoT

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:38:35 GMT

Source: Charoen/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI

As the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) continue to expand device deployment across homes, cities, and factories, one persistent challenge remains: how to power the growing number of connected devices without relying on traditional wiring or frequent battery replacements. In response, energy harvesting has emerged as a practical and increasingly vital solution—capturing ambient energy from sources like light, motion, heat, and radio waves to keep devices running independently.

This blog explores how energy harvesting is reshaping the deployment of IoT systems. We’ll examine the technologies behind it, the types of energy sources being tapped, and how engineers are designing smarter, more sustainable devices that are making battery-free IoT a reality.

The Power Problem in a Connected World

The promise of IoT is vast, with smarter homes, more efficient factories, and cities that can operate with autonomy. But every sensor, actuator, and wireless node in this ecosystem needs power. Traditionally, that’s meant either wiring them into the grid or relying on batteries—both of which come with limitations. Wiring is expensive and inflexible. Batteries, while convenient, eventually run out, requiring maintenance that is costly and sometimes impractical.

Enter energy harvesting: the process of capturing ambient energy from the environment—light, heat, motion, or even stray radio signals—and converting it into usable electricity. It’s not a new idea, but recent advances in ultra-low-power electronics and harvesting technologies have made it a practical solution for a variety of applications.

Matching Source to Scenario

Energy harvesting isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Different environments call for different sources, and each has its strengths.

Solar power is the most familiar harvested power source. Outdoor solar panels are already common, but new photovoltaic materials like perovskites are making it possible to harvest energy even from indoor lighting. These flexible, low-light PV cells can be shaped to fit around enclosures or embedded into surfaces,^[1] opening up new design possibilities.

Kinetic energy—from wind, water, or vibration—is another rich source. Think of a tiny dynamo spinning in the breeze or a piezoelectric element that generates a charge when compressed. In industrial settings, vibration from motors or machinery can be tapped to power nearby sensors. Even the act of pressing a button can generate enough energy to send a wireless signal.^[2] By capturing mechanical energy from repetitive motion, such as the hum of a motor or the footsteps of pedestrians, devices can convert this kinetic activity into usable electricity. These techniques are especially valuable in environments where motion is constant and predictable, offering a reliable and maintenance-free energy source for embedded systems.

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) use the temperature difference between two surfaces to produce electricity. TEGs are ideal for industrial environments where waste heat is abundant, like from the side of a furnace or a hot pipe.

Ambient RF energy is perhaps the most futuristic-sounding of all current energy harvesting sources. It involves capturing stray radio waves from Wi-Fi, cellular networks, or dedicated RF transmitters and converting them into power. While the energy levels are low, they’re often enough for ultra-efficient devices like electronic shelf labels or low-duty-cycle sensors.

Smarter Systems, Smarter Power

Of course, harvesting energy is only half the battle. Managing it efficiently is just as critical. That’s where modern microcontrollers and power management integrated circuits (PMICs) come in. Today’s embedded systems can operate on microwatts of power, thanks to deep sleep modes and intelligent scheduling of tasks. Energy harvesting ICs often include built-in power regulation and storage management, ensuring that even intermittent energy sources can keep devices running smoothly.

Designers are also exploring hybrid approaches that involve combining multiple harvesting methods or supplementing them with rechargeable batteries or supercapacitors.^[3] This not only increases reliability but also allows for more flexible deployment in environments where one energy source might not be consistently available.

PMICs are critical in this setup. These chips regulate the flow of energy between the harvester, the storage element, and the load. Some PMICs are designed to work with multiple types of harvesters, offering flexibility in system design and deployment.

Why It Matters—Now More Than Ever

The implications of energy harvesting go far beyond convenience. It enables truly wireless, maintenance-free devices that can be deployed in places where power was once a barrier—remote agricultural fields, historic buildings, or inside sealed industrial equipment. Implementing harvesting techniques reduces electronic waste by extending or eliminating battery life. Additionally, energy harvesting accelerates the rollout of IoT infrastructure by resolving one of its biggest logistical hurdles: power.

As the IoT continues to scale, the demand for sustainable, low-maintenance power solutions will only grow. Energy harvesting isn’t just a clever trick—it’s a foundational technology that’s helping to realize the full potential of connected systems.

Conclusion

The evolution of energy harvesting marks a pivotal shift in how connected systems are designed and deployed. As microcontrollers and wireless technologies continue to reduce their power demands, the threshold for viable ambient energy sources lowers in parallel. This convergence is enabling a new generation of devices that are more sustainable as well as more adaptable to diverse and challenging environments.

With ongoing advancements in materials science and power management, energy harvesting is poised to become a pivotal element in the architecture of future IoT and IIoT ecosystems. Its increasing role signals a move toward infrastructure that is less dependent on traditional power sources, and in doing so, offers greater flexibility, reduced maintenance, and a more seamless integration of technology into everyday life. From smart cities to remote monitoring, energy harvesting is laying the groundwork for a more autonomous and sustainable future.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read the full article, “Energy Harvesting Set to Accelerate IoT and IIoT Use Cases.”

This blog was generated with assistance from Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Sources

[1] https://resources.mouser.com/explore-all/latest-solar-panel-technology-shines-bright
[2] https://doi.org/10.1109/WIECON-ECE64149.2024.10915086
[3] https://resources.mouser.com/energy-harvesting/supercapacitors-find-applications-in-hybrid-vehicles-smartphones-and-energy-harvesting

A World Without Electricity: How Prepared Are Countries to Cope?

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:13:53 GMT

Discover the impact of a prolonged blackout on daily life and some nations’ surprising resilience

Image Source: Joseph Mohmd on Unsplash

We rely on electricity for almost every part of modern daily life, from the obvious, such as turning the lights on in our homes, to the essentials we may not realise require electricity, such as clean running water.

When power fails, battery efficiency becomes critical. This blog presents a thought experiment, imagining how societies might cope in the event of a prolonged power outage, based on current infrastructure and preparedness.

General Effects of a National Blackout

Imagine the lights go out, not just in a city, but across an entire country—no power for homes, hospitals, or businesses. While power outages are challenging, many nations are taking proactive steps to build resilience in the face of disruption, such as investing in renewable energy sources, modernising their power grids, and developing energy storage technologies.

To explore how countries are preparing for such scenarios, Mouser Electronics commissioned a study to analyse data on electricity use, banking access, internet reliance, urbanisation, emergency backups, economic strength, disaster preparedness, and clean water supply for over 200 countries. Together, these criteria created a resilience score intended to reveal how long nations could continue essential daily operations without electricity.

But what could a world in a widespread power outage look like?

Instant: The First Few Hours of No Electricity

Within minutes, homes, streets, and cities go dark. Traffic lights fail, trains halt, and airports experience widespread disruptions. Internet, phones, and landlines cut out. Emergency services struggle to communicate. Hospitals switch to generators, but most last only a few hours to a few days at most.

1–3 Days of a Blackout

If the blackout continued for a couple of days, food and water supplies would become disrupted. Supermarkets rely on refrigeration, and food spoils fast. Sewage treatment centres would shut down, leading to unsafe drinking water. There would also be no ATMs, card payments, or digital transactions.

1–2 Weeks Without Power

After a week or two, supply chains would fail, as there would be no refrigerated transport, no functioning factories, and no restocking shops. Sanitation would break down as waste collection stops and water becomes contaminated. Medicines would become unsafe to use due to a lack of refrigeration, and drug manufacturers would not be able to produce new ones.

Long-Term: A Few Months of No Electricity

After weeks or months, economies would collapse as banks, markets, and businesses grind to a halt. Without farming machinery, refrigeration, or transport, food production and distribution fail.

Although it’s unlikely that something like this would happen—or last so long if it did—there have been at least four significant power outages worldwide in 2025, including the widely discussed Iberian Peninsula blackout, which affected approximately 60 million people.^[1]

The Surprisingly Resilient Countries Embracing Electrical Independence

Which countries are actively building resilience to power outages (Figure 1)? To discover this, the study’s researchers analysed data on electricity use, banking access, internet reliance, urbanisation, emergency backups, economic strength, disaster preparedness, and clean water supply.

Figure 1: An electricity blackout animation highlights the countries that are likely to be most resilient after losing power. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

No Electricity Is Only a Minor Inconvenience for Papua New Guinea

The amount a country depends on electricity overall can be the simplest measure of its resilience to a total loss of electrical power. While no country in the world is entirely without electricity, many comparatively rural countries would be more resilient. For example, Papua New Guinea uses only 20.5kWh of electricity per capita annually, as many communities operate with minimal reliance on the grid.^[2] Large rural populations sustain themselves through largely manual farming, markets, and water collection.

Limited Dependence on Electricity Means Resilience to Power Loss for Mozambique

Mozambique offers a clear example of how limited dependence on electricity can translate into a form of resilience in the face of complete power loss. Although access to electricity has grown, much of the population continues to live off the grid, relying on manual farming, local markets, and community trade.^[3] This low level of dependence means that daily life in rural areas could continue with relatively little disruption during a blackout. However, in urban centres such as Maputo and Beira, where hospitals, water systems, and businesses are tied to the grid, the impact would be far more severe. Mozambique’s situation, much like that of other low-consumption nations, shows that resilience often stems not from strong infrastructure, but from a way of life that already operates largely independently of it.

No Power Means No Data

Many countries’ high resilience is not particularly due to strong infrastructure, but because much of their daily life is already lived off-grid. In lower-income countries, per capita electricity use can be as low as 15kWh per year—less than a UK household uses in a day.^[4] Over 1.4 billion adults worldwide lack access to traditional banking services such as online banking or credit cards from regulated financial institutions (i.e., unbanked). Over 80 percent of those unbanked people live in low- and middle-income countries, compared to under 2 percent in parts of Europe.^[5] With limited hospitals and emergency services available to the population, the challenge isn’t adapting; it’s that life is already precarious. Blackouts would still be devastating, just differently than in other parts of the world.

The Power-Reliant Nations at Most Risk in a World Without Electricity

Conversely, highly urbanised countries that are heavily reliant on energy infrastructure could be more at risk of collapse in a widespread power outage.

Singapore Is Among the Most Power-Reliant Nations

Singapore, as a city-state built on digital connectivity, has 100 percent urbanisation and near-universal internet access (92 percent).^[6] A blackout in Singapore wouldn’t just cut lights; essentials like air conditioning and water pumping would fail instantly. And it would halt finance, transport, and daily activity in a tropical climate.

This pattern holds across nations with high levels of development and infrastructure. Singapore, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and the UK would quickly experience difficulties without power, due to their high levels of development and extreme dependence on electricity.

That said, many of these countries are actively striving for change in this area. Singapore is strengthening its energy resilience by expanding renewable energy and diversifying supply. As of 2024, it had 1.35 gigawatt-peak (GWp) of solar capacity from rooftop and floating installations. The country is also trialling hydropower imports from Laos, with plans to import 4–6GW of low-carbon electricity by 2035.^[7]

Czech Republic Balances Connectivity and Resilience

The Czech Republic mixes high digital reliance (e.g., internet use of 86 percent) and weaker economic resilience (e.g., 2024 GDP per capita of US$31,706).^[8] This disparity suggests that while the country is well-connected, its economic structure may not be as robust, which could affect its ability to maintain services during prolonged power outages.

The Czech Republic is boosting resilience by expanding community solar and energy-sharing projects, reducing reliance on the national grid.^[9]

How Reliant on Electricity Is the UK?

With over 96 percent of its population online, the UK’s banking, healthcare, and retail sectors are deeply dependent on electricity.^[10] Per capita electricity use is over 100 times higher than in nations like Burundi or South Sudan.^[11] With less than 2 percent of UK residents unbanked, almost all transactions rely on power.^[12] A prolonged blackout would paralyse the economy far faster than in less connected nations.

Over 84 percent of the UK population lives in urban areas, making water, food, and transport heavily reliant on electricity.^[13] Hospitals have generators, but coverage is patchy; smaller facilities could see life-threatening gaps in care.

Ultimately, the UK’s electricity dependence enables high living standards but also reveals how vital efficiency and preparedness are in maintaining them.

When Connectivity Creates Fragility

In digitally advanced countries where over 85 percent of the population is online, systems from banking to healthcare rely heavily on power. Even with backup generators, hospitals and other critical infrastructure can function only for a limited period.

In a world where nearly all systems hinge on power, efficiency is critical. Innovations in advanced electronic components enable devices to run longer, bridging the gap between dependence and resilience and helping societies withstand disruption if the grid goes dark.

Methodology

This study, commissioned by Mouser Electronics, analysed countries’ reliance on electricity for day-to-day operations.

The study examined the following key indicators:

Electricity use per person: higher use means greater reliance
Unbanked population: less dependence on digital financial systems
Internet penetration: higher usage increases vulnerability during outages
Urbanisation: a heavier reliance on power-dependent infrastructure
Hospital backup generators (desk research): fewer generators reduce resilience
Hospitals functioning without power (desk research): existing ability to operate without electricity
GDP per person: financial resources to adapt
Disaster risk: a higher risk may also mean greater preparedness
Share of renewable energy: more renewables boost resilience
Use of electric water pumps (desk research): increased dependency

The full data set is available upon request from MediaRelationsEMEA@mouser.com.

Sources

[1] https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/10/03/obsolete-electricity-grid-triggered-blackout-in-portugal-and-spain-experts-reveal; https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d92n28pqjo; https://abcnews.go.com/International/puerto-rico-plunged-darkness-island-wide-blackout-hits/story?id=120884304; https://havanatimes.org/features/more-than-half-of-cuba-without-power/
[2] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=PG
[3] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?locations=MZ
[4] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.USE.ELEC.KH.PC?locations=XM
[5] https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex
[6] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-urbanized-countries; https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/internet-users-by-country
[7] https://www.globalbioenergy.org/the-rise-of-renewable-energy-in-sg-what-you-need-to-know-in-2025/
[8] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/internet-users-by-country; https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=CZ
[9] https://www.euki.de/en/from-solar-roofs-to-shared-power-pioneering-community-energy-in-czechia/
[10] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/internet-users-by-country
[11] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.USE.ELEC.KH.PC
[12] https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex
[13] https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-urbanized-countries

Sustainable Heat Shrink Tubing for Harsh Environments

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 23:30:21 GMT

(Source: newlifestock/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Many engineers face a difficult choice between pursuing sustainable components in product design and operations or continuing with engineered plastics that have decades of proven mechanical and thermal reliability in harsh environments. In automotive, industrial, and information and communication technology (ICT) systems, components are at risk of fatigue and failure because they are exposed to thermal cycling, vibration, and long-term contact with chemicals, fluids, and dust.

Plastics derived from fossil fuels may have been the default choice for performance in extreme environments, but regulatory pressures and corporate sustainability initiatives are leading engineers to rethink procurement pathways. Bio-based materials are defined as polymers made from renewable feedstock like sugarcane, corn, or cellulose, and they offer an alternative for reducing carbon footprint. Their promise is driving demand and leading engineers to reevaluate the bill of materials (BOM) needed for sustainable sourcing. Already at $41 billion (USD) in 2023, the market for such products is predicted to grow at a rapid 25 percent rate to $396 billion (USD) by 2033.^[1]

For engineers, the choice is not as simple as swapping one material for another. To be considered reliable in harsh environments, bio-based materials must meet the same demanding specifications as fossil-based plastics. Some of these requirements include chemical resistance to perform under harsh and corrosive conditions, as well as dust, vibration, and other environmental challenges. Effective moisture sealing should block liquid ingress that could corrode or weaken wires and connectors, causing them to fail. High flame retardancy meets safety requirements in automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. Materials must also be resistant to thermal cycling, mechanical stress, and fatigue to survive repeated load and temperature changes. Additionally, products must comply with certifications such as UL 224 for electrical insulation, RoHS, REACH, UL94, and ELV, which validate performance and global environmental standards.

To help navigate this difficult choice, this blog explains how bio-based polymers can be engineered for durability and where they can effectively replace traditional plastics in harsh environments. It also explores BIOFUSE heat-shrink tubing and caps from TE Connectivity, showing how renewable polyolefins can match the performance of traditional plastics when carefully processed and rigorously tested.

Understanding Bio-Based Materials in Engineering

It’s important to point out that "bio-based" does not mean biodegradable. Many bio-based polymers, such as bio-based polyolefins, are chemically identical to their fossil fuel-based counterparts, polyethylene and polypropylene. Although their sourcing route might be different, bio-based materials can be engineered through various techniques to deliver precise property standards depending on the final application.

First, like all polymers, performance depends heavily on processing. Engineers can adjust crystallinity in bio-based polymers by fine-tuning cooling rates and processing pressures. Higher crystallinity packs the molecules more tightly, which strengthens the material and directly influences shrink recovery, tensile strength, and dimensional stability.

Another critical processing technique is electron-beam irradiation, which increases crosslinking of polymers. This step improves heat resistance and environmental sealing, which are necessary for environments that need superior insulation and ingress protection.

Beyond processing, formulation adjustments such as incorporating flame retardants or antioxidants can increase functionality by helping bio-based materials meet flame-retardancy and aging requirements.

These engineered properties are very important in heat shrink tubing, where shrink ratio, recovery, and sealing performance depend on precise material behavior to protect connections from heat, moisture, and chemical ingress. These same factors also ensure that components resist warping or degradation under temperature extremes, mechanical loads, and chemical exposure.

Heat Shrink Tubing & Caps

Two commonly used components in a variety of automotive and commercial transportation sectors are heat shrink tubing and caps. This widespread use is due to their ability to effectively illustrate the many stringent performance requirements placed on everyday equipment.

Heat shrink tubing and caps are a comprehensive insulation solution for wires, connectors, and other components. Made of thermoplastics, the tubing becomes pliable upon heating and solid with cooling. It’s heated to “shrink” and form a snug fit around the component it is protecting. Shrink ratios determine the degree of tubing contraction and compatibility with wires or connector equipment. The cap provides a physical barrier or closure between sets of components in complex engineering equipment. Since the cap operates in the same environment as the tubing, it must meet similar performance requirements. A key performance factor is high thermal endurance, so tubing shrinks predictably during installation and remains stable in long-term operation. These components also need to withstand rapid thermal cycling, mechanical stress and fatigue, fluid ingress and chemical exposure, and meet industry specifications for aging, vibration, and temperature extremes.

Bio-based heat shrink tubing and caps that meet this broad range of specifications are effective replacements for equivalent plastics. The BIOFUSE line of products from TE Connectivity demonstrates how renewable polyolefins can be engineered to meet these specifications in practice.

Sustainable Connectivity Solutions

BIOFUSE, TE Connectivity’s series of bio-based heat shrink tubes and caps, demonstrates that bio-based polyolefins, when properly processed, can perform in harsh environments (Figure 1). BIOFUSE applies irradiation-based crosslinking to bio-based polyolefins, improving their heat resistance and environmental sealing. Since the polymer is chemically equivalent to fossil-based versions, BIOFUSE can be introduced into existing designs as a drop-in replacement for ES2000, RBK-ILS, and ES-Cap without tooling changes, requalification, or added cost.

The product line includes two primary components: Bio Innovation Splice Sealing (BISS) and Bio Innovation Cap (BICAP). BISS operates across a temperature range of –40°C to +125°C, while BICAP is rated from –40°C to +105°C. Both maintain a 4:1 shrink ratio, and the material’s full recovery temperature is +135°C. These performance characteristics, which depend directly on controlled crystallinity and crosslinking, aim to prolong the life and performance of sealed products.

Figure 1: BIOFUSE BISS and BICAP heat shrink tubes and caps offer a bio-alternative way to deliver electrical insulation and optimal sealing capabilities. (Source: Mouser Electronics)

BIOFUSE has been tested under TE's 108 specifications, which evaluate sealing with hot-melt adhesive to prevent moisture ingress, mechanical strength, and strain relief under impact and vibration. These products feature flame retardancy, electrical insulation, resistance to automotive fluids, and long-term thermal aging at +125°C for 3,000 hours.

Certified to UL 224 and compliant with RoHS, REACH, and ELV directives, the BIOFUSE series is already being applied in splice sealing for automotive, ICT, and industrial systems. Furthermore, it supports environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and carbon footprint reporting in alignment with frameworks such as the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and ISO 14067, showing how even partial substitution of components like tubing and caps can contribute to sustainability targets.

The Path to Smart Sustainability

When considering lower-carbon-footprint materials, engineers must evaluate performance alongside sustainability. Manufacturing processes, end-of-life treatment, and compliance with standards are all factors to take into account. Bio-based polymers are a sustainable alternative since they share the same chemistry as conventional polyolefins without sacrificing performance.

In the quest for sustainability, TE’s BIOFUSE series of bio-based tubing and caps help engineers achieve the same reliability as fossil-based parts in automotive, ICT, and industrial systems. While these materials are not a universal replacement for every application, they can be a targeted substitution that works for technical specifications while being environmentally meaningful.

In meeting sustainability requirements, every contribution matters, and the pressure to lower the carbon footprint of all operations is significant. When engineers can meet demanding design requirements without retooling or compromising performance, they take a step toward sustainability without sacrifice reliability. Bio-based materials fulfill part of these complex calculations by virtue of their sourcing from reusable feedstock. In addition, their reliability and durability under harsh everyday operating conditions make them effective replacements for conventional plastics.

Author

Poornima Apte is an engineer turned writer with B2B specialties in robotics, AI, cybersecurity, smart technologies and digital transformation. Find her on Twitter @booksnfreshair.

Source

[1] https://www.sphericalinsights.com/reports/bio-based-materials-market

Using EC-AFM for Nanoscale Battery Testing

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 19:38:12 GMT

(Source: TechArtTrends/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Battery testing is vital for maintaining battery performance and stability throughout its usable life. Several diagnostic methods exist to characterize batteries, including both physical testing and theoretical modeling (such as physics-based models). As batteries become more advanced and have higher levels of charge, understanding the fundamental mechanisms that underpin safety and performance is more important than ever before.

Understanding these mechanisms often requires observing the battery materials at the atomic or nanoscale level, as small changes at those levels—multiplied many times over the entire battery—cause macroscale changes that affect battery performance and longevity. Probing the battery’s properties at the nanoscale is only possible through a select number of physical characterization instruments, one of which is electrochemical atomic force microscopy (EC-AFM).

What Is AFM?

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is an analytical characterization technique from the wider family of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) techniques. In AFM, a cantilever with a nanoscale pyramidal-shaped tip (known as a probe) is scanned above the sample and measures the features of a surface at a nanoscale resolution.

AFM instruments measure the force between the probe and surface to generate data about the surface topology and its properties—electrical, mechanical, or thermal. In AFM, the probe physically taps the surface of the material as the instrument performs a scan. When the tip is close to the surface of the material, intermolecular attractions between the tip and the surface cause the cantilever beam to move toward the surface and tap it. When the cantilever moves toward the surface, a laser beam deflects off it onto a position-sensitive photodiode (PSPD), which recognizes the positional change. A feedback loop generates a topographic map (and any specific properties if measuring for them) by piecing together the lateral and vertical measurements across the whole material.

What Is EC-AFM?

EC-AFM is a specialized form of AFM that provides a more detailed analysis of the morphological properties of battery materials and offers insights into the evolution of a battery’s mechanical, chemical, and physical properties during operation.

EC-AFM measurements are performed in a liquid electrolyte environment that contains a reference and a counter electrode. This environment simulates an electrochemical cell so potential battery materials can be better analyzed to represent real-world operations. The instrument is also placed in an argon-filled housing during the test to ensure that no moisture or oxygen affects the measurement.

While EC-AFM is a standalone AFM technique, unlike conventional AFM, it can also be operated in three different modes:

Ex situ: Characterizes the material and electrochemical properties of battery materials outside the electrochemical cell.
In situ: Analyzes battery materials in the cell but not when the battery is running, because it measures the properties of the electrodes before and after charging and discharging.
Operando: Images the material and provides electrochemical measurements during battery operation to provide direct, real-time insights into battery performance.

How EC-AFM Is Used to Test Batteries

In addition to deducing the general material (e.g., cracking potential) and electrical property information, EC-AFM can deduce various mechanistic properties to see how different battery operations and molecular-scale mechanisms are performing within the battery. These mechanisms include the formation of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) layers, the volumetric expansion and degradation of some anode materials, and the formation of dendrites.

EC-AFM in operando mode can analyze the properties of the cell itself and provide key information on the properties and mechanisms of the anode, cathode, and electrolyte:

Anode: Characterizing the SEI layer, detecting volume changes, characterizing dendrite formation, analyzing conductive phases, and analyzing the capability for a material to host and intercalate metal ions.
Cathode: Understanding surface degradation, ion diffusion, and CEI mechanisms, and detecting intermediate molecules with nanoscale resolution.
Electrolyte: Characterizing the electric double layer (EDL) for ionic liquid electrolytes and characterizing solid-solid interfaces in solid-state batteries.

Characterizing SEI and CEI

During the first cycle of a battery’s life, an SEI passivation layer forms on the anode. The formation of this layer is driven by the decomposition of different molecular species (both organic and inorganic) in the battery.

The SEI layer is seen as both good and bad in a battery. The formation of the layer causes an irreversible capacity loss in the cell. However, this layer is also critical for ensuring long-term cyclability, rate capability, and safety inside the cell. Understanding the SEI layer and controlling its properties at the anode–electrolyte boundary are key for maximizing the performance and long-term stability of a battery. EC-AFM has the resolution to probe the nanoscale and molecular characteristics of SEI layers to tailor the properties of the SEI and improve battery performance.

On the cathode, EC-AFM can also probe the properties of the CEI layer, as well as the properties of the cathode, which is important because the cathode tends to be the limiting electrode in many batteries. Many cathode materials can form a CEI layer at a high potential, where electrolyte components decompose and deposit on the cathode. Understanding the structure and properties of the CEI is vital for ensuring the high-voltage performance of cathode materials. Additionally, EC-AFM can be used to look at the morphological and dynamic evolution processes of the CEI layer to provide mechanistic insights into the formation of the layer.

Calculating Volume Change and Deformation in the Anode

Certain anode materials—such as metal alloy, silicon, and graphite—have a high specific capacity. Graphite is commonly used as an anode because it is stable even if other materials have higher capacities. This durability is because silicon and metal alloy anodes undergo volumetric expansion during operational use, which causes the anodes to crack and pulverize. This ultimately leads to irreversible capacity loss and lower coulombic efficiency, which significantly affects battery performance.

EC-AFM can visualize the structural and property changes of the anode during operation and provide a much more realistic representation of the electrochemical environments in real-world battery systems. It can also study interactions at the electrolyte–electrode interface during these volume changes. EC-AFM can look at the structural evolution of the anode, as well as what happens to the SEI layer under volumetric changes, to build a clear picture of the electrode expansion and capacity fading while cycling.

Studying Dendrite Formation

Dendrite formation affects a battery's safety, performance, and long-term durability. Dendrites result from non-uniform metal stripping and deposition during cycling—arising from discontinuous SEI layers—which reduces coulombic efficiency and the number of available metal ions. It can also cause internal shorting, thermal runaway, and cell fires.

Studying the interfacial process at the anode–electrolyte interface during plating and stripping is critical for understanding how dendrites form. These insights can help avoid dendrite formation in the future and ultimately improve battery performance. Still, dendrites tend to grow large and fast, making it difficult to analyze them. By controlling the current density, the nanoscale resolution of EC-AFM can be harnessed to reveal any nanoscale changes in dendrite formation. EC-AFM is particularly useful for characterizing the morphological and mechanical properties at the anode–electrolyte interface to provide information on the early growth stages of dendrites (such as the nucleation of metal ions) or for studying fine structures in the SEI and dendrites. Insights at this scale can help optimize the interface materials and prevent dendrite formation.

Conclusion

EC-AFM is an analytical characterization technique that offers a nanoscale resolution. By probing the surface, this technique can provide material, surface, and electrochemical insights into both battery materials and how they perform in an electrochemical cell. In addition to providing key property information, EC-AFM can provide insights into various fundamental battery mechanisms that govern how a battery performs and remains stable over long cycle periods. By imaging and deducing properties at such a small scale, EC-AFM can provide new analysis that is not easily available, improving the performance of the next-generation of advanced batteries.

Data Center Cooling Innovates to Meet Growing Energy Demands

Fri, 30 May 2025 23:10:47 GMT

Source: WIROT/stock.adobe.com

Data centers are becoming the beating heart of our digital lives, powering everything from artificial intelligence (AI) to high-performance computing (HPC). As these technologies advance, the energy demands on data centers skyrocket. With power densities rising beyond 100kW per rack, traditional cooling methods are being pushed to their limits. This blog explores how data center cooling is evolving to meet these challenges, ensuring efficiency and sustainability in the face of rising power densities.

The Growing Energy Demand

Data centers are becoming the backbone of our digital world, supporting everything from cloud computing to cryptocurrency mining. Soon, data centers and cryptocurrency are expected to consume approximately 536TWh of electricity, accounting for about 2 percent of global electricity generation.^[1]

This figure is projected to reach 1,000TWh by 2030,^[2] highlighting the urgent need for more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions.

Traditional vs. Advanced Cooling Methods

As data centers evolve to meet the increasing energy demands of AI and HPC, the methods used to cool these facilities are also advancing. Traditional air-cooling methods, while cost-effective and widely used, are struggling to keep up with the rising power densities. On the other hand, advanced cooling techniques like direct-to-chip (DTC) and immersion cooling are emerging as more efficient and sustainable alternatives. For each cooling technique currently being developed, there are unique differences in the technology that come with their own advantages and limitations.

Air Cooling

Air cooling has long been the go-to method for data centers due to its low upfront cost. However, as power densities increase, air cooling is becoming less effective and more energy-intensive. Enhancements like optimized fan positioning and airflow management have been implemented, but these measures are often insufficient for modern high-density data centers.

Liquid Cooling

Liquid cooling, particularly DTC cooling, is emerging as a superior alternative (Figure 1). DTC cooling involves circulating a liquid coolant directly over the processing hardware, efficiently removing heat. However, this method often leaves secondary components like networking and storage chips to be air-cooled.

Figure 1: Liquid cooling is a mature and effective solution, but it does create air cooling needs in data centers. (Source: Damian Sobczyk/stock.adobe.com; generated with AI)

Immersion Cooling

Immersion cooling takes liquid cooling a step further by submerging entire racks in thermally conductive dielectric fluids. This method can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve cooling efficiency. Single-phase immersion cooling uses a heat exchanger to cool the fluid, while two-phase immersion cooling employs a vapor and condensation system.

Cooling Solution Benefits

The landscape of data center cooling is rapidly changing, driven by the need for greater efficiency and sustainability. With power densities in ultra-high-density data centers soaring, traditional cooling methods are becoming inadequate. As such, data center cooling is trending towards methods like liquid cooling, as well as integrating renewable energy sources and developing innovative uses of waste heat. These trends are shaping the future of data center cooling, making it more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Sustainability and Efficiency

As the digital transformation accelerates, the need for sustainable energy solutions becomes more pressing. Some data centers are being built alongside renewable energy sources to offset their substantial energy demands. Additionally, immersion cooling can potentially reduce cooling energy consumption by up to 90 percent compared to traditional air cooling.^[3]

Waste Heat Repurposing

One of the significant advantages of liquid cooling, especially immersion cooling, is the ability to repurpose waste heat. This heat can be used for various applications, such as heating pools, schools, and shopping districts, or even converted back into electrical energy.

Data Center Cooling Tomorrow

The future of data center cooling lies in the integration of advanced technologies and innovative approaches. As AI and HPC technologies continue to evolve and demand more energy, here are some key trends to watch.

Hybrid Cooling Systems

The next few years will likely see a rise in hybrid cooling systems that combine air and liquid cooling. These systems offer a balance between cost and efficiency, making them suitable for both new installations and retrofits.

Advanced Monitoring and Analytics

To optimize cooling efficiency, data centers will increasingly rely on advanced monitoring and analytics. AI-driven cooling optimization systems can monitor and manage thousands of sensors and cooling units, ensuring that no single component overheats.

Industry Partnerships

Collaborations between data center operators and cooling technology companies are expected to drive innovation. Mergers and acquisitions in the cooling industry will facilitate the adoption of advanced cooling solutions, helping data centers keep pace with growing demands.

Conclusion

As data centers continue to expand and evolve to meet the computing needs of emerging AI applications, the need for effective and enduring cooling solutions becomes more critical. From traditional air cooling to advanced liquid cooling methods, the industry is exploring various approaches to meet rising energy demands. By embracing these innovations, data centers can achieve greater efficiency, sustainability, and performance.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read the full article, “AI & HPC: Evolving Data Center Cooling.”

This blog was generated with assistance from Copilot for Microsoft 365.

[1] https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/opinions/four-key-trends-disrupting-data-centers-in-2025/
[2] https://www.datacenterfrontier.com/cloud/article/55253151/8-trends-that-will-shape-the-data-center-industry-in-2025
[3] https://www.hpcwire.com/2024/02/01/the-genai-data-center-squeeze-is-here/

Bench Talk

Distributed Energy: The Future of Power Grids

Why Power Is Becoming Decentralized

New Technology Is Fueling the Momentum

Smarter, More Efficient Solar and Wind

Power Electronics Are Quietly Transforming the Grid

Energy Storage Gets Smarter

LFP Batteries for Greater Stability

Modular, Scalable Designs

AI‑Enhanced Battery Management

What This Means for Engineers—and Everyone Else

The Future Is Distributed

New Tech Tuesdays: Protecting EV Chargers with High-Voltage Pre-Charge Relays

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

Managing High-Voltage Scaling

Protecting Systems with a Pre-Charge Relay

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs®

Tuesday’s Takeaway

SMRs Are Gaining Ground in On-Site Data Center Power

“Bring Your Own Power” Isn’t Always What It Sounds Like

A Power Source That Matches the Constraints

The Challenge Is Not the Reactor

SMRs Are Taking Shape Now

Conclusion

Upfitting for a New Generation of Emergency Vehicles

From Standard Vehicle to Operational Platform

Changes in the Automotive Industry

Electrification and High-Voltage Considerations

Conclusion

Author

Quantum Computing Paves a Smarter Path to Resource Optimization

The Quantum Advantage in Resource Optimization

Improving Energy Grid Efficiency

Enhancing Demand Response and Battery Longevity

Forecasting Renewable Energy with Precision

Real-Time Grid Optimization

Increasing Energy Efficiency of Computing Operations

Reducing Environmental Impact of Data Processing

The Promise and the Challenge

Conclusion

Emerging Battery Testing Approaches: A New Era of Diagnostics

The Push for Safer, Smarter Batteries

Graphene Hall Sensors: Mapping Current with Precision

Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry

Physics-based Simulations’ Role in Battery Testing

Conclusion

New Tech Tuesdays: Solar-Powered Industrial Automation: Efficiency Off the Grid

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

From Grid Dependency to Solar Versatility

Designing for Tomorrow’s Demands

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs®

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Engineering Nature: Electronics Driving Seagrass Restoration

Ruggedised electronics and precision engineering accelerate ecological regeneration in the UK’s vulnerable coastal ecosystems

The Ecological Design Challenge

Iterative Development of the Harvester

The Electronic Anatomy of a Seagrass Harvester

Validation and Field Impact

Conclusion

Engineering the Invisible Smart Home with Ambient Computing

The Nervous System of Smart Environments

Always On, Always Ready

Making Tech Feel Natural

Processing at the Source

Getting Devices to Talk

Human-Centered Design

From Gadgets to Infrastructure

New Tech Tuesdays: Hybrid Power Modules Simplify High-Power Bus Conversion

New Tech Tuesdays

Join Mouser's Technical Content team for a weekly look at all things interesting, new, and noteworthy for design engineers.

Enhancing Telecom and Networking Power

Critical Conversion in Test and Industrial Systems

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs®

Thermal and Scalability Advantages

Hybrid Switched-Capacitor Topology

Tuesday’s Takeaway

Smarter Power and Cooling Strategies for Modern Data Centers

Rethinking Power Distribution with Open Rack V3

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®

The Newest Products for Your Newest Designs^®