The ODU-MAC® ZERO modular hybrid connector sets a new standard for form and function. ODU has been awarded the prestigious 2018 German Design Award for its ODU-MAC® ZERO connector. The prize, awarded by the German Design Council, an international foundation dedicated to promoting design and brand development, honors products and projects across industries that demonstrateRead More

The Smarter Cities initiative makes connectivity part of the transportation infrastructure. For car commuters, drive time is a period of lost productivity. For those who use mass transit, however, those hours can become part of the workday, enabling employees to flex their schedules, check into meetings from offsite, and communicate with colleagues. All they needRead More

Few things in the connector industry go back 60 years. The unique collaboration between Avnet and Amphenol is one of them. Radio. That’s where it all began for two of the connector industry’s leading players. Amphenol, an early manufacturer of radio components, was innovating within that industry when a parts distributor named Charles Avnet tookRead More

Smaller connector designs pushed by the cellphone world find a new home in portable and scaled-down gaming devices. Gaming Connectors Evolve For decades, young people have had their first exposure to connectors through gaming equipment. Although the vast array of electronics contained in these systems are hidden within the consoles and peripherals, perhaps no otherRead More

Consumers and businesses want to be able to repair the products they have invested in. Industry says no. If you are an engineer and your phone — or toaster, TV, or printer — is on the fritz, you’ve got two options: Tinker with it or toss it. But most people only have one option, andRead More

Proposed US tariffs leave solar industry in limbo. Solar power is now the fastest-growing source of energy in the world. The International Energy Agency reports that, in 2016, solar photovoltaics grew faster than any other fuel, with almost 165 gigawatts coming online globally. Furthermore, prices are dropping for solar-generated energy: In 2016, auction prices forRead More

The classic wheelchair is one of the most basic — and for many, most essential — machines ever invented. By adding wheels to a seat, inventors gave injured people mobility, which translates into freedom and quality of life. Things can always be improved, however. For centuries, improvements came in the form of design and materialsRead More

You don’t always need to seek out a specialty medical connector. Many products that weren’t specifically designed for the medical realm can perform admirably in medical applications, while meeting the needed standards, and keeping costs low. We take a look at ambidextrous products from LEMO and AVX to learn more about multi-use connectors. LEMO’s newRead More

The next few years will bring an increasing number of electric cars onto the roads. But not everyone can charge at home. The next few years will bring an increasing number of electric cars onto the roads. But not everyone can charge at home. How are connector companies helping to develop the charging infrastructure neededRead More

It’s not just cars. Driverless mass transit may be coming to a city near you. Driverless Mass Transit Driverless cars are no longer a future-tech fantasy. So get ready for what inevitably comes next: driverless everything else. Cities around the world will soon see driverless trains, buses, planes, shuttles, ferries, taxis, and other forms ofRead More

High-tech motor, charging, and sensor systems are making the new generation of e-bikes a viable part of the transportation picture. By Amy Goetzman, Connector Supplier bike At first, I didn’t see the point of an e-bike. Why would you want a motor to do the work for you? Getting exercise is half the point ofRead More

LED lighting, along with innovative cooling and irrigation systems, are inspiring the greatest agricultural transformation since the advent of the tractor. Chances are good that the tomato on your salad or the basil on your pizza didn’t grow outside under the sun. Instead, it may have come from an indoor growing facility, nurtured by theRead More