Much of the computing equipment world — and particularly data centers — dedicated to artificial intelligence workloads have a problem. They eat too much electrical energy, generate too much heat, and consume inordinate amounts of water. Communities that once welcomed the construction of a data center now question whether the local infrastructure can support theRead More

Heat pump technology has emerged as a powerful solution in the push toward energy efficiency for a wide variety of applications. Heat pumps can be utilized in residential and industrial HVAC systems, appliances such as clothes dryers and water heaters, and even electric vehicles. Unlike conventional heating systems that generate heat through combustion or resistance,Read More

Connectors play an outsized role in the performance and longevity of photovoltaic systems. Now, a new generation of photovoltaic systems have been developed to address the unique requirements of the solar industry. By Amphenol Industrial Operations Solar connectors provide the critical electrical and mechanical link between solar panels, inverters, and other components. Their reliability directlyRead More

Meet the Connector: MC4 Connectors MC4, a type of PV connector, allows adjacent solar panels to be easily connected by hand to create a string of panels, but require a tool to disconnect, ensuring that the panels don’t accidently disconnect when the cables are pulled. MC4 is a type of photovoltaic (PV) connector used primarily forRead More

Integrating renewable energy into HVAC systems redefines the landscape of building climate control. Engineers are leveraging renewable technologies alongside advanced heat pumps, smart controls, and hybrid system architectures to achieve greater efficiencies. By Jim Beneke, vice president for Tria Technologies, an Avnet brand Integrating renewable energy into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems redefinesRead More

Meet the Antenna: GNSS Antennas GNSS antennas receive signals containing positioning and timing data from satellite constellations. They are used in a wide variety of applications from smart transportation and navigation to surveying and infrastructure inspections. GNSS (global navigation satellite system) antennas receive signals from satellite systems: GPS in the United States, Galileo in theRead More

Critical infrastructure and factory automation are among the most common targets of cyberattacks. Building cybersecurity into these systems is as necessary as any performance or safety measures. Cyber-attacks have become an increasingly complex, sophisticated, and high stakes threat. Industrial cybersecurity is evolving to meet the challenges of protecting systems and assets, ensuring safety, and preventingRead More

New EN 18031-1 update impacts all wireless devices, ranging from smartphones to connected industrial equipment. Beginning August 1, 2025, manufacturers of all devices containing radio technologies must comply with new cybersecurity requirements under the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive (RED) 2014/53/EU. This Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 update mandates compliance with EN 18031-1, a harmonized standard that addressesRead More

One distributor looks back at the challenges the electronics industry weathered during the pandemic and finds solutions that apply to today’s tariff situation. The electronics industry faced considerable supply chain challenges during the pandemic. The lessons learned during that period of supply chain chaos taught components suppliers and distributors valuable lessons that are now becomingRead More

Meet the Sensor: Motion Sensors Motion sensors are integrated into electronic devices to detect movement within a specified area. Within a connected system, these sensors can activate an alert or initiate a task sequence in response to that motion. They are widely used in industrial equipment, smart lighting equipment, home or building controls, videogame equipment,Read More

Humanoid robots are a subset of general-purpose robots that include large and small robotic arms that have become an essential enabler of factory automation. The development of humanoids that utilize artificial intelligence is now in the process of blurring the line between man and machine. People have been fascinated for hundreds of years with theRead More

From autonomous robots tasked with moving products throughout warehouses to automated transportation systems that handle last-mile delivery, robots are on the move in logistics systems. By Heilind Electronics The world of warehouse transportation is rapidly changing with the introduction of robotic transportation technologies. From autonomous robots tasked with moving products throughout warehouses to automated transportationRead More