Global engineering community invited to develop solutions that enhance wellbeing, safety and quality of life

Leeds, United Kingdom – element14, an Avnet community, has launched a new smart home and healthcare design challenge inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to design and build innovative prototypes focused on improving everyday living environments and personal wellbeing.

The challenge encourages participants to create a prototype smart home or healthcare system designed to support a happier, healthier person or household. Projects may address physical or mental health needs or introduce intelligent solutions that simplify daily life at home.

Five selected challengers will each receive a free kit of components to support the design and build of their prototype. Participants will document their build process through blog posts and share their final outcomes on the element14 Community platform. Submissions will be evaluated based on creativity, technical execution and innovative use of the provided components.

“Smart home and healthcare technologies have the potential to transform how we live and care for one another,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge encourages our global community to apply their creativity and engineering expertise to develop practical solutions that improve wellbeing, independence and quality of life.”

Examples of smart home and healthcare project concepts include, but are not limited to, open-source health monitoring systems, athletic performance tracking tools, safety and wellbeing solutions for elderly individuals, automated medication management devices, therapeutic platforms supporting mental health, and interactive monitoring or support tools for children.

The first-place winner will receive a prize bundle, that includes a Google Pixel Watch and Philips Hue Outdoor Camera. The second-place winner will receive a Google Pixel Watch and a blood pressure monitor, and the third-place winner will receive a blood pressure monitor. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will also receive an oximeter finger clip.

Applications are open now through 16 August. Selected participants will have until 18 October to complete and submit their projects.

For more information and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/smart-home-healthcare-challenge.

Newark has announced a new global partnership with Hailo, a pioneering edge artificial intelligence (AI) chipmaker, to expand access to high-performance AI solutions for customers worldwide.

Through the collaboration, Newark will offer Hailo’s AI products via their global distribution network, e-commerce platforms, and engineering community, enabling engineers, developers, and enterprises to integrate advanced edge AI capabilities into their edge designs more efficiently and at scale.

“Partnering with Hailo further strengthens Newark’s commitment to delivering leading-edge technologies that help our customers accelerate innovation,” said Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components & SBC at Newark. “Hailo’s high-performance AI solutions bring powerful edge AI capabilities to a wide range of applications, and we are excited to make these technologies more accessible to customers globally.”

Hailo’s AI processors deliver data centre-class performance for edge devices with exceptional power efficiency. The partnership will support customers in developing next-generation AI applications across industries, including physical AI, smart cities, industrial automation, logistics, automotive, and intelligent retail — helping meet the growing demand for intelligent, connected, and sustainable solutions.

“We’re excited to join forces with Newark to bring our advanced edge AI solutions to more customers globally,” said Jan-Friso Blacquiere, VP Sales EMEA, Hailo Technologies. “With Newark’s strong global presence and online channels, this partnership will empower innovators to realise new levels of AI performance at the edge.”

Customers will have access to Hailo’s AI accelerators, modules, and development kits, supported by design resources, technical expertise, and reliable supply chain services. The collaboration reflects Newark’s ongoing commitment to supporting engineers and businesses with innovative technologies that accelerate product development and time-to-market.

Hailo AI solutions are now available at Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Global engineering community launches initiative enabling members to review products of their choice

element14, an Avnet community, has launched a new initiative within its RoadTest program, inviting engineers to apply to test and review a product of their choosing.

The initiative allows participants to request any product priced at $175 or less from Newark, Farnell or element14 online stores. Ten selected applicants will receive their chosen product at no cost and keep it in exchange for publishing a review.

Applicants are required to submit a proposal outlining the product they would like to review, why they selected it and the test plan they intend to follow. Submissions should also include a brief overview of the applicant’s background, experience level and familiarity with relevant technologies such as embedded systems, microcontrollers, programming or prototyping.

Applications demonstrating clear alignment between the proposed review and the applicant’s experience, along with creativity and technical depth, will have a greater chance of selection.

Engineers may choose to review a wide range of products, including single-board computers, development and motor control kits, wireless or optical systems and bench equipment such as power supplies, oscilloscopes and soldering stations.

Reviews can take many forms, including evaluating the out-of-the-box experience, benchmarking performance against specifications, conducting cybersecurity testing or assessing durability under demanding conditions.

The enrollment deadline is 30 August. Registration to join the element14 Community is free and required to participate.

In addition, the element14 Community has launched a “Show and Tell” competition to highlight innovative electronics projects. Participants can submit blog posts featuring projects they have created independently, professionally or as part of academic work, supported by photos, videos, diagrams and code. The top 25 submissions will each receive an Arduino Uno Q.

For more information on the RoadTest, visit RoadTest program page. For details on the Show and Tell competition, visit Show and Tell competition page.

Newark has concluded the second season of its award-winning Top Tech Voices podcast series, bringing together leading experts and thought leaders to explore how innovation can improve lives, protect what matters and help solve real human challenges.

Across six episodes, the series examined topics ranging from mental health and sustainability to neurotechnology, human enhancement and the future of urban living. Hosted by Georgia Lewis-Anderson, the season featured conversations with renowned experts:

• Mental Health & Technology: Navigating the Digital Mind – Dr Jack Lewis
• Sustainable Tech: Innovations for a Greener Planet – Fionn Ferreira
• Neurotechnology and Brain Interfaces – Professor Anil Seth
• Biohacking & Human Enhancement: Redefining Our Limits – Dr Julia Jones
• Work–Tech–Life Balance – Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff
• Smart Cities and Urban Tech: Designing the Future Metropolis – Professor Carlo Ratti

The series has attracted more than 3.6 million views across YouTube and Bilibili and generated over 83,500 hours of watch time, demonstrating strong global interest in discussions focused on the human impact of emerging technologies.

Through conversations spanning neuroscience, sustainability, health technology and urban innovation, the series highlighted how technology can be applied responsibly and purposefully to address real-world challenges and improve everyday lives.

"What made this season special was the diversity of perspectives. We brought together experts from neuroscience, sustainability, health, behavioral science and urban innovation, but a common theme emerged throughout every conversation: technology is most powerful when it helps people thrive. The response from audiences around the world shows that there is growing interest in understanding not just what technology can do, but how it can be applied responsibly and meaningfully in our everyday lives," said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark.

To further engage audiences, Newark will soon launch an interactive Top Tech Voices quiz on the element14 Community platform to test knowledge of season two's topics and expert insights. Participants will also have the chance to compete for prizes while revisiting key discussions from the series.

Building on the success of its first two seasons, Top Tech Voices continues to provide a platform for expert perspectives on the technologies, ideas and innovations shaping the future, while creating new opportunities for audiences to engage with the conversations beyond the podcast itself.

Watch all episodes from season two, via Newark's YouTube channel or Spotify.

For more information, visit https://www.newark.com/top-tech-voices.

Newark's Top Tech Voices podcast continues its season with two new episodes featuring neuroscientist and founder Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff and architect and MIT Professor Carlo Ratti.

In episode five, Dr Anne-Laure Le Cunff explores the role of curiosity as a practical tool for navigating uncertainty in modern work and life.

Drawing on neuroscience and her work with global knowledge workers, she challenges traditional ideas of success built on linear planning and control. Instead, she advocates for an experimental mindset — treating decisions as small, testable hypotheses rather than fixed commitments.

Central to the discussion is the concept of "tiny experiments": simple, repeatable actions that allow individuals to test ideas, gather feedback and iterate over time. Rather than relying on willpower or large-scale change, this approach focuses on building sustainable habits through continuous learning.

Dr Anne-Laure highlights the importance of paying attention not just to external results, but also to internal signals such as energy, motivation and emotional response. She also emphasizes the role of workplace culture, arguing that environments that encourage curiosity, openness and experimentation make it easier for individuals to adapt and thrive.

The episode also explores the role of AI as a thinking partner — a tool that can help surface patterns and insights, rather than replace human judgment.

Episode six turns to the future of cities, with Professor Carlo Ratti exploring how data, sensing technologies and design can create more responsive and human-centered urban environments.

Drawing on global projects and research, Ratti examines how cities can adapt to challenges such as climate change, population growth and shifting patterns of movement. From flood mitigation in Venice to the use of real-time data in urban planning, the conversation highlights how "cyber-physical" systems can respond dynamically to local conditions.

A key theme is the role of data in shaping decision-making. Ratti argues that cities can use real-time insights to identify where interventions are most needed, from green space to infrastructure. However, he emphasizes that this must be balanced with strong principles around privacy and trust — including anonymization and transparency about how data is collected and used.

The episode also explores how technology can both support and disrupt public life. While digital tools offer new ways to understand and manage cities, they can also reduce spontaneous interaction and community connection. As a result, Ratti argues that public space must be intentionally designed and protected as a cornerstone of urban life.

“What stands out in these conversations is how progress often comes from small, thoughtful changes — whether that’s experimenting with how we work or rethinking how cities respond to real-world conditions,” said Rebeca Obregon, President of Farnell Global. “Technology plays a role in both, but its value comes from how it is applied in context — supporting better decisions, better environments and ultimately better outcomes for people.”

All episodes of Top Tech Voices are now available to stream. Listeners can watch and subscribe via Newark's YouTube channel or Spotify.

For more information, visit https://www.newark.com/top-tech-voices.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched a new smart transport design challenge inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to design and build innovative prototypes focused on the future of electric and intelligent vehicles.

The challenge encourages participants to create a prototype smart electric vehicle or an intelligent system designed for next‑generation transportation, tackling real‑world challenges such as obstacle avoidance, battery optimization, vehicle safety and system efficiency.

Five selected challengers will receive a free kit of components to support the design and build of their prototype or test rig. Participants must document their build process through blog posts and share their final outcomes. Submissions will be evaluated based on creativity, technical execution and innovative use of the components provided.

“Smart transportation is evolving quickly, and hands-on experimentation plays a critical role in turning ideas into practical solutions,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge empowers community members to explore emerging vehicle technologies while sharing knowledge and inspiring innovation across the engineering community.”

Example smart transport project concepts include, but are not limited to:

• Prototype electric vehicles
• Automated or auto-charging EV parking systems
• Battery management and diagnostic systems
• Speed monitoring solutions
• EV safety and redundancy systems
• Traffic management solutions
• Sensor and perception systems
• Navigation and obstacle avoidance systems

Applicants are encouraged to review the example application available on the challenge page to assist with the submission process.

The first-place winner will receive a smart electric scooter, a smart LED bike helmet and a bionic dog robot. Second place will receive a bionic dog robot, and third place will be awarded an off-road unmanned ground vehicle robot. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will also receive a 400A AC/DC Clamp Meter.

Applications are open now through 7 June. Selected participants will have until 16 August to complete and submit their projects.

For more information and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/ez-ev

Newark has announced the immediate availability of the newly launched PIC32CM PL10 microcontrollers (MCUs) from Microchip Technology. As the latest addition to Microchip’s PIC32C family of Arm® Cortex®-M0+ core devices, the PL10 family is engineered to meet the growing demand for versatile, low-power MCUs capable of handling modern embedded tasks.

The PIC32CM PL10 MCUs deliver the performance of a 32-bit architecture while preserving the low power consumption, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness that developers of 8-bit systems rely on. With pin-to-pin compatibility, these devices provide engineers with a straightforward migration path to upgrade performance without the need for complex, costly board redesigns. They are ideally suited for high-volume applications, including industrial control, building automation, consumer appliances, power tools, and sensor-based systems.

Key Features and Design Benefits:

• 5V Operation with Multi-Voltage I/O (MVIO): Operating from 1.8V to 5.5V, the PL10 features integrated MVIO, allowing simultaneous connection to devices operating at different voltage levels. This eliminates the need for external level-shifters in mixed-voltage systems, significantly reducing Bill of Materials (BOM) costs, saving board space, and simplifying designs in high-noise environments like industrial automation and IoT.

• Core Independent Peripherals (CIPs) with Advanced Touch: Equipped with rich hardware peripherals, a Peripheral Touch Controller (PTC), and a 12-bit ADC, the PL10 executes time-critical, repetitive tasks autonomously. By offloading deterministic tasks from the CPU, the PL10 improves real-time performance, lowers power consumption, and frees up processing headroom—critical for responsive touch interfaces and precise analogue measurements.

• AI-Assisted Development & Broad Toolchain Support: The PL10 is supported by the MPLAB® AI Coding Assistant, providing context-aware code generation and real-time product insights. The devices boast broad third-party tool compatibility, including Microsoft VS Code, IAR Systems, Arm Keil, SEGGER, Zephyr, and MikroElektronika.

“Newark is proud to offer the PIC32CM PL10 MCUs as part of our expanding Microchip portfolio, giving engineers immediate access to these cutting-edge devices with full technical support,” said Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components & SBC at Newark. “The PL10's pin-to-pin compatibility and broad IDE support make it an ideal choice for designers looking to upgrade to 32-bit performance without redesigning their existing workflow.”

“The PL10 family represents our unified MCU strategy, offering AVR pin compatibility, robust safety compliance, and AI-driven development tools to meet evolving market demands,” said Greg Robinson, Corporate Vice President of Microchip's MCU, WSG, and DevTools Business Units.

He further added, “Microchip is preparing to introduce a range of new microcontrollers over the next 12 to 18 months, spanning from entry-level to AI-capable devices, reinforcing our commitment to a comprehensive MCU portfolio.”

The Microchip PIC32CM PL10 microcontrollers are now available from stock for fast, global delivery from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Newark's Top Tech Voices podcast continues its second season with two new episodes exploring how neuroscience, AI and health technology are reshaping the way people think, behave and live.

The latest conversations feature renowned neuroscientist and Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience Anil Seth, and Dr Julia Jones, a neuroscientist, former Olympic psychologist and founder of health‑tech start‑up Validity. Both offer a human-first perspective on the future of innovation.

In episode three, Neuro-tech and Brain Interfaces, Professor Anil Seth explores one of the most profound scientific questions of our time: how the brain creates conscious experience.

Seth describes perception as a “controlled hallucination”, where the brain actively constructs reality by combining predictions with sensory input — challenging the idea of a single, objective experience of the world and explaining why individuals can perceive the same reality in different ways.

The episode also examines the rapid development of brain–computer interfaces (BCIs), which are already transforming treatment for conditions such as epilepsy and paralysis. While acknowledging their potential, Seth raises important ethical questions — particularly around accuracy, misuse and the emerging need to protect “privacy of thought” as neural data becomes more accessible.

Reflecting on artificial intelligence, Seth cautions against designing systems to replicate or replace human thinking. Instead, he advocates for technologies that complement human intelligence, warning that over-standardization risks creating a “mental monoculture” that diminishes diversity of thought.

The conversation concludes with a call to engineers and technologists to rethink the brain not as a digital machine but as a dynamic, energy-efficient biological system—a shift that could inspire more sustainable, human-centered innovation.

Episode four, Biohacking and Human Enhancement, turns to the future of preventative health, with Dr Julia Jones offers a grounded perspective on how technology can support long-term wellbeing.

Drawing on more than three decades of research, Jones challenges the growing trend of "extreme optimization" often associated with biohacking. Instead, she advocates for a more sustainable approach focused on extending health span — the number of years people live in good health — rather than simply increasing lifespan.

The episode highlights how behavior change is rooted in neuroscience. Jones explains that forming lasting habits requires consistent repetition over time to physically rewire neural pathways — helping explain why many traditional health interventions fail to deliver lasting results.

She also examines the role of music as a biological tool, drawing on research from elite sport and military environments to demonstrate how sound can regulate mood, enhance performance and support nervous system function — with growing applications in areas such as dementia care. A central theme of the discussion is compassion. Jones argues that modern environments are often misaligned with human biology and that shifting from blame to understanding can significantly improve health outcomes.

Looking ahead, she outlines a vision for health technology that combines data with human connection — using AI to support coaches, personalize interventions and scale engagement, while preserving the accountability and empathy that drive real behavioral change.

"As technology becomes more embedded in how we think, work and live, innovation must remain grounded in human needs," said Rebeca Obregon, President of Farnell Global. "These conversations highlight an important shift — from building technology for efficiency alone, to designing systems that support how people actually think, behave and stay healthy. Whether it's AI or health technology, the opportunity lies in using innovation to enhance human potential."

The latest episodes of Top Tech Voices are now available to stream, continuing the series' focus on human-centered innovation across AI, health and emerging technologies.

Further episodes will be released in the coming weeks. Listeners can subscribe for updates via Newark's YouTube channel or Spotify.

For more information, visit https://www.newark.com/top-tech-voices.

Newark has signed a worldwide distribution agreement with Same Sky, a manufacturer specializing in an ever-expanding range of product technologies including interconnect, audio, thermal management, motion and control, relay, sensor, and switch solutions.

This partnership expands the global availability of Same Sky’s portfolio, ensuring our customers have immediate access to high-performance component technologies. By integrating Same Sky’s technical depth into Newark’s global infrastructure, the collaboration supports high-stakes design challenges in several key sectors:

• Thermal Management for EV Charging: High-efficiency cooling solutions essential for rapid-charging infrastructure

• Audio for Electric Mobility: Reliable audio systems engineered for the unique acoustic demands of electric two- and three-wheelers

• Motion Control in Robotics: High-precision AMT encoders designed for seamless integration into drone payload systems

• Power Efficiency in HVAC: High-reliability power relays optimized for energy-efficient climate control architectures

Gareth James, Product Category Director, Interconnect & Electromechanical at Newark stated, "By adding their solutions to our global stock, we are ensuring our customers have the high-performance components necessary to innovate within a wide range of markets, including EV, factory automation, robotics, HVAC, medical, and more.”

This partnership with Newark strengthens Same Sky’s commitment to expanding regional distribution, inventory availability, and local support for customers across Europe, Asia, and the Americas,” said Dave Carroll, Vice President of Product Management at Same Sky. “By working closely with one of the industry’s leading high-service distributors, we’re improving access to Same Sky solutions and helping engineers move from design-in to production with greater speed and confidence.”

Customers can now browse and purchase Same Sky’s portfolio via Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in Asia-Pacific.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched INSPIRE HER FUTURE, a global celebration recognizing women driving progress across science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Women are building, testing, teaching and advancing technology worldwide, yet many of their contributions go unrecognized. INSPIRE HER FUTURE aims to highlight their work, encourage more women to share their experiences and create a global collection of stories that reflect the diversity of the STEM community.

“Women are shaping the future of engineering and technology every day, often without visibility or recognition,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “By sharing these stories, we’re creating representation, building connection and helping ensure the next generation sees a place for themselves in STEM.”

The initiative invites women at all stages of their careers, including students, early‑career engineers, makers, educators and experienced professionals, to share their journeys. Submissions may include career paths, projects, challenges, lessons learned and advice for those entering the field.

The celebration centers women’s voices and is open to everyone through nominations and ally participation. Community members, colleagues, mentors and allies are encouraged to nominate women who inspire them through leadership, creativity, curiosity or impact. With permission, selected nominees may be featured or invited to participate.

Selected submissions will be recognized across the Student, Early Career and Professional/Educator categories, with standout contributions featured on the element14 Community and awarded prizes. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of community judges based on quality, insight and impact. Terms and conditions apply.

To submit a story or nominate someone who inspires you, visit https://community.element14.com/p/inspire-her-future.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched its latest design competition, inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to develop smart industry projects focused on production monitoring, uptime optimization and product testing.

Selected participants will design and build a prototype or test rig using a kit of components from leading suppliers. Entries will be judged on creativity and the imaginative use of component features.

The challenge centers on adding intelligence to production environments. Example project concepts include miniature production line demonstrations, open‑source conveyor systems, inventory management tools, production line monitoring, predictive maintenance, RFID tracking and quality control solutions.

“To us, smart industry is about applying creativity and practical engineering to real‑world manufacturing challenges,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “This challenge gives our members the opportunity to explore industrial innovation while sharing their ideas and learning from one another.”

To be eligible for prizes, participants must document their build process and publish a final project blog on the element14 Community, clearly highlighting the sponsor components used.

The first-place winner will receive an Multicomp Pro MP720013 Oscilloscope. Second place will receive a Multicomp Pro MP750511 Waveform Generator, and third place will receive a Multicomp Pro MP3055 Bench Digital Multimeter. All participants who successfully complete the challenge will also receive a Multicomp Pro AC/DC Voltage Clamp Meter.

Applications are open now through 12 April and participants will have until 21 June to complete and submit their projects.

For more information and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/on-the-line.

Newark's award-winning podcast series Top Tech Voices continues its second season with two thought-provoking episodes examining how technology influences both human wellbeing and planetary sustainability.

The opening conversations bring together neuroscientist Dr. Jack Lewis and environmental innovator Fionn Ferreira — two voices approaching technology from very different, yet equally human, perspectives.

In episode one, Mental Health & Technology: Navigating the Digital Mind, Dr Jack Lewis explores how digital tools are reshaping cognitive health.

Rather than framing technology as inherently positive or negative, Lewis presents a more nuanced view: technology's impact depends on how we use it. While digital tools increase efficiency and expand access to information, excessive screen time can displace the very behaviors that support long-term brain health — including movement, deep focus and face-to-face connection.

Drawing on neuroscience research, Lewis explains how exercise supports memory and resilience by releasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and how uninterrupted social interaction strengthens neural pathways linked to empathy and understanding. His message is not about rejecting devices, but about using them deliberately.

The episode encourages professionals and organizations alike to consider how digital environments can be designed and managed to support wellbeing rather than undermine it.

Episode two shifts focus to environmental technology, featuring award-winning inventor Fionn Ferreira.

Raised in West Cork, Ireland, Ferreira began investigating microplastic pollution as a youngster after observing contamination along his local shoreline. With limited laboratory access, he built his own scientific equipment — including a spectrometer constructed from a Raspberry Pi, webcam and Lego — to analyze water samples.

His research led to the development of a magnetic method to remove microplastics using specially engineered ferrofluids. The innovation gained international attention and support, including backing connected to initiatives highlighted at the World Economic Forum.

In the conversation, Ferreira discusses the realities of scaling environmental innovation, from laboratory prototype to industrial application. He emphasizes that invention is rarely a solo pursuit; meaningful progress requires collaboration, storytelling and persistence.

"Top Tech Voices is about bringing credible, expert perspectives into the conversation around technology," said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark. “These episodes reflect the breadth of innovation shaping our world — from understanding how digital habits affect our brains to developing practical solutions for global environmental challenges. Technology has extraordinary potential, and through this series, we're exploring how it can be harnessed responsibly to deliver meaningful impact.”

Together, the first two episodes demonstrate the range of discussions shaping season two of Top Tech Voices. From cognitive resilience in a digital age to scalable environmental innovation, the series continues to explore how technology can address real-world challenges when guided by insight and intention.

Both episodes are now available to stream with new episodes releasing in the coming weeks.

Listeners can watch and subscribe via Newark’s YouTube channel.

For more information, visit https://www.newark.com/top-tech-voices.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with ADI, has launched a new design challenge inviting engineers and makers to develop advanced security and surveillance prototypes.

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype or test rig utilizing ADI’s MAX32630FTHR, a versatile development platform, and Würth Elektronik’s SMD LEDs with an integrated WL-ICLED controller. The challenge encourages creative applications of these components to deliver innovative security features.

Selected challengers will receive a free kit of components, with ADI’s MAX32630FTHR as the core element, to assist in building their prototypes. Each participant will document the build process and final outcome through blogs on the element14 Community platform.

Examples of potential applications include facial recognition door entry systems, voice and face detection, environmental monitoring, crowd sentiment analysis, break-in detection and remote security sentry solutions.

“Through this challenge, we’re inviting our global community to showcase creativity and problem-solving in the field of security and surveillance,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community. “It’s an opportunity for participants to learn, share ideas, and demonstrate how innovative thinking can address real-world safety challenges.”

“We’re excited to collaborate with the element14 Community on a challenge that inspires creativity and problem-solving,” said Stephane Di Vito, ADI Distinguished Engineer, Product Security. “This initiative brings together passionate designers and engineers to explore new ideas and develop solutions that can make security smarter and more effective.”

Prizes will be awarded for the most outstanding projects. The first-place winner will receive a 13-piece SimpliSafe Home Security System and a Multicomp Pro Hot Air Rework Station. The second-place winner will receive the same SimpliSafe system plus a multi screwdriver set, while the third-place winner will receive the SimpliSafe system. All participants who complete the challenge will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

For more information and to register, visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/smart-security-and-surveillance/.

Newark has announced the availability of a new range of NI PXI hardware from Emerson, designed to lower the cost barrier for high-performance automated testing.

This expansion provides engineers with an affordable entry point to the industry-standard PXI platform while maintaining the precision, synchronization and robust software integration that are hallmarks of NI technology

"Our partnership with Newark continues to be a cornerstone of Emerson’s mission to deliver scalable, high-performance test solutions to engineering teams worldwide," said Brandon Treece, Director of NI PXI Product Marketing at Emerson. "With the launch of our new, affordable NI PXI hardware, we’re making it easier than ever to build adaptable, cost-effective automated test systems—delivering software-driven flexibility, measurement precision, and system scalability to drive innovation forward."

The new hardware suite, optimized for use with LabVIEW, InstrumentStudio, and TestStand, includes:

• NI PXIe-5108 Oscilloscopes: 4- and 8-channel options with 100 MHz bandwidth and 14-bit resolution for high-density measurements.

• NI PXIe-1081 Hybrid Chassis: cost-effective 18-slot chassis optimized for high-channel-count, low-throughput applications.

• NI PXIe-8842 / 8862 Controllers: simplified embedded controllers supporting Windows 11 and NI Linux Real-Time for flexible system integration.

• NI PXIe-6381 / 6383 DAQ Modules: first 18-bit PXI Express multifunction I/O devices, offering precise, low-noise voltage measurements.

Anthony Coletto, Vice President, Supplier Management at Newark said: “These new NI PXI modules remove the trade-off between power and price. By lowering the cost of entry, we are helping more engineers deploy the industry’s most trusted synchronization and software tools for their automated test systems.”

The new NI PXI hardware range is available to order from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Newark, a global distributor of electronic components, products and solutions, has announced the return of its award-winning podcast series, Top Tech Voices, with the launch of season two.

Following the success of its previous season, Top Tech Voices returns with a renewed focus on how technology serves people — highlighting innovation that improves lives, protects what matters, and addresses real human challenges. The new season brings together leading thinkers, technologists and industry experts for in-depth conversations on the ideas shaping our future.

Episode one, Mental Health & Technology: Navigating the Digital Mind, has been released today and explores the intersection between neuroscience, wellbeing and the digital world. The episode features neuroscientist, author and broadcaster Dr Jack Lewis, who examines how technology can both support and challenge mental health, and what individuals and organizations can do to optimize cognitive performance in an increasingly connected world.

Georgia Lewis-Anderson will once again host the series, guiding discussions across six episodes that cover topics including biohacking and human enhancement, smart cities, work–tech–life balance, sustainable technology, and neuroscience.

“When we launched Top Tech Voices, our goal was to create meaningful conversations that went beyond products and specifications,” said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark. “Season two builds on that success by exploring how technology can enable people, communities and better outcomes — because innovation matters most when it has a positive human impact.”

Top Tech Voices has been recognized for its thoughtful, insight-led approach to technology storytelling, providing a platform for credible expert voices and balanced discussion. The second season continues this editorial approach, prioritizing real-world insight over promotion and positioning technology as an enabler rather than the headline.

To mark the launch of season two, Newark has also released an introductory video message from Rebeca Obregon, setting the tone for the conversations ahead.

New episodes of Top Tech Voices: Season Two will be released every few weeks. Audiences can follow Newark on social media and subscribe to its YouTube channel to stay up to date and access new episodes as they launch.

For more information, visit https://www.newark.com/top-tech-voices.

Newark has announced a new global distribution partnership with Fulham, expanding access to advanced LED drivers, emergency lighting and intelligent control solutions for customers across North America. The agreement strengthens Newark’s lighting portfolio in the region, supporting engineers and buyers across commercial, industrial and architectural lighting applications.

Fulham brings more than 30 years of expertise in LED drivers, modules, emergency lighting and intelligent control systems. Headquartered in the United States, the company operates globally, with manufacturing in India, supply channels in India and China, and a strong presence across Europe. Its portfolio includes indoor and outdoor LED drivers, emergency lighting systems, UV ballasts, and smart control technologies, all designed to meet key international standards, including CE, ENEC, DALI-2, and UL.

Through this partnership, Newark will distribute Fulham’s lighting solutions globally, improving availability and access to future-ready technologies for engineers and buyers worldwide.

The agreement includes Fulham’s core lighting portfolio, including emergency lighting systems, indoor LED drivers, and constant-voltage driver platforms, with key ranges including the HotSpot® Series, WorkHorse® DALI-2 constant-current drivers, and the ThoroLED® Series for architectural lighting, signage, and LED strip applications.

Customer benefits include:

• Broader access to certified, future-ready lighting technologies.

• Global availability through Newark’s established distribution network.

• Support for a wide range of lighting applications and form factors.

• Access to Fulham’s deep technical expertise and proven product platforms.

Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components & SBC, Newark, said: “Newark has a strong commitment to adding value for our customers, and this partnership expands both choice and access to innovative lighting technologies. By working with Fulham, we are enabling customers worldwide to source advanced LED drivers, emergency lighting and control solutions through a trusted global distribution partner.”

Antony Corrie, CEO, Fulham, added: “Fulham is extremely excited to embark on this new relationship with Newark. This partnership brings together shared values, strong heritage and a commitment to global innovation. Newark will be selling Fulham’s LED drivers, emergency battery backup solutions, exit signs and UV-C power systems across their global customer base.”

Fulham products are available to purchase via Newark’s online store, with the full range and dedicated brand pages rolling out globally.

Photo left to right: Albert Andreev, Commercial Manager Europe Fulham, Mike Fawkes, Director and Investor Fulham, Antony Corrie, CEO Fulham, Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components & SBC Newark, and Steve Hallgate, Global Product Segment Lead Power Newark.

element14 Community has launched its annual holiday competition, inviting members to create electronics projects inspired by the holidays and what they mean to them. Participants can compete for prizes by submitting a write-up detailing how they built their project and demonstrating how it works.

This holiday season, element14 Community is highlighting its curated winter wishlists for engineers and students. The STEM-inspired gift guide includes practical tools, kits and resources to support learning and hands-on projects.

Examples from last year’s competition include an electronic elf, an interactive mini Zen garden and a musical, motion-activated wreath.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “To us, the holidays are about creativity and connection. This competition gives our members the chance to share what the season means to them while showcasing their engineering skills in fun and innovative ways.”

To enter, participants must submit their project write-up on the element14 Community by 11 January 2026. Projects can be gifts, decorations or party accessories, as long as they include electronic components and reflect what the holidays mean to them.

For more information on how to participate and to see inspiration from past entries, visit the holiday competition page.

To explore holiday wishlists, visit https://community.element14.com/members-area/holidays/.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with Molex, has launched a new design challenge inviting engineers, makers and technology enthusiasts to experiment with single pair Ethernet (SPE) and explore its potential benefits for industrial automation.

SPE is an evolution of traditional Ethernet that uses only two wires for data transmission instead of eight, enabling higher speeds, smaller and lighter cables, and reduced installation costs, which are especially valuable in industrial applications.

Participants in the challenge will receive a kit of SPE components, with four selected applicants receiving a Molex SPE Kit free of charge. Contestants must document their experiments or projects in blog posts on the element14 Community, incorporating the kit in their final project or summary. Innovative use of Molex SPE connectors and cables will be a key factor in determining the winners eligible for prizes.

“Molex is excited to collaborate with the talented engineers of the element14 Community on this Single Pair Ethernet design challenge,” said Jennifer Paukert, VP of Global Distribution, Molex. “Advancements in SPE technology offer significant advantages, including reduced wiring costs, space and weight savings and enhanced connectivity across industrial and building automation applications. We look forward to the comprehensive testing and valuable insights that will emerge from this community of innovators.”

“Single pair Ethernet is an exciting evolution of an established technology that has the potential to transform industrial connectivity,” said Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community. “Through this challenge, we hope to inspire our members to explore creative ways to implement SPE in real-world applications.”

The challenge is open to all element14 Community members, and registration is free.

For more information and to register, visit https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/experimenting-with-single-pair-ethernet/.

Newark will participate in embedded world North America 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center from Nov. 4–6. Visitors can find the company at booth 4039, where they will showcase the latest AI and IoT development kits, host live product demos and conduct hourly hands-on workshops designed to help engineers build Edge AI and cloud-connected applications.

Newark will host live demonstrations highlighting real-world Edge AI use cases, including facial recognition and object detection, showing how quickly engineers can get started with next-generation technologies. Hourly workshop sessions with technology from top suppliers will provide hands-on experience in powering up and connecting Edge AI projects securely. Avnet’s IoT solutions including the /IOTCONNECT platform will also be on display.

“Our team is focused on creating a truly hands-on learning experience for engineers attending embedded world North America,” said Jennifer Skinner-Gray, Senior Director, Supplier Technology Enablement, Avnet. “Through our AI at the Edge workshops and live demos, we’re helping attendees gain the practical skills needed to bring their Edge AI and IoT designs to life, from concept to cloud.”

The booth will also feature Newark’s newly launched The DevKit HQ, an online resource for embedded evaluation boards, development kits and single-board computers. The DevKit HQ is the leading resource where engineers can search development kits by application.

“The DevKit HQ brings together everything engineers need to accelerate their embedded development journey,” said Cliff Ortmeyer, Global Head of Solutions, Newark. “At embedded world North America, we’re excited to show how easy it can be to explore, test and build with the latest AI- and IoT-enabled development kits from leading suppliers.”

Attendees who participate in the expert-led workshops will have the opportunity to take home a free development kit upon completing the session. Visitors can receive a free exhibit hall pass using the code NEWARK25.

For more information or to register, visit www.newark.com/embedded-world.

Newark, an Avnet company, has launched The DevKit HQ, a new online resource that brings together evaluation boards, development kits, single board computers (SBCs), tools and technical documents in one place.

A recent survey of engineering professionals found that finding the right development kit is a big challenge, with many engineers relying on kits to explore new technologies before starting projects. The survey also showed that engineers value standard interfaces and extensibility, often combining or modifying multiple kits to build prototypes and proof-of-concept designs.

The DevKit HQ addresses these needs by providing a single destination to discover, compare and select solutions from leading semiconductor and hardware suppliers.

The site enables engineers to quickly find the latest development kits and modular solutions by application, along with available demo and application software.  Engineers can also easily locate evaluation boards that match a supplier’s product family or series.  

Additionally, the site features each kit’s datasheets, application notes, training videos, reference designs and more. Together, these resources help engineers accelerate design decisions and drive innovation across various applications, including AI, IoT, sensors, wireless, motor control and power management.

The full survey results are available here. The survey was conducted on element14 Community and fielded to 441 respondents between July 28-August 8.

“Our mission is to make life easier for design engineers,” said Richard Diaz, Vice President of Sales at Newark. “With The DevKit HQ, we’ve created the leading destination where they can search development kits by application as well as explore new technologies, experiment with the latest kits, and move from idea to prototype faster, freeing up more time to focus on innovation.

The DevKit HQ is now live at https://www.newark.com/devkit-hq, providing a streamlined experience for discovering the latest products, gaining hands-on experience and accelerating time-to-market for new designs.

element14 Community has launched its annual Halloween design competition, inviting engineers, makers, and electronics enthusiasts to develop innovative Halloween-themed projects. The competition has become a tradition within the community, providing a platform for participants of all experience levels to showcase their creativity and technical skills.

This year’s challenge encourages participants to design and build projects that capture the spirit of Halloween using electronic components. Example submissions could include electronic decorations, zombie defenses, automatic spooking machines, or wearable electronic costumes and props.

The competition will award prizes across multiple categories, including one first-place winner, three second-place winners, and three runner-up winners. Each winning participant will be able to select from a curated set of prize options.

“Each year, our Halloween competition highlights the ingenuity of the element14 Community,” Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 community. “It is an opportunity for makers and engineers to share ideas, learn from one another, and celebrate their passion for electronics in a unique and engaging way.”

To qualify, participants must submit a project write-up detailing their design and build process by 9 November 2025. Submissions should be made directly on the official competition page.

The competition is open to both new and long-standing community members, with a focus on creativity, effort, and knowledge-sharing.

For full details and to enter the competition, visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/halloween/b/news/posts/join-the-element14-community-2025-halloween-competition.

Newark, an Avnet company, has signed a new supplier agreement with Altech, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-quality industrial automation and control components. The partnership brings Altech’s competitively priced, UL approved products to Newark’s customers across North America.

With over 40 years of industry experience, Altech, delivers reliable, high-performance components across automation, safety and medical markets. Their broad portfolio includes circuit breakers, terminal blocks, disconnect switches, power supplies, cord grips, and enclosures, all of which are now available through Newark.

This partnership strengthens Newark’s offering in the electrical and automation components category, giving customers high-quality, cost-effective alternatives. With a strong reputation for product availability, technical support and compliance, Altech enables engineers and purchasing teams to confidently meet project goals without overspending.

“By adding Altech to our supplier lineup, we’re empowering our customers to make smarter, more efficient procurement decisions,” said Andrew Weatherill, Vice President of Global Product at Newark. “Altech’s proven quality and competitive pricing are a compelling combination, especially in today’s cost-conscious market.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Newark and are excited about the opportunity to work together as a reliable and competitive supplier in the marketplace. Altech has built a reputation for providing high-quality, cost-effective solutions across various industries, and this collaboration with Newark allows us to extend our reach and deliver even greater value to customers,” said Mario Meise, President at Altech. “We look forward to contributing to Newark’s strong portfolio of trusted suppliers and continuing to support their customers with high-quality and competitively priced products.”

To explore Altech’s full product range available from Newark, visit https://www.newark.com/b/altech.

Newark, an Avnet Company, has launched a new hub for on-board components, providing engineers and buyers a single destination to design, source and purchase the building blocks of modern electronics.

The hub offers engineers access to circuit board components, development kits, single board computers and technical resources, including white papers, webinars, videos and design guides. Newark’s inventory spans semiconductor discretes and ICs, passives, relays and switches, board-level connectors, single board computers and development kits, with products from over 2,000 leading manufacturers.

For buyers, Newark simplifies procurement with PunchOut catalogs, search and order APIs and BOM management, as well as services such as free re-reeling, vendor-managed inventory, custom kitting, labeling and product alternatives.

To better serve customers, Newark has increased U.S.-based inventory while maintaining its capability to ship from its UK warehouse within 3–5 working days. This investment ensures faster delivery, greater supply chain reliability and improved access to high-demand components across the Americas. It also reflects Newark’s long-term goal to be the customer’s first and most trusted choice for board-level electronic components.

Newark supports both production and engineering needs with local stockholding, global sourcing capabilities and one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of embedded development kits, evaluation boards and ICs. Full product traceability, including date and lot codes and Certificates of Conformance, ensures customers can purchase with confidence.

“Newark’s new on-board components hub combines our extensive product range with the tools and services that engineers and procurement professionals need most,” said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark. “With expanded local inventory, faster delivery times and deep technical resources, this hub empowers customers to work faster, smarter and with greater confidence.”

The on-board components hub is available now at https://www.newark.com/board-level-components.

Newark is now distributing connectivity solutions from Digi International, a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products, services and solutions.

The new relationship is an expansion of Avnet’s existing relationship with Digi and will enhance Newark’s wireless communications portfolio. It will also enable Digi to utilise the “power of one,” which is the combined strength of Newark and its parent company Avnet across the product lifecycle. With Avnet and Newark, customers will be able to find the best solution for their needs around the globe.  

Digi International supplies secure embedded technology and connectivity such as system-on-modules, wireless communication systems, and cloud management software to developers in a diverse range of industries, including education, energy, industrial, medical, retail, smart cities and transportation. In every case, it is committed to ensuring that each customer is provided with precisely the right technology for their wireless connectivity requirements.

Steve Ericson, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digi OEM Solutions said, “We are very excited about leveraging the combined power of both Newark and Avnet and look forward to expanding our customer base by leveraging Newark’s expertise and global reach. We have always looked to partner with like-minded companies to ensure our customers have an ecosystem of options that seamlessly integrate, extend value, and bring the future of IoT communications to drive their business.”

Digi’s featured technologies include a range of solutions to support Bluetooth®, cellular IoT, edge computing, Fixed Wireless Access, LoRaWAN®, 5G, Zigbee® Wireless Mesh, and more.

Rebeca Obregon, President, Newark, said, "We are delighted to grow our distribution relationship with Digi and expand our M2M and IoT product offerings. The alliance will enhance our customer experience, and we look forward to further infusing Digi’s excellent range of solutions with our global distribution presence and marketplace knowledge.”

Digi solutions can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.  

Each year, Nexperia adds about 800 new product types to its range. In 2024, more than 70 new parts for analogue and power management applications alone were released. To support Nexperia’s product expansion, Newark has expanded its SKU range in line with the growing portfolio to better serve engineers worldwide.

Nexperia is renowned for its quality and reliability in discrete components, power, and logic ICs and has made a substantial investment in manufacturing. This includes a $200 million commitment to SiC and GaN technology at its Hamburg, Germany facility. The investment is now yielding results, with a rapidly growing portfolio that includes power MOSFETs, wide bandgap semiconductors, IGBTs, as well as analogue and power management ICs.

These manufacturing advancements and new product introductions highlight Nexperia’s commitment to advancing production capabilities and meeting future demands, and Newark’s expansion of Nexperia power products in stock reflects the desire to meet demand.

Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director, Passives and Semiconductors at Newark, said,” The importance of leading-edge power products cannot be overstated, and Nexperia provides some of the best—whether they are targeted for automotive, industrial or portable or even wearable applications. We share their goal of ensuring developers can access the exact components they need, when they need them. With comprehensive Nexperia inventory available across the Americas, EMEA and APAC, we are ready to support engineers worldwide.”

Included in the new series available from Newark are:

• Power MOSFETs – Automotive-qualified power MOSFETs, small signal MOSFETs, and application specific MOSFETs from 20V to 100V. These devices provide excellent switching performance and robustness in copper-clip packages (LFPAK, CCPAK) and micro lead package (MLPAK) variants.
• 650V IGBT discretes in H-series (high speed) and M-series (motor drive) options deliver ruggedness, high reliability and enhanced inverter power density for medium and high voltage industrial applications.
• SiC diodes offer temperature-independent capacitive turn-off and zero recovery switching behaviour, combined with an outstanding figure-of-merit (Qc x VF).
• SiC MOSFETs with excellent RDSon temperature stability, fast switching speed, and high short-circuit ruggedness for high-power and high-voltage industrial applications.
• Low voltage e-mode GaN FETs, 650 V e-mode GaN FETs, 40 V bi-directional GaN FETs and 650 V cascode GaN FETs designed for enhanced power density through reduced conduction and switching losses in low- or high-power conversion applications
• Power rectifiers that deliver power density while minimizing reverse recovery time and loss

Kinga Czutro, Senior Corporate Account Manager, Distribution at Nexperia said, ”We’re proud to see our power products recognized for their performance across such a wide range of applications. Newark’s dedication to availability and support is a key part of helping engineers bring their designs to life, quickly and reliably. This partnership clearly reflects that shared vision.

The new range of power products from Nexperia is now available and shipping from Newark in North, Farnell in EMEA and America and element14 in APAC.

element14, an Avnet Community, has launched a new global design challenge in collaboration with Würth Elektronik. This new competition invites engineers, makers and hobbyists to develop a prototype or test rig using Würth Elektronik’s cutting-edge SMD LEDs with Integrated WL-ICLED Controller.

The challenge encourages participants to demonstrate the WL-ICLED Controller’s capabilities through applications such as:

• Home appliances
• Industrial control systems
• Smart lighting
• Gaming peripherals
• Decorative lighting
• Smart home monitoring or notification systems

Ten applicants will be selected to receive a free design kit, including a variety of Würth Elektronik WL-ICLEDs, an Arduino Zero, a power supply, and additional accessories to support their builds. All challengers must incorporate WL-ICLED technology into their project and document their progress through a series of blog posts.

Please note that this challenge may require SMD soldering, reflow soldering and PCB design.

Applications are open now through 8 August. Selected participants will have until 26 October to complete their projects, with winners announced shortly after.

To be eligible for prizes, selected challengers must post at least five updates on the element14 Community and a final project blog showcasing their build and the WL-ICLED’s capabilities. Entries will be judged on creativity, technical execution, and effective use of the controller’s features.

For more information on the design challenge and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/light-up-your-life/dc/dc/79/light_up_your_life

Newark is proud to acknowledge a significant milestone for one of its key suppliers, Weller Tools. A leading hand soldering provider celebrates 80 years of innovation led by German engineering based near Stuttgart.  Weller continues to with excellence in consistently setting industry standards for precision, reliability and performance with their soldering and accompanying fume extraction and accessories ranges.

As part of its celebrations, Weller is introducing a special new black edition of its WE1010 soldering station and the new ZeroSmog Shield fume extraction system in keeping with eight decades of innovation and progress in soldering solutions for both enthusiasts and professionals.

The WE1010 Black Edition delivers the same trusted performance and user-friendly operation as the original WE1010 but features a sleek, commemorative black design and 80th anniversary logo. The black design is a nod to the original Weller devices, which were initially made of black Bakelite before later switching to ESD-safe plastics.

The WE1010 has a 70W solder iron with ergonomic handle, toolless hot tip change, an ESD safe station, plus a heat-resistant silicon cable for safe handling. The WE1010 uses ET soldering tips and features a standby mode and password-protected auto reset mode that helps to conserve energy and protect equipment.

Andrew Weatherill, Vice President of Global Product at Newark, said, “Weller Tools is the trusted name in hand soldering, rework, and fume extraction. They have led the way in these areas for many decades, and we look forward to following and supporting their innovative ideas and practical results for many years to come.”

 The ZeroSmog Shield is engineered to complement Weller’s soldering stations by providing high-efficiency fume extraction, ensuring a cleaner, safer work environment for soldering professionals designed for intermittent use in laboratories, R&D and educational institutes. It comes with an easy to change EPA E10 filter and an integrated work light to indicate the optimal extraction area. This special edition black product underscores Weller’s legacy of innovation, safety and performance in protecting the users health whilst soldering.

Weller Tools Senior Director, Marcel Teller echoed Newark’s view adding, “As Weller celebrates 80 years of groundbreaking advancements in soldering, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. The release of the special black edition WE1010 and ZeroSmog Shield is a tribute to our heritage and a testament to our ongoing dedication to the future of soldering technology."

Weller Tools’ anniversary celebrations will continue throughout 2025 and their industry leading soldering tools can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Newark has expanded its industrial automation solutions portfolio with the latest offerings from TE Connectivity (TE), a global leader in connectivity and sensor solutions.  Engineers can now access a broad range of cutting-edge products designed to elevate the intelligence, reliability, and efficiency of modern automation systems.

As industrial environments demand faster, smarter, and more connected solutions, TE’s advanced products provide the backbone of high-performance factory automation.

The selection largely comprises the central nervous system of industrial automation systems. From high-speed connectors helping enable 25 Gbit/s data transfer to finely engineered relays that think before they switch as well as advanced sensors and intelligent power solutions, TE Connectivity’s advanced solutions enable machines to communicate, adapt, and deliver.

From designing advanced robotics to integrating high-voltage power systems or industrial IoT scaling, Newark’s extensive range of TE Connectivity products helps ensure its customers have access to resilient connections, smart controls, and exceptional reliability.

Standout products from the new range include:

ERNI SMC Connector: This highly reliable and high contact density connector for BtB (Board to Board) and WtB (Wire to Board) with small multiple connectors is available in a wide range of shapes to enable different mating configurations.

Force Guided and RT/RZ Series Relays: The relays are designed for safety circuits in combination with, for example, light curtains, interlock switches, emergency stop switches, and control outputs.

AMPMODU 2mm connectors: The AMPMODU 2 mm interconnection system reliably and economically meets the requirements of today’s miniature, sophisticated electronics. This system is highly suitable for space constrained environments with design features that enable reliable signal transfers in demanding applications.

High Voltage Battery Disconnect Switches: KISSLING High Voltage (HV) battery disconnect switches are robust safety solutions that are now available in multiple versions: 250A (without high voltage Interlock) and 400A / 500A (with high voltage interlock).​

To learn more about the full range of TE Connectivity solutions available at Newark, visit https://www.newark.com/te-connectivity-automation-control.

Newark has significantly broadened its portfolio of high-quality components tailored for mission-critical industries. These include high standard components, parts and services for the devices that often help save people, assets and infrastructure in extreme and remote locations.

In addition, customers designing for mission-critical projects can benefit from a 10 percent discount to all qualifying SIC code holders or defence, aerospace and marine procurement departments or contractors for orders submitted before 30 September 2025.

Newark’s comprehensive offerings of high-reliability electronic components for aerospace, defence and marine applications are now easily categorized and segmented for improved ordering. This curated selection features products from leading manufacturers renowned for their performance and dependability, including:

• Rugged connectors for vibration prone platforms
• Sealed electromechanical devices for salt spray and sand exposure
• Low loss cables & wire assemblies rated from 65 °C to +200 °C
• Precision passives tuned for radar, navigation and communications
• Radiation tolerant semiconductors for aerospace and satellite payloads
• Comprehensive development tools and test & measurement equipment
• Qualified production supplies for conformal coating and PCB rework

All of Newark’s offerings are built to comply with strict MIL-SPEC and ISO certifications. This ensures that they provide seamless integration and field-tested reliability for operational environments where every single component matters and includes:

• High-performance, military-grade connector solutions
• High-performance cable performs
• Precision passive components
• Rugged semiconductors
• Accurate test equipment solutions for harsh environments and high-performance mission critical applications

Whether the mission is to safeguard coastlines, guide aircraft or enable humanitarian drone missions, engineers can rely on our portfolio that perform flawlessly first time, every time. Newark is known for its timely delivery, component traceability capabilities through clearly earmarked date and lot codes, and the assurance of providing customers with the highest quality components that are resilient and reliable.

Newark is acknowledging the importance of its relationship with customers in mission-critical applications, by offering a special discount through the end of September for businesses and industries that depend on devices that not only save civilian lives, but the lives of many of those who operate in life threatening conditions to save others.

Richard Diaz, VP of Sales, North America, Newark, said, “The demand for products required to support mission-critical applications is accelerating. For example, due to climate change, urgent responses needed to natural disaster zones are becoming more frequent but are often deemed unsafe for search and rescue teams, and mission-critical equipment, such as drones operating in remote areas can be life-saving.

“From real‑time port surveillance and search‑and‑rescue to satellite‑based environmental monitoring, we are committed to ensuring the availability of a range of products dedicated to our mission-critical customers so they can ensure precision and reliability. For a limited time, we are making these vital components available at a discounted rate.”

Details about the mission critical campaign can be found at https://www.newark.com/mission-critical.

Newark has been recognized with multiple supplier awards at the 2025 EDS Leadership Summit in Las Vegas. These awards reflect Newark’s ongoing commitment to growth, customer service and collaborative supplier partnerships across the electronics industry.

Highlights of the awards Newark received at the event include:

• Distributor of the Year from Grayhill: Grayhill presented its Distributor of the Year award to Newark. The award celebrates Newark's exceptional support, service and results in helping Grayhill deliver innovative solutions to customers worldwide.
• America’s Exceptional Growth Award CY 2024 from Omron: This award recognizes Newark’s outstanding business growth in the Americas region and great partnership with Omron. The partnership continues to deliver high performance in a competitive market.
• Partner Appreciation Award from YAEGO Group: To celebrate the Year of the Snake, YAEGO presented Newark with a special “Snake Award” recognizing their key distribution partners. Patrick Stringer of YAGEO presented the award to Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark, during the event.
• Fastest Growing Distributor Award from ECS Inc. International: ECS honored Newark as its fastest-growing distributor, citing rapid growth and deepening engagement across their product lines.

“These awards highlight Newark’s strong partnership with our suppliers and illustrate our commitment to driving business results,” said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark. “Congratulations to those whose hard work resulted in this recognition, and we’re excited to keep building on this momentum.”

Held annually in Las Vegas, EDS (Electronic Distribution Show) is a premier leadership summit for the electronics industry. The event brings together top decision-makers from electronic component manufacturers, distributors and sales representatives to exchange ideas, explore new opportunities and align strategic goals.

Newark has partnered with The University of Texas at Austin’s WeTeach_CS program to further advance computer science and STEM education by making it easier for both educators to obtain the components they need for their coursework.

The program provides free training, resources, and tools to help educators teach and integrate coding and physical computing in Texas K-5 classrooms.

Empowering educators with micro:bit kits

This initiative expands content knowledge and teaching impact using a trainer-of-trainer model. Over 120 instructional coaches and education service center personnel have the knowledge, resources, and support to implement this training statewide. Upon completion of the workshop, educators will receive a pack of 10 micro:bit devices, provided in partnership with Newark, to teach their students computational thinking and computer science concepts aligned to the new EC-12 Technology Applications state standards.

Newark’s role in program implementation

Newark has played a key role in setting up the framework that makes it easier to deliver computer science, computational thinking, and cybersecurity lessons through the WeTeach_CS program. The company made the process seamless by providing a customized page for trained teachers to be able to order their micro:bit kits upon completion of the workshop and assessment.

In addition, Newark provides discounts on auxiliary products, including power supplies, accessories, and tools, which allows teachers to extend their range of resources for teaching STEM subjects. In this way, Newark supports educators in being well-equipped to offer students a hands-on and interactive learning experience.

A model for effective STEM education programs

The success of this program showcases Newark’s proficiency in helping universities implement impactful STEM programs. Newark collaborated with The University of Texas at Austin to deliver a model that can be replicated for other institutions seeking to advance STEM education. The partnership shows how businesses like Newark and academic institutions can work together to overcome some of the challenges of training educators for the rapidly changing landscape of STEM education.

Newark’s partnership with The University of Texas at Austin reflects its commitment to advancing STEM education and inspiring the next generation workforce. By empowering educators and equipping students with the necessary tools, Newark is strengthening STEM education and building a future in which students can thrive in the digital age.

For more information on Newark’s educational capabilities, please visit: https://www.newark.com/education-services.

Newark has announced the addition of NXP^® Semiconductors’ all-purpose MCX-series of industrial and IoT microcontrollers to its portfolio; plus new FRDM development boards in a platform that removes limitations to a design engineer’s imagination.

The MCX A series includes the MCX A13x, MCX A14x, and MCX A15x. These are mainstream, easy-to-use MCUs with an innovative power architecture and software compatibility necessary for embedded applications, such as industrial sensors, motor controls, battery or handheld power system controllers, IoT devices and more.

Powered by the Arm^® Cortex^®-M33, the MCX A series are general-purpose MCUs designed to address a wide range of applications with scalable device options, low power and intelligent peripherals. The innovative power architecture is designed to support high I/O utilization and power efficiency with a simple supply circuit in a small footprint.

The MCX C series MCUs are powered by Arm Cortex-M0+ up to 48 MHz and are designed for energy efficiency and cost effectiveness, making them well-suited for a wide variety of applications. Featuring USB and segment LCD options, these MCUs cater to diverse needs, providing flexible and scalable memory and packages.

MCX N series of highly integrated Arm Cortex-M33 microcontrollers are designed for high performance and low power consumption. MCX N includes intelligent peripherals and on-chip accelerators providing multitasking capabilities and performance efficiency. Select MCX N families include NXP's eIQ^® Neutron neural processing unit (NPU) for machine learning applications.

Finally, the MCX W series are secure, wireless MCUs designed for more compact, scalable and innovative designs for the next generation of smart and secure connected devices. The MCX W series, based on the Arm Cortex-M33, offers a unified range of pin-compatible multiprotocol wireless MCUs for Matter™, Thread^®, Bluetooth^® Low Energy and Zigbee^®. MCX W enables interoperable and innovative smart home devices, building automation sensors and controls and smart energy products.

Justin Mortimer, NXP MCU Global Product Marketing Manager said: ““The NXP MCX portfolio is foundational for the future of power-efficient edge devices across industrial and IoT markets. The new MCX MCUs use the improved MCX + FRDM platform to integrate essential features that give engineers the freedom to design without limitation.”

The MCX series is accompanied by NXP’s newly enhanced FRDM development boards, a low-cost, scalable hardware platform supported by the MCUXpresso Developer Experience toolset. Designed to encourage creative freedom, these compact boards promote flexible and rapid prototyping, with industry-standard headers providing easy access to the MCU’s I/Os. With the on-board MCU-Link debug probe and USB-C cable included, engineers can develop, program and debug with ease.

• Comprehensive Software Enablement

The FRDM boards and MCX portfolio are supported by the widely adopted MCUXpresso ecosystem of software and tools to provide an optimal developer experience. Developers can work with either MCUXpresso for Visual Studio Code, the Eclipse-based MCUXpresso IDE from NXP, or with IDEs from IAR and Keil that also offer safety certification. NXP provides drivers and middleware with examples ready to work out of the box for any of these IDE choices, along with additional tools for device configuration, security and specialist applications.

Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director, Passives and Semiconductors at Newark, said: “We are thrilled to announce the addition of the NXP MCX microcontrollers to our offerings. The microcontrollers have been designed to cater to a broad range of edge applications and will become a popular choice among design engineers due to its focus on scalability. These additions reflect our commitment to empowering our customers and partners to succeed in the ever-evolving technological landscape.”

The MCX series and enhanced FRDM boards can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Newark has announced an expanded range of passive product solutions tailored to both engineers and buyers. By offering a simplified and streamlined approach to sourcing passive components, Newark supports engineers in their design journey and enables buyers to enhance their procurement processes.

The expanded portfolio includes solutions from leading suppliers, including Panasonic, YAGEO Group, Kyocera AVX, Murata, Wurth, Vishay, Bourns, TDK and many more. These components address diverse electronic needs, from control systems to analog electronics, and include essential products such as capacitors, inductors, resistors, filters and potentiometers.

Key Highlights include:

• Over 200,000 products in stock for next-day delivery, including 15,000 full reel products at competitive prices
• More than 24,000 new products added in the last 12 months
• Extensive technical resources, covering emerging technologies, battery management, and the role of filters, inductors, and capacitors in modern electronics

Jose Lok, Senior Global Product Category Director –Onboard Components at Newark, said, “Our expanded passive product solutions provide engineers with access to the latest innovations, and our buyer-focused platform ensures a smooth, hassle-free component purchasing experience.”

Some of the new products added to Newark’s passives portfolio include:

• Vishay P2TC Series SMD Chip Resistors
• YAGEO R41D Series Film Capacitors
• TDK B41231 Series PET Snap-in Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors
• Wurth Elektronik LHMI SMT Series Power Inductors
• Bourns CRG Series Resistors

All of the new and existing passive component solutions are available now from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Newark has long recognized that buildings are rapidly becoming smarter and more connected. As design engineers push the boundaries of innovation in automation, surveillance, fire safety, and sustainability, the demand for advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and data analytics continues to grow.

Newark plays a crucial role by supplying the essential components that allow buildings to autonomously handle complex tasks, enabling engineers to transform these innovations into reality.

Customers will now have access to Newark’s expanded range of innovative products and solutions from leading suppliers, including Amphenol, ams OSRAM, Analog Devices, Arduino, Emerson, NI, Murata, Panasonic, Power Integrations, Renesas, Raspberry Pi, and TE Connectivity—all available under one roof, enabling the development of smarter and more responsive buildings.

Newark, Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing and element14 Community, said, “Our focus is on empowering smart building solutions with a wide range of components tailored to optimise logistics, HVAC systems, environmental controls, and security. We are excited to provide engineers with the tools they need to turn innovative concepts into tangible outcomes."

Some of the key components to support smart infrastructures include:

Analog Devices

• The ADPD188BI integrated optical module for smoke detection; the ADIN2111 low complexity, 2-port Ethernet switch offers low-complexity networking; and the ADuCM4050 ultra-low power ARM Cortex-M4F MCU ensures long-lasting performance in energy-sensitive applications

Raspberry Pi

• AI-Powered RPi 5 Computer is optimized for AI applications, enabling smarter systems. The Compute Module 4 offers a low-cost, production-ready IoT platform, while the Pico 2 delivers powerful edge processing for flexible automation.

Arduino

• The Portenta; Opta and Nicla, are poised to deliver industrial grade sensors for control, edge processing, flexible automation and AI machine learning into existing infrastructures.

Emerson NI

• mioDAQ offers more accurate measurements and simplified user experience. For flexible installation, the DIN Rail Mounting Kit ensures easy horizontal mounting, while the Rack Mount Kit lets securely fit up to two mioDAQ devices in a 19” rack, complete with USB-C cables for effortless connectivity.

TE Connectivity

• The Industrial Mini I/O ensures dependable serial, bus, and Ethernet connections, M8/M12 connectors provide a fast, hybrid solution for future-ready designs, and ERNI SMC connectors offer flexible, high-density connectivity for board-to-board and wire-to-board applications.

For more information and to explore Newark’s smart building solutions, visit Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Newark has announced that it has signed a global distribution agreement with Micro Commercial Components (MCC) that will enable it to deliver highly advanced, discrete semiconductor solutions to industries as diverse as automotive, industrial, consumer and computing.

MCC’s focus is on supreme quality and enhanced features for components such as diodes, MOSFETs, IGBTs, silicon carbide (SiC) products, protection devices, voltage regulators, transistors and power modules – all are backed by a well-established global reputation for customer service.

Jose Lok, Global Product Category Director – Onboard Components, Newark, said, “We are delighted to partner with MCC, a leading manufacturer known for its exceptional products and global support. MCC consistently delivers shorter lead times, and with its integrated device manufacturing model and diverse production facilities, the company’s ability to swiftly adapt to market demands while ensuring product consistency and availability is truly commendable.”

Ultimately, this partnership will provide developer customers at Newark with ready access to more than 10,000 MCC semiconductor components that can enhance their designs, including advanced automotive-grade components, which represent 25% of MCC's extensive portfolio. All backed by exceptional global support and the supply and quality assurance only an integrated device manufacturer can deliver.

Pamela Cheng, General Manager, MCC, said, “MCC is excited to join the Newark family and the element14 community. Newark is highly respected in the engineering industry, and we look forward to a successful partnership built on innovation and moving technology forward.”

MCC’s extensive range can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

element14, an Avnet Community, in collaboration with Aliaro, a leading provider of modular and reusable testing solutions, is hosting a webinar that explores the testing and simulation of battery management systems (BMS) for electric vehicles.

The webinar will take place on 25 March from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM GMT. Attendees will gain insights into how electric vehicles and their battery systems operate, along with a live demonstration showcasing how to simulate a battery and make a BMS perceive that all cells are functioning within a controlled lab environment rather than an actual vehicle.

Key takeaways from the webinar include:

• An introduction to hardware in the loop (HIL) testing and the challenges facing modern BMS
• A real-time demonstration of physical and electrical testing systems, as well as battery cell and pack simulators
• A look into the future of battery management, focusing on quality, safety and battery range

Following the webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts during a live Q&A session.

This webinar is ideal for engineers, researchers, and professionals interested in the electric vehicle and energy storage industries and those looking to enhance their understanding of BMS testing and simulation.

For more info and to register, visit: https://community.element14.com/learn/events/c/e/1729.

element14, an Avnet Community, in partnership with TDK, has launched a new design challenge, inviting engineers, makers, and technology enthusiasts to develop innovative projects utilizing TDK’s waterproof ultrasonic range sensors in real-world applications.

Participants will integrate TDK USSM Plus-FS sensors into a functional project that demonstrates the versatility and accuracy of ultrasonic distance sensing technology. Selected applicants will receive an evaluation kit from TDK, which includes two TDK USSM Plus-FS ultrasonic range sensors, a TDK evaluation board, and a set of sensor connector cables.

Participants are encouraged to explore a range of potential applications for ultrasonic sensing technology, such as object detection, industrial control sensing, human-robot interaction, movement boundary control, conveyor belt monitoring, smart delivery robots, autonomous lawnmowers, and liquid level sensing.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “This design challenge provides our community with the opportunity to explore the power of ultrasonic sensing technology with hands-on experience in real-world applications.”

Applications are open till 28 March. Once selected, participants have until 16 June to build their projects. Challengers must post their progress including the final project and at least five blog posts before the closing date. Posts that include photos, videos and code samples will be judged more favorably.

The grand prize winner will receive an Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (4^th gen) 128GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, the runner-up will receive an iPad Mini 10.9 inch 64GB and an iRobot Roomba self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner, and other finishers of the challenge (anyone who completes five blogs and a project with the featured product) will receive a MultiComp Pro Multimeter Set.

For more information on the design challenge and to register, please visit: https://community.element14.com/challenges-projects/design-challenges/in-reach-ultrasonic-sensor-sensing-challenge.

Newark releases Episode 5 of its interview series, “Top Tech Voices”, featuring Colin Herron, CBE, who will dispel myths that continue to shroud the emergence of electrification, and the adoption of EVs in particular.

Herron is a visiting professor at Newcastle University and Managing Director of Zero Carbon Futures, a company dedicated to developing new low carbon technologies to power the future.

He works with Newcastle University on “Newcastle City Futures”, a revolutionary electricity storage system and other solutions for storing energy from renewable sources, shaving peak energy demand and providing other grid service.

He will appear in a podcast episode titled “The Race to Electrify: EVs and Infrastructure & Power Management: Optimizing for Battery Life and Energy Efficiency”.

Newark President, Rebeca Obregon, said, “Colin’s knowledge about electrification is vast, and he’s not known for pulling his punches when a point needs to be made. His discussion will be entertaining, thought provoking and, in a word, electrifying. This is among the most important and timely discussions we have ever hosted.”

Herron’s expertise is highly sought. After seventeen years with Nissan as an engineer focussed on manufacturing methodology, Herron moved to what was then called the Regional Development Agency. In 2011, he created “Zero Carbon Futures (ZCF)”, eventually moving the company into Newcastle University in 2020. He holds a masters degree in Manufacturing Management and Technology with the Open University in 2000, and earned a PhD from Newcastle University in 2006.

Now a specialist in EV trends who advises large cities and local authorities and a frequent guest speaker, Herron leads the North East office of the Faraday Institution and Battery Alliance. He is currently focused on developing low carbon vehicle technology and closely monitors all activity in North East England with regard to battery gigaplants and regional battery research groups that deal with the scale up of battery manufacture as well as modelling the EV charging infrastructure requirements of cities and local authorities.

Hosted by award-winning Engineering Strategist, Georgia Lewis Anderson, this episode enables listeners to hear from Herron about:

• How is the infrastructure for electric vehicles evolving, and what challenges remain
• What advancements in battery technology he is currently most excited about
• Best practices for engineers to optimize battery life in their designs
• The current challenges in recycling old batteries, and how they can be addressed
• His views on the market for energy-efficient designs evolving in the coming years
• The future of energy-efficient designs in a rapidly changing technological landscape
• The role of energy efficiency in addressing global energy challenges.

"We are so grateful to Colin for agreeing to share his expertise with our customers,” said Obregon. “I have no doubt that listeners to this episode will come away with a great many more insights – and perhaps altered perceptions – than they had beforehand.”

The fifth episode of Top Tech Voices can be viewed by clicking this link. Up-to-date information about previous episodes in the Top Tech Voices series, further dates, times and topics can also be found via the link.

Newark has expanded its industrial and maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) offerings to ensure customers have access to a variety of products and solutions from industry-leading suppliers.

To strengthen its portfolio, Newark has formed new partnerships with leading suppliers, including Airotronics, Dwyer, Endress+Hauser, Pickering, Peltec, Siemens, SICK, Trimax, and TKD Kabel. These partnerships add depth and variety to Newark’s robust industrial product range.

Customers can now explore a diverse range of industrial solutions spanning over 18 product categories on a newly launched webpage, which serves as a central hub for future industrial product introductions, supplier spotlights and product range expansions.

Andrew Weatherill, Vice President of Global Product at Newark, stated, “We are deeply invested in growing and strengthening our industrial MRO range to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the increasing digitization of industrial processes to improve their operations. With over 220,000 industrial products available and ongoing investments in our portfolio, we offer comprehensive solutions across key categories, including electrical, mechanical, and automation. By enhancing our offerings and working with trusted brands, we aim to provide exceptional value and support for our customers' industrial, production, and maintenance needs.”

Newark is also committed to helping customers navigate the transition to Industry 4.0 through its Industrial Automation & Control Hub. This dedicated resource center provides expert insights, technical articles, and the latest industrial automation solutions to support businesses in optimizing efficiency, connectivity, and smart manufacturing capabilities.

To explore Newark’s expanded industrial product range and offerings, visit: https://www.newark.com/product-range-expansion.

Newark, has significantly expanded its range of PUI Audio products. The increased additions from the global innovator and provider of a wide range of audio, haptic, and sensor solutions enhance Newark’s distribution portfolio. The new expanded supplier line enables customers to have access to a wider variety of specialized audio components to meet their needs. 

PUI Audio’s mission is to provide the world with the most comprehensive line of high-quality audio components and innovative, customized solutions, by applying its unique design approach and world-class customer care.

Jake Cox, PUI Audio Distribution Sales Manager, said, “PUI Audio has 50+ years of experience in helping its customers find the right product for their application across multiple industries including medical, industrial, security, and consumer. We are delighted to partner with Newark to expand accessibility of our broad range of innovative high-quality audio, haptics, and sensor products.”

PUI Audio’s commitment to quality is evidenced by its policy of 100% in-line testing during various stages of production, followed by 100% end-of-the-line testing. Moreover, before anything leaves the manufacturing facility, there is a final inspection performed by the QA Department. When the product reaches its Dayton, Ohio, headquarters, an additional ANSI standard Z 1.4 sample lot inspection is carried out. As an additional quality control safeguard, all test data is digitally captured to identify and analyse trends, and it is only then that the parts are shipped to customers.

Newark Product Segment Leader for Passive Components, Stephen Marsh, said “PUI Audio is the choice of thousands of audio product customers, from engineers to the world’s leading manufacturers. Exceeding customer expectations with intricate testing, superior customer service, and informed local representatives and engineers is an integral value for PUI  Audio, and reflective of Newark’s values to always put the customer first.”

Items from PUI Audio’s entire range of range of audio, haptic and sensor components can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Newark’s popular interview series, “Top Tech Voices” continues in February with a discussion with Toju Duke, recognized worldwide as one of the leading proponents of standardizing ethical AI.

Duke is the founder and CEO of Bedrock AI, an AI research, product development, and services company working with the underlying principles of “Responsible AI”.

Entitled “The Rise of AI on the Edge with Distributed Intelligence” the wide-ranging discussion will also include observations on responsible AI, STEM, diversity in AI and Duke’s approach to AI during her time with Google.

Newark President, Rebeca Obregon, said, “Toju really takes the lid off AI and provides key messaging about what we should be doing to ensure a responsible and sustainable deployment of AI technologies in our businesses and, increasingly, personal lives. Her insights are particularly acute and have proven to be crucial to influencing AI design and development to appropriately represent people from under-represented groups as well as reduce the potential harms and risks associated with such systems. I am delighted that she has agreed to share her expertise with our audience in this episode.”

Duke is a popular speaker, author, thought leader, advisor and entrepreneur with more than 18 years’ experience spanning advertising, retail, not-for-profit and tech. She worked at Google for 10 years, most recently as a program manager for Responsible AI, leading various Responsible AI programs across Google’s product and research teams.

Duke also founded and is now CEO of Bedrock AI, an AI product and services company focused on AI research, model and product development. In addition, she founded, Diverse AI, a community interest organization targeted at people who identify with underrepresented groups and want to up skill, join the field or have a sense of community with like-minded people.

Finally, Duke was the UK lead for “Women in AI”, a non-profit global organization with a mission to drive gender diversity in AI. Her book “Building Responsible AI Algorithms” has been hugely successful and has paved the way for her second book.

Her work has been featured across several national and international media outlets including the BBC, Sky News, El Pais, La Nacion, La Vanguardia, Sifted and others

Hosted by award-winning AI Content and Prompt Engineering Strategist, Georgia Lewis Anderson, among the topics Duke will address, among others in this episode, are:

• AI market trends over the next five years and the most pressing concerns about their development and deployment.
• The resources necessary to engage audiences with AI.
• The most pressing challenges faced by companies interested in implementing AI.
• Identifying what could be the single most transformative AI application of the near future.
• How AI can usefully contribute to sustainability and a reduction in carbon footprints.
• The most critical legislative and regulatory issues facing AI implementation.
• How customers are likely to react to – and interact with - AI.

"Toju is an AI tour de force,” said Obregon. “She is one of those thoughtful and charismatic leaders who have the evidence to support their statements and do so in a way that resonates with truth.

“We want Top Tech Voices to speak directly to the needs of our audience by showcasing insights from top industry leaders. Ultimately, we aim to provide valuable knowledge that helps customers grow, innovate, and ultimately improve their lives and businesses with the information they need to excel in a rapidly changing world.”

This fourth episode of Top Tech Voices can be viewed by clicking this link. Up-to-date information about previous episodes in the Top Tech Voices series, further dates, times and topics can also be found via the link.

Newark shares investment in stock to meet market demand with switches from all leading brands, including its private label Multicomp Pro range.

Switches are crucial in many settings, but the type of switch required is dependent on the speed and demand of a network. For example, enterprise-level businesses may need high-speed switches with uplink ports of 10 Gbps, 40 Gbps, or 100 Gbps for data centers. For that and many other reasons, a robust supply of switches is essential to ensure the availability of the most appropriate one for a specific application.

“Whether it’s a toggle, rocker, rotary, pushbutton, ethernet or any other kind of switch, Newark has its customers covered,” said Keith Forbes, Global Product Segment Leader, Switches, at Newark. “We have invested a great deal to ensure our switch range from the world’s best manufacturers is available and unbeatable, so we are delighted to announce that we are fully stocked and ready to ship across every brand we carry, including our own Multicomp Pro. This investment reflects our commitment to meet every customer’s requirements.”

Newark’s extensive global switch offering is comprised of more than 26,000 products, which all but guarantees the availability of the right switch for the job.

“Switches play a vital role in just about every electromechanical function that occurs today,” said Andrew Weatherill, Vice President Global Product, Newark. “We proudly help keep businesses running worldwide by ensuring the availability of these small, but mission-critical devices.”

Switches can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Newark’s new interview series, “Top Tech Voices” asks author, futurologist and techno-optimist Professor Dominik Boesl: What does a future of robotics and automation working alongside human beings actually look like?

Newark President, Rebeca Obregon, said, “We are extremely privileged to have luminaries of Dominik’s caliber participate in our Top Tech Voices series. His insights into the future of robotics and how they will integrate with human workers is fascinating.”

Boesl started his career in 1999 at Siemens, moving to Microsoft Germany in 2005 where he held various leadership positions including national responsibility for developer evangelism. He leads the global “Robotic & AI Governance“ effort to establish a framework for voluntary self-regulation regarding the use of disruptive technologies. He has fostered interdisciplinary discussions about the impact of robotics and automation on society and humankind and is an internationally recognized expert in Ethics for Robotics and AI. He is also the acting ambassador for the global IEEE TechEthics initiative.

Hosted by award-winning AI Content and Prompt Engineering Strategist, Georgia Lewis Anderson, among the topics Boesl covers in the latest episode are:

·       How humans and machines can collaborate more effectively on the factory floor.

·       The role of IIoT in driving sustainable manufacturing practices.

·       How different regions are adapting to the changes brought by IIoT in manufacturing

·       Boesl’s vision of the factory of the future in terms of layout and operations.

·       How smart sensors contribute to real-time data analytics in manufacturing.

·       The primary challenges manufacturers face when implementing IIoT solutions and how they can be mitigated.

·       How the role of workers will change in highly automated factories and what skills will be essential.

"Dominik’s views on current trends and future visions, rather than specific technical details, are peppered with inspirational thoughts and aspirational goals that Newark customers will benefit from,” added Obregon. “He is one of those thoughtful and charismatic leaders who have the evidence to support their statements and do so in a way that resonates with truth.”

This third episode of Top Tech Voices can be viewed by clicking this link. Up-to-date information about previous episodes in the Top Tech Voices series, further dates, times and topics can also be found via the link.

Newark has announced that it is now stocking the band new microBRICK^® regulator module from Vishay Intertechnology, expanding its power portfolio with the smallest DC/DC regulator module on the market.

micoBRICK is a synchronous buck regulator module with integrated power MOSFETs and an inductor. It can supply 20 A of continuous current at up to 2 MHz switching frequency.

The regulator produces an adjustable output voltage down to 0.6 V from 4.5 V to 18 V

input rail to accommodate a variety computing, consumer electronics, telecom, and industrial applications.

The device’s architecture supports ultrafast transient response with minimum output capacitance, and tight ripple regulation at a very light load. The device is internally compensated and doesn’t require an external ESR network for loop stability purposes.

The device also incorporates a power saving scheme that significantly increases light-load efficiency. The regulator integrates a full protection feature set, including output over voltage protection (OVP), cycle by cycle over current protection (OCP), short circuit protection

(SCP), and thermal shutdown (OTP). It also has UVLO and a user programmable soft start.

The microBrick is available in a lead (Pb)-free power enhanced PowerPAK® MLP60-A6C package measuring only 10.6 mm x 6.5 mm x 3 mm.

Rob Burton, Global Product Segment Leader, Power Management, at Newark, said, "Developers need to know what they can achieve with Vishay’s new regulator. As the smallest regulator available on the market today, it has the dual benefits of providing high performance within a small, space-saving footprint.”

Tony Callow, Distribution Account Manager, UK & Eire, for Vishay, added, “microBrick is a simple but effective solution to building efficient high-density DC/DC converters, with a wide input voltage range for a huge range of applications. We look forward to growing our market for these devices with the help of Newark’s stocking, ordering, and distribution expertise.”

Vishay manufactures one of the world’s largest portfolios of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, which are essential to innovative designs in the automotive, industrial, computing, consumer, telecommunications, military, aerospace, and medical markets. Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. is a Fortune 1,000 Company listed on the NYSE (VSH).

Vishay’s new microBrick can be ordered online from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA and element14 in APAC.

Newark has announced the addition of Diotec Semiconductor’s range of discrete semiconductor and associated peripheral stock, which are now available to order for global delivery.

Diotec offers a wide range of diodes; bipolar junction transistors; MOSFETs; linear voltage regulators; SiC MOSFETs; SiC Schottky diodes; and IGBTs to meet the demands of a broad range industrial, automotive, energy, lighting, and consumer electronics applications.

Newark Semiconductor Product Category Director, Jose Lok said, “Diotec’s core strength is its extensive know-how, from wafer production through chip manufacturing to product assembly and testing. We are delighted to welcome their highly regarded product range, coupled with their reputation for fast service and competitive pricing.”

Whether the application is for industrial, mobility, energy, consumer electronics, or lighting, Germany-based Diotec Semiconductor offers more than 6000 different part numbers via production facilities Slovenia, India and China, as well as in Germany.

Dr. Saverio Barboni, Diotec Semiconductor Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, said, "Our partnership with Newark gives Diotec and its versatile product portfolio an ideal platform with a strong international reach. We look forward to this collaboration and the opportunity to present our products to such a diverse and broad customer base."

Diotec’s customised solutions for semiconductor chips, packages, and configuration of leads includes a typical 24-hour response time to requests during business hours, with more than 95% on-time delivery per customer request date.

The Diotec range is now available to order from Newark in North America, Farnell in EMEA, and element14 in APAC.

Newark’s new interview series, “Top Tech Voices”, kicks off 2025 by asking acknowledged cybersecurity expert, Professor Victoria Baines: What are the most significant emerging cybersecurity threats that businesses should be aware of in 2025?

Baines has a rich history in cybersecurity, having started her career in the police force and since having served as Facebook's Trust & Safety Manager for EMEA, where she supported efforts to eradicate criminal activity online on both policing and policy levels, amongst other noticeable achievements in security.

Newark President, Rebeca Obregon, said, “Professor Baines is one of the world’s leading authorities in the field of online trust, safety and cybersecurity. Her extensive research in the field and the insights she gains from it are critically important to some many aspects of our professional, business and personal lives. We are delighted that she agreed to share her thoughts about 2025, and beyond, with our audience.”

Baines is consistently ranked among the leading women in cybersecurity and has provided expertise to international organizations, such as Interpol and UNICEF. She also led the Strategy team at Europol's European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) where she spearheaded initiatives like Project 2020, which examined the future of cybersecurity. In addition, she has also made significant presentations to the UN, the Council of Europe, and the European Commission.

She frequently contributes to major broadcast media outlets on digital ethics, cybercrime and the misuse of emerging technologies, including Extended Reality and Artificial Intelligence. Her areas of research include electronic surveillance, cybercrime futures, and the politics of security. Works by Baines have been published on cyberspace governance, online surveillance, the future of cybercrime and the politics of security.

Hosted by award-winning AI Content and Prompt Engineering Strategist, Georgia Lewis Anderson, among the topics Baines covers in the latest episode are:

• The emerging cybersecurity threats that businesses should be looking out for in 2025 and how new technologies like AI and machine learning are being leveraged in attempts to thwart in-house and in-cloud security measures and how organizations as well as remote workers can defend against them.
• The risks associated with the adoption of IoT devices and the increasing number of specific cyberthreats that are facing them.
• The increase in ransomware attacks, including those from inside an organization, and how businesses can prepare for and respond effectively.
• If the rapid gains in quantum computing will render current security practices obsolete.
• Connected devices raise questions of data privacy challenges, so how do regulations like GDPR influence IoT security practices and what can organizations do to enhance data privacy for IoT users?
• What are the future trends in IoT cybersecurity that industry professionals should be mindful of? And how will the expectations for heightened security, consumer and otherwise, be met as IoT becomes more prevalent, or will they?

"The potential global impact of the cybersecurity issues Victoria discusses cannot be overstated,” said Obregon, “Her impeccable credentials more than qualify her as a Top Tech Voice and I encourage everyone with a stake in data security, which is all of us, to listen to what she has to say. It could save your business.”

This second episode of Top Tech Voices can be viewed by clicking here. Up-to-date information about previous episodes in the Top Tech Voices series, further dates, times and topics can also be found via the link.

element14, an Avnet Community, has announced two upcoming webinars this January, designed to empower engineers and professionals with insights into cutting-edge technologies like DC-DC converters and MEMS (Micro Electromechanical Systems) sensors.

Isolated DC-DC Converters for the Design Engineer with Bourns

(Tuesday, 14 January 2025 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT / 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM CST)

Join Cathal Sheehan, Technical Marketing Manager at Bourns, for an in-depth exploration of isolated DC-DC converters. This webinar is tailored for design engineers looking to optimize their designs for performance, safety, and compliance.

Key topics include:

• An introduction to isolated DC-DC converters
• The importance of galvanic isolation for safety and noise immunity
• Selection of converter topology (flyback, forward, push-pull, etc.)
• Transformer design and selection tips
• Meeting regulatory requirements and EMI/EMC compliance
• Techniques to minimize electromagnetic interference, including shielding and filtering

Additionally, in conjunction with the webinar, element14 Community is running a competition where two winners will receive a digital multimeter worth $215. Full details can be found here.

The Power of High-Performance MEMS Sensors with Murata

(Thursday, 16 January 2025 at 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM GMT / 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM CST)

Dive into the world of Micro Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) sensors and discover how these precise, intelligent, and sustainable technologies are revolutionizing industries.

This session will cover:

• An introduction to MEMS sensors, including accelerometers, inclinometers, and gyro sensors
• How MEMS sensors are integrating into drones and other technologies to bring about change in industries
• Examples of how MEMS are used, including precision agriculture as a use case
• How Farnell, Avnet, and Murata work together to provide organizations with the perfect MEMS sensors for their applications

For more information and to register for these webinars, please visit https://community.element14.com/learn/events.

Newark has announced the launch of TKD Kabel’s innovative product line, marking a significant milestone in their strategic partnership. The collaboration strengthens Newark’s portfolio of high-quality cable solutions tailored to the diverse needs of industries such as automation, manufacturing and renewable energy.

TKD Kabel, a leader in cable and connectivity solutions with nearly 80 years of expertise, is known for its commitment to quality, performance and customer satisfaction. The newly introduced product lines offer cutting-edge cable technology designed to improve operational efficiency and support innovation across industries.

André Bubolz, Managing Director TKD Kabel, stated, “At TKD Kabel, we take immense pride in our nearly 80-year legacy of delivering quality, performance, and customer satisfaction in the cable and connectivity industry. This long-standing tradition has always been the foundation of our commitment to excellence and innovation. Today, we are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Newark, a collaboration that marks an exciting milestone in our journey to expand our market reach in North America.”

Austin Fung, Product Segment Leader, Interconnect, Newark, added, “Newark is committed to providing our customers with the highest quality solutions that empower innovation and drive operational excellence across industries. Our partnership with TKD Kabel represents a shared vision of delivering cutting-edge cable technology that meets the evolving needs of our customers. By combining TKD Kabel's expertise with Newark’s robust market presence and customer-centric approach, we are excited to introduce a new product line that sets a benchmark for quality, reliability, and performance in North America.”

The new product line is now available through Newark, providing customers with access to a comprehensive range of innovative cable solutions that enhance performance and reliability in demanding applications.

For more information about the TKD Kabel product line and to explore Newark’s expanded offerings, visit https://www.newark.com/b/tkd-kabel.

The holidays are here, and the element14 Community is spreading festive cheer with activities designed to inspire engineers, makers and creators of all kinds.

This year’s celebrations promise a mix of creativity, learning, and camaraderie. Here’s what to expect:

• STEM-Inspired Gift Wishlist: Explore curated holiday gift guides packed with ideas for engineers and parents aiming to ignite a passion for STEM in their children.
• Holiday Quiz: Challenge your knowledge with a quiz guaranteed to keep you thinking throughout the season.
• Annual Holiday Electronics Competition: This competition invites participants to showcase holiday-themed electronic creations inspired by the spirit of the season.

The centerpiece of the festivities is the holiday electronics competition. Participants are encouraged to share their unique electronic projects that celebrate the meaning of the holidays. Projects can range from a party-planning aid to a creative upgrade for holiday decorations or even a thoughtful gift.

Creativity, originality, and technical excellence will be rewarded, with prizes available for first place, second place, and five runners-up. Winners will have the opportunity to choose from three prizes tailored to support their current or future projects.

For more information on how to participate and to see inspirations from past entries, visit the holiday competition page.

Andreea Teodorescu, Global Director of Product Marketing & element14 Community, stated, “Whether it’s festive cheer or technical ingenuity, this competition is all about bringing the community together during the holiday season. We can’t wait to see what our talented community members create this year. Happy holidays and happy creating from the element14 Community!”

For more details on the competition and to explore the holiday wishlists and quiz, please visit: https://community.element14.com/members-area/holidays/.

Newark has launched a new interview series, Top Tech Voices, featuring leading figures in the tech industry and highlighting the latest technology trends blended with the latest thinking.

Across six episodes, the series invites experts in their fields to share their visionary perspectives on topics such as AI development, cybersecurity, robotics, IoT solutions, and the future of renewable energy and electromobility. 

“Innovation and progress are at the core of everything we do,” said Rebeca Obregon, President of Newark. “With Top Tech Voices, we are able to explore that innovation with all tech enthusiasts, forward-thinkers, and anyone passionate about the endless possibilities that technology has to offer. The Top Tech Voices topics were selected based on detailed research into market trends, and our first six guests have been carefully chosen to ensure the highest quality content. Each is an acknowledged expert in their field.”

Hosted by award-winning AI Content and Prompt Engineering Strategist, Georgia Lewis Anderson, the first episode of Top Tech Voices, available to watch now, features Jaap Haartsen, a member of the US National Inventors Hall of Fame^® who led the invention of Bluetooth^® wireless technology. Haartsen will share his views on Electronics' Innovations & the Future of Electronics Technology and the Industry. A preview of his presentation can be found here.

Subsequent episodes, all in English language, will feature discussions with:

• Professor Victoria Baines FBCS, a leading authority in the field of online trust, safety and cybersecurity who will present her findings regarding Data Privacy in the Age of Industrial Automation & Cybersecurity. An introduction to her ideas can be found here.
• Professor Dominik Boesl, Professor for Digital Sciences, Automation and Leadership at the Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft will discuss The Factory of the Future/Humans and Machines: A Collaborative Future. Some of his robotics work can be sampled here.
• Toju Duke, Founder and CEO, Bedrock AI and Diverse AI, will explore The Rise of AI on the Edge with Distributed Intelligence. An introduction into Toju and her ideas can be found here.
• Professor Colin Herron CBE, Lead for Innovation and Skills in Battery Manufacturing at Newcastle University, will present The Race to Electrify: EVs and Infrastructure & Power Management: Optimizing for Battery Life and Energy Efficiency. Professor Herron shares his thoughts on the future of transport infrastructure here.
• William Higham, one of the world’s leading futurists and strategy experts who founded “The Next Big Thing” will talk about Technology of the Future: What Awaits Us in the Coming Decade? Further details about Higham are available here.

"We are very excited to share what we will learn from our esteemed presenters,” added Obregon. “Each one is highly regarded in their respective discipline, so we are looking forward to each episode where we can offer such a level of insight to the industry.”

The first episode of Top Tech Voices, plus details of future episodes, can be found here.