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The Angstrom Era of Electronics

Angstrom is a unit of measurement that is most commonly used for extremely small particles or atoms in the fields of physics and chemistry. However, nanometres are almost too big for new electronic components, and in the not-so-distant future angstrom may be used to measure the size of semiconductors. It could happen soon Some large […]
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What are GaN and SiC?

Silicon will eventually go out of fashion, and companies are currently heavily investing in finding its protégé. Gallium Nitride (GaN) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) are two semiconductors that are marked as being possible replacements. Compound semiconductors Both materials contain more than one element, so they are given the name compound semiconductors. They are also both […]
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What alternatives to WiFi are available?

WiFi has been an integral part of our life since the 90s when it first came into being. Originally created for wireless connections in cashier systems under the name WaveLAN, the trademarked WiFi name came into existence just before the turn of the century and hasn’t looked back since. Alongside WiFi, cellular internet was also […]
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Carbon nanotubes being used to develop ‘Smart Clothes’

Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, the material has been utilised for commercial purposes in several areas, including anti-corrosion paints, hydrophobic coatings and engineering plastics. CNTs were one of the materials that made it possible for two-dimensional graphene to be used and researched. On a broader scale, it allowed nanoscience to branch […]
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The History of Transistors

Transistors are a vital, ubiquitous electronic component. Their main function is to switch or amplify the electrical current in a circuit, and a modern device like a smartphone can contain between 2 and 4 billion transistors. So that’s some modern context, but have you ever wondered when the transistor was invented? Or what it looked […]
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Ukraine-Russia conflict may increase global electronics shortage

Due to conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both of whom produce essential products for chip fabrication, the electronic component shortage across the globe may worsen. Ukraine produces approximately half of the global supply of neon gas, which is used in the photolithography process of chip production. Russia is responsible for about 44% of all palladium, […]
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Could Graphene be used in semiconductors?

A new discovery Graphene was first isolated at the University of Manchester in 2004. Professors Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting on a Friday night (as you do) and found they could create very thin flakes of graphite using sticky tape. When separating these fragments further, they found they could produce flakes that were […]
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The global electronic component shortage – what happened?

Arguably the biggest ongoing crisis in the tech industry is the global semiconductor shortage. You can’t go far online without seeing news about it, and many people have seen it firsthand when trying to buy a brand-new car, or a recently released games console. When did it start? The obvious factor contributing to the shortage […]
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The European Chips Act and its impact on electronic component sales

Semiconductors are vital for our day-to-day life. They are in all the electronics you own but are also in your kitchen appliances, your car, your electric shower and many more. But what if we lost access to these components? The huge reliance on imported semiconductors was made abundantly clear last year. Europe’s current share of […]
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Electronic component market to see continued growth by 2027

The electronic component market is set to see continued growth over the next five years, with projections estimating greater demand than ever. Several forecasts have converged with the same conclusion; demand for components is set to rocket as the world adopts more advanced technologies.  This article will explore the latest research papers and market analysis […]
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How Can Companies Combat the Electronic Components Shortage?

Electronic components shortages show no signs of abating, fuelled by growing demand for electronics, limited availability of raw materials, soaring manufacturing prices and lingering COVID-19 disruptions. Shortages have hindered manufacturers since 2018, but things came to a head in 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting supply chains. The pandemic created an imbalance in supply chains, […]
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What is causing the surge in semiconductor and passive components?

As the world becomes smarter and more connected, the components used in electronic circuits are seeing a surge in demand. Semiconductors and passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, transforms) are seeing a surge in demand as chip-heavy vehicles, consumer electronics and smart, Internet of Things devices are produced in larger quantities. This demand is creating a shortage […]
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Obsolescence Management Before It Becomes A Problem

Obsolescence Management Before It Becomes A Problem Like the device you are reading this on, all electronic components become obsolete eventually. As a supply chain manager, it is your job to manage obsolescence and make sure it doesn’t become a problem for your company. The three reasons for electronic component obsolescence are short product life […]
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Semiconductor Supply Chain Will Remain Vulnerable Without Robust Investment in Advanced Packaging

Semiconductor Supply Chain Will Remain Vulnerable Without Robust Investment in Advanced Packaging A new U.S. study has found that the advanced semiconductor packaging supply chain needs strengthening to meet the increasing demand for chips. According to the report, without robust federal investment, the semiconductor supply chain in the U.S. faces an uphill battle to meet demand. The […]
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Global silicon chip shortage will last until at least 2023

How long will the global silicon chip shortage last? If you were to ask ten CEO’s of leading technology companies, you’d probably get ten different answers. However, there’s one timeframe most CEO’s quote… 2023 is the date CEO’s are optimistic about  Intel’s CEO, Pat Gelsinger, has given us a realistic timeframe for the chip shortage […]
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Incoterms Explained

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) are a set of trade rules issued by the International Chamber of Commerce to define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers globally to reduce confusion in cross-border trade. Incoterms are 11 internationally recognised rules that define things like who is responsible for managing shipment and who is responsible for customs clearance. […]
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Memory suppliers to benefit from strong demand and supplier shortages

While the downsides to electronic components shortages are well known, business is booming for smaller memory suppliers. Sales of Samsung DRAM grew 26% in Q2 2021 without meaningful production capacity growth, and as supply-demand imbalances grow, memory suppliers like Samsung, Micron and others are turning to smaller suppliers to fill gaps. As chip shortages continue, […]
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Electronic Component Shortage update

The ongoing electronic component shortage is one of the biggest challenges global supply chains face today, with demand for many components, from chips to actives and passives, well and truly outstripping supply. A lot has happened in the last month, with new research and analyst insights pointing to when demand might ease (hint: it won’t […]
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Communications including 5G will drive the components market

According to IC Insights, the communication sector’s share of integrated circuit sales reached 35% in 2020 and is expected to grow to 36.5% by 2025. For perspective, the automotive sector’s share of integrated circuit sales was 7.5% in 2020 and will grow to 9.8% by 2025 – significantly less than communications. Industry tailwinds What’s driving […]
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Chip Shortage causing car manufacturers to cut production levels

A week doesn’t pass without an announcement from a car manufacturer that they are cutting production levels. Idling shifts and even entire factories has become normal for an industry that thrives on maximising output.  Volkswagen, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai and Toyota have cut production levels to prioritise their most lucrative models. In some cases, plants […]
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Component Prices Rise 10% to 40% – But why?

While component price rises are expected when demand outstrips supply, the scale of recent increases has come as a shock to many businesses. In its Q3 Commodity Intelligence Quarterly, CMarket intelligence platform Supplyframe reports that some electronic components have seen prices rise by as much as 40%, making it uneconomical for products to be made. […]
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Automotive electronics market set to grow

With vehicles getting smarter, more connected and more autonomous, the automotive electronics market looks set to soar. Future growth in numbers Back in March, Precedence Research predicted the automotive electronics market would hit around US$ 640.56 billion by 2030. Then, in July, Global Market Insights released research predicting the automotive electronics market would hit around […]
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Passive and Interconnecting Electronic Components market to display lucrative growth

The passive and interconnecting electronic components market is predicted to display lucrative growth across all regions over 2020-2025, with North America the dominant market due to the prominence of players in the country. These predictions come from The Passive and Interconnecting Electronic Components market report from Market Study Report, which you can request a sample […]
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Chips shortage limits auto production in Brazil and the rest of the world

“Never seen anything like it,” Tesla’s Elon Musk tweeted last month about the global chips shortage, “Fear of running out is causing every company to overorder – like the toilet paper shortage, but at epic scale.” If you want a prime example of the chips shortage, look to Brazil. In 2020, the automotive industry in […]
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What Shortage? How Electronic Component Distributors Make Supply Meet Demand

When buyers can’t find electronic components, they turn to distributors like us who can source scarce and obsolete parts. Our experience has been tested to new extremes over the last several months due to the semiconductor and wider electronic components shortage. This shortage was years in the making but has been amplified by COVID-19. It […]
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Perfect storm’ creates electronic component shortages

A perfect storm has hit the electronic components market, creating supply chain problems that will be felt for several years. The perfect storm Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, most electronic component manufacturers were running at 95-98% capacity. This high demand for electronic components was fuelled by growth in technologies like automation and the Internet of […]
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Active Electronic Components Market Growing Demand

Active electronic component demand is soaring. The market is expected to grow by a compound annual growth rate of 4.8% during 2021-2026, fuelled by new technologies and faster and more globally available internet connectivity. What’s driving it? An explosion of new products with AI and IoT support and tailwinds like 5G are fuelling demand for […]
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The Global Chip Shortage Has Created a New Problem: Counterfeits

The global chip shortage is officially wreaking havoc. The world’s biggest carmakers, including Toyota and Volkswagen, have had to slow down vehicle production, and Samsung – who make their own chips – has had to delay the launch of several smartphones due to be released in 2021. These are but a few examples of thousands […]
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Semiconductor production capacity expected to hit records highs in 2021

As you probably know, we are in the middle of a global semiconductor shortage. Auto manufacturers are cutting jobs, brands are delaying the release of new products, and people are struggling to buy things like games consoles. It’s a grim situation predicted to last a few years, but behind the scenes, semiconductor companies are preparing […]
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Government asks for views on supply chain security

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has called for views on security measures across digital supply chains and IT services, including data processing, infrastructure management and supplier assurance. The call comes as more organisations move their operations online and pivot to digital business models. A few obvious examples are retailers moving online […]
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Chip shortage hitting auto jobs

The global semiconductor shortage is hitting automotive manufacturers where it hurts, which will inevitably lead to job cuts across the supply chain. We are already starting to see this with Stellantis, the car company formed by the merger of Fiat and Peugeot, saying it will cut over 1,600 jobs at its Illinois Jeep plant. Elsewhere, […]
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  • In semiconductors

Who are the biggest players in the semiconductor industry?

Over the next decade, demand for semiconductors is going to go supersonic thanks to secular and cyclical tailwinds. Semiconductors are the building blocks of the information age; every device that will be ‘connected’ needs a semiconductor. The companies that manufacture semiconductors are the unsung heroes of the future. But who are they? In this article, […]
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Wireless-to-DALI Gateway specification from DALI Alliance

The DALI Alliance (DiiA) has published specifications for linking wireless-to-DALI gateways to DALI wired products and Bluetooth mesh and Zigbee ecosystems. The two new specifications published by the DALI Alliance are Part 341, covering Bluetooth Mesh to DALI Gateways, and Part 342, describing Zigbee to DALI Gateways. You can download the specifications you need for […]
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Equivalents keep the supply chain moving in uncertain markets

In uncertain markets, the demand for specific, branded components tends to outstrip supply. We have seen this recently with the semiconductor shortage, where specific chips are hard to come by at a time when they are needed. Equivalent components, also known as equivalents in the industry, provide an immediate solution. These ‘generic’ parts can be […]
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Keeping pace with high power terminal block demand

High power terminal block demand is soaring with the buildout of EV charging infrastructure. The reason is simple – high current requires high power terminal blocks, making these components essential for EV charging stations. The rapid growth in the adoption of electric vehicles is fuelling demand for high power terminal blocks beyond what most people […]
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Electronics Counterfeiters Capitalize on Component Shortages

The electronics industry is experiencing a components shortage which is bad news for everyone except counterfeiters who are seeing greater demand than ever. The total available market for counterfeit electronic components is billions of pounds, so it makes no wonder this illegal activity is seeing rapid growth. What is a counterfeit part? A counterfeit part […]
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Why We’re Facing a Global Semiconductor Shortage

The world is experiencing a semiconductor shortage at a time when demand for semiconductors is at an all-time high. Manufacturers can’t make enough of them and we’re now seeing this affect the availability of products. You probably remember last year Sony released the PlayStation 5 and Microsoft released the Xbox Series X. AMD released the […]
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Anglia goes solar with new photovoltaic cell range

Anglia Components has announced a new PCB-mounted photovoltaic solar cell line for electronics applications in collaboration with Anysolar, offering a new way for electronics manufacturers to harness light energy.   The technology The Anysolar PCB-mounted photovoltaic solar cell range can replace battery and mains power for low-power applications. It can be reflow soldered onto PCBs […]
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NXP Announces i.MX 9 and i.MX 8 processor line for Intelligent Multi-sensor Applications

NXP Semiconductors has announced a new line of edge processors that deliver a giant leap in performance and security at the edge. As edge computing rapidly evolves around us and demand for edge computing soars, performance demands are increasing at an exponential rate. This requires a new approach to security, power consumption and performance. Existing […]
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Is There a Passive Component Shortage?

Passive components include resistors, inductors, capacitors and transformers. They are among the most abundant electronic components in the world, but demand could start to outstrip supply this year in some industries. To help you grasp the exponential growth of the passive component market, the market was valued at USD 30.98 billion in 2020 and is […]
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MLCC supply is beginning to tighten?

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) are used in many electronics from smartphone screens to laser guidance systems. There was a prolonged lull in demand for MLCCs stretching from 2019 through to 2020, however supply is now tightening and lead times for new components are extending. This has caused some concern with those who use MLCCs to […]
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Chipageddon is upon us

Semiconductors go unseen yet they are at the heart of all our electronics. When supplies run short manufacturing lines slow down and the availability of products is affected. Last year had several examples, some of which may have affected you. AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 XT GPU was released in December but got nowhere close to […]
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Electronic component supply chain efficiency. Will we see another increase in supply and demand due to COVID-19 this year?

In 2020, the electronics components industry saw both increases and decreases in supply and demand depending on where you look. For example, demand for semiconductors that enable servers, connectivity and cloud usage skyrocketed due to stay at home workforces. Meanwhile, demand for semiconductors used in the automotive industry declined as car sales fell. In other […]
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How does recycling electronics help create sustainability within the industry?

Thanks to advancements in material science and recycling technologies, it’s possible to recycle around 80% of most new electronics. For example, the smartphone in your hand or pocket has around 80% recyclable components. The most valuable components in electronics are rare and precious metals. The quantity of these metals in your phone is tiny but […]
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How Cyclops helps tackle environmental issues in the electronics industry

There’s no industry as polarising as the electronics industry when it comes to the environment. This is the industry that generates 70% of all toxic waste on the planet, yet it’s also the industry that’s pioneering renewable energy to address climate change. The best way to look at the electronics industry from an environmental point […]
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How to avoid counterfeit components

Counterfeit electronic components are a plague on the electronics industry and they are an ongoing problem with no solution. The companies behind counterfeit components are unstoppable because their factories rise faster than they can be shut down. The market is set for them to continue operating forever. Counterfeit components are problematic because they are more […]
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Active and passive components to see strong 5G-driven demand

As the international rollout of 5G picks up pace, active and passive component demand is increasing at a rate of knots. The build out of 5G infrastructure requires significant investment in active and passive components for a wide range of different devices. Examples include active antennas with integrated RF radio designs, small cell power base […]
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How “Chiplets” May Help the Future of Semiconductor Technology

The global demand for semiconductors is accelerating faster than a speeding bullet, with integrated device manufacturers, systems companies, and foundries like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company making a killing. This accelerating demand is largely fuelled by the rollout of 5G infrastructure and the increasingly connected devices we use on a daily basis. From semi-autonomous driving aids […]
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