Power dominated the technology agenda in 2025 as the rapid buildout of AI data centers strained the grid. Many of the most-read articles in Electronic Design reflected these AI power difficulties, zooming in on innovations keeping power supplies ahead of the curve. Notably, Nvidia and other technology giants are moving up from the 48-V DC bus standard in today's data centers to 400- and 800-V systems. The shift emerged as a defining trend in 2025 and is set to accelerate in 2026.
Below, we’ve curated some of the year’s top articles from Electronic Design's power section, including deep dives on reducing power-supply noise and on integrating GaN and SiC into switch-mode power supplies, offering faster switching speeds and wringing out more efficiency.
Battery technology was another focal point. Ongoing safety concerns around lithium-ion batteries kept attention on alternatives, specifically solid-state cells that promise higher energy density and less explosive potential. One trend to track in 2026 is the rise of ultra-small solid-state batteries, led by startups such as Ion Storage Systems and heavyweights such as TDK and Samsung.
-James Morra, Senior Editor
