This blog is part of the This Week in PowerBites Library Series.
Back in early 2020, when Bill Wong invited me to cover the Power Management beat here at Electronic Design, I quickly discovered I'd stepped into the middle of a revolution. For most of my career, power electronics had been a fairly unglamorous part of our industry which, for the most part, used basic technologies that advanced at a glacial pace. But it didn't take long to discover that, thanks to a perfect storm of new technologies, economic trends, and environmental issues, my new beat had become a red-hot crucible of innovation.
Looking at all of the new technologies, products, and applications flooding my inbox, I wondered how I'd ever be able to help our readers keep up with the news, let alone make sense of it.
And that's how PowerBites was born.
Ever since the first issue of PowerBites went live back in February 2020, I've done my best to serve you up a heaping helping of hot products, emerging technologies, and industry news, usually accompanied by a spicy side dish of analysis, rumors, and innuendo. The blog uses an inclusive definition of the term "power" with regard to our coverage. As such, it spans the range from nano-power energy-harvesting systems and power-management devices for smartphones, to inverters for EVs, locomotives, and utility-scale solar farms.
And, by way of full disclosure, my coverage tends to be slightly biased toward "sustainable" power products and technologies. By sustainable, I mean things involved with the de-carbonization of our economy through electrification, energy efficiency, energy management, and/or renewable energy production.
Going Beyond Product and Tech News
The blog also includes stuff that might not be considered technical but is very relevant to the power community at large. In previous issues, this has included student design competitions, several new electric aircraft, and how solar power is being used to restore some of the ocean's threatened coral reefs. I also try to keep you informed about new standards, industry practices, and industry regulations that will affect how you work, and what you'll be working on.
Publishing PowerBites and other power-related stuff with Electronic Design each month as been one of the most satisfying gigs I've had since I left the space program many years ago, but it's also a lot of work. With so much going on, it can be really tough for one person to keep up with an entire industry. So that's where you come in.
I'd like to invite you to make PowerBites a better blog by sharing whatever news, insights, or important events happening in your corner of the technosphere with me, and your fellow readers. In return, you'll enjoy the satisfaction of a good deed done, hearty thanks in our blog, and possibly even a modest gift (once I get them printed up).
Got something to share with PowerBites? Write me at: bearberg(at)gmail(dot)com.
*Longtime ED readers will recognize this phrase as the hallmark of longtime contributor, analog genius, and geek hero Bob Pease.
Read more articles in the This Week in PowerBites Library Series.