Power Up

Data centers are undergoing major disruptions with AI hardware proliferation as new processor technology is released and power consumption at the xPU increases dramatically. The conventional power distribution architecture needs to be modified to manage this increase. This discussion explores the intense power demand in these data centers, the higher-voltage DC bus required to meet the challenge, and how the Renesas power portfolio can help designers better address the demands on their systems. 

Power electronics is driving major shifts like EV powertrains, AI data centers, and industrial electrification—but module performance and reliability also hinge on “behind-the-scenes” materials. Critical elements like die attach, encapsulants, and thermal interface materials can determine whether a power module withstands years of thermal cycling, high current, and harsh operating conditions. On PowerUP, you’ll be joined by Burcak Conley (Head of Application Engineering for North America & Europe at Henkel) to discuss what’s driving demand and how packaging materials are evolving to meet higher thermal and reliability needs. You’ll also explore where Henkel sees the biggest opportunities ahead in this space.

In the new AI world, reality, usefulness and human characteristics blend causing real technology challenges – especially in robots. They’ve become perceptive. They think. Robots act and engage with humans and the real world around them using predictive intelligence. With the aging population, labor shortages, and increasing labor costs, these traits are becoming increasingly useful as we search to find new ways to automate things, increase productivity, and improve services. In this podcast, we’ll explore the path of physicalizing AI in robotics with the help of hardware and software tools. We’ll also discuss the benefits and challenges of creating robots as the lines between digital intelligence and physical reality blurs.  

HVAC systems are notoriously power hungry, contribution to a major portion of household electricity expenses. Modernizing these systems with wireless connectivity to enable smart remote monitoring and control is key to reducing energy usage. Furthermore, smart HVAC units can be integrated with both local energy grids to reduce energy costs and the broader smart home wireless ecosystem to encourage interoperability

In today's podcast we will discuss how Renesas' GaN offering supports the requirements of different power applications, across sectors such as AI Infrastructure, Solar OBC and DC/DC in Electric vehicles. The power conversion within each of these sectors is shifting towards more power dense, efficient, modular, and intelligent power architectures, with trends toward high-voltage buses, bidirectional energy flow, and fewer conversion stages. Today’s focus will be infrastructure, renewable energy, with a discussion of how the wide-bandgap gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductor can be a key enabling technology to drive these system-level improvements .