In this episode of the CTRL+Listen Podcast, host James Sweetlove sits down with Lennart Hinrichs, Executive Vice President and General Manager Americas at TWAICE, to explore the rapidly evolving world of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Lennart breaks down everything from the basics of lithium-ion battery types and grid-scale applications to the California duck curve, state-of-charge challenges, and how TWAICE's cloud-based analytics platform helps operators maximize performance, prevent failures, and avoid costly grid penalties.The conversation dives deep into battery degradation, imbalance detection, preventive maintenance, and the role of machine learning in extracting actionable insights from massive datasets. Lennart also shares his perspective on how AI-driven data center demand is reshaping energy infrastructure, the state of the global battery supply chain, tariff impacts, and why solar-plus-storage may be the most practical path forward for grid stability. Whether you're an energy professional or just battery-curious, this episode is packed with real-world insight.
Resources from this episode:- Learn more about TWAICE: https://www.twaice.com/- Connect with Lennart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennart-hinrichs/

#BatteryStorage #EnergyStorage #Podcast

In this episode of the CTRL+Listen podcast, host James sits down with Justin Sears, Head of Product Marketing for SaaS at Altium, to explore how Octopart and Altium are converging into a unified, end-to-end hardware development platform. Justin breaks down how real-time parts data from Octopart is being embedded directly into Altium's design environment — helping procurement managers, PCB designers, and system engineers work smarter in the face of COVID-era supply chain shocks and ongoing tariff disruptions.Justin walks through Altium's Agile Teams solution, BOM Portal, and Octocart — powerful tools that allow hardware teams to shift procurement work earlier in the design cycle, compare distributor pricing at the click of a button, and stay ahead of part availability changes without ever leaving their design environment. Whether you're a seasoned Altium user or exploring it for the first time, this conversation shows why real-time data and cloud collaboration are now essential for competitive hardware development.Resources from this Episode:

• Connect with Justin
• Learn more about Agile Teams
• Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News

The electronics supply chain has never been more volatile — and the companies that ignore AI risk getting left behind entirely. In this episode of the Ctrl+Listen Podcast, host James sits down with Matthew Haber (CEO) and Phillip Gulley (CSO), co-founders of Cofactr, for a wide-ranging conversation on how AI is fundamentally reshaping hardware procurement, component sourcing, and supply chain management. From their unexpected origin story — building tours for Coachella acts and escape rooms for The Walking Dead — to solving year-long lead times for autonomous vehicle pioneer Zoox, Matt and Phil reveal how frustration with electronics supply chain chaos led them to build Cofactr from the ground up.Cofactr is now transforming how hardware teams go from bill of materials to kitted components delivered on schedule — with a free platform tier that removes friction for manufacturers of all sizes. Tune in to hear how AI handles everything from scrubbing supplier quotes to warehouse receiving verification, why 5 procurement professionals at Cofactr can do the work of 50, and why supply chain volatility isn't going away anytime soon. Whether you're a startup engineer or a Fortune 10 procurement manager, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating today's unpredictable electronics market.Resources from this Episode:

Connect with MatthewConnect with PhillipLearn more about CofactrBrowse Octopart for Parts & Tech News

Discover how Partsimony is transforming the manufacturing landscape by bridging the critical gap between engineering and supply chain management. In this compelling conversation, CEO Rich Mokuolu shares how their AI-powered software optimizes supply chain structures directly from design files, enabling companies to scale production more effectively in an era of tariffs, regional conflicts, and reshoring initiatives. Rich discusses the fundamental disconnect that has long plagued the industry—where supply chain managers negotiate pricing while engineers see opportunities for design optimization that could dramatically improve yield, pricing, and lead times. He explains how Partsimony's technology analyzes designs to unlock new supply chain possibilities, whether that means finding local Brooklyn manufacturers to retool for ventilator production or identifying emerging manufacturing hubs in Vietnam, India, and Mexico. Resources from this Episode:

- Connect with Rich on LinkedIn- Check out Partsimony- Browse Partsimony's Blog- Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News#SupplyChain #Manufacturing #AI

Firmware and embedded engineers face a unique challenge: bridging the gap between hardware design and software implementation while working under tight constraints and mission-critical requirements. In this episode of the Ctrl+Listen Podcast, Ryan Eppley (CEO) and Samarpita Chowdhury (CTO) of Root Access explain how their AI-native platform Hideout is transforming the embedded systems workflow. From generating accurate drivers directly from datasheets to eliminating tedious configuration work, discover how this New York-based startup is helping engineers go from schematics to field testing in days instead of months.The conversation explores what makes embedded engineering so challenging, why traditional AI coding tools fall short for low-level programming, and how Root Access is partnering with Altium and Octopart to create a seamless development environment. - Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-eppley/

- Connect with Samarpita: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samarpita-chowdhury/

- Root Access on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-access-ai/

- Root Access on X: https://x.com/root_access_

- Learn More about Root Access: https://rootaccess.ai/- Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News: https://octopart.com/#Podcast #EmbeddedSystems #FirmwareEngineering #AIDeveloperTools

Explore India's hardware community with Srinivasan M, founder of PCB Cupid. Explore the vibrant yet fragmented hardware community in India, the challenges of electronics product development, and the mission to create open-source hardware solutions that accelerate innovation.In this exclusive Control Listen podcast interview, Srinivasan shares insights into:

- The origins of PCB Cupid and its educational mission- Challenges in India's electronics and hardware ecosystem- The importance of open-source hardware and documentation- Supply chain complexities and opportunities for local manufacturing

Resources from this Episode: - PCB Cupid- Connect with Srinivasan M - Check out @pcbcupid on YouTube

#PCBDesign #IndianTech #ElectronicsEngineering #MakeInIndia

Dive into the world of B2B technology marketing with Mike Maynard, Chairman of Napier Partnership Limited. In this fascinating CTRL+Listen podcast episode, Mike shares his remarkable journey from electronics engineering to leading a successful marketing agency, offering unique insights into tech marketing strategies.Explore the critical differences in selling to engineers versus consumers, the evolving landscape of generative AI, and how technical companies can effectively communicate their value proposition. Mike discusses Napier's innovative approach to helping tech clients grow their sales and navigate the changing digital marketing ecosystem.

Resources from this Episode:

- Connect with Mike- Learn More about Mike- Learn More about Napier- Browse Octopart for Parts & Tech News

Dive deep into the world of cutting-edge antenna technology with Bülent Solan, co-founder of Quarterwave. Discover how innovative engineering is transforming antenna design from bulky components to intelligent, compact solutions that connect our modern world.

In this fascinating CTRL+LISTEN episode, explore the evolution of antennas, breakthrough design techniques, and the future of connectivity. Learn how Quarterwave is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in antenna technology.

Resources from this Episode:

- Learn More about Quarterwave

- Connect with Bülent Solan