supply chain Archives

Transformers, Switchgear and Generators: The Equipment Bottleneck Behind Data Center Timelines

Long lead times for electrical equipment can delay data center projects as much as permits can. Here is which components matter and why they are hard...

AI accelerator package with a central processor and surrounding memory stacks.

Compute & Silicon5 months ago

The Hidden Ingredients: Materials and Chemicals Behind Every Chip

Chipmaking depends on a long list of ultra-pure materials, gases and chemicals. Here is an overview of the key inputs and why their supply matters.

Explainer: What a Megawatt of AI Compute Actually Costs

Explainers6 months ago

Export Controls on Chips: A General Primer

Governments sometimes restrict where advanced chips and chipmaking tools can be shipped. Here is how export controls work in general and why they target semiconductors.

AI Data-Center Power: Why Compute Is Becoming an Energy Problem

Explainers6 months ago

The Semiconductor Supply Chain, Stage by Stage

Making a chip involves many companies across many countries. This overview walks through each stage of the semiconductor supply chain in order.

Network switching package with optical fiber ribbons on an engineering workbench.

Power & Grid9 months ago

Why Transformers Became a Bottleneck for the Grid

Large power transformers are custom built, heavy and slow to manufacture. Rising demand has stretched their supply chain. Here is why that matters for new data...