We talk IoT – The Internet of Things Business Podcast

In this episode, we conclude our special series on the Advanced Electronics Challenge with the winners themselves: Johannes Büker, CEO, and Paul Werner, CTO of Hydronauten GmbH. Their innovative solution addresses a significant hidden energy drain – pumps consume approximately 30% of the EU's electricity. Hydronauten addresses two critical challenges simultaneously: reducing harmful vibrations that damage infrastructure and residents' quality of life while dramatically improving energy efficiency. Their "quiet hydro technology" applies noise-cancelling principles to pump systems, enabling 20-30% energy savings and opening new possibilities for grid stabilisation. Johannes and Paul explain how their technology transforms existing pump installations into smart, efficient systems that can help stabilise renewable energy grids. The conversation reveals how pump-based grid stabilisation could have prevented recent power outages in Spain and Portugal and why this overlooked technology represents a crucial piece of the renewable energy puzzle. #pumptechnology #energyefficiency #gridstability #renewableenergy #iot #wetalkiot #noisecancelling #smartgrid   Summary of this week's episode: 02:15 Meet Hydronauten: From University Research to Commercial Success 04:30 The Dual Problem: Vibrations and Energy Waste in Pump Systems 06:45 How Noise-Cancelling Technology Works in Hydraulic Systems 09:20 Advanced Electronics Challenge: Miniaturising Signal Processing 12:10 AI and Data Analytics: Optimising Pump Performance 15:30 Compatibility with Existing Infrastructure: Plug-and-Play Solutions 17:45 Grid Stabilisation: Using Pumps to Balance Renewable Energy 21:30 Real-World Impact: Wastewater Treatment Success Story 24:15 The Spain-Portugal Grid Crisis: How Pumps Could Have Helped 26:40 Predictive Maintenance and Condition Monitoring Capabilities   Show notes: Johannes Büker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-johannes-b%C3%BCker-9800b9126/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-johannes-b%C3%BCker-9800b9126/] Paul Werner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-werner-b163162b1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-werner-b163162b1/] Hydronauten: https://hydronauten.de/ [https://hydronauten.de/] Advanced Electronics Challenge 2025: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/ [https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/]   Previous Advanced Electronics Challenge episodes: * CiX Greentech (Water Purification): https://we-talk-iot.podbean.eu/e/diamonds-are-forever-pfas-not-how-cix-greentech-purifies-water-%e2%80%93-we-talk-iot-66/ * Belle Health (Women's Health Technology): https://we-talk-iot.podbean.eu/e/cycle-breakers-how-belle-healths-smart-ring-is-transforming-womens-health-%e2%80%93-we-talk-iot-67/ [https://we-talk-iot.podbean.eu/e/cycle-breakers-how-belle-healths-smart-ring-is-transforming-womens-health-%E2%80%93-we-talk-iot-67/] Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp]   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/]. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com [http://www.avnet-silica.com].

In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge intersection of femtech and medical innovation with Victoria Schoeffel and Rafael Schaider from Belle Health, the second-place winners of the Advanced Electronics Challenge at embedded world. Belle Health tackles one of the most overlooked areas of healthcare: the impact of hormonal fluctuations on women's health. Their solution combines a therapy app with a smart ring to track physiological data, helping women understand and manage premenstrual symptoms, including the severe condition PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). Victoria and Rafael discuss the shocking 12-year average diagnostic delay for PMDD, how their technology can reduce this to months, and why women's physiology remains an afterthought in both medicine and electronics development. They explain how their evidence-based approach brings together psychological interventions with real-time physiological monitoring. Tune in to discover how this German startup is pioneering a data-driven approach to women's health that could transform diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for millions of women worldwide. #femtech #womenhealth #smartwearables #iot #wetalkiot #PMDD #hormonehealth   Summary of this week's episode: 02:04 Understanding the Problem: Premenstrual Symptoms and PMDD 05:05 The Evolution of Femtech and Recognizing Female Health as Hormonal Health 07:22 Historical Testing Gap: Medical Research Focused on Men 09:20 The Impact of PMDD: Suicidal Ideation and Misdiagnosis 11:12 Belle Health's Solution: App and Smart Ring Technology 14:48 Analysing Female Data Based on Menstrual Cycles vs. Calendar Days 16:31 Current Sensing Technology and Future Hormone Measurement Goals 18:04 Heart Rate Variability Across the Menstrual Cycle 20:47 Reducing the 12-Year Diagnostic Delay for PMDD 23:18 Data-Driven Approach to Treatment Selection 25:48 Digital Health Access in Remote Areas 29:57 Vision for the Future: AI and Personalized Healthcare 33:23 Why Belle Health Joined the Advanced Electronics Challenge   Show notes: Victoria Schoeffel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-schoeffel/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-schoeffel/] Rafael Schaider: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-schaider/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafael-schaider/] Belle Health: https://bellehealth.co/ [https://bellehealth.co/] An example of a period pain simulator: https://youtu.be/PuiWm2Lb-hk?si=it0kRhe1406_shR_ [https://youtu.be/PuiWm2Lb-hk?si=it0kRhe1406_shR_] Advanced Electronics Challenge 2025: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/ [https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/]   Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp]   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/]. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com [http://www.avnet-silica.com].

In this episode, we explore the future of water purification with Timo Fromm and Rudolf Borchardt from CiX Greentech, a German startup tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. CiX has developed a smart, ready-to-use purification module that uses diamond electrodes and electricity to eliminate micropollutants such as pharmaceutical residues, hormones, bacteria, viruses – and persistent chemicals like PFAS. Timo and Rudolf discuss their journey from nanotechnology research to winning third place in the Advanced Electronics Challenge at embedded world 2025. We discuss the science behind their solution, potential industrial applications, and how their technology helps protect water systems and public health. Tune in to learn how deep tech and hardware innovation can drive real impact – one drop at a time. #water #purification #pfas #iot #wetalkiot   Summary of this week's episode: 01:38 Meet Six Green Tech 03:11 Understanding PFAS and Water Pollution 03:49 The Journey of Six Green Tech 05:07 Advanced Electronics Challenge 07:47 How the Water Purification Module Works 11:39 Importance of Removing Micro Contaminants 22:23 Future Plans and Applications   Show notes: Rudolf Borchardt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolfborchardt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolfborchardt/] Timo Fromm: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timofromm/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timofromm/] CiX Greentech: https://cixgreentech.de/ [https://cixgreentech.de/] Advanced Electronics Challenge 2025: https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/ [https://my.avnet.com/silica/resources/training-and-events/event/baystartup-challenge-advanced-electronics-2025/] Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp]   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/]. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com [http://www.avnet-silica.com].

Join host Stefanie Ruth Heyduck as she sits down with Phil Bell and Josh Jackman from ART Health Solutions to explore the cutting-edge intersection of technology and workplace wellbeing. Discover how real-world data from wearables, smartphone apps, and environmental sensors can enhance productivity and employee experience. Learn about the tangible impact of factors such as light, noise, office design, and even nutrition on your performance. Tune in to hear expert insights on the future of work, the benefits of flexible workspaces, and strategies for creating healthier, happier workplaces. #workplace #iot #data #wetalkiot   Summary of this week's episode: 01:40 Meet the Experts: Phil Bell and Josh Jackman 06:03 The Importance of Data in the Workplace 07:51 Remote Work vs. Traditional Office 15:56 Impact of Workplace Environment on Performance 18:57 Collecting and Analysing Workplace Data 21:49 Surprising Findings in Workplace Research 24:02 The Power of Micro Breaks 29:36 Strategies for Culture Change 34:11 Future of Data-Driven Workplaces   Show notes: Phill Bell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-bell-9a784065/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-bell-9a784065/] Josh Jackman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-jackman-/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-jackman-/] McKinsey Report on Thriving Workplaces: https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/thriving-workplaces-how-employers-can-improve-productivity-and-change-lives [https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/thriving-workplaces-how-employers-can-improve-productivity-and-change-lives] Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp]   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/]. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com [http://www.avnet-silica.com].

Mark Swinburn from NXP joins us to explore the pivotal role of energy management in today's world. We discuss the challenges posed by rising energy demands, the critical importance of sustainability, and the impact of AI and digitalization on energy systems. The conversation delves into how governments, companies, and investors can accelerate the clean energy transition through standardization and partnerships. Mark highlights the shift towards real-time, autonomous, and secure energy management systems, emphasizing AI and machine learning as key drivers. The episode concludes with a look at how NXP is incorporating advanced security measures to safeguard energy infrastructures and a discussion on emerging trends like containerization. #energy #power #iot #ai #wetalkiot   Summary of this week's episode: 02:25 Importance of Energy Management 03:38 Challenges in Energy Management 05:47 Contradictions in Energy Management 07:11 Energy Storage Systems 08:40 Optimization and Real-Time Management 13:23 AI and Machine Learning in Energy 20:24 Security and Resilience in Energy Systems 26:29 Emerging Trends and Future Outlook   Show notes: Mark Swinburn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-swinburn-49259012/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-swinburn-49259012/] Listen to the "We Talk IoT "Soundtrack on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4 [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/05MOV4OV2MH2in2txsAGtG?si=ad08112cb8d443f4] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-NvQ6VJYtE&list=PLLqgVFfZhDRVYmpEqbgajzDvGL4kACRDp]   About Avnet Silica: This podcast is brought to you by Avnet Silica—the Engineers of Evolution. You can connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/silica-an-avnet-company/]. Or find us at www.avnet-silica.com [http://www.avnet-silica.com].