Lithium battery transportation has always required careful handling. In 2026, the rules became even more specific.

From January 1, 2026, lithium-ion cells and batteries packed with equipment under IATA Packing Instruction 966 are subject to new state-of-charge requirements for air transportation. In many cases, batteries must be offered for transport at no more than 30% of their rated capacity, with specific provisions depending on the section of the packing instruction. IATA’s broader Battery Shipping Regulations also cover classification, packing, marking, labeling, documentation and acceptance.

Those rules are critical. But they answer one question: was the battery prepared correctly for transportation?

They do not necessarily answer another: what happened to it once the journey began?

For lithium batteries and high-value battery-powered equipment, safe transportation also means understanding whether the shipment was exposed to conditions such as excessive impact, improper orientation or heat along the way.

Why shipment conditions matter for lithium batteries

Lithium-ion batteries can overheat and enter thermal runaway when damaged, overheated or otherwise compromised. The FAA specifically identifies physical damage and overheating among the conditions that can contribute to thermal runaway and warns against transporting damaged packages containing lithium batteries.

That creates a challenge for logistics teams.

A battery pack can arrive in packaging that appears intact, while the team receiving it has little evidence of how it was handled through loading, unloading, warehousing and carrier transfers.

Condition monitoring does not replace compliant packaging, dangerous goods procedures or manufacturer-defined inspection requirements. It adds another layer of information that can help teams identify shipments that may warrant closer inspection before batteries are accepted, installed or put into service.

Impact: did the battery experience potentially damaging handling?

Drops and impacts can occur at almost any handling point.

ShockWatch 2 QR is a single-use impact indicator that permanently changes from clear to red when an impact exceeds its specified G-force threshold. A smartphone scan creates a digital record including the condition of the indicator, time, date, location and supporting imagery.

For lithium battery shipments, that creates a simple receiving signal. If the indicator has activated, the receiving team has objective evidence that the shipment experienced an impact above the selected threshold and can follow the appropriate inspection or escalation process.

This is particularly useful when external packaging alone cannot tell the whole story.

SpotSee has seen this problem in practice. In a Formula E battery transportation case study, a battery supplier used connected condition monitors while shipping sensitive racing batteries between events around the world. During one shipment, the team received an impact alert before the battery arrived. Inspection later confirmed that the battery had been irreparably damaged, allowing the supplier to send a replacement before the team was left without one on race day.

Tilt: did the shipment stay in the required orientation?

Battery packs rarely travel alone. They may be integrated into energy storage systems, industrial machinery, automotive assemblies or other equipment that has defined orientation requirements during transportation.

TiltWatch XTR QR provides a visual indication when a shipment tips beyond 80 degrees. At receipt, the QR code can be scanned to document the tilt condition along with the time, location and serial number.

That does not automatically mean the battery or equipment has been damaged. It gives the receiving team evidence that a specified handling condition was exceeded so the appropriate inspection process can begin.

As SpotSee explains in its article on digital traceability for tilt-sensitive assets, the value of that evidence is greatest when it is captured consistently at the hand-off, while teams can still connect the condition of the shipment to the transportation journey.

Temperature: did the shipment experience excessive heat?

Physical handling is only one part of the journey.

The FAA identifies overheating as one of the conditions that can contribute to lithium-ion battery thermal runaway.

Where a battery manufacturer or equipment supplier has defined upper temperature limits for transportation, an irreversible temperature indicator can provide evidence that those limits were exceeded.

Thermax labels permanently change color when their rated temperature is reached or exceeded, creating a visual record of the maximum temperature experienced by the monitored surface. Different versions are available across a wide temperature range, allowing the threshold to be selected according to the application.

The important point is not to apply a universal temperature limit to every lithium battery. Battery chemistry, construction and manufacturer specifications vary. Monitoring should be configured against the limits established for the particular battery or equipment being transported.

When a battery shipment needs more context

For a single shipment, knowing that an impact occurred may be enough to trigger inspection.

For a high-value battery system moving across multiple countries, carriers and logistics hubs, teams may need more context.

SpotBot GL monitors triaxial impact, temperature and humidity while also tracking shipment location. Data is transmitted to the SpotSee Cloud, allowing teams to review shipment status and receive alerts while an asset is still moving through the supply chain.

That can help answer questions that a visual inspection at delivery cannot:

Where did the event occur? When did it happen? What other conditions was the shipment experiencing at the time? Does the shipment need to be inspected before the next stage of the journey?

For expensive or time-critical battery systems, having that information before delivery can be particularly valuable. The Formula E battery example shows why: detecting the problem early gave the supplier time to respond rather than discovering the damaged battery only when it was needed.

Compliance gets the battery onto the journey. Monitoring helps show what happened next.

The tighter lithium battery transportation requirements taking effect in 2026 are an important reminder that battery logistics demands careful risk management.

But classification, state of charge, packaging and labeling describe how the shipment should be prepared.

They cannot show every condition the battery experienced once it left the facility.

For logistics and quality teams responsible for valuable lithium batteries or battery-powered equipment, monitoring impact, orientation, temperature and broader shipment conditions can add evidence at the point where it matters most: when deciding whether a shipment can move confidently to its next stage.

As with any monitoring program, thresholds should be based on the battery manufacturer’s specifications, validated packaging and the organization’s own quality and receiving procedures.

The goal is not to monitor every shipment in the same way. It is to make sure that when the condition of a lithium battery matters, the team receiving it has more to work with than an intact box and a compliant label.

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Cell and gene therapies create an unusually demanding cold-chain environment. Many therapies are highly temperature sensitive, extremely valuable and time critical. Some are also patient specific, making the consequences of a compromised shipment particularly significant.

Maintaining the required temperature range is therefore essential throughout storage and transportation. But knowing that temperature needs to be monitored is only the beginning.

The next question is: what level of temperature evidence does your team need?

For some shipments, a visual pass/fail indicator can provide the immediate evidence needed at receipt. For others, quality teams may need a detailed temperature history to understand when and for how long an excursion occurred. And for high-value or complex shipments, connecting condition data with time and location can provide additional context while the therapy is in transit.

Choosing the right approach starts with understanding the decision that needs to be made when a shipment arrives or an exception occurs.

The International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) has made cold-chain readiness a specific area of focus in 2026. Its Cold Chain Management and Logistics Working Group is addressing practices across cryopreservation, storage, shipping, handling and thawing, reflecting the importance of maintaining controlled conditions throughout the therapy journey.

Why cell and gene therapy cold chains demand greater visibility

Cell and gene therapies can move through multiple controlled environments before reaching the patient. Depending on the therapy and distribution model, that journey may include manufacturing facilities, storage locations, specialized logistics providers and clinical sites.

For autologous therapies, the logistics challenge is even more specific. Patient-derived material is collected, transported for manufacturing and ultimately returned for administration to that same patient. Temperature control, timing and traceability all become critical parts of getting the right therapy to the right place under the required conditions.

Each hand-off also creates a point where teams may need evidence that temperature requirements have been maintained.

The challenge is that not every monitoring technology provides the same type of evidence. A visual indicator can quickly show that a defined threshold has been crossed. A data logger can provide a record of temperature over time. A connected monitor can add information about when and where an exception occurred.

The right choice depends on what your team needs to know and what action that information will trigger.

When you need an immediate pass/fail temperature indication

At some receiving points, the most important question is straightforward: was this shipment exposed to temperatures outside its specified range?

ColdChain Complete combines ascending and descending temperature indicators to provide irreversible visual evidence of temperature excursions. ColdChain Complete and the smaller adhesive-backed ColdChain Complete XS can be incorporated into different packaging configurations.

These indicators do not provide a continuous temperature history. Instead, they provide clear pass/fail evidence that specified temperature conditions have been maintained or exceeded.

That distinction can make them useful when receiving teams need an immediate visual indication before following their established quality procedures.

If the indicator shows that an excursion occurred, the shipment can be flagged for further evaluation according to the organization’s predefined inspection, quarantine or disposition process.

When exposure below a specific temperature is the concern

Temperature-sensitive therapies are not only vulnerable to excessive heat. Depending on the product and required storage range, exposure below a defined temperature can also be a concern.

ColdSNAP is a descending temperature indicator designed to provide irreversible visual evidence when a monitored product reaches or falls below its specified threshold.

Once triggered, the visual change remains even if the shipment subsequently returns to an acceptable temperature.

That gives receiving teams a simple way to identify that a cold-temperature threshold was crossed during storage or transportation.

As with ColdChain Complete, the value is immediacy. The indicator is not intended to reconstruct the entire temperature journey. It answers a specific operational question and can trigger the appropriate quality process when an excursion is identified.

When you need to understand the temperature history

For some cell and gene therapy shipments, knowing that an excursion occurred is not enough.

Quality teams may need to determine when the temperature moved outside the specified range, how conditions changed over time or how long an excursion lasted. Those questions require a temperature data logger rather than a pass/fail indicator.

SpotSee’s MaxiLog temperature data loggers record temperature throughout storage and transportation, creating a temperature history that can be reviewed after the shipment.

MaxiLog PDF, for example, is a single-use temperature data logger that automatically generates a PDF report when connected via USB. MaxiLog Alert options can provide configurable alarm parameters and recorded measurement data for applications requiring more detailed temperature documentation.

This level of information can support investigation when an excursion occurs because teams have more than an indication that a threshold was crossed. They have a record showing how temperature behaved during the monitored period.

For high-value, temperature-sensitive therapies, that distinction can be important when quality teams need evidence to support their established evaluation and disposition procedures.

When you also need to know when and where an exception occurred

Some cell and gene therapy shipments require another level of visibility, particularly when products are high value, time sensitive or moving through complex logistics networks.

SpotBot GL combines condition monitoring with location information. It monitors temperature, humidity and tri-axial impact while using cellular, Wi-Fi and GPS technologies to provide shipment location data through the SpotSee Cloud.

This gives logistics teams additional context when an exception occurs.

Instead of learning only that a temperature threshold was exceeded, teams can identify when and where the monitored event was recorded.

For example, that information may help determine whether an exception occurred before a shipment reached an airport, while it was at an intermediate logistics location or during the final stage of transportation.

SpotBot GL does not replace the quality procedures used to determine whether a therapy remains suitable for use. It provides information that can help logistics and quality teams investigate what happened and respond according to those established procedures.

Match the monitoring approach to the decision

There is no single temperature-monitoring solution that every cell and gene therapy shipment requires.

The appropriate level of monitoring depends on the therapy, its specified temperature range, the complexity and duration of the journey and, importantly, what the organization needs to know when the shipment reaches its destination.

If the primary need is an immediate indication of whether a specified temperature threshold was crossed, ColdChain Complete, ColdChain Complete XS or ColdSNAP can provide visual pass/fail evidence.

If quality teams need to review how temperature changed throughout the monitored period, MaxiLog provides a recorded temperature history.

And when logistics teams need condition data alongside time and location information during transit, SpotBot GL provides connected shipment visibility.

These technologies answer different questions. The goal is not necessarily to collect the maximum amount of data on every shipment. It is to collect the right level of evidence for the decisions your team needs to make.

For cell and gene therapy logistics, the question is not whether temperature should be monitored. It is what level of temperature evidence your team needs to make the right decision when a shipment arrives or an excursion occurs.

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Industrial robots and automation equipment are built for precision. Shipping them is considerably less precise.

A robotic arm, cobot, automation cell or control system can arrive at an installation site with its crate intact and no obvious signs of damage. But appearance alone cannot confirm what happened during loading, transportation, transfers or final-mile handling. An impact or tilt event may have occurred without leaving visible evidence on the outside of the shipment.

For equipment that may need to be calibrated, commissioned and integrated into a production environment after delivery, that missing information matters. Condition monitoring can give manufacturers, logistics teams and receiving sites evidence of how equipment was handled in transit and help identify shipments that warrant closer inspection before installation.

Why visible condition does not tell the whole story

Industrial automation equipment often combines sensitive electronics, mechanical assemblies, sensors, drives and precisely aligned components. Even when protective packaging performs as intended, teams cannot determine from the condition of the crate alone whether the equipment experienced a potentially damaging event during its journey.

This is the challenge of hidden shipping damage. SpotSee has documented the same problem across other types of high-value industrial equipment: a shipment can appear acceptable externally while shock, vibration or other conditions experienced during transit may have affected what is inside.

For automation equipment, the question at receiving is therefore not simply, “Does the shipment look damaged?”

It is also, “Did anything happen during transportation that means we should inspect this equipment more closely before commissioning it?”

The amount of information needed to answer that question depends on the equipment, its sensitivity and the decisions teams need to make with the data.

Impact: identifying shipments that may need inspection with ShockWatch 2 QR

For many shipments, teams do not need a detailed record of every condition throughout the journey. They need a clear indication that a potentially damaging impact occurred so the equipment can be inspected before moving to the next stage.

ShockWatch 2 QR is a single-use, battery-free impact indicator available in multiple impact thresholds. If the specified threshold is exceeded, the indicator permanently changes from clear to red.

The QR functionality adds a digital layer to that visual indication. Using a smartphone with no dedicated app required, personnel can scan the indicator to capture its condition along with information including the scan time, location and unique serial number. Scan information is uploaded to the SpotSee Cloud, creating a digital record that can support receiving, quality and claims workflows.

For robotic arms, control equipment and other impact-sensitive components, this creates a straightforward receiving process. If the indicator has activated, the team has an objective reason to pause and determine whether additional inspection is appropriate before installation.

Tilt: knowing whether equipment stayed upright with TiltWatch XTR QR

Impact is not the only concern when moving precision equipment. Some industrial machinery has defined orientation requirements throughout transportation and handling.

A crate may arrive upright at its destination without revealing that it was previously tipped onto its side.

TiltWatch XTR QR provides evidence of this type of handling exception. The single-use indicator turns red when a shipment tips beyond 80°, giving the receiving team an immediate visual indication that the shipment exceeded its tilt threshold.

A smartphone scan captures the tilt condition together with time, location and serial number, creating a digital record at the point of receipt. SpotSee specifically identifies industrial machinery among the applications for TiltWatch XTR QR.

This can be particularly useful for automation cells, cabinets and other equipment that must remain upright. Rather than relying on a “This Side Up” label to determine whether handling instructions were followed, the receiving team has evidence that can inform its inspection process.

When you need more context: SpotBot GL

For higher-value equipment or more complex journeys, knowing that an exception occurred may not be enough. Teams may also need to understand when and where it happened and what other environmental conditions the shipment experienced.

SpotBot GL provides connected monitoring of tri-axial impact, temperature and humidity along with location tracking. It uses cellular networks, Wi-Fi and GPS-related location technologies to provide shipment information through the SpotSee Cloud.

This makes SpotBot GL useful when automation equipment is traveling across multiple legs, carriers or handling points. Instead of discovering a potential problem only when the equipment reaches the installation site, teams can receive alerts and see where and when an impact or environmental excursion occurred.

That additional context can make investigation more focused. If an event is recorded, teams have information that can help them determine where in the journey it happened and whether the equipment should receive additional attention when it arrives.

Importantly, SpotBot GL monitors impact, temperature and humidity, not tilt. When orientation data or more detailed impact analysis is required, a different monitoring configuration may be more appropriate.

When precision requires deeper data: ShockLog Cellular GL with ShockLog 298

Some automation shipments require a much more detailed understanding of what happened in transit.

For highly sensitive, high-value or mission-critical machinery, ShockLog Cellular GL can be paired with the ShockLog 298 to provide a more advanced level of condition monitoring.

The ShockLog 298 is designed to record detailed shock and vibration data. Depending on its configuration and optional sensors, it can also capture temperature, humidity, tilt and roll. When paired with ShockLog Cellular GL, that information can be connected to real-time alerts and remote access through the SpotSee Cloud.

The combination is designed for situations where simply knowing that an impact happened is not sufficient. The ShockLog 298 can capture detailed impact event data using a tri-axial piezoelectric accelerometer, while ShockLog Cellular GL provides the connectivity needed to communicate shipment information remotely. SpotSee reports connectivity speeds up to 30 times faster than its previous 3G version.

This level of sensitivity and detail can be valuable when transporting precision automation systems where engineers need more than a pass-or-inspect signal. Detailed event information can help teams evaluate potentially damaging conditions, investigate what occurred and improve packaging, loading, routes or carrier practices over time.

SpotSee has used the same approach with other large, sensitive industrial assets. In its large power transformer case study, ShockLog 298 data was used to identify mishandling and support decisions around inspection, packaging and transportation practices.

Match the monitoring to the decision you need to make

Not every industrial robot needs the same level of monitoring.

A shipment where the primary question is whether a significant impact occurred may only require a visual indicator such as ShockWatch 2 QR. Equipment that must remain upright may benefit from TiltWatch XTR QR. Higher-value shipments moving through complex logistics networks may justify connected condition and location monitoring with SpotBot GL.

And for highly sensitive machinery where engineering teams need detailed shock, vibration and environmental information together with strong cellular connectivity, ShockLog Cellular GL paired with ShockLog 298 provides a more comprehensive record.

The important question is not how much data you can collect. It is how much information your team needs to make the right decision when the equipment arrives.

Industrial robots are designed to repeat movements with extraordinary precision. Their journey to the factory floor is rarely as controlled.

Condition monitoring helps close that gap, giving manufacturers, logistics teams and receiving sites evidence of what happened between shipment and installation so they can inspect when necessary, investigate exceptions and commission equipment with greater confidence.

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When a shipment arrives, how much information do you actually need to make the next decision?

Sometimes the answer is a complete history. You need to understand what happened throughout transit, when conditions changed and potentially where an exception occurred.

But sometimes the question is much simpler.

Did this shipment experience a condition outside the acceptable threshold?

If that is the decision your receiving team needs to make, collecting a complete journey history may be more information than the workflow requires.

That distinction is where QR-enabled condition indicators can fit between a traditional visual indicator and a data logger.

Start with the question, not the technology

It is easy to assume that more shipment data automatically means better shipment monitoring.

In practice, the useful amount of data depends on what the team needs to do with it.

A data logger records measurements at intervals throughout a journey, creating a detailed history that can be reviewed after or, depending on the technology, during transit. SpotSee’s data logger solutions are designed for applications where teams need that level of temperature history.

A QR-enabled indicator serves a different purpose. It monitors for a defined condition and provides an immediate visual indication when that condition has been met. Scanning the QR code with a smartphone can then create a digital record associated with that indicator.

Instead of asking “How much data can we collect?” a more useful starting point is:

What information will change the decision we make when this shipment arrives?

If the question is “did it get too warm or too cold?”

Temperature-sensitive shipments provide a good example of why the distinction matters.

A pharmaceutical manufacturer shipping a high-value biologic through a complex international cold chain may require a detailed temperature history. A different operation may primarily need to confirm at receipt whether a package crossed a defined temperature threshold.

For exposure above an acceptable temperature, WarmMark QR is a single-use, battery-free time-temperature indicator. It monitors cumulative exposure above a specified threshold and irreversibly changes color when the defined time-temperature condition is met.

When scanned with a smartphone, the scan can capture information including the indicator condition, time, date, location and serial number in the SpotSee Cloud. No dedicated app or battery is required.

For exposure below an acceptable threshold, FreezeSafe QR applies the same general idea to damaging cold conditions. The indicator provides irreversible visual evidence of exposure below its defined threshold, while a smartphone scan creates a digital record associated with the shipment.

Together, the two products address opposite temperature risks: WarmMark QR for ascending temperature exposure and FreezeSafe QR for descending temperature exposure.

The important distinction is that neither is trying to recreate a complete temperature profile. The indicator answers the threshold question while the QR functionality documents what was observed and where and when it was scanned.

The same principle applies beyond temperature

The “how much data do we need?” question is not limited to cold chain logistics.

Consider a piece of sensitive industrial equipment arriving at a receiving dock.

The team may not need a complete record of every movement during a three-day journey. They may need to know whether the shipment experienced an impact significant enough to trigger an inspection before installation.

ShockWatch 2 QR is a single-use, battery-free impact indicator designed for that type of decision. If an impact exceeds the selected threshold, the indicator provides a permanent visual alert. A smartphone scan records the condition and associated scan information in the SpotSee Cloud.

For equipment that must remain upright, the relevant question changes again.

Was it tipped beyond the acceptable angle?

TiltWatch XTR QR turns red if a shipment tips beyond 80 degrees. Scanning the indicator captures its condition along with time, location and serial number, creating a digital record at the point of inspection.

In both cases, the value comes from connecting a simple physical exception signal with documentation at a meaningful point in the shipment journey.

Think of shipment monitoring as a spectrum

The choice does not have to be “monitor the shipment” or “do not monitor the shipment.”

There is a spectrum of visibility.

At one end, a visual indicator can tell a receiver that a defined condition occurred.

QR-enabled indicators add a digital layer to that physical evidence. The shipment can be scanned at origin, receipt or other hand-offs, creating records tied to the individual indicator without requiring batteries, dedicated readers or an app.

Further along the spectrum, data loggers provide a detailed record of conditions over time. Connected monitoring solutions can add even greater visibility while the shipment is moving.

Each level answers a different operational question.The goal is not automatically to move as far down that table as possible. It is to select the level of visibility that supports the shipment’s risk profile and the decisions teams need to make.

When does a data logger make more sense?

There are shipments where a simple exception indication is not enough.

A data logger may be the more appropriate choice when QA or logistics teams need to analyze the complete condition history, understand duration and timing in greater detail or meet a regulatory or quality requirement that calls for recorded data throughout the journey.

That can be especially important for high-value, high-risk or highly regulated shipments where understanding an excursion requires more than knowing that it happened.

QR-enabled indicators are not a replacement for data loggers when continuous or interval-based monitoring is required. They are another level of condition monitoring for applications where immediate exception visibility and digital documentation provide the information the workflow actually needs.

The best shipment data is the data you can act on

More data can provide more context. It can also create more cost, infrastructure and information to manage.

The better question is whether that additional information changes what happens next.

If a shipment requires a complete journey history, use technology designed to provide one.

If the receiving team primarily needs to know whether a temperature, impact or tilt threshold was exceeded and create a digital record of what they observed, a QR-enabled indicator may provide the right level of visibility without the complexity of a traditional data logger.

Ultimately, effective condition monitoring is not about collecting the most data.

It is about collecting enough of the right data to make the right decision.

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Not every temperature-sensitive shipment needs the same type of monitoring.

For some shipments, the most important question is simple: did the product experience a temperature outside its acceptable range?

For others, teams may need to know how long an excursion lasted, whether the product was exposed to freezing conditions, what happened throughout the entire journey or what is happening while the shipment is still in transit.

That is why choosing a temperature-monitoring solution should start with the information you need, not with the technology itself.

Start with the information you need

Different temperature-monitoring technologies are designed to answer different questions.

A visual indicator may be enough when a receiving team needs a clear signal that a specified condition occurred. A cumulative time-temperature indicator can provide more context when both temperature and duration matter. Data loggers create a detailed history while connected monitoring can provide visibility before a shipment even reaches its destination.

The goal is not necessarily to collect the greatest amount of data possible. It is to collect the right information to support the decision that needs to be made.

Before choosing a monitoring approach, consider questions such as:

- Do we only need to know whether a temperature threshold was crossed?

- Does the duration of exposure matter?

- Is the risk freezing, heat exposure, or both??

- Do we need a detailed temperature history?

- Do we need visibility while the shipment is still moving?

- What action will we take if an excursion is identified?

Those answers help determine which type of monitoring makes the most sense.

Irreversible and threshold temperature indicators

Irreversible temperature indicators provide visible evidence that specified temperature conditions have been reached.

Once activated, the indication does not reset. This can make them useful for receiving teams that need a straightforward way to determine whether a shipment may have experienced conditions outside an acceptable range.

Threshold indicators are particularly useful when the primary question is:

Did the product experience a temperature beyond a defined limit?

They generally provide a simpler answer than technologies designed to create a detailed record of conditions throughout transit.

For applications where this type of visible temperature indication is appropriate, Thermax can provide an irreversible indication that helps teams identify temperature exposure.

This approach can make sense when a clear visual result is more useful than a complete temperature history.

Cumulative time-temperature indicators: WarmMark QR

For some products, a single temperature event does not tell the whole story.

The amount of time a product spends above an acceptable temperature can also matter.

Cumulative time-temperature indicators are designed to account for exposure over time, helping teams understand whether a shipment has experienced a level of temperature exposure that may require further review.

WarmMark QR combines cumulative time-temperature indication with QR-enabled digital documentation.

Rather than simply showing that a temperature threshold was crossed at one moment, it is designed for situations where both temperature and duration of exposure are relevant.

The QR functionality also allows shipment condition information to be documented digitally at key points in the journey.

This can be useful when teams want a simple visual indication at receiving while also creating a digital record that supports traceability and follow-up.

Freeze indicators: FreezeSafe QR and ColdSNAP

Temperature-sensitive products can be damaged by excessive cold as well as excessive heat.

That makes freeze monitoring a distinct part of the temperature-monitoring decision.

Freeze indicators are designed to help answer:

Was this product exposed to a temperature below its acceptable limit?

This can be especially important for products that may remain within their upper temperature range while still being compromised by freezing conditions.

FreezeSafe QR provides freeze indication together with QR-enabled digital documentation, helping teams identify and record potential freeze exposure.

ColdSNAP provides another option for applications where exposure to cold or freezing conditions is the primary concern.

The key distinction is that these solutions are selected around a specific risk: exposure below an acceptable temperature.

If freezing is the condition most likely to affect product quality or usability, a dedicated freeze indicator may provide the clearest answer.

Electronic data loggers

Indicators are designed to answer specific questions efficiently. Data loggers are useful when teams need a more complete picture.

Electronic data loggers record temperature measurements throughout a shipment, creating a time-stamped history of conditions.

That history can help teams understand:

- When an excursion occurred

- How long it lasted

- How temperature changed during transit

- Whether multiple excursions occurred

- What conditions the product experienced throughout the journey

This level of detail can be valuable when shipment risk, product value, quality requirements or investigation needs justify a more complete record.

It does not mean that every temperature-sensitive shipment needs a data logger.

If the primary decision is simply whether a defined condition occurred, an indicator may provide enough information with less complexity.

For a deeper comparison, read QR indicator vs. data logger: how much shipment data do you actually need?

Connected and IoT monitoring: SpotSee Go

Sometimes knowing what happened after delivery is not enough.

For high-value, time-sensitive or operationally critical shipments, teams may need visibility while the shipment is still moving.

Connected monitoring can provide information about shipment conditions during transit, allowing teams to identify potential issues before arrival rather than waiting until receiving.

SpotSee Go can be introduced as part of this connected monitoring approach, providing visibility for shipments where real-time or near-real-time awareness can support faster decisions.

Connected monitoring can make sense when:

- The shipment is particularly valuable or sensitive

- An excursion may require intervention before delivery

- Delays or route changes could affect product condition

- Teams need greater visibility across a complex supply chain

- Waiting until receiving would be too late to take useful action

As with any monitoring technology, connectivity should be selected because it supports a specific operational need rather than simply because more data is available.

How do you choose the right type of temperature monitoring?

The easiest way to compare temperature-monitoring technologies is to start with the question you need the shipment to answer.

Do you only need to know whether a defined temperature limit was crossed?

A threshold or irreversible temperature indicator may provide the information you need.

Do both temperature and duration of exposure matter?

A cumulative time-temperature indicator such as WarmMark QR may be more appropriate.

Is freezing the primary risk?

A dedicated freeze indicator such as FreezeSafe QR or ColdSNAP can help identify exposure below an acceptable temperature.

Do you need a detailed record of conditions throughout transit?

An electronic data logger may be the better fit.

Do you need visibility before the shipment reaches its destination?

Connected monitoring such as SpotSee Go can support workflows where teams need access to shipment-condition information during transit.

The final decision should also consider factors such as product sensitivity, acceptable temperature range, shipment duration, shipment value, regulatory or quality requirements and what teams will actually do with the information collected.

Choose the information first, then the technology

Temperature-monitoring technologies do not all solve the same problem.

Some provide a simple indication that a threshold was crossed. Others account for cumulative exposure or freezing conditions. Data loggers create a detailed history while connected monitoring adds visibility during transit.

The right approach starts with understanding the decision that needs to be made.

Once that is clear, teams can choose a monitoring solution that provides enough information to support that decision without adding unnecessary complexity.

SpotSee’s upcoming ColdChain Product infographic will provide an additional way to compare temperature-monitoring technologies and identify which type of solution may be appropriate for different applications.

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You might also like

- Why cold chains don’t need more data. They need better evidence.

- Smarter temperature visibility: how WarmMark QR transforms cold chain tracking

- QR temperature indicators prevent unnecessary shipment returns

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Giant Staffordshire-built transformer ready to leave factory for major electricity link

- A GE Vernova transformer built for Eastern Green Link 1 has completed production and been loaded for transport ahead of installation from July 2027.

- The 2GW subsea link between Scotland and England will transport enough homegrown, cleaner electricity from more affordable sources to power around two million homes.

- The milestone marks the completion of manufacturing for the first of 14 UK-built transformers that will help deliver the project.

A transformer built for Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) has completed production at GE Vernova’s Staffordshire factory and been loaded for transport, as work ramps up on one of Britain’s major new electricity links.

It is one of 14 transformers being manufactured by GE Vernova for EGL1, a new 2GW high voltage direct current subsea electricity link between Torness in East Lothian and Hawthorn Pit in County Durham. Once complete, the link will move cleaner, homegrown power from more affordable sources between Scotland and England, helping to ease network constraints, and will have enough capacity to power around two million homes.

The transformers will initially be transported from GE Vernova’s Staffordshire factory to storage at Ellesmere Port before being moved by sea to the project’s converter station sites. Installation is due to begin from July 2027 at Hawthorn Pit and Torness.

The transformers will form part of the converter stations at each end of the cable, where electricity is converted between alternating current and direct current so large volumes of power can travel efficiently over long distances.

Eastern Green Link 1 is being delivered by a joint venture between National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) and SP Energy Networks. The 196km, mostly offshore electricity link is part of the investment needed to upgrade the transmission network, connect more renewable power and strengthen the UK’s energy security. It is one of five Eastern Green Link projects National Grid has under development and construction, which together will increase the network’s ability to move cleaner power across Great Britain. Creating more grid capacity between Scotland and England will also help reduce network constraints, meaning less renewable energy is wasted when the network cannot move it to where it is needed and helping to lower costs for consumers.

Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: “This is a huge milestone for Eastern Green Link 1 - a project that will help Britain make the most of our clean homegrown power, transporting enough electricity to power around two million homes.

“Projects like this are supporting good jobs and growth in every part of the country, and today’s milestone is a credit to the skilled workers across the supply chain that are helping to build an energy system fit for the future.”

Mark Lissimore, Offshore Delivery Director at National Grid, said: “This is a significant moment for Eastern Green Link 1 and a clear example of the UK supply chain helping to deliver the grid of the future. This Staffordshire-built transformer highlights the UK engineering, skilled manufacturing and collaboration behind one of the country’s largest subsea electricity transmission links.

“Eastern Green Link 1 will help move more homegrown, cleaner electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, strengthening energy security and supporting a more affordable and resilient energy system for the future.”

Matthew Barton HVDC Portfolio Director at SP Energy Networks said: “We are very proud to see this EGL1 transformer complete production and be loaded for transport at GE Vernova’s factory in Stafford. This is a powerful demonstration of our commitment to supporting the UK supply chain and investing in British expertise. It also marks an important milestone in the project's journey as we move ever closer to connecting one of the country's largest subsea electricity transmission links, helping to deliver a more secure and sustainable energy system for the future."

Johan Bindele, CEO, Grid Systems Integration at GE Vernova said:

“Seeing this transformer complete production and prepare for transport from our Stafford factory is a proud moment for our team, but also for what it represents for the UK’s ability to meet future energy needs. This is UK engineering, built by skilled workers in Staffordshire, that will help support the country’s goals for a more sustainable and secure grid. Eastern Green Link 1 is exactly the kind of project that demonstrates what the UK supply chain can deliver and why continuing to invest in that capability matters."

Eastern Green Link 1 follows the award of around £1.8bn of contracts for the project in 2023, including a contract for GE Vernova’s Grid Solutions business and Metlen to supply and construct two HVDC converter stations, one at each end of the cable.

Accelerating Development of Mass-Production Technologies for Photonics-Electronics Convergence Devices to Support Next-Generation AI Computing

~Innovative optical chiplet manufacturing R&D selected for NEDO's Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems~

October 20, 2026

TOKYO, Japan, October 20, 2026 â NTT, Inc. (NTT), NTT Innovative Devices Corporation (NTT Innovative Devices), Japan Semiconductor Corporation* (Japan Semiconductor), Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. (Furukawa Electric), and SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. (Shinko Electric Industries) today announced that a four-company joint R&D proposal led by NTT Innovative Devices has been selected under the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)'s Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems / Development of Manufacturing Technologies for Advanced Semiconductors. The project aims to establish mass-production technologies for photonics-electronics convergence (PEC) devices that support next-generation AI and data-intensive computing. The participating companies will jointly develop mass-production technologies for optical chiplets, with NTT serving as an advisor.1

The rapid adoption of generative AI is driving unprecedented growth in demand for data processing across AI data centers and high-performance computing (HPC) systems. At the same time, rising power consumption associated with chip-to-chip communications has emerged as a major challenge. As a result, PEC technologies, which enable high-speed data transfer with significantly lower power consumption, are attracting increasing attention worldwide.

Against this backdrop, NTT has been leading research and development of optical chiplet2 packaging technologies that use light to connect semiconductor packages and semiconductor chips under NEDO's Research and Development Project of the Enhanced Infrastructures for Post-5G Information and Communication Systems / Development of Manufacturing Technologies for Advanced Semiconductors since fiscal year 2023. NTT serves as the lead company for this initiative, which has advanced the development of optical chiplet technologies for next-generation semiconductor systems.3

Under the project, the participating companies will develop innovative manufacturing technologies for semiconductor devices incorporating optical chiplets to enable the high-capacity, low-power data transmission required by next-generation AI computing platforms. The project aims to achieve more than a tenfold increase in manufacturing productivity compared with current R&D-stage processes.

To accomplish this goal, the participating companies will combine their expertise in optical semiconductors, silicon photonics, optical interconnects, semiconductor packaging, and mass production processes. They will establish and evaluate a pilot production line designed for future commercial manufacturing. NTT will participate in the project as an advisor, promoting industry collaboration and supply chain development to help accelerate the commercialization and large-scale production of PEC devices.

The selected R&D project and the roles of the participating companies are outlined below.

Announcement Date: October 20, 2026

ãRoles of Participating Companiesã

Through the project, the participating companies will establish mass-production technologies for optical chiplets spanning the entire manufacturing value chain, from photonic device fabrication and testing to optical interconnects and advanced packaging, in anticipation of the emerging market for PEC devices.

These efforts will enable the high-speed, high-capacity, and low-power data transmission required by next-generation AI computing infrastructure while accelerating the commercialization of PEC devices and strengthening Japan's domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

The project will also foster collaboration among companies and research institutions involved in the development and production of PEC technologies, helping to establish a globally competitive supply chain. Through these initiatives, the participating companies aim to contribute to reducing the growing energy consumption of data centers driven by the rapid adoption of generative AI and to supporting the realization of a more sustainable information and communications society.

* Japan Semiconductor Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation.

ãNotesã

1. [XXX Insert the Title of NEDO Announcement XXX]

XXXãInsert the announcement link XXX

2. Optical Chiplet

A photonics-electronics convergence device that combines a photonic integrated circuit (PIC), including photonic semiconductor devices, with an electronic integrated circuit (EIC) through high-density packaging. It replaces electrical signals with optical signals for data transmission between processing chips such as CPUs and GPUs. As a core technology for photonics-electronics convergence, it overcomes the increases in power consumption associated with transmission distance and the limitations of bandwidth, enabling high-capacity, ultra-low-power servers and data centers for the AI era.

3. NEDO News Release (January 30, 2024):

https://www.nedo.go.jp/koubo/IT3_100302.html

About NTT

NTT is a leading global technology innovator, providing a broad range of services to both consumers and businesses. As a mobile operator and provider of infrastructure, networks, and services, NTT is dedicated to promoting a sustainable future through cutting-edge innovations. Our portfolio includes business consulting, AI-powered solutions, application services, global networks, cybersecurity, data center and edge computing, all supported by our deep global industry expertise. Generating over $90 billion in revenue and employing 340,000 professionals, we allocate 30% of our annual profits to fundamental research and development. With operations spanning more than 70 countries and regions, our clients include over 75% of Fortune Global 100 companies, alongside thousands of enterprises, government organizations, and millions of consumers.

About NTT Innovative Devices

At NTT Innovative Devices, we have commercialized COSA (Coherent Optical Sub Assembly), which consists of miniaturized integrated optical transmitter/receiver with silicon-photonics technology and digital signal processing LSI technologies developed over many years. Furthermore, we have been developing commercialized co-packaged devices integrated with a digital signal processing LSI. We will continue to develop PEC-related technologies and actively develop products that meet the requirements of our customers in the growing areas of data centers and computing industries in addition to the conventional optical communication applications.

About Japan Semiconductor Corporation

Japan Semiconductor, a core company of Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation Group, has promoted innovation in semiconductor manufacturing for over 50 years. Leveraging technological capabilities and expertise cultivated in product development and mass production, we meet diverse customer and market needs with a broad lineup that includes microcontrollers, ASICs, analog ICs, image sensors, power semiconductorsãand silicon photonics. While constantly striving for innovations in technology, manufacturing and quality, Japan Semiconductor supports societyâs continued development.

About Furukawa Electric Group

Leveraging our 4 core technologies of metals, polymers, photonics and high frequency, Furukawa Electric Group operates a wide range of businesses in fields including infrastructure such as telecommunications and energy, automotive products and electronics. Based on our Purpose of âComposing the core of a brighter worldâ, we strive to solve social issues such as supporting faster optical communications, addressing carbon neutrality and evolving mobility, and contribute to the establishment and development of next-generation infrastructure.

https://www.furukawaelectric.com/en/

About SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.

SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. is a leading manufacturer of semiconductor and microelectronic packaging products including Organic Laminate Build-up Substrates, Etched and Stamped Lead Frames, Integrated Heat Spreaders, and IC Assembly. SHINKO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES CO., LTD. will pursue their own development and growth while contributing to the creation of a prosperous society through technology leadership, state of the art manufacturing, and offering a wide variety of high quality products for diverse markets in the semiconductor industry.

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Nationwide Retirement Solutions welcomes Mimi Hodac as consultant relationship manager

Nationwide Retirement Solutions has named Mimi Hodac consultant relationship manager serving the West region, reporting to Barbie Walsh, institutional executive relationship director. In this role, Hodac will build and manage relationships with key public- and private-sector consultants and consulting firms across the West.

“Mimi has been in the industry for a long time and has great connections,” Walsh said. “She will focus on building deeper relationships with consultants, firms and plan sponsors in the west region, educating consultants on Nationwide’s features, capabilities and advantages, and promoting the company’s retirement products and solutions.”

Hodac brings more than 20 years of experience in the retirement industry, with expertise in client relationship management, consultant relations, strategic planning and business development. Most recently, she served as vice president of Consultant Relations at Corebridge Financial, where she focused on enhancing the consultant experience, strengthening partnerships and creating new business opportunities throughout the Western region.

Prior to joining Corebridge, Hodac held senior relationship manager positions with Lincoln Financial and Prudential Retirement Services.

Hodac is based in Los Angeles.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer1. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)2 with an average tenure of 29 years1. The company also continues to maintain significant presence in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.

1 Nationwide Financial (Dec. 31, 2025)

2 PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

NFM-25787AO

Todd Lukens recognized by OhioX as a top cybersecurity leader in Ohio

Todd Lukens, Nationwide’s chief technology and information security officer, has been named to Ohio Tech News and OhioX’s inaugural Cyber25 list, honoring 25 cybersecurity leaders making a significant impact by protecting Ohio’s businesses, hospitals, schools and critical infrastructure.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the impact my team is making to ensure we protect what matters most for our customers, associates and communities across Ohio and beyond,” Lukens said. “I’m proud of the dedication and expertise of colleagues across Nationwide who work every day to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated threats to help keep our enterprise secure.”

Honorees were selected based on real-world impact, demonstrated leadership, a meaningful Ohio connection and work completed or significantly advanced during the past two years.

With over two decades in cybersecurity and technology leadership, Lukens oversees critical security and technology functions, including Cybersecurity, Information Risk Governance, Continuity and Crisis Management, Infrastructure, Technology Operations, Development Platform Engineering, Enterprise Digital Platform, and Protective Services. His role places him at the center of protecting technology, data, operational resilience, people, facilities, and communities for Nationwide.

Read the full list of Cyber25 honorees at Ohio Tech News.

Learn more about Technology & Innovation at Nationwide.