February 18, 2026

Why Wireless Infrastructure Must Be Reinvented for the 6G Era Data from GSMA shows 76% of network energy powers radio access networks, straining grids as AI expands. Despite 5G solutions from Ericsson and Nokia, experts urge low-power silicon photonics to enable scalable, energy-efficient 6G. EE Times

Sponsor Affordable Profiling Excellence Four channels of precision data capture from the most trusted name in thermal profiling. New and improved V-M.O.L.E.™ 2 is the ideal solution for budget-conscious electronics pros. Learn more here. ECD

VIEWPOINT 2026: Mark Waterman, Electronics Division Manager, ECD Addressing continued supply chain diversification and anticipating shifting regional manufacturing centers due to geopolitical pressures, ECD's 2025 strategy to prepare for nearshoring was mostly successful. While some regions did not reach projected volumes, we achieved outstanding growth in the US, and our business ... ECD

A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor A universal AI & Deep Learning powered model that enhances defect detection in AOI systems for PCBAs and semiconductors, further improving accuracy, speed and consistency - streamlining inspection processes. Technical Paper

Google and Apple Won't Use Silicon-Carbon Batteries for One Reason Silicon-carbon batteries promise major battery life gains by storing far more energy than graphite, enabling up to 10,000mAh capacity in standard smartphones like the RealMe P4 Power. Despite adoption by several brands, Apple and Google have avoided the technology. BGR

Sponsor Unlock the Potential of Salvaged Devices Component harvesting is a reliable method of electronic component reclamation, reducing e-waste and ensuring economic reuse for automated assembly. BEST Inc.

India to Add 20,000 GPUs as AI Mission 2.0 Expands Compute and Chip Push At the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India will add 20,000 GPUs to its existing 38,000 under AI Mission 2.0, boosting research, innovation, and tech trade cooperation with the United States. EE Times

Jetting Conductive Adhesives with Silver Coated Polymer Particles Tests performed in this study demonstrate that a conductive adhesive using spherical, polymer silver particles can be used for no-contact jet printing. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ How pH Cleaning Agents Affect Production Performance ■ A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor ■ RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG ■ High Reliability Lead-Free Solder Paste with Rosin and Anti-Crack Resin ■ Understanding Solder Dross: Causes and Control Strategies ■ Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control ■ Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor pH Employment in Electronic Cleaning The pH of a cleaning agent affects the entire cleaning process and must be considered when determining the appropriate chemistry and process parameters for success. Download now. KYZEN

AI Without Data Is Like a Sailboat Without Wind — Take These 3 Steps to Keep Your Business From Drifting The article argues that enterprise AI stalls not because of weak models but because of poor data foundations. It urges leaders to prioritize data readiness, connectivity and trust, starting by simplifying fragmented data systems so teams can experiment, scale and deliver AI value faster. Entrepreneur

This Cool New Car Could Change The Future Of EV Batteries Forever Changan Automobile has unveiled the Nevo A06, the first mass-produced passenger EV powered by a sodium-ion battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.. The breakthrough challenges lithium-ion dominance and could reshape the global electric vehicle market. BGR

Reduce Pollution of Process Gasses in an Air Reflow Oven This paper gives detailed information of catalyst systems designed and implemented in SMD production lines to reduce pollution of process gasses. Technical Paper

Sponsor X-Ray Inspection Verifies Quality of Complex PCBs A Netherlands-based PCB supplier relies on real-time X-ray inspection to ensure the quality of HDI, hybrid, multi- layer, flex-rigid & other complex boards. Glenbrook Technologies

India eyeing AI data center investments India targets US$200 billion in data center investments to become a global AI hub, Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Backed by Google, Microsoft and Amazon, the government is expanding infrastructure, tax incentives and AI skilling to accelerate digital growth and global leadership. Taipei Times

We're Measuring Data Center Sustainability Wrong Current metrics optimize only 30% of IT emissions In 2024, Google touted highly efficient data centers, and in 2025, Microsoft invested billions in nuclear-powered AI. Yet current metrics track only 30% of IT emissions, ignoring devices and manufacturing. Weak regulations risk cementing flawed standards for years. IEEE Spectrum

The Development of Hybrid Therma-EMI Solutions for Electronics Test methods to measure the thermal and electromagnetic properties of a material in an application and as fundamental material properties are discussed. Technical Paper

Sponsor Latest 3D AOI System from Viscom iS6059 PCB Inspection Plus. Its new and faster sensor technology, data processing and analysis functions all stand for the best 3D AOI performance that meets the highest requirements. Viscom

Looks like AI is an existential threat after all An AI writer explains his shift from optimism to caution on superintelligence. Once dismissive of existential risk, he now fears advanced LLMs that write code and act autonomously could unlock catastrophic threats—even if robot uprisings remain distant. Asia Times

Former Altera CEO Joins French AI Chip Startup Former Sandra Rivera has joined French AI chip startup Vsora as board chair, aiming to raise its profile ahead of the Jotunn8 AI inference accelerator launch. Led by Khaled Maalej, the team brings extensive chip design experience. EE Times

Sponsor IC Programming: Memory & Logic Devices Full support of all package types. Support for all major semiconductor manufacturers. Full dry-pack capabilities to support moisture sensitive products. Alltemated

India discussing age-based restrictions with social media firms, top minister says At the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Ashwini Vaishnaw said India is discussing age-based social media restrictions and deepfake regulations with platforms. The proposed measures could significantly affect companies like Meta and Google. CNBC

How Long Solder Paste Can Be Left On a Stencil Without Activity How long can we leave solder paste on a stencil without any activity? If activity means not printing, then we are talking about a pause or abandoned time. Board Talk

India's Adani to invest $100 billion in AI data centers over the next decade Adani Group announced a $100 billion investment to build renewable energy-powered, AI-ready data centers by 2035, aiming to create the largest integrated platform. The move could generate a $250 billion AI ecosystem and accelerate India's role in the global artificial intelligence race. CNBC

Alibaba unveils Qwen3.5 as China's chatbot race shifts to AI agents Alibaba Group launched its new Qwen3.5 AI model series, offering both open-weight and hosted versions. The company enhanced performance, reduced costs, and added multimodal, coding, and agentic capabilities as competition intensifies in China's rapidly evolving AI market. CNBC

Sponsor TIM1 for EV Battery Thermal Management AIT's thermal adhesives, grease-gels, & gum-pads offer proven thermal dissipation for a balance of strength, rework ability, & recyclability of EV battery packs. AI Technology, Inc.

29 Years Ago, AOL Launched An App That Changed Everything AOL dominated the 1990s internet market and launched AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) in 1997, transforming digital communication and attracting 36 million users by 2001. However, it failed to adapt to smartphones and social platforms like, shutting down in 2017. BGR