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Beyond the Rulebook
What happens when the rule book is no longer useful, or worse, was never written in the first place? In today’s fast-moving electronics landscape, we’re increasingly asked to design and build what has no precedent, no proven path, and no tidy checklist to follow. This is where “Design for Invention” begins.
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From the growing role of AI in design tools to the challenge of managing cumulative tolerances, these articles in this issue examine the technical details, design choices, and manufacturing considerations that determine whether a board works as intended.
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I-Connect007 Magazine previews APEX EXPO 2026, covering everything from the show floor to the technical conference. For PCB designers, we move past the dreaded auto-router and spotlight AI design tools that actually matter.
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Hitachi Energy, Pakal Unveil Silicon Power Semiconductor for HV Modules
February 25, 2026 | PRNewswireEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
Hitachi Energy, a global leader in electrification, and Pakal Technologies, a cutting-edge innovator in silicon power semiconductor design, announced a collaboration to advance shared value creation and sustainable growth. Hitachi Energy will incorporate Pakal Technologies' groundbreaking Insulated Gate Turn-Off (Thyristor), IGTO(t)™, silicon power switch into its portfolio of market-leading high-voltage power modules, beginning with devices used in essential applications such as rail, renewables, energy storage, AI and data center infrastructure.
Semiconductors sit inside almost every critical system, forming the backbone of a stable and modern grid. The collaboration addresses one of the most significant challenges in large-scale electrification: reducing energy losses and improving overall efficiency in high-voltage power conversion. By combining Hitachi Energy's expertise in power module design with Pakal Technologies' IGTO(t) innovation – which delivers 30 percent lower losses compared to today's widely used devices – the collaboration aims to contribute to cumulative daily efficiency gains across energy infrastructure. Together, the companies intend to produce the highest performing ≥3.3 kV power semiconductor modules for Hitachi Energy to offer to its large and growing global customer base, delivering higher performance, lower operating costs, and greater long-term reliability across critical electrification projects.
"With a century-long legacy of in-house semiconductor manufacturing expertise and ongoing expansion, Hitachi Energy is committed to advancing innovation in power electronics. We are pleased to join forces with Pakal Technologies to incorporate its novel IGTO(t) within our semiconductor portfolio," said Niklas Persson, Managing Director of Hitachi Energy's Grid Integration business unit. "This collaboration represents over time an opportunity to strengthen the global energy ecosystem at its core."
"Pakal Technologies was founded to make power conversion simpler, better, and more efficient. Collaborating with Hitachi Energy is an honor and secures a long-term partner capable of scaling impact with us," said Ben Quinones, CEO of Pakal Technologies. "Having our IGTO(t) platform recognized by a company with Hitachi Energy's exceptional history for quality, reliability, and performance in the energy landscape ensures we can contribute to today's sprint toward the electrification era."
The IGTO(t) represents the first new high-voltage silicon power semiconductor since the IGBT was introduced in the 1980s. The IGTO(t) delivers 30 percent lower conduction losses at high current and temperature than IGBT, while maintaining compatibility with existing module architectures. At the system level, these performance advances enable higher power density, reduced thermal and cooling requirements, and materially improved energy efficiency.
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Keysight, CATARC Expand Collaboration on Charging Test Technologies
05/06/2026 | BUSINESS WIREKeysight Technologies, Inc. announced an expanded strategic collaboration with China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) New Energy Vehicle Inspection Center, marked by the establishment of a Joint Innovation Laboratory for Charging Test Technology.
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Abundance: How We Build a Better Future’
05/07/2026 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: Dan's Biz BookshelfEvery once in a while, a book comes along that doesn’t just make you think, it makes you sit up straighter and ask: Why aren’t we doing this better? "Abundance" is exactly that kind of book. When so much of our national conversation revolves around scarcity—housing, energy, infrastructure, and opportunity—authors Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson flip the script. They argue, persuasively and intelligently, that America’s real problem isn’t a lack of ideas. It’s a lack of execution.
Swinburne University, Siemens Launch Australia’s First Quantum Timing Study for Smarter Power Grids
04/30/2026 | SiemensSwinburne University of Technology and Siemens are undertaking first-of-its-kind research in Australia, into how quantum-enhanced timing can help future-proof the energy grid and increase grid stability.
Solid-State Battery Funding Tops $1.3B, Moves Toward Pre-Commercialization
04/29/2026 | TrendForceThe global solid-state battery (SSB) sector recorded over 57 financing deals between 2025 and 1Q26, with 46 companies securing new funding, according to TrendForce’s latest “Global Solid-State Battery Industry Development Report (1Q26)”.
Driving Innovation: Selecting the Right Laser Source
04/28/2026 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationWhen I first joined Schmoll Maschinen, I brought experience from almost every PCB process, except for laser. As I immersed myself in laser processing, I realized why it can seem so daunting to a newcomer. The complexity arises from three intersecting factors: A vast variety of laser sources: CO2, UV-nano, green-pico, UV-pico, IR-pico, and others; a diverse range of applications: Drilling, cutting, ablation, and more; and an extensive list of materials: These have vastly different absorption rates. Choosing the right machine or laser source is rarely trivial. Even for experienced engineers, answering "Which source is best?" requires examining the business's specific goals.