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Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543307
102 I-CONNECT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 using thin metal foils, which provide excellent con- formability and minimal thermal mass compared to discrete thermistors or RTDs. In addition, the sensing junction can be formed directly within the copper and constantan conduc- tors without the use of solder joints, improving reli- ability in high-vibration, high-cycle, or sterilization- intensive environments. Flexible T-type thermocouples can be fabricated in very small geometries with fine conductor widths, enabling compact sensing elements that can be integrated into tight or space-constrained assem- blies. Multiple sensing zones can be designed into the same flex, and because raw materials are avail- able in roll form, T-type thermocouples can be fab- ricated up to 1.5 meters in length. There are several termination options available which include solder pads, connector interfaces, or welded leads. These characteristics make T-type thermocouples ideal for medical and space applications where accuracy at low temperatures and durability are critical. In medical devices, they are a great option for pulsed-field ablation, cryoablation, and wear- able diagnostics, where fast thermal response and thin, narrow form factors are required. In space applications, T-type thermocouples are used for thermal monitoring of battery systems, structural components, propellant lines, and instru- mentation operating in cold or vacuum environ- ments. Their radiation tolerance, wide operating range, and compatibility with flexible printed cir- cuit and etched foil heater technology make them an effective solution for lightweight, high-reliability aerospace and spaceflight systems. I-CONNECT007 Zach Schaner is a senior applications engineer at Flexible Circuit Technologies. Adaptation Is the New AI Advantage Editor's note: In his column series, Target Condition, PCB designer and instructor Kelly Dack discusses important PCB design challenges. In his January col- umn, he weighed in on what's next for PCB designers as they prepare for what's next in their PCB design careers. "The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher." (Chinese proverb) A LinkedIn comment from a sharp HR acquain- tance who helped me through the hiring process at my new company stopped me mid-scroll because it aligned perfectly with a theme running through this month's issue of I-Connect007 Magazine. She wrote: "AI suddenly knows more than all of us, instantly. It can explain things, but it can't do them. It isn't unique, and you can't automate presence. Knowledge may no longer be power; adaptation is." F E AT U R E C O L U M N BY K E L LY DAC K , C IT, C I D + That thought has surfaced repeatedly in recent con- versations, especially those surrounding artificial intel- ligence and its expanding role in printed circuit board design. There is no shortage of excitement—or anxiety. We are seeing legitimate breakthroughs, including auton- omous layout initiatives like Quilter's Project Speed- run, a physics-driven AI approach that has already demonstrated the ability to design a fairly complex PCB. It leads one to ask: Will AI take my job? The answer has less to do with technology than per- spective. Age, culture, and experience shape how that question lands. For some, it reflects genuine uncer- tainty. For others, it feels overstated. What differs is not awareness of AI, but how its role is interpreted as either a threat, a tool, or simply the next evolution of the workflow. AI has now designed a complex PCB. So, personally, how does that make you feel as a PCB designer? To read full column, click here TARGET CONDITION