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The Supply Chain Quietly Powering the AI Boom—And 4 Ways to Play It
Submitted by Bridget Bennett. Originally Published: 2/23/2026.
Key Points
- Nanotechnology is the atomic-scale foundation that enables continued AI chip performance gains.
- The “picks-and-shovels” layer—lithography, fabrication tools, and contamination control—can offer durable exposure to AI-driven semiconductor demand.
- Several key suppliers sit behind the headlines, helping advanced chip production scale despite cyclical volatility.MKL
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Artificial intelligence has dominated market headlines for more than a year. Investors have chased chip designers, data center operators and the software platforms that power large language models. Beneath that boom sits a layer of engineering so small it's measured in billionths of a meter.
In a recent conversation with Keith Kaplan of Tradesmith, the focus turned to nanotechnology — the atomic-scale science that makes modern AI hardware possible. As Kaplan put it plainly: "Without nanotech? There's no AI boom — none at all."
The Atomic-Scale Engine Powering AI
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Nanotechnology involves engineering at the scale of a nanometer — one billionth of a meter. Today's advanced AI chips contain transistors that are only a few nanometers wide, thinner than a human hair, with features measured in atoms.
That's not theoretical. NVIDIA's (NASDAQ: NVDA) most advanced AI chips pack hundreds of billions of transistors onto a single piece of silicon. Each transistor exists because nanotechnology lets engineers print and layer materials with extreme precision inside ultra-clean fabrication facilities.
The semiconductor industry is projected to approach the $1 trillion mark, fueled largely by AI demand. But that growth depends on the ability to continue shrinking and refining chip architectures at the atomic level. Nanotechnology is the foundation of that progress.
Kaplan described it as a "multi-decade mega trend," adding, "This is not a quick flip." While volatility is part of the semiconductor cycle, the underlying demand drivers — AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles and precision medicine — are unlikely to disappear anytime soon.
The Lithography Bottleneck Few Investors Appreciate
At the top of the nanotech supply chain sits ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML), a company that rarely grabs mainstream AI headlines but plays a critical role in making advanced chips possible.
ASML is the sole provider of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines — the massive systems used to etch incredibly small transistor patterns onto silicon wafers. Each machine reportedly costs more than $300 million, weighs as much as two Boeing 737s and can take months to assemble.
Without these systems, leading two- and three-nanometer chips simply cannot be produced.
That near-monopoly gives ASML significant leverage within the semiconductor ecosystem. As AI chip demand accelerates, the bottleneck often lies in lithography capacity.
Building Chips One Atomic Layer at a Time
The next layer in the stack is fabrication equipment — the tools that deposit and shape ultra-thin films across a chip's surface. Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) operates squarely in this space.
Modern chips can contain more than 100 distinct layers, each only fractions of a nanometer thick. Applied Materials designs and manufactures the equipment that allows chipmakers to build those layers with extreme accuracy and consistency.
The company is one of the largest semiconductor equipment suppliers in the world, serving major chip producers across the globe.
As chips become more complex and transistor geometries shrink, fabrication precision becomes even more critical — reinforcing demand for advanced tooling.
For investors wary of high-flying AI valuations, companies embedded deep within the infrastructure layer can offer exposure to long-term growth drivers while benefiting from durable competitive advantages.
Quality Control at the Edge of Physics
Even the most advanced lithography and deposition tools would fail without pristine production environments. That's where Entegris (NASDAQ: ENTG) enters the picture.
Entegris provides ultra-pure chemicals, gases and filtration systems used in semiconductor manufacturing. The level of purity required in chip production far exceeds everyday standards — water used in fabrication must be tens of thousands of times cleaner than typical drinking water.
As transistor sizes shrink and materials become more exotic, contamination risks rise.
That increases the importance of high-end materials handling and filtration systems. While less visible than headline chipmakers, Entegris plays a vital role in maintaining yield and performance at advanced nodes.
The Company That Brings It All Together
At the top of the application layer sits Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE: TSM), the world's leading contract chip manufacturer.
TSMC produces the majority of the most advanced chips used by companies such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), NVIDIA and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ: AMD). In effect, it integrates lithography systems, deposition tools and ultra-clean materials into finished, high-performance processors that power data centers, smartphones and autonomous systems.
The company has also committed substantial investment to expanding manufacturing capacity in the United States, including a massive buildout in Arizona.
That expansion underscores the strategic importance of advanced semiconductor production in an AI-driven economy.
A Long-Term Powerhouse — With Volatility
Investors naturally question stocks that have already posted significant gains. Many semiconductor and AI-adjacent names have surged over the past year, prompting concerns about valuation and momentum.
Kaplan acknowledged that volatility is part of the equation, particularly in semiconductors, but he stressed the structural backdrop: this is a long-term trend driven by fundamental demand.
From targeted drug delivery and biosensors in healthcare to longer-range electric vehicles and autonomous robotics, nanotechnology applications extend well beyond AI data centers. Yet AI remains the most scalable and capital-intensive driver today.
The broader takeaway is straightforward: AI headlines may spotlight software models and flashy chip launches, but the real backbone of the revolution is built at the atomic level. For investors willing to look deeper into the supply chain, nanotechnology may be one of the most underappreciated pillars of the AI era.
Ondas Jumps on German Police and NATO Wins—Can the Rally Hold Into Earnings?
Submitted by Jeffrey Neal Johnson. Originally Published: 2/19/2026.
Key Points
- The company recently secured multiple major contracts with European government entities to deploy its advanced counter-drone technology for public safety.
- Management has strengthened the balance sheet to support aggressive expansion plans and future strategic acquisitions in the autonomous systems sector.
- Strategic acquisitions have expanded the corporate portfolio to include both soft-kill and hard-kill drone defense solutions for government customers.
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During the first half of February, the defense technology sector saw a notable move: shares of Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ: ONDS) rose more than 15%, breaking the psychological $11-per-share level. Trading volume was heavy, topping 100 million shares multiple times, signaling strong interest from both retail investors and institutions.
The most immediate catalyst was a headline-grabbing announcement: the company's subsidiary, Sentrycs, secured a contract with the German State Police. The deal calls for deploying counter-drone systems to protect airspace over German cities and critical infrastructure.
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For investors, the contract is a validation: when a major European government adopts a new public-safety technology, it suggests the product is reliable, field-tested, and ready for broader adoption. But viewed in isolation the German deal would miss the larger story. It capped a breakout month for Ondas, marking a shift from a development-stage tech firm toward a global defense contractor.
From Israel to NATO: A Month of Wins
February 2026 has been transformational for Ondas. In fewer than three weeks the company announced major wins across three geographies — the United Kingdom, Israel and the broader NATO alliance — demonstrating momentum on multiple fronts.
The German Police Deal (Feb. 17)
The latest win involves delivery of Sentrycs Scout units: portable, man‑packable systems for mobile police units. As drones are increasingly used for surveillance or hostile activity, police need ways to neutralize them safely and quickly. This contract indicates European agencies find Ondas' approach suitable for urban public-safety environments.
The NATO Interceptor Order (Feb. 13)
Days earlier, the company's Airobotics subsidiary received a multi‑million‑dollar order from a NATO member. The order, for the Iron Drone Raider interceptor, is intended to physically disable hostile drones. The buyer remains undisclosed for security reasons, but a NATO contract often eases access to other allied markets.
The $30 Million Demining Contract (Feb. 9)
Earlier in the month, Ondas' 4M Defense subsidiary secured a $30 million multi‑year demining contract in Israel. Covering roughly 741 acres along the Syrian border, the project uses autonomous robots to clear hazardous terrain, showing Ondas' autonomous capabilities apply to both air and ground operations.
The Rotron Acquisition (Feb. 2)
At the start of the month, Ondas acquired Rotron Aero, a U.K. specialist in heavy‑lift and long‑range unmanned aerial systems. That acquisition fills a portfolio gap by adding long‑range strike and endurance capabilities attractive to military customers.
Cash Is King: Ondas Can Afford to Grow Fast
For small‑cap tech companies, cash is critical. Many promising firms fail not because of their technology but because they run out of money before scaling. This is an area where Ondas stands out.
After strategic equity raises in late 2025, the company reported a pro‑forma cash position of roughly $840 million.
With a market capitalization near $4.6 billion, holding nearly a billion dollars in cash is a major advantage. That war chest provides two investor benefits:
- Risk mitigation: It creates a safety net. Even if the global economy slows, Ondas should be able to fund operations for years without repeatedly raising capital or diluting shareholders.
- Agility: It allows the company to act quickly on acquisitions or technology development without lengthy financing hurdles.
Revenue growth supports the bullish case. In its third‑quarter 2025 report, Ondas posted $10.1 million in revenue, a 582% year‑over‑year increase. Management has raised its full‑year 2026 revenue target to $110 million. High growth plus a strong balance sheet improves the company's investment profile.
Soft Kill vs. Hard Kill: A Complete Defense
So why is Ondas winning these contracts? The company's "system‑of‑systems" strategy. Many defense firms focus on either detection or defeat; Ondas has built a portfolio that covers detection, soft‑kill and hard‑kill capabilities.
Recent wins illustrate that breadth:
- Soft kill (German Police): The Sentrycs system uses Cyber‑over‑RF techniques to disrupt or take control of a drone's communications, then land it safely. This approach is ideal in crowded urban settings where shooting a drone down would risk civilians or property.
- Hard kill (NATO): The Iron Drone uses a physical interceptor to ram or net a hostile drone. For high‑risk sites like airports, power plants or military bases, a hard kill may be the necessary choice to ensure the threat is eliminated.
By offering both approaches, Ondas can serve police departments, border guards and military clients with integrated solutions — creating a competitive moat that is hard for single‑product competitors to breach.
Execution Drives Value
The market has noticed: the stock is up more than 570% over the past year. Still, Wall Street analysts think the run may have further to go.
The consensus rating for Ondas remains a Moderate Buy, with an average price target of $17.29. From the current price of roughly $11.08, that implies potential upside of about 56%.
February 2026 may be remembered as the month Ondas came of age. The company has demonstrated that an aggressive acquisition strategy can produce near‑term contract wins, integrating additions like Rotron and Sentrycs quickly. With a backlog above $40 million, about $840 million in cash and validation from German authorities and NATO, Ondas enters the rest of the year with clear momentum.
Investors should watch the next earnings report on March 11 to see whether those headline contracts translate into recognized revenue. For now, the bulls appear firmly in control.
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