October 1, 2025

Tech Giants Look to Small Nuclear to Power AI's Next Phase Small modular reactors are gaining traction as demand for clean energy rises, attracting investment and regulatory review. Advocates highlight cost-efficient, factory-built designs, but high costs, safety concerns, and public acceptance remain key hurdles. TechSpot

Sponsor 6 Common Mistakes of BGA Rework BGA rework is one of the most challenging procedures you may need to master. Doing it right depends in large part on the skills and knowledge of the rework technician. Learn more ... Circuit Technology Center

Quantum Brilliance Makes Devices That Keep Their Cool Quantum Brilliance is advancing diamond-based, room-temperature quantum computers, eliminating costly cryogenics and enabling edge deployment. With projects at Oak Ridge and Germany's Cyberagentur, the startup pushes hybrid HPC-quantum integration. EE Times

RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG Paper describes a mixed reaction RAIG electrolyte that minimizes galvanic corrosion and allows higher ENEPIG gold thicknesses, enabling robust designs and world-class quality on target with minimal variation. Technical Paper

Autonomous Vehicles Are Coming To Cities Faster Than You Think At the National Parking Association conference, experts predicted autonomous vehicles will operate across most of the 25 largest U.S. cities within 24 months. Airports, ride-hail services, and corporate mobility programs are rapidly scaling, challenging cities to prepare effectively. Forbes

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Here's Where Electric Car Batteries Go After Their Lifespan Ends Electric vehicle batteries don’t end their life in landfills. After years of use, they're repurposed for energy storage or recycled to recover lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper. This process conserves resources, reduces mining, and strengthens EVs' sustainability promise. BGR

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ The Economics of Electronic Component Salvage and Reuse ■ Cutting Without Contact: How Laser Depanelling Redefines PCB Manufacturing ■ The "Fried Egg" Effect in Soldering MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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AI Chip Market Surges But Challenges Lie Ahead President Trump's push to ease AI regulations is fueling fierce competition among U.S. chipmakers as AI processor demand soars. Studies show slowing growth but massive long-term expansion, with GPUs dominant, ASICs rising, and industry consolidation expected by 2030. Design News

"Hearing Car" Detects Sounds for Safer Driving Fraunhofer researchers are developing the "Hearing Car," using external mics and AI to detect sirens and other sounds. Tested in harsh conditions, the system adds acoustic awareness to cameras, lidar, and radar, enhancing vehicle safety and responsiveness. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor AEC Grade-0 and MSL Level-1 Conductive Paste & Film Adhesives 240° Tg and ultra-high thermal stability for AEC Grade-0 applications. Proven rapid and snap curing die-attach paste for ultimate productivity. AI Technology, Inc.

Designing CPUs for next-generation supercomputing Despite GPU hype, CPUs remain central to high-performance computing, powering 80–90% of scientific, engineering, and financial simulations. In 2025, innovations like high-bandwidth memory are boosting CPU performance, driving a quiet but significant technological renaissance. MIT Technology Review

Google's AI Mode adds images as search giant tries to keep pace with rivals Google is expanding its AI-powered search tool, AI Mode, to include visual results for shopping and inspiration. The update lets users generate and refine images alongside text, combining Gemini 2.5 with Search, Lens, and Image search capabilities. CNBC

Sponsor The new Smart Rack Mobile Optimize your workflow with Smart Rack Mobile: intelligent storage, mobility, and real-time component management. Discover more! Essegi Automation

Have We Reached a Space-Junk Tipping Point? Low Earth orbit faces rising hazards as space debris multiplies, forcing satellites like SpaceX's Starlinks into frequent evasive maneuvers. Experts warn accelerating Kessler syndrome could destabilize orbits, demanding urgent global and regulatory action. IEEE Spectrum

A Reputation Crisis Can Hit Anytime — and Cost You Everything. Here's How to Prepare. American Eagle's controversial "Sweeney" denim campaign sparks backlash, underscoring how advertising missteps can damage brand perception. Experts urge proactive reputation management to build trust, navigate crises, and shape consumer sentiment online. Entrepreneur

Sponsor McDry Ultra-Low Humidity Storage Cabinets McDry dry cabinet for MSL components and desiccators provide optimal ultra-low humidity and moisture-proof storage for IC packages. Seika

Why the World Needs a Flying Robot Baby Italy's Institute of Technology's jet-powered humanoid, iRonCub3, flew stably for the first time, marking a robotics milestone. Built for disaster response, the project also advances thrust control, aerodynamic modeling, and broader robotics innovation. IEEE Spectrum

Performance Comparison: Liquid and Pad Thermal Interface Material A new study tests whether liquid thermal interface materials (TIMs) outperform solid gap pads despite equal conductivity, finding liquids may lower resistance by wetting interfaces more effectively. It also highlights bondline thickness as a key resistance factor. Circuit Insight - Analysis Lab

Direct Imaging and Direct Jetting of Solder Mask PCB manufacturers are challenged to fabricate denser solder mask patterns with smaller features to accommodate advanced electronic components. Circuit Insight - Production Floor

Sponsor 5 Keys to Component Lead Tinning Success Re-conditioning of electronic components mitigates gold embrittlement, eliminates tin whiskers enhancing quality and sustainability prior to soldering. BEST Inc.

World's tallest bridge debuts in China, soaring 2,000 feet above a canyon China opened the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world's tallest at 2,050 feet above the Beipan River. The suspension span slashes travel time in Guizhou, doubles the height of Colorado's Royal Gorge Bridge, and showcases Beijing's drive for bold engineering feats. TechSpot

U.S. Commerce head Lutnick wants Taiwan to help America make 50% of its chips locally The Trump administration is pressuring Taipei to shift chip production to the U.S., aiming for a 50-50 split that reduces American reliance on Taiwan. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the plan could reshape global supply chains and Taiwan’s defense calculus. CNBC

Memory Safety Will Be Key to Tackle Fundamental Cyber Security The U.K.'s Digital Security by Design initiative showcased CHERI, a memory-safe hardware technology, in London. Experts praised its cybersecurity potential but noted adoption challenges. With 160+ companies involved, standardizing memory safety remains a key priority. EE Times