Aug 25, 2026 The Supply Chain Is Tightening Again. The Data Makes It Hard to Look Away Electronics manufacturers face renewed supply chain pressure as 64% report limited availability or extended lead times. Memory, laminates, resins, processors, GPUs and passives drive shortages, while regional constraints add complexity and longer planning cycles. Global Electronics Association

Sponsor Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 This is the final paper in a series and discusses some of the common mistakes in maintenance cleaning applications found in electronic assembly operations. KYZEN

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide Semiconductor Revenue to Reach $1.6 Trillion in 2026 AI infrastructure is pushing global semiconductor revenue toward $1.6 trillion in 2026, nearly doubling 2025 levels. Memory leads growth as DRAM and NAND demand accelerates, while investment expands in CPUs, networking, power and optical tech. Gartner

Scaling SMT Traceability High-mix electronics manufacturing requires precise material control. This whitepaper explains how Tecnimaster improved traceability, inventory accuracy and picking efficiency through integrated automated storage and reel-level tracking. Technical Paper

Intel re-enters Amazon's top-10 best-selling CPUs after over a year, but AMD still dominates Intel has returned to Amazon's top 10 best-selling desktop CPUs, placing two chips among AMD’s dominant Ryzen lineup. Rising DDR5 prices are driving buyers toward DDR4-compatible upgrades, boosting Intel's Core Ultra 7 270K Plus and Core i7-14700K. TechSpot

Sponsor vCONNECT: Your Next Level of Digital Connectivity Discover vCONNECT: Analyze inspection data, monitor machine performance, predict maintenance needs, store data securely and access AI tools and the latest Viscom News. Viscom

Trump says data center protesters are "making a mistake," but his allies disagree President Trump defended expanding US data centers, arguing they create jobs and strengthen AI leadership as companies build their own power plants. However, bipartisan opposition is growing, with Republican leaders and 61% of Americans supporting local moratoriums. TechSpot

Help With Defective Solder Joints What is the possible cause of incomplete soldering after surface mount reflow? The circuit boards in question are HASL. The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, offer their own experience and insight. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ UHDI Fabrication for IC Substrates: SAP and mSAP Processes ■ Flux-Free, Reliable, Efficient: Soldering with Formic Acid ■ Redesigning Material Logistics for High-Mix EMS Production ■ Unlocking Academic-Industry Synergy: A Collaborative Model for Hands-On Electronics Manufacturing Education ■ Viscosity Does Not Equal Rheology: What Solder Paste Measurements Really Tell You ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor PAE Certification – Oct 2-5, 2026 Advance your expertise with the ESDA Process Assessment Engineer (PAE) Certification at the 2026 EOS/ESD Symposium. Learn ANSI/ESD SP17.1 principles to assess and improve EOS/ESD processes. EOS/ESD Association

He Left Google After 27 Years. Now He's Telling Gen Z Not to Master AI. Google AI veteran Jeff Dean says Gen Z need not master every AI development to thrive. He urges young workers to explore broadly, connect ideas across disciplines and tackle meaningful long-term problems, while viewing AI as a tool to expand human capabilities. Entrepreneur

Data centers going off-grid does not make them good neighbors Data centers are increasingly considering onsite power to bypass lengthy grid-connection delays, but going off-grid brings higher costs, pollution concerns and regulatory risks. The strategy could deepen public opposition, making grid integration and community engagement more important. Taipei Times

Low Cost and High Pin Count Wafer Level Packaging Reliability improvement at low cost is achieved using plastic core balls at selected ball locations. A daisy chain WLP is the test vehicle. Technical Paper

Sponsor Viscom at SMTA Michigan & Ohio Join Viscom at SMTA Michigan (8/18/26) and Ohio (8/20/26) to discover the latest advancements in AOI and AXI inspection technology, including our powerful AI solutions. Viscom SE

With AI, our imperfect minds make us insecure Technology's uncanny valley now extends beyond appearance to human behavior and thought. As AI mimics human abilities and cosmetic procedures standardize looks, people risk becoming technology-shaped versions of themselves, deepening self-alienation. Taipei Times

Welcome to the Era of Trustworthy AI for IC Signoff and Manufacturing AI is reshaping semiconductor design and manufacturing with greater automation and innovation. Engineers must demand trustworthy, interpretable systems that ensure reliability, enable audits, strengthen verification, and protect data and IP. EE Times

Thermal Mechanical Fatigue of a 56 I/O Quad-Flat No Lead Package A fatigue computational model was used to predict the effects of conformal coating and underfill on solder joints between a 56 I/O plastic quad-flat and a polyimide PCB. Technical Paper

Sponsor The perfect protection for your electronics Rehm's ProtectoXP and ProtectoXC systems offer flexible, high-quality coating solutions that shield electronics from moisture, corrosion, and other environmental damage. Rehm Thermal Systems

Building Technology People Can Trust As chiplets, software, sensors, and diverse technologies converge, semiconductor systems are harder to test. Engineers must move beyond final-stage testing and embed verification throughout development to ensure reliability and catch issues earlier. IEEE Spectrum

Data centers' 'oh s--t' moment Data center backlash is intensifying across the U.S., with politicians from both parties backing construction curbs, moratoriums and reduced tax incentives. Tech leaders fear the controversy could become a major political issue through 2028 and reshape AI infrastructure expansion. Politico

Sponsor The Battle for Space Superiority Has Begun The next conflict may begin in orbit. Learn why resilient space systems and advanced manufacturing matter more than ever. Summit Interconnect

What Does the US Robotics Ban on Foreign Imports Really Mean? Here’s IDC’s Take The FCC's new robotics rule covers foreign-made mobile robots from humanoids to vacuums, but its impact varies sharply. IDC projects humanoids will suffer the deepest losses, while household cleaning robots prove most resilient and Europe absorbs redirected demand. IDC

Advanced Printing for Microelectronic Packaging Using micro-dispensing it is possible to print in 3D space a wide variety of materials including solders, epoxies, conductive adhesives and ceramic filled polymers. Technical Paper

How Far Away Can You Hear AI Data Centers? Data centers produce near-constant noise from cooling systems, transformers and generators, raising concerns for nearby communities. Residents report headaches and sleep disruption, but researchers say more evidence is needed to confirm health risks. BGR

Nvidia announces AI-related price hikes Nvidia customers face server price increases exceeding 15% as soaring memory costs drive higher AI infrastructure expenses. The hikes, affecting systems with Vera Rubin and Grace Blackwell chips, highlight memory makers' growing leverage amid surging AI demand. Taipei Times

Sponsor How to Simplify Solder Paste Printing StikNPeel removable rework stencils simplifies selective printing of solder paste leaving no residue providing cleaner alternative to metal stencils. BEST Inc.

What Is The Best Liquid For Cooling A PC? Custom liquid cooling can beat standard AIO systems, but coolant choice matters. Tap water can cause corrosion and buildup, while distilled water needs additives. Premixed coolants such as DP Ultra offer protection, reliability, and easier maintenance. BGR