February 24, 2026

The AI Memory Squeeze: Why Japan's Consumer Electronics Face a New Reality Rising AI server demand is reshaping global memory allocation, leaving Japanese consumer electronics, including TVs and home appliances, facing shortages and soaring costs. Suppliers favor AI & cloud clients, squeezing margins & challenging Japan's traditional supply strategies. Trend Force

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.

VIEWPOINT 2026: Foad Ghalili, President/CEO, Epoch International Enterprises, Inc. Over the past year, Epoch strengthened coordination across its global footprint and set a solid foundation for 2026. San Jose continued building on its expanded facility, applying advanced equipment, medical-device capability, and ITAR certification to broaden its technical reach. Bangalore completed its first full year ... Epoch International Enterprises, Inc.

Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics Electrostatic discharge (ESD) threatens IoT and high-reliability electronics as components shrink and densify. This paper details design protections, assembly controls, and validation methods to help engineers and OEMs enhance device resilience and ensure long-term performance. Technical Paper

U.S. launches Peace Corps-backed 'Tech Corps' to help export AI, counter China The White House launched a "Tech Corps" within the Peace Corps to send skilled U.S. volunteers abroad, advancing AI adoption, building infrastructure, training local talent, countering Chinese tech influence, and promoting global collaboration and AI sovereignty. CNBC

Sponsor Micro Dispensing Technology Leader DL Technology LLC develops customized dispensing needles and valves for the electronics assembly, industrial assembly, semiconductor packaging and medical industries. DL Technology

Empowering Your Engineering Teams with Engineering Pro: The Smarter Way to Stay Ahead in Electronics Manufacturing Engineering Pro is a self-paced online platform for electronics manufacturing teams, delivering IPC-standard training, process optimization, and defect prevention. Role-based paths, progress tracking, and upskilling tools accelerate onboarding, boost efficiency & ensure compliance. Global Electronics Association

The Impact of Harsh Environments and Ionic Contamination on Post-Reflow Circuit Assemblies Modern electronic assemblies are far more susceptible to this phenomenon. Among the critical issues affecting these assemblies is ionic contamination, which can lead to a series of deleterious processes, including electrochemical migration (ECM). Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ PCB Rework Evolves, With X-ray a Constant Support ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Viscom: Next Level of Inspection at APEX Viscom Inc. presents its AI-powered inspection software vAI ProVision at APEX Expo 2026 in Anaheim. See live demos of faster AOI and AXI programming at Booth #2836. Viscom SE

Amazon to spend $12 billion in Louisiana on AI data centers Amazon will invest $12 billion in AI-focused data center campuses in Louisiana's Caddo and Bossier Parishes, creating 540 jobs and supporting 1,700 roles. The move, part of a broader $200 billion capex plan, expands its cloud footprint amid intensifying competition. CNBC

Poem: The Attraction of Blackberries A first encounter sparked curiosity and playfulness as she asked about blackberries. Together, they wandered the September fields, gathering and eating more than they kept, their hands and lips stained with sweet, dark juice, savoring simple, shared delight. IEEE Spectrum

The Impact of VIA and Pad Design on QFN Assembly This paper discusses the impact of the via size and design on QFN voiding and solder protrusion. Do small vias prevent the solder from flowing onto the other side? Technical Paper

Sponsor AIT ORMET® TLPS for Proven Reliability AIT ORMET® TLPS is proven for outstanding reliability for High and Ultra High-Density Interconnection and high temperature build-up Layer Interconnection beyond 175°C Ormet® TLPS

Adjusting to US ruling on tariffs The US Supreme Court limited former President Donald Trump's tariff powers, blocking unilateral broad duties under emergency law. While other trade tools exist, the ruling eases uncertainty, reshapes supply chains, and pushes Taiwanese firms to rethink investments and risks. Taipei Times

AI's Math Tricks Don't Work for Scientific Computing AI is fueling a surge in new digital number formats as engineers cut bit lengths to boost speed and save energy. These AI-optimized formats often fail scientific workloads. In an interview with IEEE Spectrum, Laslo Hunhold discussed designing a custom format for scientific computing. IEEE Spectrum

Advances in Power Electronics This paper details some of the recent advances in power electronics systems and details some of the challenges that need to be overcome. Technical Paper

Sponsor Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control The complexity of BGA packages introduces challenges during rework requiring innovative methods and inspection practices to ensure performance and reliability. Read more. BEST Inc.

UN calls for scam center clampdown The UN urged governments to crack down on Southeast Asian scam centers, where hundreds of thousands are trafficked into forced labor. Its report details torture, sexual abuse, starvation, and coerced violence, calling for urgent rescue, justice, and rehabilitation measures. Taipei Times

MIT's new 3D printer can create a working electric motor in one go Researchers at MIT have created a multimaterial 3D-printing platform that fabricates a fully functional electric linear motor in one automated process. Using five integrated materials and precise sensor controls, the low-cost motor matches conventional performance. TechSpot

Sponsor Malcom Paste Mixers Unlike hand mixing, the Malcom SPS Solder Paste Mixer is a non-contaminating mixer which utilizes pseudo planetary motion to stir the solder paste. The SPS-1 provides uniform consistency. Seika

With The Computer World On Fire, Mini PCs Might Become The New Norm - Here's Why Mini PCs are gaining traction as compact, powerful alternatives to laptops and desktops. They mount behind monitors, travel easily, cut costs, and use less power, attracting budget- and efficiency-minded consumers amid rising energy and AI hardware expenses. BGR

Common PCB Design Decisions that Cause Manufacturing Problems What are the most common design decisions that can have a negative impact on the PCB assembly manufacture and how could we correct them during the design? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, discuss this scenario and share their suggestions. Board Talk

NASA Return to Venus Depends on New Class of Ceramic Sensor Venus's 460°C heat, crushing pressure and corrosive air quickly destroy silicon electronics. To extend missions, NASA is adopting wide-bandgap chips like silicon carbide and rugged ceramic sensors that survive extreme heat and chemical attack without bulky shielding. EE Times

The Age-Verification Trap Lawmakers push social media age limits to protect teens from addiction and harmful content. But real enforcement forces platforms to collect IDs or biometric data, creating privacy risks, errors, and constant rechecks. Efforts to shield children in collide with modern data-protection principles. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Contaminant Removal with Plasma Plasma provides organics removal and other benefits to increase bond strength! Many chamber sizes available, all with a low environmental impact. Learn more. Plasma Etch

Sam Altman defends AI resource usage: Water concerns 'fake,' and 'humans use energy too' OpenAI CEO Sam Altman rejected claims that AI like ChatGPT wastes water, labeling them false, while admitting AI's energy use grows. Speaking in India, he stressed improving inference efficiency, yet critics warn data center expansion still raises environmental concerns. CNBC