April 15, 2026

Microsoft is Working on Yet Another OpenClaw-like Agent Microsoft is testing OpenClaw-like features in Microsoft 365 Copilot, aiming to deliver secure, enterprise-focused agents capable of autonomous, multistep tasks, while exploring local execution options alongside existing cloud-based tools powered partly by Anthropic. TechCrunch

Sponsor iX7059 Series by Viscom: Inline X-ray Inspection Power High-performance Inline X-ray Inspection Systems for complex electronics, semiconductors, and power modules up to 200 kg. Seamless integration, AI-powered accuracy, and maximum reliability for every application. Viscom SE

Apple is testing four smart glasses designs as it prepares to challenge Meta Ray-Bans Apple tests four N50 smart glasses designs, developing them in-house to rival Meta's Ray-Ban line. The lightweight eyewear integrates cameras, sensors, and AI features tightly with iPhone, enabling notifications, media, and visual recognition, with launch expected 2026–2027. TechSpot

Cutting Without Contact: How Laser Depanelling Redefines PCB Manufacturing A laser depanelling solution delivers precision, zero mechanical stress, and cleanroom-level quality—transforming PCB manufacturing for high-reliability industries like automotive, medical, and industrial electronics. Technical Paper

Meta commits to 1 gigawatt of custom chips with Broadcom as Hock Tan decides to leave board Meta and Broadcom extend partnership through 2029 to develop custom AI accelerators, scaling to gigawatt deployments and 2-nanometer chips, as Meta pushes in-house silicon strategy. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan leaves Meta board amid intensifying AI chip competition. CNBC

Sponsor The "Fried Egg" Effect in Soldering Burnt-on flux residue that is visible on the solder mask of PCBs after improper reflow settings produces significant challenges to the reliability of finished boards. KYZEN

​Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind Teach Spot to Reason Boston Dynamics upgrades its Spot robot with Google DeepMind's Gemini Robotics-ER 1.6, boosting autonomous industrial inspections, object recognition, and reasoning. The system improves safety and decisions, though real-world reliability challenges remain. IEEE Spectrum

Expandable Bio-based Polymers: Future for Electronics Ruggedization This paper presents a bio-based, expandable, thermoset solution, a low density, light weight method to effectively encapsulate and protect electronic components. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Sayaka Table-Top PCB Router, SAM-CT23S with online camera Advanced image processing software offers easy programming and CAD base offline programming. Automatic alignment compensation. Seika

OpenAI Engineer Helps Companies Attract Buyers and Boost Sales Gupta blends engineering and business, building AI-driven systems from school projects to Goldman Sachs automation, Asana Intelligence, and OpenAI. He now develops data science models for marketing while advancing automation and real-world impact. IEEE Spectrum

IMF cuts global growth forecast to 3.1% on Mideast war IMF cut its 2026 global growth outlook, warning Middle East war could derail the world economy as oil, gas and food prices surge. It now projects 3.1% global growth this year and higher inflation at 4.4%. Taipei Times

How To Strip Tin-Lead Solder From SMT Pads for RoHS Is it possible to scrub the pads of a PCB to bring it back into compliance? 63-37 solder was mistakenly used to hand solder parts. Board Talk

Sponsor Openair-Plasma for Semiconductor Manufacturing Openair-Plasma for semicon-ductor production is an alternative to vacuum plasma. Typical apps are wire bonding, die bonding & pre-molding. Download here. Plasmatreat GmbH

Taiwan leads world in increasing exports to US US imports from Taiwan surged $59.6B last year, the largest increase globally, as bilateral trade and investment deepen. Taiwan pledged $250B for US semiconductor capacity, while the US trade deficit with Taiwan hit $145B. Taipei Times

Japan finds a way to recover 90% of lithium from old EV batteries Japan's JX Metals Circular Solutions extracts 90% of lithium from dead EV batteries using improved hydrometallurgy in Fukui Prefecture. The process cuts emissions by 40% and strengthens Japan's recycling push, though battery collection rates remain a major challenge. TechSpot

Large Form Factor Surface Mount Technology Process Demonstration This paper reviews the implementation of a multiple solder ball diameter (MDSB) strategy to increase the SMT warpage capability for a standard SAC BGA Package. Technical Paper

Sponsor What Would You Ask Proven Global Manufacturing Leaders? In this 4-part series we asked about: Key Drivers of Success, Scaling Operations Effectively, AI in Manufacturing, and Tools to Empower Operations. No registration Required. Intraratio

How to Plan Agentic AI Deployment for Chip Design AI in semiconductor design has become standard practice, with over half of advanced nodes using AI assistance. Agentic AI is shifting EDA from reactive tools to autonomous orchestration, boosting productivity 10–100x and forcing organizations to adopt scalable readiness frameworks. EE Times

New terahertz technique lets engineers see inside running processors in real time Engineers in Adelaide develop terahertz method to observe transistor activity running processors in real time. By extending vector network analyzer range enabling non-invasive chip diagnostics but challenges in complex architectures security risks. TechSpot

Sponsor Speed That Scales With You High-throughput 10-head MC388HS pick and place machines built for accuracy at high-speed—helping you scale production without compromising placement quality. Manncorp Inc.

This Is the Year AI Will Stop Assisting and Start Leading — Plus 2 Other Ways It Will Transform the Workplace Despite strong hype, AI's workplace impact remains limited. Companies deploy tools to automate tasks and improve workflows, but expectations exceed reality, as most employees mainly use AI to verify work and draft emails, reports, or other written content. Entrepreneur

Case Study for Improving the PCB Print Process Using Factory Data The analytics of big data could help us to understand that process better. We can buy better equipment and select the parameters more carefully. Technical Paper

Samsung 2nm yields reportedly remain below mass production threshold Samsung Electronics is approaching a key milestone in its 2nm chip process, but low yields continue to hinder stable mass production. The shortfall raises concerns about its competitiveness and ability to attract major foundry clients for next-generation chips. Digitimes

China exports growth in March misses estimates, imports surge most in over four years China's export growth slowed to a six-month low in March, missing forecasts as Middle East tensions weakened global demand, while imports surged to a four-year high. Strong domestic demand and energy buffers helped offset risks to its trade-dependent economy. CNBC

Sponsor Your Award-Winning Cored Wire Our industry-leading, award-winning range of flux-cored wire solder solutions meet the diverse needs of both manual soldering, and rework and robotic soldering applications. Indium Corporation

Apple iPhone Fold: Striking Design Revealed In Leaked Photos Leaks suggest Apple iPhone Fold could launch in September alongside iPhone 18 Pro models. Dummy images reveal a wide, tablet-like design that may divide opinions, with its compact folded size contrasting sharply against larger Pro variants. Forbes