July 21, 2026

A New AI Model Wants Self-driving Cars to Think Bbefore They Swerve Seoul National University researchers created SafeDrive, an AI model that compares driving paths and selects the safest route. The CVPR 2026 highlight winner improves explainability and is entering real-world testing and commercialization. Digital Trends

Sponsor Dedicated Tool for Process Development Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis. Uyemura

Gartner Forecasts Worldwide AI Platforms and Models Market to Grow 63% in 2026 Gartner forecasts global end-user spending on AI models and platforms to reach $64 billion in 2026, rising 63.4%. Enterprises are prioritizing cost efficiency and measurable outcomes, driving rapid adoption of domain-specific AI models, with spending expected to surge 210%. Gartner

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. This paper outlines best practices for removing and replacing BGAs. Technical Paper

Researchers create a drone that becomes almost invisible by spinning 25 times per second Northwestern engineers created Phantom Twist, a drone prototype that nearly disappears by spinning rapidly and exploiting motion blur. AI optimized its design for low visibility, enabling wildlife monitoring, infrastructure checks and aerial surveys. TechSpot

Sponsor Cleaning advanced packages? The stakes are rising. Flux residues under low-standoff components risk field failures. Get IPC-validated insights on optimizing inline spray cleaning. ZESTRON Americas

China's economic uncertainty China's economy grew 4.3% in Q2, falling short of forecasts as weak domestic demand, lower investment and structural imbalances offset strong exports. Economists cut forecasts and warned Beijing must revive consumption while avoiding broad stimulus. Taipei Times

High Thermal, High Temperature Interconnects for Ultra High Power LEDs For high performance applications, ultra-high power offers cost reduction through fewer LEDs, smaller PCBs, smaller heat sinks and lighter load bearing. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ The Drawbacks of Internal Recycling Systems for Solder Dross ■ Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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

AI boom drives US$100bn TSMC Arizona buildout TSMC will invest another US$100 billion in Arizona, raising its US commitment to US$265 billion. The chipmaker boosts AI production, serves demand, challenges rivals, and expands US manufacturing while keeping leading-edge development in Taiwan. Taipei Times

A new coding contest challenges developers to fit an entire game onto a 1.44MB floppy disk A Korean game contest challenges programmers to create standalone titles that fit on a 1.44MB floppy disk. The event revives optimization skills, offers cash prizes, and encourages efficient software design as developers face rising hardware costs. TechSpot

Does HASL or ENIG Reduce Creep Corrosion in Corrosive Environments? We make electronics equipment used in corrosive environments. Do you recommend the use of HASL versus immersion gold for our application? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, answer this question. Board Talk

Sponsor X-ray Rentals & Rent-to-Own Rent any of our machine models, with up to 3 months of rental costs applied toward purchasing X-ray equipment. Our flexible plan lets you test the system before committing to purchase. Glenbrook Technologies

India launches its first hydrogen train India launched its first hydrogen-powered train, running on an 89km route in Haryana with the world's most powerful 1,200kW fuel cell system. The project advances rail decarbonization, expands clean transport infrastructure and supports India's broader railway modernization drive. Taipei Times

Powering the Automotive Revolution: From Zonal Architecture to 48V Automakers are moving from 12V to 48V systems, using zonal architectures to reduce wiring, improve efficiency, and support centralized computing. MPS drives this transition with advanced power solutions and expertise for next-generation vehicles. EE Times

Molecular Fingerprint of Condensate Residues in the Soldering Process A range of condensate samples were taken from different process zones of reflow soldering systems and were analyzed using FT-IR spectrometry. Technical Paper

Sponsor Micro Dispensing Technology White Paper The trend toward micro-dispensing technology increases as electronic assembly's shrink & component packages decrease in size. DL Technology

All-In-One Vs. Custom Liquid Cooling: Which Is Better For Your PC? PC builders compare AIO coolers with custom loops as liquid cooling evolves. AIOs offer affordable, maintenance-free performance, while custom systems deliver better cooling, quieter operation, and overclocking gains at higher cost and complexity. BGR

Samsung cuts hundreds of US jobs while AI boom sends chip profits soaring Samsung is moving its US consumer electronics headquarters from New Jersey to Texas, affecting 739 jobs as AI chip profits boost its semiconductor business. Rising memory costs and fierce competition pressure smartphone, TV, and appliance operations. TechSpot

Sponsor Reimagined EOS/ESD Symposium 2026 Experience the enhanced EOS/ESD Symposium with expanded learning, collaboration, and industry connections. Join experts exploring challenges and solutions in EOS/ESD control. September 28-30. EOS/ESD Association

Apple sues OpenAI, but Trump holds the whistle Apple has escalated its rivalry with OpenAI by filing an antitrust-style complaint, transforming a high-profile AI partnership into a legal battle. The dispute highlights growing tensions over AI strategy, supply chains & control of the hardware ecosystem shaping the industry's next phase. Digitimes

Implementation of Assembly Processes for Low-Melting Point Solder Pastes This paper discusses the need for low-temperature solders and process-ability of solder pastes with three novel alloys against the industry standard. Technical Paper

Everyone Has Access to AI Now. Here's What Will Actually Make Your Brand Stand Out. AI once helped creators and small brands stand out with polished, efficient content, but widespread adoption has made online experiences feel repetitive. As similar templates and AI-generated messages flood feeds and inboxes, brands increasingly blend together. Entrepreneur

AI boom pushes PCB, passive component lead times into a new normal AI data center growth drives rising demand for PCBs and passive components, fueling industry expansion. However, material shortages and limited manufacturing capacity create supply bottlenecks, challenging suppliers and slowing production growth. Digitimes

Sponsor Corrosion, UV Protection for Power Transmission Moisture, corrosive gas, oxidation & UV blocking prop-erties. FLUOROSEAL® confor-mal coating for electrical contacts & ceramic insulator protection. AI Technology, Inc.

CD sales are up 16%, but half the buyers don't even own a CD player CD sales surged 16% to 16.3 million units in the US during the first half of 2026 as Gen Z and Millennials embraced them as affordable collectibles. Driven by nostalgia and a desire for tangible ownership, physical media continues to defy expectations despite digital dominance. TechSpot