June 12, 2026

Why Orbital Data Centers Are Harder Than Silicon Valley Thinks Companies Nvidia, SpaceX and Google invest in space-based data centers, but analysts say harsh orbital physics make them far costlier than Earth systems. Cooling radiation, and power limits persist, though they aid satellite data and collision avoidance. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Counterfeit Components Identified With X-ray Inspection Automated component sourcing and procurement platform relies on real-time X-ray inspection to remove counterfeit components from supply chain. Glenbrook Technologies

Nextron says AI supply chain is in place as orders extend to 2027 Nextron said its AI data center supply chain is now fully established, with strong demand across servers, switches, and liquid-cooling systems. The company reported order visibility through 2027, highlighting how sustained global AI investment is driving long-term infrastructure growth. Digitimes

Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses Intentional contamination of PWBs offers a practical and controlled approach for evaluating cleanliness analysis techniques and for developing meaningful and effective cleanliness guidelines. Technical Paper

One Platform, One Picture: How the Global Electronics Association is Changing the Intelligence Game Global Electronics Association unifies decades-old EMS and PCB intelligence programs into a single platform, integrating in4ma Europe and NVR data. It aims to harmonise trusted industry insights, linking regional and global electronics markets. Global Electronics Association

Sponsor Highly Thermally & Electrically Conductive TLPS via Filing Paste New filing highlights advanced sintered metal paste enabling faster installation, superior heat dissipation, higher conductivity, and reliable thermal drain performance without long processing cycles. Ormet TLPS

SpaceX raising $75 billion in record-setting IPO as Nasdaq debut awaits SpaceX launched the largest IPO in history, raising $75 billion at a $1.77 trillion valuation. Investors are betting on Elon Musk despite ongoing losses, heavy AI spending, and profitability concerns, while strong growth and Starlink's earnings support optimism. CNBC

De-Ionized Water Affected By the Atmosphere Resistivity readers of the de-ionized water are above 15 megohms. Resistivity results of the samples tested by the outside lab have been approximately 1 megohm. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Compare Cleaning Systems Side by Side Test cleaning equipment with your own parts and get immediate analytical results. Receive a full report and process recommendation. Request your trial now. ZESTRON Europe

MSI eyes sustaining profitability Micro-Star said global consumer PC demand fell 10–20 percent this year as rising memory and component costs weakened purchases, particularly in DIY motherboards. The company is raising prices, expanding AI-related businesses, and targeting stable margins to offset market weakness. Taipei Times

First case of AI glasses cheating caught in NTU entrance exams National Taiwan University disqualifies three applicants after uncovering admissions fraud, including one using AI glasses during a medical school exam. The case drives stricter testing rules as applicant numbers fall but placement rates improve. Taipei Times

Detect PCB Stack-up Error with Machine Learning Methods With high frequency and high-speed transmission in information industry, PCB customers demand stricter signal transmission integrity of PCB. Technical Paper

Sponsor Optimize Your Process on Full SMT Demo Line Validate your process in our demo lab. Our full line—printing, P&P, reflow, and AOI—is ready to optimize your profile and prove performance. Send us your boards to start. Heller Industries

Bezos opens up about AI startup Prometheus after $12 billion raise: 'We're not being secretive' Prometheus, Jeff Bezos' AI startup, raised $12 billion at a $41 billion valuation to expand its compute capacity and develop AI tools for engineering, manufacturing, and drug design. Bezos also reaffirmed Blue Origin's plan to resume New Glenn rocket launches before year-end. CNBC

GM just updated 250,000 EVs to sell power back to the grid General Motors has begun enabling electric vehicles to send power back to local grids, turning EVs into distributed energy resources. The company aims to create new revenue for owners and utilities, though high costs, utility approvals, and infrastructure challenges may slow adoption. TechSpot

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Bioaccumulative Substances The re-classification and regulation of EDCs and bioaccumulative substances is expected to multiply the materials that require control or replacement. Technical Paper

Sponsor Let our contract cleaning services help If you have a technical cleaning question, or if you are facing process challenges or performance challenges, use this technical hotlist form to get help from a KYZEN Technical Care Expert. KYZEN

As OpenAI leans into enterprise business, Apple and Google set sights on the masses OpenAI shifts strategy toward enterprise clients and AI-assisted coding, while Google and Apple expand consumer AI products to drive adoption and strengthen ecosystems. The split highlights rival paths to profit, growth, and AI leaderships. CNBC

Why U.S. AI giants like Anthropic, OpenAI are launching major expansions in London London is drawing major US tech and AI firms as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google expand offices and hiring to access deep AI talent. Rising demand is intensifying competition for skilled workers, office space, and infrastructure for long-term growth. CNBC

Sponsor Affordable Profiling Excellence Four channels of precision data capture from the most trusted name in thermal profiling. New and improved V-M.O.L.E.™ 2 is the ideal solution for budget-conscious electronics pros. Learn more here. ECD

Logistics Leaders Navigate Cost and Automation Supply chain leaders face rising pressure from volatile shipping costs, labor shortages, and demand. Gartner's Gonzalez urges firms to cut costs, adopt targeted AI and automation, and upgrade infrastructure to build resilient logistics networks. EE Times

Ultrasonics as an Option for Electronics Assembly Cleaning Ultrasonic cleaning parameters including frequency, power, time, temperature and chemistries results demonstrate developments in technology. Technical Paper

Taiwan rugged PC suppliers gain multi-year order visibility as Europe accelerates rearmament Europe’s drive for greater defense self-sufficiency is creating new opportunities for military technology suppliers. Taiwan-based rugged PC manufacturers expect defense-related orders to rise significantly from 2026 as European procurement programs accelerate. Digitimes

OpenAI mulls slashing prices as it competes with Anthropic for users: WSJ OpenAI is considering major price cuts for its AI services to stay ahead of rival Anthropic as competition intensifies. The move comes amid dueling IPO plans, soaring valuations, and ChatGPT's milestone of reaching 1 billion monthly users faster than any app before it. CNBC

Sponsor J-STD-001 Solder Training Kit BEST's IPC J-STD-001 Revision H-J training kit features circuit boards representing actual soldering conditions including multilayer boards with challenging thermal conditions. BEST Inc

Apple itself is finally tearing down an annoying wall between iPhone and Android Apple will bring full-resolution cross-platform sharing to iCloud Shared Albums in iOS 27 and macOS 27 this fall, letting iPhone users easily share photos with Android and Windows users and reducing reliance on third-party apps like WhatsApp for family albums. Phone Arena