November 4, 2025

Quantum Current Boom Echoes AI Fever The quantum computing boom echoes early AI hype, with valuations far exceeding revenue. Companies like IonQ and Rigetti draw huge investments and government support, betting on advances in speed and error correction to deliver future commercial and strategic gains. EE Times

Sponsor Tech Paper - The Essential Guide for High-Reliability BGA Component Re-balling This paper outlines best practices and challenges in reballing Ball Grid Array (BGA) components. Download this free tech paper. Circuit Technology Center

Electronics Manufacturing Powers U.S. Growth, Supporting 5.2 Million Jobs and $1.8 Trillion in Output A new report shows U.S. electronics manufacturing drives economic growth, supporting 5.2M jobs, $853B in GDP, and $1.8T in output. High wages, innovation, and strong supply chains anchor the economy, but skilled labor shortages & offshoring threaten long-term competitiveness. Global Electronics Association

Probe Card Manufacturer 'Sees the Unseen' With X-ray Probe card manufacturer relies on mobile real-time x-ray inspection to verify the quality of its precisely aligned probes at different stages along the assembly line. Technical Paper

5 Expert Tips To Have ChatGPT Help Manage Your Schedule ChatGPT is emerging as a powerful productivity assistant, helping users plan their weeks, prioritize tasks, and build lasting habits. By guiding reflection, time blocking, and goal-setting, it transforms daily routines into balanced, focused systems that reduce stress and boost efficiency. BGR

Sponsor Need a Profiler Plan B? Tired of having to share a thermal profiler across different soldering operations? Add the affordable V-M.O.L.E. 2 four-channel profiler to the mix for time-saving efficiency. ECD

'Eyes-off driving' is coming, and we're so not ready General Motors is developing a Level 3 "eyes-off" system, letting drivers take hands and eyes off the wheel on some highways, starting with the Cadillac Escalade IQ by 2028. While promising autonomy, liability remains unclear & drivers must still be ready to intervene in emergencies. The Verge

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 ■ The Economics of Electronic Component Salvage and Reuse ■ Cutting Without Contact: How Laser Depanelling Redefines PCB Manufacturing MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Get the Revisiting Underfill Handbook Today's underfill applications are constantly evolving. As chip populations increase, dispensing applications must deliver smaller amounts of fluid with precision. Read this handbook. Nordson Electronics Solutions

AI Model Growth Outpaces Hardware Improvements Since 2018, MLCommons' MLPerf competition has served as the "Olympics of AI training," pushing companies like Nvidia to optimize hardware and software for faster model training. As benchmarks grow tougher, hardware races to keep up, driving continual innovation cycles. IEEE Spectrum

Nvidia and Samsung team up to build an AI megafactory with 50,000 GPUs Nvidia teams with Samsung to build an AI megafactory housing 50,000 GPUs, boosting mobile and robotics chip production. The partnership adapts Nvidia designs to Samsung's platform, promises 20% performance gains, and cements Nvidia's dominance in the AI chip market. TechSpot

Sponsor Seven Facilities, One Trusted Source Partner with the industry leader. Summit is trusted and proven, with 7 integrated facilities to load capacity—from fast-turn prototypes to scalable production requirements. Summit Interconnect

Craftsmanship in Precision Design: Analog IC Engineers and 20th-Century Home Builders Analog IC design parallels early 20th-century Craftsman homebuilding, blending precision and artistry. Both demand mastery of materials, tight tolerances, and hands-on experience, turning complex challenges—electrons or wood—into enduring, high-quality creations. EE Times

Trump tightens grip on top AI chips US President Trump said Nvidia's top-end Blackwell AI chips will be reserved for US companies, blocking China and others from the most advanced versions. While a scaled-down chip might be allowed, the move signals tighter US export controls to maintain an AI technology edge. Taipei Times

Sponsor Probe Card Manufacturer 'Sees the Unseen' With X-ray Probe card manufacturer relies on mobile real-time x-ray inspection to verify the quality of its aligned probes at different stages along the assembly line. Glenbrook Technologies

Nvidia stock climbs 2% as U.S. approves chip sale to the UAE under Microsoft deal Microsoft has secured U.S. export licenses to ship 60,400 Nvidia GPUs to the UAE, boosting the Gulf nation's AI ambitions. The deal enables access to advanced OpenAI and Microsoft models, while Microsoft plans $15.2B in regional investments to expand AI and cloud infrastructure. CNBC

In 1953, the Ford X-100 Concept Car Had It All Debuting in the early 1950s, Ford's X-100 concept car showcased over 50 futuristic innovations, including automatic windows, heated seats, and a built-in radiophone. Featured in the 1954 film Woman's World, it became a global sensation, inspiring technologies still used today. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor The Industry Standard Solder Paste Looking to Avoid the Void® and enhance SIR performance? Indium8.9HF is your proven, versatile and stable, no-clean, halogen-free, Pb-free solder paste solution. Indium Corporation

Cleaning Industrial Parts with Plasma The cleanliness of surfaces is critical for the quality of processes like bonding, coating and printing. That’s why manufacturers may want to consider using atmospheric pressure plasma. Circuit Insight - Production Floor

What Does 'SIM Card' Actually Mean? SIM cards, or Subscriber Identity Modules, authenticate devices, enable calls & store contacts and texts. Since 1991, they've evolved from 32kb cards to modern SIMs, Dual SIMs & eSIMs, letting users manage multiple numbers and transfer data seamlessly between phones. BGR

The Importance of Having a Clean Slate in the SMT Assembly Process The paper covers an experiment to improve upon the defect ratio of their PCB assembly process by utilizing a bare board cleaner before the paste printer. Circuit Insight - Analysis Lab

Sponsor Inline Automatic X-Ray Inspection: TruView™ Verus TruView™ Verus is a high-resolution inline AXI system offering advanced 2D, 2.5D, and 3D imaging to detect defects in electronic assemblies with exceptional accuracy and speed. Creative Electron

The 5 Leadership Skills You Can't Afford to Automate An HBR study finds Gen Z professionals increasingly turn to AI for career guidance, ranking "therapy" and "finding purpose" as top use cases. Nearly half say AI mentors them better than managers, though experts caution it can't replace human coaching. Entrepreneur

Building Resilience in Electronics Supply Chains: PCBCart's Strategic Expansion to Thailand PCBCart expands its global footprint with a high-end Thailand factory, boosting supply chain resilience. The facility delivers advanced EMS, ensures consistent quality, reduces geopolitical risks & leverages ASEAN advantages to secure flexible, cost-efficient & reliable electronics manufacturing. EE Times

Memory Safety Will Be Key to Tackle Fundamental Cyber Security The U.K.'s Digital Security by Design initiative showcased CHERI, a memory-safe hardware technology, in London. Experts praised its cybersecurity potential but noted adoption challenges. With 160+ companies involved, standardizing memory safety remains a key priority. EE Times