Sep 3, 2026 System Helps Humans Predict when Self-driving Cars Will Make Mistakes MIT and Motional researchers developed CW-Net to explain self-driving decisions with understandable concepts. Tests showed the system helps drivers predict unexpected behavior, improves awareness, aids engineers & could make autonomous vehicles safer and more trusted. MIT news

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

Who is John Ternus, the new Apple CEO? After 15 years under Tim Cook, Apple has appointed hardware chief John Ternus as CEO. Known for his focus on craftsmanship and product quality, Ternus now faces major challenges, including Apple's AI race and Vision Pro's future. TechCrunch

Flux-Free, Reliable, Efficient: Soldering with Formic Acid Whitepaper shows formic-acid-assisted, flux-free soldering enables reliable, nearly void-free joints for power semiconductors. The technology improves thermal performance and lifespan, offering strong potential for electromobility, renewable energy, and high-frequency electronics. Technical Paper

NASA's Cargo-Moving Robotic Arm Named 300th IEEE Milestone NASA's Canadarm, developed through U.S.-Canada collaboration, revolutionized space shuttle operations by enabling astronauts to move payloads and support repairs. First deployed in 1981, the robotic system served for 30 years and now holds IEEE's 300th Milestone. IEEE Spectrum

Sponsor Eliminate Worry of Cross Contamination While Models 529 and 1550 are similar semi-automatic cleaners with single wash and rinse tanks, the Model 2003 includes 2 wash tanks for cleaning multiple applications in one machine. Smart Sonic

If You're Not Controlling Your AI Results, You've Lost Control of Your Brand. Here's How to Own the Narrative. AI is reshaping brand reputation by drawing conclusions from everything published across the internet. Companies must actively manage their digital narratives, or risk losing control of how AI systems, search results and audiences perceive their brands. Entrepreneur

What is the Shelf Life of Solder Paste? What is the practical shelf life of a syringe of solder paste, and what symptoms would one see when the syringe is getting too old? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, answer this question. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ UHDI Fabrication for IC Substrates: SAP and mSAP Processes ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

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

Mercedes Spinout Athos Closes Its Doors Automotive functional safety chiplet startup Athos Silicon has shut down after failing to secure financing. Spun out of Mercedes-Benz, the company developed redundant chiplet architecture for autonomous systems, but financial & cap-table challenges forced its board to dissolve operations. EE Times

Beyond smartphones: India turns focus to electronics manufacturing India is entering a new phase of electronics manufacturing, moving beyond smartphones to build deeper supply chains. Production has surged nearly seven-fold and exports more than 11-fold, but developing a strong domestic ecosystem remains the next challenge. Communications Today

Process Control and Reliability of Reworked BGA Solder Joint This paper discusses the work done in identifying the key features for the right BGA rework equipment. Technical Paper

Sponsor Cut SAC305 Costs with REL61TM Lead–Free Alloy Silver prices have tripled. While silver is 2/3 of SAC305's cost, it's only 1/4 of REL61. Save hundreds of thousands annually with this proven, drop-in alternative. AIM Solder

Google Says Memory Tops 75% of Server BOM; TPU-Software Dual Strategy Targets Memory Wall Google warns AI computing is hitting a memory wall as advanced models shift workloads from compute- to memory-bound. New TPU designs and TurboQuant target memory bottlenecks, while soaring DRAM and NAND costs reshape AI infrastructure spending. TrendForce

The age of quantum Fujitsu showcased a 64-qubit superconducting quantum computer at Semicon Taiwan in Taipei, drawing visitors' attention. The display highlighted the company's advances in quantum computing and underscored growing industry interest in next-generation computing technologies. Taipei Times

CVS Control of Via Fill Acid Copper Electroplating Baths This paper presents electrochemical techniques for analyzing additives commonly used in via fill plating baths. Technical Paper

Sponsor Depaneling machine for separating circuit boards SCHUNK offers solutions for the entire spectrum of the depaneling operation — from product selection, workpiece holder solutions and optimization of milling. SCHUNK

AI Efficiency Could Cost Us the Next Generation of Experts AI automation can erode human expertise by eliminating the junior work that builds experience. Drawing lessons from aviation and nuclear engineering, organizations should introduce deliberate "manual gates" to preserve critical skills and prepare workers for automation failures. IEEE Spectrum

Manufacturing Growth Slows in August Amid Supply and Cost Strains U.S. manufacturing expanded for the eighth straight month in August, but momentum slowed as new orders and backlogs weakened. Persistent supply bottlenecks, tariffs, and higher raw-material costs kept inflationary pressures elevated despite broad industry growth. EE Times

Sponsor 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. KYZEN

G20 tech takeaways: Lutnick pitches adoption of U.S. AI, pushes data center buildout AI dominated the G20 Innovation Ministerial, with Nvidia, OpenAI and Anthropic leaders discussing advances and U.S. cooperation. Officials also addressed China's chip controls, with Commerce Secretary Lutnick saying Beijing has not accepted Trump's offer to buy certain chips. CNBC

Reservoir Printing in Deep Cavities Guidelines for stencil designs and aperture placement in cavities are presented, including stencil design, paste material, experimentation, and results. Technical Paper

Meta settlement could clear the way for new AI product launches, Morgan Stanley says Meta's $18 billion settlement over alleged youth harms removes a legal hurdle, potentially speeding AI product launches. Analysts see growth in consumer AI, ad tools and agentic services, but warn high spending and strategy diffusion remain risks. CNBC

Your Business Doesn't Need More Ideas — It Needs Intrapreneurs to Execute Them Modern workplaces need more than traditional entrepreneurs. Intrapreneurs drive innovation from within, helping organizations turn ideas into sustainable growth, strengthen competitive advantage and adapt faster to changing markets and customer needs. Entrepreneur

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

Product Configuration Guide for Electronics Manufacturers Product configuration lets electronics manufacturers offer customized variants while controlling complexity. Rules block incompatible combinations, automate order-specific BOMs, reduce errors, support assemble-to-order production, and improve cost and lead-time visibility. EE Times