March 9, 2026

Military AI Policy Needs Democratic Oversight The U.S. Department of Defense and Anthropic are clashing over AI use in the military. Anthropic resists enabling domestic surveillance and autonomous targeting, while the DOD seeks unrestricted access, escalating the dispute by labeling the company a “supply chain risk.” IEEE Spectrum

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

Samsung Electronics retains global TV market lead for 20 years Samsung Electronics secured its 20th consecutive year as the world’s largest TV maker in 2025, capturing a 29.1% global market share and dominating the premium segment with 54.3%, while planning new OLED, Micro RGB, and Neo QLED launches. The Korea Times

Maintenance: The Basics of Cleaning Series Part 4 This article is the fourth and final part of the series titled "The Basics of Cleaning". In this final chapter, some of the common mistakes in maintenance cleaning applications found in electronic assembly operations will be covered and a summary of the entire series. Technical Paper

Electronics industry gets less traditional The consumer electronics industry is cooling, with CES attendance dipping slightly and holiday sales slowing. Yet pockets of growth remain, from digital TVs to next-gen DVD players, as companies like Intel and IBM seize opportunities in increasingly computer-like devices. ABC News

Sponsor Reliable drying of UV materials Rehm Thermal Systems launches the RDS UV dryer to meet faster hardening demands, enabling efficient, eco-friendly UV coating for electronics and various industries. Rehm Thermal Systems

5 Cool Smartphone Accessories You Can 3D Print 3D printers let users create both fun and practical items, like smartphone accessories. From keychain stands and protective cases to analog megaphones that boost audio, enthusiasts can design or download 3D-printable gadgets that enhance functionality, convenience, and everyday use. BGR

Failure Analysis - Using Chromatography and Ion Chromatopgraphy/Mass Spec From component and fabrication to complete electronic assemblies, IC analysis has been the de facto method for evaluating ionic cleanliness of electronic hardware. Technical Paper

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ Optimizing BGA Rework: Challenges, Techniques and Quality Control MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Bring IPC Training to Your Facility Mobile training center offers IPC certified classes at your company’s facility making solder training effective and convenient for your entire team. BEST Inc.

Wall Street sees AI’s ‘creative destruction’ coming Investors are nervously watching AI’s rapid rise, fearing entire businesses—not just jobs—could be disrupted. While productivity gains promise long-term economic growth, sectors from back-office services to legal work face short-term risks, debt pressures, and potential market corrections. Taipei Times

TSMC to hire 8,000 workers in 2026 Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) plans to hire 8,000 employees this year, offering master’s degree engineers NT$2.2 million on average. The company seeks talent across multiple engineering fields to support AI, digital transformation, and big data initiatives. Taipei Times

Assessment of 2nd Level Interconnect Quality in Flip Chip Ball Grid Array Package Wire bonding is extensively used in the electronic packaging industry. One of the difficulties with flip chip technology is testing its reliability. Technical Paper

Sponsor BGA Component Rework Simplified When you're confronted with tough BGA rework, who do you turn to? Discover the #1 resource used by military contractors. We have solutions for all your BGA rework and repair needs. Circuit Technology Center

7 Clever Uses For Smart Sensors Around The House Smart home sensors go beyond lighting, tracking kids, pets, or daily routines. Using platforms like Home Assistant with Matter-compatible devices, homeowners can map rooms, monitor presence with mmWave or Bluetooth, and create interactive dashboards for precise, automated control. BGR

Laser-Based 3D Printing Could Build Future Bases on the Moon NASA and global space agencies aim to build self-sufficient lunar bases near the Moon’s South Pole-Aitken Basin. Researchers at The Ohio State University demonstrated laser-based 3D printing of lunar regolith, producing durable structures that could support long-term habitats. IEEE Spectrum

Process-Property Relationships for Flexible Additive-Printed Electronics In this paper, a detailed study of the effect of aerosol-jet process parameters on the resistance, shear strength, and elastic modulus has been presented. Technical Paper

Sponsor High-Reliability for Low-Temp Processes Durafuse® LT low-temp, high-rel solder paste is bismuth-free, reduces warpage in large BGAs, enhances thermal cycling, drop shock reliability, and reduces energy use up to 15%. Indium Corporation

How China is challenging the U.S. to become the next great space power China’s space program is rapidly advancing, hitting milestones like over 90 orbital launches in 2025, a Mars rover landing, and completing its space station. Massive government and private investment aims to challenge U.S. dominance in satellites, rockets, and commercial space. CNBC

The long game of Rick Tsai: from TSMC’s darkest hour to the AI era In November 2008, TSMC CEO Dr. Rick Tsai faced a dire crisis as global finance collapsed. Chip orders evaporated, fab utilization plunged below 40%, and the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturer fought to survive amid unprecedented market turmoil. Digitimes

Sponsor Gripping Systems from micro assembly to heavy lifting The first industrial-suited grippers from SCHUNK were a milestone. Since then we have brought countless newly and further developments to market. SCHUNK

Apple’s First Made-in-U.S. Chips Fall Short of Claim Apple’s claim of producing 100 million U.S.-made chips in 2026 is misleading, as wafers from TSMC’s Arizona facility still require advanced packaging in Taiwan. Full-scale domestic packaging won’t arrive until 2028, keeping U.S. chip supply dependent on Asia. EE Times

Can Solder Mask Be Considered an Insulator? Is solder mask considered an insulating material and not a defect if proven the solder mask has dielectric withstanding voltage greater than 500 volts? Board Talk

Most People Feel Guilty About Their Tech Habits — But Won’t Change Them. Here’s Why That’s a Big Opportunity for Businesses. Many people quietly worry about their digital habits, knowing that streaming, cloud computing, and AI consume vast energy. Yet this diffuse guilt rarely sparks change, leaving individuals aware of the cost but continuing their energy-heavy tech use. Entrepreneur

Seagate is now shipping HAMR disk drives holding up to 44TB of data Seagate has launched its next-generation Mozaic 4+ HAMR drives, offering up to 44TB and optimized for AI workloads. The drives boost efficiency, cut energy use, and target hyperscale and enterprise data centers, pushing storage density and reliability forward. TechSpot

Sponsor New SELECT Synchro soldering system A multi-station selective soldering system that uses a unique, synchronous motion to increase throughput, improve cost-of-ownership, and provide flexibility for electronics manufacturers. Nordson Electronics Solutions

AI Data Centers Are Doing More Harm Than Just Driving Up Utility Prices AI data centers are booming as nations invest billions to dominate artificial intelligence, but their relentless energy use drives up local electricity bills, inflates consumer prices, and harms the environment through noise, water demand, and pollution. BGR