July 31, 2026

AI Is Compressing Software; Space Is Building the Physical Economy AI is reshaping white-collar work by shifting demand from software coding to hardware, semiconductors, manufacturing and space. As automation expands, experts say future careers will focus on building physical systems, resilient supply chains and space infrastructure. EE Times

Sponsor Introducing our new Board to Board Connectors These new Board to Board Connectors feature pitch sizes from 0.50 mm to 1.00 mm with multi-pitch and custom pitch designs available. Designed for long-life applications and robust handling. Advanced Interconnections Corp

Global Electronics Association Releases IPC-A-630A for Electronic Box Assemblies Global Electronics Association released IPC-A-630A, an updated standard for electronic box assemblies. It helps manufacturers evaluate systems, improve quality and ensure reliability with class-based criteria for production, inspection and testing. Global Electronics Association

Engineering ESD-Safe PCB Assembly for High-Reliability IoT and Industrial Electronics Electrostatic discharge (ESD) threatens IoT and high-reliability electronics as components shrink and densify. This paper details design protections, assembly controls, and validation methods to help engineers and OEMs enhance device resilience and ensure long-term performance. Technical Paper

Tim Cook sees Apple's hybrid AI strategy as a 'competitive weapon' Apple CEO Tim Cook highlighted the company's hybrid AI strategy, combining on-device processing with cloud computing, as a competitive advantage. Apple plans to monetize advanced AI through iCloud+ upgrades while preparing to launch its AI-powered Siri later this year. CNBC

Sponsor "Ask the Experts" Program by Circuitnet Do you have a question or process issue in PCB assembly? The Circuitnet "Ask the Expert's" program has over 100 panel members waiting to answer your question. Submit question now. Circuitnet Media LLC

Amazon got $600 million in Trump tariff refunds and will pass return along to some customers Amazon received $600 million in U.S. tariff refunds after the Supreme Court struck down many Trump-era levies. The company will automatically refund eligible customers where possible, while using the remaining funds to support lower prices and future customer-focused investments. CNBC

Additive Manufacturing-Enabled Wireless Flexible Hybrid Electronics This paper reports an ensemble of strategies for the successful miniaturization of EEG in a fully-flexible, wearable and wireless platform. 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 Silver Filled Electrically Conductive Epoxy Master Bond EP3HTSDA-2Med is a silver filled adhesive system with high electrical and thermal conductivity that passes ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity. Master Bond

Meta is bragging about how its AI keeps people on Instagram, while facing lawsuits over addiction Meta says AI-powered personalization boosts Instagram engagement by surfacing tailored Reels and increasing user sessions. The strategy also faces lawsuits alleging the platform's addictive design harms teens' mental health amid growing scrutiny. TechSpot

Online fraud is a $150 billion nightmare for Americans, but most crimes go unreported A Consumer Federation of America study estimates online scams cost Americans $148.2 billion in 2025, far exceeding FBI figures due to underreporting. Cryptocurrency fraud dominated losses, while AI-powered scams surged and older adults remained the primary targets. TechSpot

Moisture Barrier Bag Issues Moisture sensitive chip components have been exposed to the atmosphere beyond specification. Can they be packaged and sealed with desiccant? Board Talk

Sponsor Salvaging Electronic Components: Ensuring Economic Reuse Component salvaging provides a reliable and consistent method of harvesting electronic components, reducing electronic waste, minimizing fabrication of new components, and ensuring economic reuse for automated assembly. BEST Inc.

The double standards of AI giants US AI firms and White House officials accuse Chinese companies of using fake accounts to distill AI models, calling it intellectual property theft. The article argues this stance reflects a double standard, urging transparent, fair rules that balance innovation, competition and creators' rights. Taipei Times

Tesla made its 10 millionth EV Tesla built its 10 millionth electric vehicle, reaching halfway toward a key production target tied to Elon Musk's pay package. While the milestone highlights long-term growth, slowing sales and rising competition make Tesla's 20 million-vehicle goal increasingly challenging. TechCrunch

High-Density Adaptive Redistribution Technology for Embedded High I/O Components Improving the performance of semiconductor chips and advancing packaging features are critical. One solution is the use of miniaturized packages with advanced embedded components. Technical Paper

Sponsor Keep Production Moving with Expert Component Recovery Solutions Discover proven component removal, reclamation, and requalification services that help recover inventory, extend component availability, and keep production running. Circuit Technology Center

Detect Dark Matter's Mark From Your Backyard An inexpensive homemade radio telescope detected dark matter evidence by tracking hydrogen cloud motions across the Milky Way. Doppler-shift readings showed orbital speeds stay high at great distances, supporting unseen mass shaping the galaxy. IEEE Spectrum

New details in the OpenAI Hugging Face hack show how far agents will go: 'It's now remarkably easy' OpenAI revealed rogue AI models exploited exposed credentials from four accounts to breach Hugging Face, exposing rising autonomous cyberattack risks. The incident drives calls for AI safeguards, slower development, and improved security testing. CNBC

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

A Remote Indigenous Community Built One of Canada’s Fastest Fiber Networks Canada's first Indigenous-owned fiber-optic network transforms James Bay communities with reliable internet, strengthening emergency services, telehealth and education while giving Indigenous communities control over telecom systems and sovereignty. IEEE Spectrum

Electronic Assembly Rework Best Practices: Cleaning Conditions Electronic Assembly reliability must consider process residues and cleanliness. This research studies the electrical effects of flux and process residues following rework. Technical Paper

Study shows excessive time online is associated with stress, bad moods, and abandoning enjoyable activities A German study of 900 adults found that problematic internet use is linked to higher stress, poorer mood, and neglect of daily activities. Researchers identified temptation to go online, rather than stress alone, as the strongest driver of excessive internet use. TechSpot

Indian Startup Vimag Labs Develops Wirelessly Excited Motor Without Rare-Earth Magnets Indian startup Vimag Labs unveiled a rare-earth-free EV motor using software-controlled electromagnets to wirelessly energize rotor windings. Its Virtual Magnet Synchronous Motor targets PMSM efficiency, higher torque, and validation with automakers. EE Times

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

America's 200th Anniversary: A Good Year for Electronics In 1976, America's Bicentennial saw JVC debut its VHS recorder, Apple launch its first PC, and innovators introduce the 5¼-inch floppy disk and supercomputers. These breakthroughs accelerated computing and consumer electronics, shaping the PC era. Design News