Oct 21, 2026 Building Physical AI Systems That Can Work in the Real World Physical AI developers must integrate perception, planning, control, and safety within strict size, weight, power, and cost limits. Heterogeneous computing and coordinated system architectures can improve efficiency, reliability, operating time, and large-scale robotic deployment. EE Times

Sponsor TIM1 for EV Battery Thermal Management AIT's thermal adhesives, grease-gels, & gum-pads offer proven thermal dissipation for a balance of strength, rework ability, & recyclability of EV battery packs. AI Technology, Inc.

Gartner Says 44% of CEOs Struggle to Demonstrate AI Financial Returns as Technology Becomes Central to Growth Gartner reports that 44% of CEOs struggle to demonstrate AI's financial returns, despite 75% planning increased technology investment. Leaders increasingly prioritize redesigning operating models, deploying AI agents and measuring tangible business outcomes to drive growth. Gartner

Oxide Reduction for Reliable Electronics Manufacturing As power densities increase and components become smaller, oxide layers and surface contamination become critical manufacturing risks. Discover practical approaches for oxide reduction, cleaning and activation in electronics production. Download the whitepaper. Technical Paper

China-made AI tool behind cyberattacks in Japan, GMO says Chinese AI cybersecurity tool ARTEX has powered attacks on dozens of Japanese companies, potentially exposing millions of customers' data. GMO Internet Group identified six attack servers, prompting authorities to strengthen cybersecurity defenses against AI-driven threats. Taipei Times

Sponsor vCONNECT: Your Next Level of Digital Connectivity Discover vCONNECT: Analyze inspection data, monitor machine performance, predict maintenance needs, store data securely and access AI tools and the latest Viscom News. Viscom

US prohibits use of China's DeepSeek by government The US government has ordered civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek AI tools over concerns about sensitive data reaching China. The ban intensifies US-China competition in artificial intelligence as both countries pursue technological dominance and prepare for leadership talks. Taipei Times

Test for Spray Fluxer Uniformity How can we verify that our spray fluxer is uniformly spraying flux over the entire surface of our circuit board? What's new in the world of spray fluxing? The Assembly Brothers, Jim Hall and Phil Zarrow, answer these questions. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ 5 Major Challenges in Image Sensor Packaging and How to Solve Them ■ The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible ■ Oxide Reduction for Reliable Electronics Manufacturing ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Micro Dispensing Technology Leader DL Technology LLC develops customized dispensing needles and valves for the electronics assembly, industrial assembly, semiconductor packaging and medical industries. DL Technology

Can China and the US handle being ordinary? China's slowing growth, property crisis and worsening job prospects are eroding public confidence in constant progress. Drawing parallels with America's postwar decline in optimism, the article warns that fading faith in hard work threatens social mobility and national stability. Taipei Times

AI Tool Predicts Cancer Survival From Face Photo Researchers at Mass General Brigham developed AI tools that analyze facial photographs to estimate biological age and predict cancer patients' mortality risk. The technology could help doctors assess treatment tolerance, but further validation is needed before clinical use. Yahoo!

SIR Test Method for Developing Evidence for the Production Assembly The purpose of this paper is research on the development of temperature-humidity-bias instrumentation and test board designs for product acceptance. This paper reported research on both test boards and instrumentation for use at the assembly site. The instrument and test board combinations are tools to develop objective evidence. Technical Paper

Sponsor Want High-Quality BGA Reballing? BGA rework and reballing solutions for commercial, military and aerospace perfected over 20-plus years of reliable, repeatable and proven success. BEST Inc.

Data center stocks remain under pressure after Korea IPO plunges 30% Data center stocks faced pressure after South Korean AI cloud provider Elice plunged 30% in its market debut, intensifying overcapacity fears. Slowing AI revenues, rising debt costs, and profitability concerns threaten neocloud providers' long-term growth prospects. CNBC

Apple adds U.S. titanium supplier for iPhone Duo as supply stays tight Apple will invest $100 million in U.S. titanium supplier Perryman and expand camera-component production with Qnity Electronics, strengthening domestic manufacturing. Supply constraints threaten iPhone Duo shipments as preorder demand drives delivery estimates to 14 weeks. CNBC

Epoxy Flux Material and Process for Enhancing Electrical Interconnections In this paper we outline the material and the processes used to produce devices with a novel epoxy based fluxing system. Technical Paper

Sponsor High Precision Component Milling Automatic Removal of Electronic Components including Residual Solder on Heat Sensitive Assemblies. Air-Vac Engineering

Your aging brain may be trading memory for something more valuable Univ of Arizona researchers propose that aging brains prioritize wisdom, accumulated knowledge & meaningful experiences over detailed memories. Their adaptive aging hypothesis distinguishes healthy cognitive changes from Alzheimer's and underscores older adults' mentoring value. Science Daily

AI Is Exposing a Leadership Blind Spot: Who's Actually Responsible for Making Employees More Capable? As AI transforms workplaces, companies must address the human capacity gap between technological progress and employee development. A proposed Chief Human Capacity Officer would ensure measurable growth in adaptability, critical thinking, and workforce readiness. Entrepreneur

Sponsor AEC Grade-0 and MSL Level-1 Conductive Paste & Film Adhesives 240° Tg and ultra-high thermal stability for AEC Grade-0 applications. Proven rapid and snap curing die-attach paste for ultimate productivity. AI Technology, Inc.

Chris Lattner: AI Code Generation Doesn’t Solve Software Engineering Modular CEO Chris Lattner warns chipmakers against relying entirely on AI coding agents, emphasizing their limits in building reliable software infrastructure. He recommends using AI for focused tasks like code optimization and porting, while retaining essential engineering expertise. EE Times

Challenges of Manufacturing with Printed Circuit Board Cavities Cavity design and assembly issues identified during the design of experiments, the findings, reliability results, and conclusions are discussed in this paper. Technical Paper

Building a More Resilient Component Supply Chain: How Electronics Procurement Is Evolving at electronica 2026 Electronica 2026 will bring electronics industry leaders to Munich from November 10–13 to discuss AI, electrification, and supply chain challenges. WIN SOURCE will showcase sourcing expertise, market insights & flexible procurement solutions to strengthen supply chain resilience. EE News Europe

Is There Any Point In Buying A Radio In 2026? Weather radios provide reliable emergency alerts when disasters knock out power, roads, and cellular networks. NOAA broadcasts localized warnings, while radios with SAME technology trigger alarms for specific areas, helping people prepare for dangerous conditions without internet. BGR

Sponsor Contaminant Removal with Plasma Plasma provides organics removal and other benefits to increase bond strength! Many chamber sizes available, all with a low environmental impact. Learn more. Plasma Etch

AI's memory chip crunch is crushing the smartphone market Smartphone shipments plunged 22% in the September quarter, their worst decline on record, as memory prices surged 350% amid AI demand. IDC expects higher phone prices, reduced specs and fewer budget models as shortages persist. Fast Company