Aug 14, 2026 Smartphone Makers Squeezed by Soaring Chip Costs Soaring DRAM, NAND and advanced chip prices are squeezing smartphone makers as AI demand drives semiconductor costs higher. Apple and Samsung are better positioned, while lower-cost rivals face margin pressure, price increases and declining shipments in 2026. EE Times

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IBM Just Made A Huge Fusion Energy Breakthrough Thanks To Quantum Computing IBM, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Cleveland Clinic used quantum computing to model tritium in FLiBe molten salt, helping assess fuel recovery methods and potentially overcoming a major hurdle to commercially viable fusion power. BGR

RAIG Minimizes Corrosion, Allows Higher Gold on ENEPIG Paper describes a mixed reaction RAIG electrolyte that minimizes galvanic corrosion and allows higher ENEPIG gold thicknesses, enabling robust designs and world-class quality on target with minimal variation. Technical Paper

Compal says PC shipments to decline Compal expects PC shipments to fall 15–17% year-on-year in the second half as rising memory prices curb demand. Despite weaker PC sales, AI and commercial PCs support profitability, while strong AI server growth and new capacity bolster its business outlook. Taipei Times

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The 1-Megawatt Rack Debate AI is pushing data centers toward 1-megawatt racks, forcing new approaches to power, cooling, networking and packaging. Hyperscalers are standardizing infrastructure, but optics and distributed compute could offer a less dense, more efficient path. Semiconductor Engineering

Does Your Assembly Line Suffer From Floundering Time? At a recent workshop you mentioned the term 'floundering time' which affects overall line efficiency. What does floundering time mean? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, answer this question. Board Talk

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

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Tesla semiconductor factory to be world's biggest building SpaceX and Tesla have begun building the proposed 100-million-sq-ft Terafab in Texas, potentially the world's largest building. The $16.7 billion first phase will produce, package and test advanced chips, employing 3,000 people. Global Construction Review

From Apple to Ford: How Chinese tech is becoming harder for global companies to ignore Chinese technology is gaining ground in global businesses despite U.S. restrictions, as firms turn to Chinese AI, EV batteries and auto software. Scale, supply chains, performance and rapid innovation increasingly outweigh geopolitical concerns. CNBC

Microalloyed Sn-Cu Pb-Free Solder for High Temperature This paper features a study of microstructural evolution during elevated temperature aging and the growth of intermetallics between Cu and Ni substrates. Technical Paper

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Apple's Tim Cook joined by Howard Lutnick in opening Houston manufacturing plant Apple CEO Tim Cook opened a Houston facility with U.S. officials, highlighting domestic manufacturing and training. The site will produce Mac Mini computers and AI servers, reinforcing Apple's U.S. investment while addressing Trump administration to expand American production. CNBC

Want to Avoid Being Replaced By AI? A Former Microsoft Exec Says This Is How to AI-Proof Your Career. Former Microsoft executive Rob Collie urges workers to embrace AI by applying it to real business problems, building specialized tools and becoming adoption leaders. He warns entry-level, highly structured roles face greater automation risks as AI capabilities expand. Entrepreneur

Lean Flow on the SMT Factory Floor How can a Lean, agile SMT operation be sustained by turning existing engineering programming and planning functions "upside down"? Technical Paper

Sponsor Copper Stud & CTE Nano Tech Underfill AIT's proven flip-chip and BGA multi-level underfills offer both 18 ppm/°C copper CTE matching fine-pitch & nano-pitch with 10 µm & 0.3 µm respective cut-off particles. AI Technology, Inc.

OpenAI loses revenue chief Denise Dresser, second major executive departure in days OpenAI Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser is leaving less than a year after joining, adding to a string of senior departures as the company prepares for a potential blockbuster IPO and intensifies efforts to expand its enterprise business. CNBC

AI's Next Bottleneck Is Public Consent AI data centers face growing public resistance as power, water, environmental and community concerns trigger tighter scrutiny. New York and Texas have imposed regulatory measures, highlighting how developers must earn public trust while managing infrastructure demands. EE Times

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The memory crisis is killing off sub-$100 smartphones as US sales plunge 64% US smartphone sales fell 5% year over year in Q2 2026 as rising memory costs and weaker consumer demand squeezed the market. Sub-$100 smartphone sales plunged 64%, while higher prices benefited larger brands and midrange devices. TechSpot

Alternative Solvent with Low Global Warming Potential A new low global warming potential fluorinated solvent for precision cleaning is discussed. The paper covers the properties and performance. Technical Paper

Why Export Controls Won't Win the AI Race with China US technology restrictions can slow China's access to advanced chips, but lasting US leadership will require sustained investment in research, talent, manufacturing, infrastructure, and alliances. The CHIPS Act has accelerated investment, yet supply-chain dependence remains a challenge. The National Interest

PCB Shortage Due to High Demand Amid Supply Disruptions AI data centres are driving unprecedented PCB demand, while a Saudi petrochemical shutdown has disrupted copper-clad laminate supplies. Prices have surged 300%, lead times have lengthened, and Indian industry bodies warn of 30–40% output declines through 2027. Electronics for You

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Foxconn buys land in New Taipei Tucheng Industrial Park Foxconn approved a NT$1 billion purchase of industrial land and buildings in New Taipei’s Tucheng Industrial Park. The site will support optical communications, ultra-precision molds, and precision molding, with appraisals valuing the property slightly above its purchase price. Taiwan News