March 27, 2026

It's Not Just Memory Anymore: AI Data Centers are Taking All the CPUs, Too AI datacenter expansion is straining chip supply chains, triggering shortages of DRAM, NAND, and CPUs. Intel and AMD struggle to meet demand, delaying production and raising prices, while companies like Arm push new solutions to fill the gap. TechSpot

Sponsor Use of Numerical Simulation Methods The use of numerical methods has now become widespread. The implementation of these methods helps to minimize development costs by reducing the number of required prototypes. Download now. Rehm Thermal Systems GmbH

A Google AI breakthrough is pressuring memory chip stocks from Samsung to Micron Google's TurboQuant breakthrough, which cuts AI memory needs, triggered a global sell-off in memory chip stocks as investors feared weaker demand. Analysts, however, say the innovation may boost long-term hardware needs despite short-term profit-taking pressure. CNBC

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

Renaissance Fusion Targets Cost-Competitive Fusion Rising oil and gas uncertainty is accelerating interest in fusion energy. Renaissance Fusion is advancing a cost-competitive design using liquid metal cooling and novel magnets, aiming to achieve continuous, affordable power while validating key technologies through experiments. EE Times

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

HP wants your next work PC to be an AI assistant HP refreshed its commercial PC lineup at its Imagine event, introducing new EliteBook, ProBook, ZBook, and Z-series systems powered by Intel Core Ultra chips and AI features, while debuting HP IQ, a local AI assistant, and enhanced security tools. TechSpot

Can Tape Residue Contaminate a Clean Tank? We leave masking and Kapton tapes that fall off during cleaning in the bottom of our wash tank. Can the adhesives contaminate the recycled solution? Jim Hall and Phil Zarrow, The Assembly Brothers, address these question and share their own experiences. Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ Scaling SMT Traceability ■ 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 MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Your Award-Winning Cored Wire Our industry-leading, award-winning range of flux-cored wire solder solutions meet the diverse needs of both manual soldering, and rework and robotic soldering applications. Indium Corporation

Meta boosts investment in West Texas AI data center by over sixfold to $10 billion Meta is ramping up AI investment, boosting its West Texas data center budget to $10 billion for a 2028 launch. The project will create jobs, expand clean power, and address water concerns amid rising scrutiny and broader cost-cutting efforts. CNBC

UK warns 2G shutdown could leave older devices offline by 2033 The UK government warns that 2G networks will shut down between 2029 and 2033, urging users to upgrade incompatible devices. While most smartphones remain unaffected, older and critical systems like medical alarms risk losing connectivity without timely replacement. TechSpot

PBGA Solder Stress Analyses Under Random Vibration Large size commercially available plastic ball grid array chip packaging was tested and analyzed under random vibration to assess its application feasibility on satellite electronics. Technical Paper

Sponsor Automation in Transition The world of automation is changing. What does this mean for customers? And what impact is the transformation having on providers? Find out more from a panel of experts. SCHUNK

Why colleges are turning to oral exams to combat AI Professors at Cornell University and others are reviving oral exams to counter AI-driven cheating, pushing students to defend their work verbally as educators worry generative AI is weakening critical thinking, creativity, and genuine learning across higher education. Taipei Times

Major outgoing CEOs are citing AI as a factor in their decisions to step down Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey and former Walmart CEO Douglas McMillon stepped down, citing AI-driven transformation. Both leaders said the shift demands faster, forward-looking leadership, prompting them to pass control to successors better suited for the next phase of growth. CNBC

Reliability Testing of Consumer Products We will look at reliability testing of consumer products and which of these test and analytical tools can be used, and how they affect the product development process. Technical Paper

Sponsor Start Micro Dispensing Today The DL Micro Valve is specifically designed for dispensing micro volumes of material in precise, repeatable patterns. Learn more about the DL Micro Valve. DL Technology

Sony and Honda pull the plug on $90,000 Afeela EV as electric dreams stall Sony & Honda have scrapped their $90,000 Afeela EV, halting their joint venture amid weakening demand, policy shifts, and rising costs. The decision underscores a broader industry retreat from aggressive electrification, as automakers pivot toward hybrids & reassess EV strategies. TechSpot

AI and bots have officially taken over the internet, report finds Human Security reports automated AI-driven traffic has overtaken human internet use, surging 187% in 2025 and growing far faster than human activity. The rise of chatbots and autonomous agents is reshaping online behavior, shifting toward machine-dominated internet interactions. CNBC

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Apple expands American manufacturing program with four new partners Apple expands its American Manufacturing Program, adding four partners to boost U.S. production and investing $400 million through 2030. The move strengthens domestic supply chains, creates jobs, and advances Apple's broader commitment to American manufacturing. CNBC

Additive Manufactured Electronics for Next Generation Microelectronics This paper will focus on interconnects fabricated using the AME method. Two material sets will be used to fabricate test devices for studying interconnects. Technical Paper

PCBCart: Advanced DFM Surpassing Standard HMLV EMS Provider PCBCart stands out in electronics manufacturing by using advanced DFM tools and digital simulation to spot production issues early. Its Siemens Valor NPI–driven approach cuts risk, boosts yield, and delivers reliable, cost-efficient results for complex, mission-critical builds. EE Times

Meta's stock drops almost 8% as 2 court defeats add to Zuckerberg's recent woes Meta faced major courtroom setbacks as juries in New Mexico and Los Angeles found it misled users and contributed to harms. The rulings deepen scrutiny of its platforms, amplify regulatory risks, and intensify investor concerns over its costly, lagging AI strategy. CNBC

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Helium shortage has started impacting tech supply chains, execs say Escalating Middle East conflict is squeezing global helium supplies, pushing prices higher and disrupting chip production. Tech firms scramble for scarce alternatives, often slowing output, raising fears prolonged shortages will ripple across electronics and automotive supply chains. Reuters