Sep 21, 2026 AI Demand Will Keep DRAM Market Under Pressure AI infrastructure spending is deepening DRAM shortages, with constraints expected through 2027. Memory makers cautiously add capacity while prioritizing AI customers, raising consumer electronics costs as robotics could further boost demand. EE Times

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Inside data center monitoring hubs Digital Realty's global operations hubs monitor more than 300 data centers around the clock, using thousands of alerts to prevent outages. As AI expands demand, engineers remain essential for verifying warnings, managing emergencies and maintaining reliable infrastructure. Taipei Times

Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and 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. Technical Paper

Not all AI workers think the tech could kill everyone AI workers at OpenAI, Meta and DeepMind reject claims that unchecked AI will inevitably destroy humanity, citing weak evidence. Yet researchers warn of security failures, misuse, hacking and military applications requiring safeguards and oversight. BBC

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The AI kill switch, explained: 'It's not too little, but it's probably too late' AI safety fears are growing as experts warn advanced systems could pose serious risks. Policymakers are exploring kill switches, but researchers cite redundancy, infrastructure disruption, unpredictable behavior and governance challenges ahead. CNBC

Problems with Counterfeit Components We are learning about the infiltration of counterfeit components. How big is this problem, and how concerned should we be? Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ Salvaging Electronic Components: A Reliable Method for Reducing Electronic Waste and Ensuring Economic Reuse ■ Digital Warehouse Automation in High-Mix PCB Assembly MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Depaneling machine for separating circuit boards SCHUNK offers solutions for the entire spectrum of the depaneling operation — from product selection, workpiece holder solutions and optimization of milling. SCHUNK

A new arms race is unfolding on the ocean floor Governments and defense firms are ramping up undersea technology as hybrid warfare threatens seabed cables and pipelines. AI, autonomous vehicles, sensors and drones can boost surveillance, while firms expand emerging underwater capabilities. CNBC

Apple Exec Says 'Hold Us Accountable' on iPhone Duo Crease Apple hardware engineering VP Tom Marieb says the iPhone Duo's nano-texture display will reduce glare and crease visibility, while its durable, precisely tuned hinge supports multiple positions. Pre-orders begin October 16, with launch on October 23 at $1,999. MacRumors

Stencil Printing Yield Improvements The wipe sequence, wipe frequency and wipe solvent and how these interact to provide solder paste printing yield improvement is studied. Technical Paper

Sponsor Drop-in SAC305 Alternative: Try REL61TM lead-free alloy Upgrade your alloy without the downtime. REL61 requires no pot cleaning and your SAC305 scrap value often covers the cost of the changeover. Optimize your process today. AIM Solder

Power grids can't keep pace with AI data center boom in EU, US Supply chain players say AI data center cost models in China and the West underestimate expenses by focusing on electricity consumption while ignoring power generation costs, potentially distorting estimates for infrastructure investments and AI token economics. Digitimes

AI Has a Cost Most Companies Aren't Accounting for Yet. Here's What They're Missing. AI's true cost extends beyond hardware, software and training to cognitive impacts. Researchers warn that heavy reliance on AI can reduce brain activity and critical thinking, creating a human-centered change-management challenge for enterprises adopting generative AI. Entrepreneur

Rigid-Flex PCB Right the First Time - Without Paper Dolls The biggest problem with designing rigid-flex hybrid PCBs is making sure everything will fold in the right way, while maintaining good flex-circuit stability and lifespan. Technical Paper

Sponsor Large Component SMT Rework & Repair A Rework System developed to address the increasing size, complexity, and thermal demands of Advanced Electronic Assemblies. Air-Vac Engineering

With rare earths, Taiwan looks beyond the 'red supply chain' Taiwanese researchers are advancing rare-earth recycling to reduce reliance on China. National Cheng Kung University and ITRI have developed high-purity extraction and materials processes as Taiwan targets commercial refining at home by 2030. Taipei Times

The U.S. says China's AI progress is down to 'distillation.' But is it that clear cut? Cohere CEO Aidan Gomez says China's AI advances stem from independent innovation, not just distillation. While U.S. companies allege Chinese labs steal proprietary technology, Gomez argues their world-class models increasingly outperform American rivals. CNBC

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Most of the world thinks AI is going to kill jobs, a new Pew survey finds A Pew Research Center poll across 37 countries finds that majorities in 34 expect AI to reduce jobs. South Korea, Australia and the US express the strongest concerns, while wealthier, younger and more educated respondents anticipate greater employment disruption. TechSpot

Risk and Solution for No-Clean Flux Not Dried Under Components In this work, a new halogen-free no-clean SnAgCu solder paste, 33-76-1, has been developed. Technical Paper

Scientists develop a way to restore aging EV batteries without breaking them down into raw materials Cornell researchers developed DEER, a process that regenerates lithium-ion battery electrodes by removing buildup, restoring up to 95% capacity. The technique could extend EV battery life, reduce recycling costs and energy use, but requires disassembly and suits only certain batteries. TechSpot

Anthropic and OpenAI hunt for smaller data center deals, sources tell CNBC, in race to deploy AI capacity Anthropic and OpenAI are pursuing smaller 20–30 MW data center deals across Europe and the U.S. to secure computing capacity faster, diversify infrastructure, and support growing AI inference workloads amid power shortages, construction delays, and community opposition. CNBC

Sponsor Highly Thermally & Electrically Conductive TLPS via Filing Paste New filing highlights advanced sintered metal paste enabling faster installation, superior heat dissipation, higher conductivity, and reliable thermal drain performance without long processing cycles. Ormet TLPS

ISuppli: Chip market could face oversupply iSuppli reported semiconductor inventories reaching $34.3 billion in Q3 2010, fueling oversupply concerns as demand weakened. Chipmakers faced pressure to balance production, capacity constraints and long lead times amid economic uncertainty. EE Times