Nov 6, 2026 Voters Rejected AI Data Centers Over Resource Concerns Voters approved 40 of 41 ballot measures seeking AI data center restrictions, citing concerns over water and electricity consumption. Experts explain how cooling technologies affect resource usage, while companies explore recycling, efficient cooling systems and lower-heat chips. CNBC

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

What Makes a Quantum Company Valuable? Quantum startups must align technology roadmaps with customer needs and commercial timelines to build sustainable businesses. Healthcare sensing offers early opportunities, but companies must prove measurable benefits and overcome adoption hurdles. EE Times

Flux-Free, Reliable, Efficient: Soldering with Formic Acid Whitepaper shows formic-acid-assisted, flux-free soldering enables reliable, nearly void-free joints for power semiconductors. The technology improves thermal performance and lifespan, offering strong potential for electromobility, renewable energy, and high-frequency electronics. Technical Paper

Higher Energy Costs Will Push Telecom Operators to Raise Prices, Lifting Global Services Revenue to $1.585 Trillion in 2026, According to IDC IDC forecasts global telecom and pay TV spending will rise 2.3% to $1.585 trillion in 2026, driven largely by inflation-driven price increases. Mobile data, fixed broadband and satellite connectivity will support growth. IDC

Sponsor ASYMTEK Select Coat SL-1040 The SL-1040 Conformal Coating System upgrades the SL-940 and added significant system-level advancements to elevate automation, control, precision & preventative maintenance for better yield. Nordson Electronics Solutions

The 4 Most Powerful Foldable Phones You Can Buy Right Now Apple's iPhone Duo, Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, and Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold lead 2026's foldable market. Each delivers strong real-world performance, multitasking, and cameras, while differing in battery life, durability, cooling, and pricing. BGR

What Causes Exploding Solder Joints? We have seen joint voids that look like "explosions" after wave soldering. Is this due to moisture absorption? Can these be salvaged? The Assembly Brothers, Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, discuss this question and provide their insight. 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 Dedicated Tool for Process Development Advanced plating capability at Uyemura Tech Center: Process Development, UBM, pilot production. ENIG, ENEPIG, EPIG/EPAG, RAIG immersion gold; all substrates. On-site analysis. Uyemura

Tech Giants Are Putting Billions Behind a Decades-Old Engineering Model. Here's Why It Matters More Now. Forward Deployed Engineers bridge business needs and AI technology, transforming AI-generated prototypes into secure, scalable enterprise solutions. They integrate data, workflows and systems while accelerating development and delivering measurable business outcomes. Entrepreneur

Bluetooth's new HDT technology delivers nearly four times the data transfer speed The Bluetooth SIG introduced HDT in Bluetooth 7.0, boosting data transfer speeds to 7.5 Mbps while improving energy efficiency, capacity and reliability. The technology could enhance wireless audio, AI devices and wearables, with products expected from 2027. TechSpot

The Quest for Reliability Standards Many methods simulate end-use characteristics of equipment, but a clear understanding is required to differentiate between the methods. Technical Paper

Sponsor iX7059 SMT Edition: Next-Gen 3D X-ray Experience high-precision inline 3D X-ray inspection by Viscom with AI-powered defect detection, exceptional image quality, and reliable performance for complex SMT assemblies. Viscom SE

Global AI server shipments expected to jump 36% Global AI server shipments are projected to rise 36% to 3.83 million units next year, driven by major cloud providers' infrastructure investments. Their capital spending will surge 60%, while Nvidia maintains dominance amid growing AMD competition. Taipei Times

Democrat control of Congress presents opportunity and challenge for China Democrats' midterm victory and control of Congress could reshape US policy toward Taiwan, potentially pressuring Trump to resume arms sales. However, China may exploit political divisions in Washington to increase pressure on Taipei or adopt greater caution. Taipei Times

Effect of Process Changes and Flux on Mid-Chip Solder Balling Paper documents experimental work performed to understand the impact on mid-chip solder balling from the manufacturing process and flux chemistry. Technical Paper

Sponsor Scoring Big With Glenbrook's Real-Time X-Ray Inspection Jewel Box 70T helps East/West Manufacturing ensure accurate assembly of complex boards, for a system delivering statistics in seconds. Read more Glenbrook Technologies

Nvidia, Municipal Leaders Frame AI as Critical Urban Infrastructure Nvidia and city leaders are promoting AI factories as essential civic infrastructure, helping municipalities analyze urban data, improve public services, protect sensitive information, streamline operations, and attract technical talent through locally controlled AI systems. EE Times

Google's Message to Schools K-12: If You Ban AI, You'll Lose Access to Google Search Google will disable AI tools for K-12 students by default unless schools opt in next year. However, schools blocking AI will also lose Google Search, intensifying concerns as districts increasingly restrict student access to generative AI. Entrepreneur

Sponsor Reflow Oven and Wave Soldering Machine Maintenance Cleaning Maintenance cleaning is imperative. Investment in a cleaning schedule and chemistry creates reliable processes to extend equipment life. KYZEN

Why a Mathematician Is Chasing Eclipses With Algorithms and Cameras Researchers led by solar eclipse expert Miloslav Druckmüller use advanced telescopes and imaging techniques during total solar eclipses to study the sun's corona, tracking superhot iron ions and investigating heat distribution within this mysterious atmospheric region. IEEE Spectrum

Side Wall Wetting Induced Void Formation In this study the authors examine the mechanism of void formation in the processing of microbumps. Technical Paper

Gartner Says Access to Energy Is Becoming a Major Constraint on Supply Chain Growth Gartner warns that energy shortages and grid constraints could increase manufacturers’ operating costs by 20% to 30% by 2029. It urges supply chain leaders to integrate energy availability into network design, expansion planning and resilience strategies. Gartner

OpenAI president says AI could make death a choice, predicts major medical breakthroughs within 18 months OpenAI President Greg Brockman predicts AI will deliver major medical breakthroughs and disease cures within 12 to 18 months. He believes future advances in biology and healthcare could even make death optional, although such longevity promises remain speculative. TechSpot

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

Democrats Win Texas in U.S. Midterms, Putting Focus on Foxconn, Wistron, Wiwynn’s AI Server Expansion Texas election gains raise concerns over tighter data center regulations that could delay AI infrastructure projects. However, Taiwanese manufacturers, including Foxconn, Wistron and Wiwynn, continue U.S. expansion with investments exceeding $7 billion. Trend Force