April 3, 2026

Artemis II crew clears Earth orbit, heads for the moon Artemis II astronauts executed a critical trans-lunar injection burn, accelerating Orion to escape Earth’s gravity and begin a moon-bound trajectory. The mission tests spacecraft systems and procedures, paving the way for future lunar landings and sustained human presence. CBS News

Sponsor iX7059 Series by Viscom: Inline X-ray Inspection Power High-performance Inline X-ray Inspection Systems for complex electronics, semiconductors, and power modules up to 200 kg. Seamless integration, AI-powered accuracy, and maximum reliability for every application. Viscom SE

From MOUs to Markets: Transatlantic Deals Face Reality Test Transatlantic tech partnerships are shifting from symbolic agreements to execution-driven markets, where success depends on funding, procurement, and interoperability. Companies must align engineering, policy, and capital to turn MOUs into viable programs, as market realities increasingly shape collaboration in space and electronics. EE Times

A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model for PCBA & Semiconductor A universal AI & Deep Learning powered model that enhances defect detection in AOI systems for PCBAs and semiconductors, further improving accuracy, speed and consistency - streamlining inspection processes. Technical Paper

Elon Musk is about to be a very busy boy! Elon Musk faces mounting scrutiny as a potential SpaceX IPO looms, while Tesla struggles with delays, talent loss, and safety concerns, and a legal battle with Sam Altman threatens further complications. The Verge

Sponsor Corrosion, UV Protection for Power Transmission Moisture, corrosive gas, oxidation & UV blocking prop-erties. FLUOROSEAL® confor-mal coating for electrical contacts & ceramic insulator protection. AI Technology, Inc.

Young Professional’s AI Tool Spots Mental Health Conditions Abhishek Appaji advances accessible healthcare by integrating AI, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience, creating tools like retinal scanners and smart beds for underserved communities. His innovations improve diagnostics and patient care, earning him the IEEE Theodore W. Hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award. IEEE Spectrum

Assembly Process Optimization of 0201 BTC Diodes for High Temperature The effects of PCB pad design, stencil aperture design, the flux formulation in the assembly of 0201 BTC diodes using high temperature lead free solder are examined. Technical Paper

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 What are your economic depaneling needs? Our depaneling machines are high-performance machines for single circuit boards with electronic components. The cutting principles are fast, the best quality. SCHUNK Electronic Solutions

Taiwan’s defense technology shift Southeast Asia can no longer treat Taiwan tensions as distant. Taiwan is strengthening deterrence through drones, semiconductors and secure technologies, linking security with supply chains, creating regional opportunities while raising economic and political stakes for ASEAN nations. Taipei Times

Astronauts begin NASA mission to pass by the moon Four astronauts launched aboard a NASA rocket, beginning the first crewed lunar flyby in over 50 years. The team entered Earth orbit, tested spacecraft systems, and reported minor issues, while officials celebrated the mission as a major step toward returning humans to the moon. Taipei Times

New-Generation, Low-Temperature Lead-Free Solder for SMT Assembly The roles of additive and bismuth content will be discussed. Eutectic SnBi and three newly designed SnBi-based alloys were experimented upon. Technical Paper

Sponsor High Temp & Chemical Resistant Epoxy Master Bond EP62-1AO is an electrically insulating adhesive that withstands harsh chemical environments while delivering thermal conductivity. View full specs. Master Bond

Apple reportedly has four new products ready to launch, pending one thing Apple has several products ready for launch, but delays to its upgraded Siri are holding them back. The postponed AI features, now expected with iOS 27, have pushed back devices like Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2. 9 To 5 Mac

Wi-Fi That Can Withstand a Nuclear Reactor Researchers developed a radiation-hardened Wi-Fi receiver capable of operating inside nuclear reactors, enduring up to 500 kGy. The innovation aims to enable wireless control of decommissioning robots, reducing human exposure while improving efficiency in dismantling aging nuclear facilities. IEEE Spectrum

Case Studies of Harsh Application Environments This paper will present scenarios where environmental factors played a role in inducing various degradation mechanisms to Rockwell products. The paper will attempt to concentrate on the unusual scenarios, or where assumptions were made too early in the analytical process that likely hindered efficient determination of root cause. Technical Paper

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There’s Something on the Moon That Earth Desperately Needs — And It Could Be Worth Trillions NASA’s Artemis II mission advances plans for permanent lunar colonies, targeting helium-3 mining as a potential fusion energy source. Scientists and businesses also envision extracting water ice and building off-world industries, aiming to ease Earth’s energy demands and spark a new space economy. Entrepreneur

Quantum computers might crack today's encryption far sooner than we thought New research shows quantum computers could break RSA and ECC encryption far sooner than expected, using far fewer qubits. Scientists warn current cryptographic systems, including blockchain security, face imminent risks, accelerating the urgent shift toward post-quantum encryption standards. TechSpot

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

Can Global Memory Chip Shortage Drive Applied Materials' Growth? Applied Materials rides strong AI-driven chip demand, benefiting from memory shortages and premium pricing on advanced processes. Strategic R&D partnerships and a diversified portfolio boost growth prospects, though weak consumer electronics and competitive pressures continue to pose challenges through 2026. Quartz

Intrusive Soldering Through-Hole Connector We are SMT soldering a through-hole PC 104 connector. We have tried preforms and are unable to get all of the pins soldered. Phil Zarrow and Jim Hall, The Assembly Brothers, share their own suggestions in this scenario. Board Talk

Bell Called Watson; Today, We Call AI From Alexander Graham Bell’s first call to today’s AI era, telecom operators invest heavily in 5G yet face weak returns. Industry leaders at Mobile World Congress 2026 say AI-driven services and enterprise solutions now offer a clearer path to monetization. EE Times

Foxconn rotates CEO to Michael Chiang to tighten profit discipline and governance Foxconn completed its rotating CEO transition on April 1, appointing Michael Chiang as the new chief executive effective immediately. Kathy Yang stepped down after finishing her term, marking a smooth leadership handover at the electronics manufacturing giant. Digitimes

Sponsor Is My PCB Wash Concentration in Check Evaluating wash concentration levels through varying testing methods can potentially save process time, reduce overall process costs, and increase cleaning efficacy on PBCs. Read more. KYZEN

Energy Is Becoming the Defining Bottleneck of the AI Era. Here’s What That Means for Entrepreneurs. The AI boom is driving massive electricity demand, straining power grids beyond capacity. As data centers expand rapidly, energy costs rise and infrastructure lags, making power—not algorithms—the key constraint shaping AI’s future and a critical risk for unprepared entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur