Aug 20, 2026 IBM Makes Quantum Cryogenics Modular, but Scaling Problems Remain IBM has connected and cooled two modular cryogenic systems, expanding wiring capacity and enabling quantum-processor interconnects. The advance supports scaling, but control electronics, reliability, maintenance and quantum links remain hurdles. EE Times

Sponsor Silver Filled Electrically Conductive Epoxy Master Bond EP3HTSDA-2Med is a silver filled adhesive system with high electrical and thermal conductivity that passes ISO 10993-5 for cytotoxicity. Master Bond

Some Tesla owners are using Full Self-Driving for 95% of their trips, but they're still legally in control Tesla owners increasingly rely on Full Self-Driving software, but the system remains Level 2, requiring constant driver responsibility. Its growing capabilities highlight the gap between everyday convenience and true autonomy, unlike Waymo's driverless Level 4 robotaxis. TechSpot

The Analysis of Variance: Drawing Conclusions from Data That Are Correct, Unambiguous, and Defensible The analysis of variance (ANOVA) allows comparisons between groups using one test. Validation is accomplished by verifying that residuals are normally distributed, have independence of observations, and homogeneity of variances. Technical Paper

OpenAI 'will be a public company in 2027' or sooner, CFO Friar tells employees OpenAI CFO Sarah Friar told employees the company expects to go public in 2027, though an earlier IPO remains possible. She highlighted strong revenue growth and user gains as OpenAI faces investor scrutiny, executive turnover and intensifying competition. CNBC

Sponsor Electronic Assembly Cleaning Basics Monitoring & effectively controlling chemistry concentration when cleaning electronic assemblies is crucial for maintaining optimal cleanliness results & preventing costly consequences. KYZEN

Gaining Leadership Backing for Your Innovations Employees can drive innovation by pursuing ideas beyond their formal roles, but success requires organizational support. Examples from 3M, Apple, Google and Amazon show how skunkworks and employee-driven projects can transform promising concepts into major products, breakthroughs. IEEE Spectrum

Is De-paneling PCBs by Hand Acceptable? Is it acceptable to hand break when de-panelizing circuit boards that contain QFN and SMD components? Are there specs for hand breaking? Board Talk

Technical Papers ■ 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 ■ Evaluation of Techniques for Intentional Contamination of PWB Substrates for Quantitative Cleanliness Analyses MORE TECHNICAL PAPERS

Sponsor Probe Card Manufacturer 'Sees the Unseen' With X-ray Probe card manufacturer relies on mobile real-time x-ray inspection to verify the quality of its aligned probes at different stages along the assembly line. Glenbrook Technologies

'Made by Humans' Will Be the Most Powerful Label in Marketing. Start Earning It Now AI tools can now create polished brand videos without real customers, voices, or stories. But as synthetic content becomes easier to produce, businesses face a bigger challenge: maintaining authenticity and earning customer trust. Entrepreneur

OpenAI is slowing down AI development after rogue agents incidents and Bernie Sanders threatens Senate action OpenAI is slowing AI development after its agents hacked organizations and raised cybersecurity concerns. It paused reinforcement learning and research, tightened safeguards, and warned that securing AI requires significant computing resources. TechSpot

Nickel Hydroxide Corrosion Residues on Ceramic Packages The findings of this study should help process engineers resolve package-related problems when nickel-gold finishes are utilized. Technical Paper

Sponsor Boost Reballing with EZReball Preforms EZReball reballing preforms provide fast, clean, and accurate reballing of complex BGA packages while eliminating traditional complexities and the need for operator dexterity. BEST Inc

The U.S. banned Nvidia's best chips from going to China. Now it's trying to close a crucial loophole U.S. export controls are struggling to limit Chinese access to Nvidia's most advanced AI chips, as companies reportedly use Southeast Asian data centers for remote computing. Washington is considering measures to close this loophole as regional infrastructure rapidly expands. CNBC

Amazon to expand drone service to nearly 500 cities after targeting 1 million deliveries this year Amazon plans to expand Prime Air drone deliveries to nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns by year-end, a sixfold increase. Despite regulatory, technical and community challenges, Amazon aims to make drone delivery a key part of its faster shipping strategy. CNBC

On-Board Package Decapsulation Techniques for Failure Analysis Various on-board decapsulation techniques to remove package overmold while preserving wire bonds either gold (Au) or Copper (Cu) were evaluated. Technical Paper

Sponsor Fix Pad Alignment Defects Without Scrapping Valuable Circuit Boards Discover proven PCB rework techniques for correcting footprint mismatches, replacing pads, and restoring assemblies to meet IPC requirements without board replacement. Circuit Technology Center

A SpaceX rocket slammed into the moon this month — and a NASA spacecraft has spotted its lunar grave NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has imaged the new crater left by a Falcon 9 upper stage that hit the moon Aug. 5 at 5,400 mph. LRO found a crater about 60 feet wide, with bright and dark ejecta rays revealing fresh material below the surface. Space

When Interoperability Becomes Infrastructure Matter is moving beyond interoperability to practical smart-home adoption, giving manufacturers ways to differentiate. The next challenge is maintaining device visibility and using data to improve design, usability, and products across lifecycles. EE Times

Sponsor EZ-FLO High Precision Ceramic Dispense Tips The ceramic molding process allows for smaller more precise inner diameters with a glass-like finish, giving you the ultimate control. Learn more. DL Technology

Falling Satellites Could Have A Devastating Effect On Earth's Ozone Layer Surging satellite launches could send thousands of aging spacecraft into Earth's atmosphere, releasing alumina particles. Scientists warn these emissions may alter atmospheric chemistry and affect the ozone layer, but impacts remain uncertain. BGR

2.5D and 3D Semiconductor Package Technology: Evolution and Innovation Paper outlines positive and negative aspects of current 3D package innovations and challenges facing adopters of silicon and glass based interposer fabrication. Technical Paper

China dominates optical modules but US allies hold the upstream keys The US-China technology rivalry is expanding into optical transceivers, vital AI infrastructure components that connect servers to fiber-optic networks. Both nations are increasingly competing for control of this critical technology as AI demand accelerates. Digitimes

One radar, two jobs: Vehicle system detects objects and exchanges data during high-speed driving DGIST researchers developed a low-complexity automotive radar receiver using Fractional Fourier Transform technology to combine communication and sensing. Tests at 240 km/h achieved stable links, sub-meter ranging errors and near-100% target detection. TechXplore

Sponsor Contaminant Removal with Plasma Plasma provides organics removal and other benefits to increase bond strength! Many chamber sizes available, all with a low environmental impact. Learn more. Plasma Etch

EV Producers Find Foothold in US Market Chinese EV makers are entering the US autonomous-driving market by supplying purpose-built platforms to companies like Waymo. Despite steep tariffs and security restrictions, lower costs, flexible manufacturing and faster delivery are creating opportunities for cross-border cooperation. China Daily