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Automatic Grading Without Assistance
Eliminate the need for operators to assess bond testing failure modes at the end of an automation run. Auto grading uses machine vision software to process the test result images.
xyztec
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What Year Was It?
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Prohibition Takes Effect
The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes," is ratified on this day.
See the answer below.
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AIT ORMET® TLPS for Thermal Conductivity
AIT ORMET® TLPS is proven with stress relief for stable long-term metallic thermal conductivity & low thermal interface resistance for high temp >175°C
Ormet TLPS
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A Universal AI-Powered Segmentation Model
A new universal deep learning model enhances automated optical inspection by accurately segmenting images for both PCBAs and semiconductors. It boosts defect detection efficiency, simplifies model management & supports auto-programming.
Nordson Test and Inspection
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What Year Was It Answer
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Prohibition Takes Effect Answer: January 16, 1919
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January 16, 2026
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Liquid Cooling Gains Traction In Data Centers
AI-driven power density is pushing data centers past air cooling limits, making liquid cooling the norm. Single-phase leads today, while two-phase and immersion rise, forcing early design choices that reshape infrastructure, not total power use.
Semiconductor Engineering
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VIEWPOINT 2026: José Manuel Ramos, CEO, Wooptix
Many important developments and investments in chip manufacturing have come about over the past year, and the chase is on to increase chip performance by packing more layers inside. That places more attention on metrology for defect detection. Consequently, I'm very optimistic about the industry's outlook ...
Wooptix
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Ultra-Thin Wafer Handling
Achieve ≤ 10 µm device thinning with Brewer Science’s BrewerBOND® VersaLayer system: a thermoplastic layer coats device features, while a low-stress adhesive bonds them.
Brewer Science
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TSMC plans record expenditure to meet AI demand
TSMC plans a record US$52–56 billion capital spend in 2026, boosting advanced chip and packaging capacity to meet surging AI demand. Expansion includes Taiwan's 2nm fabs and Arizona's gigafab cluster, supporting strong revenue and supply growth through 2029.
Taipei Times
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Contamination Control
Balazs provides technical expertise in identifying and controlling Airborne Molecular Contamination (AMC) and Surface Molecular Contamination (SMC) for improving process and product yields.
Balazs Nanoanalysis
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Not time to worry about TSMC's reported expansion in US
Experts say talk of TSMC rapidly expanding U.S. chip fabs is overstated, as economic and structural hurdles keep Taiwan dominant in advanced manufacturing. U.S. investments are long-term, politically driven, and constrained by infrastructure.
Taipei Times
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US sets 25% tariff on select chips
The US imposed a 25% tariff on select advanced semiconductors, allowing Nvidia's Taiwan-made H200 AI chips to ship to China. Trump tied the tariff to export licenses, while negotiations continue on broader tariffs and boosting domestic chip production.
Taipei Times
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ASML value soars above US$500bn on TSMC's outlook
ASML surged past US$500 billion in market value, becoming Europe's third company to do so, after TSMC projected stronger-than-expected capital spending. The Dutch chip-equipment maker is benefiting from AI-driven demand, boosting European market sentiment & investor optimism.
Taipei Times
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Tresky DIE Sorting
Cycle time optimized re-sorting or re-organization of semiconductor chips from one component presentation into another presentation. Chips are often rearranged from a wafer to a waffle pack.
Tresky Automation
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Will 2026 Be Dominated By AI?
AI's explosive growth strains compute, memory, networks, power and supply chains, forcing new architectures, open interconnects, heterogeneous systems & 3D integration. In 2026, shortages, energy limits & inference-led designs could reshape data centers & chip strategies.
Semiconductor Engineering
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AI's Memory Squeeze: Capacity, Conflict, and a Market in Flux
AI-driven demand has thrown the DRAM industry into turmoil, with HBM shortages persisting beyond 2026. Micron seeks new fab capacity amid sellouts, while China's CXMT eyes an IPO to expand output and disrupt global memory dynamics.
EE Times Asia
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Particle-Free Plasma Oxide Reduction
Turnkey plasma systems for semiconductor packaging. Highly reliable. Perfect for high-mix or high-volume manufacturing. Learn more.
Surfx Technologies
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| Today's Sponsor |
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Test Your Knowledge
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What facial feature typically contains about 550 hairs?
See answer below.
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Quote of the Day
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"The computer actually may have aggravated management's degenerative tendency to focus inward on costs." Peter Drucker
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Copper Stud & CTE Nano Tech Underfill
AIT's proven flip-chip and BGA multi-level underfills offer both 18 ppm/°C copper CTE matching fine-pitch & nano-pitch with 10 µm & 0.3 µm respective cut-off particles.
AI Technology, Inc.
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| Industry Calendar |
Jan 26, 2026
Understanding semiconductor technology and business/ Phoenix, AZ
PTI International, Inc.
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Jan 27, 2026
Overview of semiconductor manufacturing / Phoenix, AZ
PTI International, Inc.
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Feb 11, 2026
SEMICON Korea 2026
SEMI
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Feb 19, 2026
Defect-Based Testing | Munich, Germany
Semitracks
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Feb 23, 2026
2026 Florida Semiconductor Summit
Florida Semiconductor Institute
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FULL INDUSTRY CALENDAR
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| Cartoon of the Day
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"Display the sales projections with day-glo colors and a blacklight. It will give the illusion that our future is bright."
Copyright © Randy Glasbergen
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Hermetic Package Seam Seal with HDHS® Technology
Brings a new level of precision and automation for hi-rel microelectronic package encapsulation, increasing seal yields to 99.99% and lowering operation costs for Aerospace, Military, Microwave, Photonics and MEMS.
MicroCircuit Laboratories, LLC
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Test Your Knowledge Answer
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What facial feature typically contains about 550 hairs? Answer: An eyebrow
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