High demand for consumer electronics and difficulties shipping metal out of Asia have created a shortage of tin, pushing prices for the metal close to records for the first time in a decade.

The chip shortage has also called attention to the outsized role TSMC plays in the semiconductor manufacturing world, and what might happen if the unthinkable happens: A war over Taiwan.

The wide scope of the EU’s proposed regulations on AI subjects providers, importers, distributors and users of AI systems to regulatory scrutiny. It also includes providers and users outside of the EU that deploy AI systems or use AI system outputs in the EU.

Engineers at Columbia University have demonstrated the smallest single-chip system ever created, which could be implanted with a hypodermic needle to measure temperature inside the body, and possibly much more.

Intel and QuTech published findings in quantum research to address the interconnect bottleneck that exists between quantum chips that sit in cryogenic dilution refrigerators and the complex room-temperature electronics that control the qubits.

RS Components extends features of DesignSpark PCB Pro.

UP Media Group announced the PCB East conference and exhibition will return to the Boston area in April 2022.

A new three-hour webinar will identify and explain the operational parameters of an x-ray inspection system that affect the image quality, available magnification, and image views they can achieve.

Device makers may be heading toward an inventory correction next quarter, as they revisit their production plans amid weakening demand in some major markets.

SIIX reported fiscal fourth quarter revenue of 52.9 billion yen, down 2.4% year-over-year. For the quarter ended Mar. 31, Japan’s largest EMS company said operating profit rose 67% to 1.5 billion yen.

Several Taiwanese tech companies have tightened their epidemic prevention measures after the country recorded a single-day high of 16 domestic Covid-19 cases on Wednesday.

Venture Corp. reported first quarter revenue rose 2% over last year to S$686.7 million.

SVI Public Co. said first quarter consolidated sales were THB 3.5 billion (US$114.7 million), up 7.7% year-over-year and down 6.4% sequentially.

UMC Electronics reported fiscal third quarter net sales rose 1.7% to 39.2 million yen for the period ended Mar. 31.

Nortech Systems’ first quarter net sales fell 19.6% to $22.1 million.

A new two-hour webinar can help printed circuit board buyers save up to 25%.

UMC Electronics is closing production at its electronics manufacturing factory in Mexico and winding down its business operations in North America, a reaction to the slowing automotive market.

Electronics manufacturer GPV reported first quarter revenue of DKK 741 million (US$120.3 million), up 9% year-over-year.

ElectraMeccanic broke ground on its first US-based electric vehicle manufacturing facility and state-of-the-art engineering technical center in Mesa.

Fisker announced framework agreements with Foxconn supporting joint development and manufacturing related to Project PEAR (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution), a program to develop a new breakthrough electric vehicle.

TTM received a "25-years Special Contribution Suppliers" by United Automotive Electronic Systems.

Megger has installed two Europlacer iineo+ pick & place machines.

NI announced the expansion of its global distribution channels, a strategic move to support its omnichannel strategy dedicated to serving small-to-medium business customers.

Luminar Technologies announced a partnership with Celestica and Fabrinet for volume production.

Bright Machines named PAC Global distributor in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Tech Etch appointed Brian Roberts chief financial officer.

Arch Systems hired Dave Trail as VP of sales.

From the Archives: New Requirements for SIR Measurement
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY

Direct Observation of Nanoscale Dynamics of Ferroelectric Degradation
Nature Communications

Electrochemical Failures as a Function of Flux Volume under Bottom Terminated Components
SMTA Journal

EVENTS

Email industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@upmediagroup.com.

PCB Update is a digital newsletter for PCB design, fabrication and assembly professionals, brought to you by UP Media Group. E-mail industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@upmediagroup.com.