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April 4
- TSMC-Intel jv back on the cards
➀ According to a report, Intel and TSMC are considering a joint venture to operate Intel's fabs.
➁ The White House and the US Department of Commerce are said to be encouraging the agreement.
➂ Intel and other American semiconductor companies would hold the majority of the stock in the joint venture.
- PLP set for 27% CAGR 2024-30
➀ Yole Group forecasts the Panel Level Packaging (PLP) market to grow from $160 million to $600 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 27%;
➁ High-density fan-out and ultra-density platforms will dominate the market by 2030, driven by AI;
➂ Samsung Electronics leads the market in 2024, followed by ST, with PTI, SIPLP, and ASE holding less than 10% market share.
- 2D 32-bit RISC-V processor
Chinese researchers have built a 32-bit RISC-V processor using molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) on a sapphire substrate. The processor, RV32-WUJI, has 6000 transistors and operates at KHz speeds, executing the full RISC-V 32-bit instruction set. The researchers used machine learning to optimize the wiring and materials for the transistors. The overall yield was over 99.9 percent, with a chip-level yield of 99.8 percent.
- MDA Space buys SatixFy for software-defined digital satellites
➀ MDA Space has acquired SatixFy, a specialist in satcomms chips, with a focus on the company's roadmap for next-generation software-defined digital satellites.
➁ The transaction, worth approximately $193 million, involves a complementary technology and IP portfolio for end-to-end satellite communications solutions.
➂ MDA Space aims to expand its offerings for digital LEO and MEO satellites using SatixFy's space-grade chips and communication systems.
- The Big Dilemma
➀ The dilemma facing Big Tech is the cost of building AI, with estimates ranging from tens of millions to tens of billions;
➁ Some investments in cheap, effective Chinese products have raised concerns about the wisdom of some investments;
➂ Microsoft is withdrawing from data center projects in various countries, and expectations for GenAI are declining due to high failure rates and dissatisfaction with current results;
➃ OpenAI is not yet profitable and expects positive cash flow only in 2029, despite spending $644 billion on AI programs and data centers.
April 3
- Fable: The Bridge Which Blew Down
➀ One hundred and twenty-six years ago, a railway bridge collapsed due to an engineering failure.
➁ The designer of the bridge had underestimated the strength of the winds, leading to the collapse during a storm.
➂ As a result, new standards for bridge design were established to withstand wind forces up to 56 pounds per square foot, significantly higher than the previous 10 pounds per square inch.
- Mouser ships BLE modules based on NXP Wi-Fi 6 chip
➀ Mouser Electronics now offers BLE modules that combine Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth Core 5.4 from Ezurio (formerly Laird Connectivity).
➁ The Sona NX611 Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth LE modules are based on NXP’s IW611 Wi-Fi 6 chipset, offering a data transmission throughput of 500Mbps.
➂ These small industrial IoT modules are suitable for IoT, medical, industrial automation, and consumer applications.
- What caught your eye? (Intel 18A, Compostable sensor, Airbus lander)
➀ A photonics-enabled radar system is discussed, with potential advancements in sensing technology for autonomous vehicles.
➁ Intel's 18A process is moved into risk production, aiming to compete with TSMC.
➂ The University of Glasgow develops a compostable pH sensor, a technology demonstrator with potential applications.
➃ Airbus UK is selected by ESA to build the ExoMars landing system, which will deliver a rover to Mars.
- Imec shows photonics-enabled CDM FMCW 144FH radar
➀ Imec has developed a proof-of-concept photonics-enabled CDM FMCW radar system that ensures coherent chirps to remote radar units.
➁ This technology could revolutionize next-generation driver assistance solutions and other high-precision sensing applications.
➂ The system utilizes a phase encoder with code-division multiplexing and optical signal distribution for low-loss transmission.
- DigiKey premieres Sustainable Futures video series
➀ DigiKey推出新的视频系列《可持续未来》，关注推动环保技术创新的最新进展。
➁ 该系列由Analog Devices赞助，共有三个环节，探讨了在组织内部推动绿色技术和可持续实践的领先企业和个人。
➂ 第一集《优化可持续性》聚焦可持续制造挑战和解决方案，特别强调了灵活制造。
➃ 第二集《连接数字信号》探讨了工厂地面的数字连接和可持续性，例如嵌入式视觉系统如何帮助组织做出更明智的决策。
➄ 第三集《打造可持续未来》讨论了物流技术，例如智能物料流动、工业视觉和自动化机器人系统。
- CyberWhiz sets up in Cheltenham
➀ CyberWhiz, a team specializing in embedded, mobile, and cloud cybersecurity, has established a UK office in Cheltenham.
➁ The company offers a variety of hardware and software security products and services, drawing on its extensive experience at Beko, a major domestic appliance manufacturer.
➂ CyberWhiz focuses on edge, mobile, and cloud cybersecurity, providing solutions for devices, mobile applications, and cloud services.
- Tech is the biggest wealth creator for billionaires
➀ According to Knight Frank's 2025 Wealth Report, technology was the biggest wealth generator among billionaires in 2024, accounting for $2.6 trillion across 342 billionaires.
➁ However, the largest number of 2024 billionaires – 427 – came from the financial sector.
➂ Over the last decade, manufacturing produced the most new billionaires – 509, half of whom are in China, while technology produced the second highest number – 443, with China leading.
April 2
- Scouts launch Space Activity Badge for STEM boost
➀ The Scouts have introduced a new Space Activity Badge;
➁ The badge is a partnership with the UK Space Agency;
➂ The goal is to spark interest in STEM subjects among young people.
- Intersolar: Rework flux for solar modules
➀ Emil Otto 开发了适用于太阳能组件手动重新焊接的焊膏凝胶，这些焊膏基于太阳能组件生产焊膏。
➁ 根据公司所述，手动和重新焊接的焊膏往往含有与系列生产中使用的焊膏“不同的活化剂”。
➂ 新的焊膏凝胶：EO-S-002、007 和 009，旨在焊接太阳能组件、tabber 和连接材料，特别适用于焊接锡铜金属化。
- Intel enters risk production on 18A
➀ Intel has entered risk production on 18A, a process designed to compete with TSMC's 2nm technology;
➁ Kevin O'Buckley, SVP of Foundry Services, emphasized the importance of risk production in scaling up manufacturing;
➂ The 18A process features backside power delivery, a feature not present in TSMC's 2nm process;
➃ Intel is expected to use the 18A process for its next processor generation, Panther Lake.
- Phlux raises $11.7m Series A
Phlux Technology, a Sheffield-based infrared sensor specialist, has successfully raised a $11.7 million Series A funding round, led by BGF and supported by existing investors including Octopus Ventures, Northern Gritstone, and Foresight. The funds will be used to expand into optical communications and sensing industries, leveraging Phlux's antimonide-based semiconductor technology. This technology aims to provide faster, more energy-efficient sensor and connectivity systems, with potential data rate improvements of up to 5x over current systems. The company also plans to scale its team, increase production, and launch two new product lines. Phlux's sensors are expected to play a critical role in advanced sensing technologies across various industries.
- Investment in GenAI soars while expectations for its capabilities sink
➀ Investment in GenAI is expected to increase by 76% this year, but expectations for its capabilities are declining, according to Gartner.
➁ This paradox is expected to continue throughout this year and next.
➂ Despite the high failure rates in initial proof-of-concept (POC) work and dissatisfaction with current GenAI results, foundational model providers are investing billions annually to enhance GenAI models.
- Anglia adds Anglia Plus
➀ Anglia Components has launched Anglia Plus, a customer loyalty program offering extended payment terms and money back rewards for customers placing orders through Anglia Live.
➁ The AngliaLive platform provides free 1-2 day DDP delivery service for UK and EU customers.
➂ Customers who place orders on Anglia Live will automatically be enrolled in Anglia Plus and receive 90-day payment terms for qualifying orders.
- Top Ten EV Vendors
➀ This article highlights the top ten electric vehicle (EV) vendors for the year 2024, according to TrendForce.
➁ The list includes companies that have made significant contributions to the EV industry.
➂ The article provides insights into the market trends and the competitive landscape of the EV sector.
April 1
- A Curious Strategy
➀ TSMC is expected to earn $60 billion in revenues from manufacturing 2nm wafers before Intel makes any significant money from the technology.
➁ The US government's decision to distribute the $250 billion Chips and Science Act money widely is criticized.
➂ Intel's share of the act, $19 billion, seems insufficient compared to TSMC's $30-40 billion 2025 capex and expected revenues.
- Compostable pH sensor
➀ The University of Glasgow has developed a compostable pH sensor for soil testing;
➁ The sensor uses a bio-degradable polymer and can monitor soil pH levels reliably;
➂ It can detect plant growth regulators and degrade into nutrients at the end of its lifecycle.
- Most read Gadget Master posts in the month of March 2025
➀ This article provides an overview of the most read Gadget Master posts in March 2025;
➁ It highlights the popularity of topics such as ultrasonic sensors, Raspberry Pi sound pedals, and the Apple iPad Pro;
➂ The article invites readers to login or register to access the full content.
- TSMC ceremony marks early move to 2nm mass production
➀ TSMC held a capacity expansion ceremony at its 2nm fab in Kaohsiung to celebrate an early move to mass production.
➁ Mass production at the Kaohsiung fab and another in Hsinchu is expected to start in Q3, with a combined output forecast to generate $60 billion in revenue in Q3 and Q4.
➂ The two fabs have a maximum output of 80k wpm, with yields said to be 'well above' 60-70%. Initial clients include Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm.
- Bellezza process could replace copper with graphene in ICs
➀ Bellezza's 2D graphene fusion process is being used for CMOS chip assembly, replacing copper with graphene.
➁ The process operates at temperatures below 400 degrees Celsius and as low as 200 degrees Celsius.
➂ This innovation aims to extend Moore's Law and eliminate copper circuits due to their limitations in size and electrical resistance.
- Defence demand drives IR image sensor market to 5% CAGR 2024-30
➀ Yole Group reports that defense demand has driven the infrared image sensor market to exceed $1 billion in 2024, with a CAGR of over 5% from 2024 to 2030.
➁ By 2030, the SWIR market is expected to reach nearly $102 million, while cooled MWIR and LWIR are targeting $1,179 million and $249 million, respectively.
➂ The market is responsive to lower-cost technologies like Quantum Dots sensors and T2SL architectures.
- EW BrightSparks 2024 profile: Nathan Richardson
➀ Nathan Richardson, a UKESF Scholar and student at the University of Surrey, has achieved notable accomplishments in robotics and electronics.
➁ His final year project involved creating a robotic submersible for ecological research, using a Raspberry Pi and node.js for control.
➂ During his placement year at Infineon Technologies, he worked as a verification engineer, developing tests for a register block within the system.
- High-vacuum variable capacitors from EEV
➀ The English Electric Valve Co. has announced the first British commercially available high-vacuum variable capacitors;
➁ The capacitors, introduced 64 years ago, offer voltage ratings of 15kV, 8kV, and 10kV, with various capacitance ranges;
➂ The use of high-vacuum dielectric reduces plate spacing, leading to a compact design and lower stray capacitance and inductance.
March 31
- More on: Isolated ADCs measure mV with a ±200V offset
➀ Texas Instruments has introduced a series of isolated ADCs for robot motor control up to 60V;
➁ These ADCs feature 200V barriers and are available in 8pad 3.5 x 2.7mm VSON packaging;
➂ The devices offer various input ranges and resolutions, suitable for current sensing and other applications.
- Swansea University starts 4inch gallium oxide line for power research
Swansea University in Wales has installed gallium tri-oxide (Ga2O3) deposition equipment at its Centre for Integrated Semiconductor Materials (CISM). The material is an ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor suitable for high voltage applications. The university has added a close-coupled shower head deposition system to its MOCVD laboratory to grow crystalline gallium oxide thin films on 4 inch substrates. This new facility is expected to enhance research capabilities and collaboration opportunities.
- TI claims first fully functional isolated modulators
➀ Texas Instruments (TI) has developed what it claims to be the 'first fully functional isolated modulators';
➁ These modulators, AMC0106M05, AMC0136, and AMC0106M25, offer increased precision and resolution for phase current sensing and DC voltage sensing;
➂ The modulators are designed to be compact, enabling more precise motor control in robotics designs.