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October 9
- AI company goes bust
➀ Japanese AI company Alt filed for bankruptcy protection after being delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange, with CEO Kazutaka Yonekura resigning amid financial irregularities;
➁ Investigations revealed 78%-91% of Alt’s reported sales from 2021-2024 were inflated, raising concerns about IPO credibility;
➂ Despite offering AI-driven services like digital clones and automated meeting transcription, Alt faces an uncertain restructuring process due to a lack of financial backers.
- Uncertainty persists for component buyers
➀ The electronic components market faces widespread uncertainty, with DRAM supply tightened due to AI-driven HBM demand and Micron's temporary price suspension spooking buyers;
➁ Texas Instruments (TI) raised prices by 15-70% on select products and discontinued certain lines, while Vicor announced a 10% price hike;
➂ Procurement teams are advised to monitor tariffs, diversify suppliers, and avoid single-source components to mitigate risks.
- Defending critical UK satellites from laser threats
➀ The UK Space Agency (UKSA) and UK Space Command (UKSC) are developing sensors to detect and analyze laser threats targeting satellites, enhancing national security;
➁ The project receives £500,000 initial funding under the UKSA's 'Unlocking Space for Government' program to safeguard satellite-dependent services critical to the UK economy;
➂ Russian ground-based systems reportedly attempt weekly jamming of UK military satellites, emphasizing the urgency of space defense initiatives.
October 8
- Qualcomm buys Arduino
➀ Qualcomm acquires Arduino to strengthen its edge computing offerings, following earlier integrations of Edge Impulse and Foundries.io, aiming to provide a full-stack hardware-software-cloud platform;
➁ Arduino retains its open-source approach and brand independence, collaborating with Qualcomm to launch the UNO Q—a dual-architecture board for AI-powered solutions in smart homes and industrial automation;
➂ The Arduino App Lab and Edge Impulse integration streamline AI development, empowering 33M+ community members with Qualcomm’s technology and democratizing AI tools globally.
- 29% CAGR 2025-30 for hyperscaler enterprise software sales
➀ Hyperscaler cloud marketplaces (AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud) are projected to drive enterprise software sales growth from $30B in 2024 to $163B by 2030, with a 29.1% CAGR;
➁ Key drivers include multi-year cloud commitments ($470B in total), strategic marketplace procurement, and the rise of agentic AI, which is expected to account for $24.4B in spending by 2030;
➂ Cybersecurity ($31B by 2030) and partner-led transactions (60% of total) will play crucial roles, with infrastructure software, DevOps, and business applications dominating 63% of marketplace spending.
- Cissoid adds to SiC and IGBT power modules
➀ Cissoid introduces new SiC and IGBT power modules targeting automotive, industrial, and energy markets with diverse current/voltage ratings;
➁ The portfolio includes a 750V/820A IGBT module, AQG-324 automotive-qualified, offering high performance and compatibility at competitive costs;
➂ Modules feature standardized packages, mechanical robustness, and drop-in compatibility to accelerate innovation in power systems.
- XCAM wins CEOI grant for ultra-low noise optimisation of Nuscis camera
➀ XCAM receives a UK Space Agency CEOI grant to further develop the ultra-low-light Nuscis camera for Earth Observation applications;
➁ The grant follows the successful completion of Phase 1, funding an eight-month extension to create a flight-ready, ultra-low-noise camera system;
➂ The optimized system aims for 30 fps performance, photon-counting sensitivity, and radiation reliability for space environments.
- Top Ten Most Valuable Private Companies
➀ David Manners presents the "Top Ten Most Valuable Private Companies" list, curated by BestBrokers, highlighting leading players in global industries;
➀ The article references related rankings including semiconductor WFE manufacturers, high-growth startups, and electric/NEV automotive sectors;
➂ Leveraging 40+ years of industry experience, Manners offers authoritative analysis on emerging trends and key market dynamics.
October 7
- CHIIPS #18 – Chip design insights from Ras Attale of Tessent Embedded Analytics
➀ The CHIIPS podcast episode features Ras Attale discussing chip design and adapting to the UK as an immigrant from Sri Lanka;
➁ Topics include cybersecurity challenges in chip design and her involvement with Women in Techworks to empower women in electronics;
➂ Listeners are encouraged to explore the podcast series and related industry insights.
- No-go Waymo as rain stops fleet
➀ Waymo's autonomous vehicles in Arizona halted operations due to heavy rain and flooding, as their AI systems struggled to distinguish surface water from deeper hazards；
➁ The company suspended services for three days to analyze data and improve weather response capabilities, citing the storms as critical learning opportunities；
➂ Waymo plans to expand trials to cities like New York and Denver with diverse weather, having previously operated in dry climate regions.
- Amkor bumps up Arizona site to $7bn campus
➀ Amkor Technology increased its investment in an Arizona facility from $2bn to $7bn, expanding cleanroom space and adding a second advanced packaging/test site;
➁ The facility focuses on AI, HPC, automotive, and industrial applications, leveraging proximity to TSMC and partnerships with Intel;
➂ Arizona has attracted over $205bn in semiconductor investments since 2020, with advanced packaging markets projected to grow at a 9.5% CAGR to $79.4bn by 2030.
- AMD and OpenAI ink GPU supply/AMD share sale deal
➀ AMD will supply multiple generations of GPUs optimized for OpenAI's AI training and grants OpenAI the right to purchase up to 10% of AMD shares at $0.01 per share, contingent on milestone achievements;
➁ The partnership includes a phased deployment plan starting with 1GW of AMD Instinct MI450 GPUs in 2026 and scaling to 6GW, integrating future chip generations and rack-scale AI solutions;
➂ The deal aligns strategic goals, with AMD projecting tens of billions in revenue and enhanced non-GAAP earnings, while OpenAI aims to accelerate AI infrastructure and democratize advanced AI capabilities.
- August chip sales up 21.7% y-o-y
➀ August 2025 semiconductor sales reached $64.9 billion, up 21.7% year-over-year and 4.4% month-over-month;
➀ Growth was driven by strong sales in the Asia Pacific and Americas regions, with memory and logic chips showing significant increases;
➀ Year-over-year sales rose in most regions except Japan (-6.9%), while month-to-month sales saw growth across all regions.
October 6
- Trogenix raises $95m Series A
➀ Trogenix, an Edinburgh-based biotech company, raised $95 million in Series A funding to advance precision cancer therapies targeting aggressive tumors like glioblastoma and colorectal liver metastases;
➁ The funds will support clinical trials for glioblastoma starting in 2026 and expand its pipeline for liver and lung cancers using the proprietary Odysseus platform;
➂ The technology combines cancer cell-killing and immune stimulation through Synthetic Super Enhancers (SSEs), offering long-term protection against tumor recurrence without harming healthy tissue.
- Fujitsu and Nvidia hook up on AI agents
➀ Fujitsu and NVIDIA collaborate to develop a self-evolving, full-stack AI infrastructure integrating Fujitsu-Monaka CPUs and NVIDIA GPUs via NVLink Fusion, targeting industries like healthcare and manufacturing;
➁ The partnership focuses on an AI agent platform balancing speed and security, combining Fujitsu's Kozuchi and NVIDIA's Dynamo, leveraging NeMo for sector-specific AI model customization;
➂ The initiative aims to accelerate industrial automation, address labor shortages through robotics, and promote global AI adoption to enhance competitiveness and sustainability.
- The 28th State
➀ EU President Ursula von der Leyen proposes a '28th regime' to unify regulations for startups, simplifying cross-border scaling in Europe;
➁ Key initiatives include the Scaleup Europe Fund to address risk capital shortages and AI-driven healthcare screening centers to accelerate technology adoption;
➂ Emphasizes Europe's potential to lead in AI and autonomous vehicles, aiming to retain talent and drive global innovation.
- AI bubble conundrum
➀ Business leaders like Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos debated whether the AI investment boom is a bubble, with Solomon cautioning potential unrealized returns and Bezos acknowledging short-term risks but emphasizing long-term societal benefits.
➁ Hyperscaler AI capital expenditures are projected to reach $490 billion by 2026 and $684 billion by 2029, while AI companies have accumulated $268 billion in debt over 2024-2025, raising concerns about financial over-engineering akin to historical bubbles like the 2007 subprime crisis.
➂ Nvidia’s $4.6 trillion market cap and circular financing practices (e.g., investing in firms that buy its chips) highlight structural risks, though Bezos argued that despite potential turbulence, AI-driven innovations will ultimately deliver transformative societal gains.
- Ed Eyes Up The ID Card Contract
➀ Ed, an CEO, strategizes to secure a lucrative UK government ID card contract estimated at £1.2-2 billion, leveraging political connections;
➁ He proposes ScunthorpeID (SID) as a British front company for public reassurance, highlighting its tech capabilities and friendly acronym;
➂ Negotiates a 30% net profit share with ScunthorpeID's owner after playful bargaining over subcontracting roles like distribution and customer service.
October 3
- Humanoid Robot becomes CMO
➀ A humanoid robot named Uri was appointed as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Series, a networking platform aiming to compete with LinkedIn;
➁ Uri, developed by Unitree, features advanced AI and robotics capabilities, including 3D LiDAR and reinforcement learning, and garnered significant public attention during its debut;
➂ Series CEO highlighted Uri's cost-effectiveness and marketing impact, emphasizing the integration of robotics and AI to redefine startup innovation.
- UKSA funds 23 projects for international space partnerships
➀ The UK Space Agency (UKSA) allocated £6.5 million to 23 international projects spanning biotech manufacturing, deep space radar, 5G satellite networks, and in-orbit 3D printing, collaborating with partners in 8 countries including the US, Japan, and Australia;
➁ Key initiatives include developing Americium-based power systems with NASA, deploying AI-driven 3D printing for space manufacturing, and advancing autonomous satellite navigation and threat detection technologies;
➂ These partnerships aim to bolster the UK's leadership in space innovation, enhance global space domain awareness, and bridge space research with Earth applications like climate-resilient agriculture and healthcare.
October 2
- 5W current sense resistor in 1206
➀ Vishay introduces WSLF1206 current sense resistors with 5W power rating in 1206 package, offering values down to 300μΩ and varying power limits based on temperature;
➁ Features nickel-chromium aluminium resistive elements welded to manganese-copper terminals, ±20ppm temperature coefficient (excluding terminals), and thermal EMF below 3μV/°C;
➂ Includes product specs for different resistance ranges, operating temperature down to -55°C, and links to Vishay's technical documentation and related isolation amplifiers.
October 1
- Kit adds push-pull latch to D-sub connectors
➀ Harting developed kits to convert traditional D-Sub connectors to use push-pull latching, eliminating the need for screws;
➁ The kits support cable diameters up to 14mm, accommodate three cable entries, and comply with IEC 61373 shock/vibration standards;
➂ Available in multiple sizes and materials, they feature a coding system to prevent incorrect mating with 36 coding options.
- 5 Week US Shutdown In 2018-9 Cost $3bn GDP Loss
➀ The five-week US government shutdown from December 2018 to January 2019 resulted in a $3 billion permanent GDP loss, according to the Congressional Budget Office;
➁ Short-term economic losses totaled $11 billion due to furloughed workers, delayed spending, and reduced demand, with $8 billion recovered post-shutdown;
➂ Unrecoverable costs included $3 billion in furloughed employee wages, while delayed payments and reduced government spending on goods/services contributed to ongoing economic impacts.
- Nice detailed review of AMD’s chiplet technology
➀ A YouTube video by 'High Yield' provides a clear analysis of AMD's advanced Strix Halo triple-die processor using chiplet technology;
➁ The 24-minute video explains AMD's innovation in chiplet design and its significance in processor development;
➂ Chiplet technology is rapidly evolving, highlighted by AMD's approach to improving performance and integration.
- Qorvo launches Ku-band beamformer IC
➀ Qorvo launched a Ku-band beamformer IC for SATCOM terminals, enabling TDD architecture to reduce system complexity and size through a single antenna array for transmission and reception;
➁ The IC complements Qorvo's existing FDD beamformer portfolio, providing scalable solutions for both TDD and FDD satellite communication systems;
➂ It operates in 13.75-14.5 GHz (transmit) and 10.7-12.75 GHz (receive) ranges, integrates Tx/Rx functions, reduces receive power by 40%, improves signal clarity by 20%, and offers 5x higher transmit efficiency than competitors.
- Top Ten (less 5) WFE Manufacturers In Q2
➀ Counterpoint Research released Q2 2025 rankings highlighting the top five wafer fab equipment (WFE) manufacturers by revenue;
➁ ASML dominated with $8.72 billion, followed by Applied Materials ($7.32B), Lam Research ($5.17B), Tokyo Electron ($3.8B), and KLA ($3.17B);
➂ The list underscores the critical role of semiconductor manufacturing leaders in advancing global chip production infrastructure.
September 30
- Digital micromirror with 8.9 million pixels for lithography
➀ Texas Instruments introduced the DLP991UUV digital micromirror device (DMD) with 8.9 million pixels and a 5.4μm mirror pitch, targeting mask-less lithography for advanced semiconductor packaging;
➁ The DMD operates at 405nm UV wavelength, handles 22.5W/cm² illumination, achieves sub-micron resolution, and offers 91% average diffraction efficiency across 343-410nm bandwidth;
➂ It uses a 1-inch CMOS array, 12 high-speed serial data interfaces, and multiple voltage rails, building on TI's previous 3,840 x 2,160 DLP controller IC for imaging systems.
- US-China Innovation Gap Narrowing
➀ The innovation gap between the US and China narrowed to 5.1 points in 2024, down from 12.6 points in 2015, according to WIPO's Global Innovation Index;
➁ The US dominated late-stage VC deals and software spending (47% global R&D share), while China led in patents, industrial designs, and scientific research (14% growth in research articles);
➂ Global research output reached 2 million articles in 2024, fueled by contributions from China and India.
- 40W isolated dc-dc converter
➀ XP Power launches 40W isolated DC-DC converters in a compact 1x1-inch form factor, offering 24V (9-36V) and 48V (18-75V) input ranges with single/dual output options (3.3V to ±15V);
➁ Features 87-88% efficiency, ±10% output voltage adjustability, and robust protections including short-circuit, overload, and wide-temperature operation (-40°C to +105°C) with derating thresholds;
➂ Complies with IEC/UL/EN62368-1 safety standards and EMI/immunity norms, targeting industrial, robotics, and communication applications, available globally via major distributors with a 3-year warranty.
- iPhone Air teardown finds less can sometimes be more
➀ iFixit conducted a teardown of the new Apple iPhone Air, exploring its lightweight and thinner design;
➂ Contrary to expectations, the device's simplified internal structure improved repairability despite its slim profile;
➂ The analysis highlights Apple's design choices balancing portability and maintenance efficiency, with reduced internal components.