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April 3
- 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.
- Sub-100A IMC-Hall current sensor
Melexis introduces the MLX91218-LF, a sub-100A IMC-Hall current sensor designed for lower current applications. It supports smart energy monitoring in residential and small industrial power distribution units, micro-grids, and EV charging cables. The sensor features a 400 kHz bandwidth and 2 µs response time, with low thermal drift and high linearity for accurate measurement. It also includes dual internal and external threshold over-current detection for smart functions.
- MaiaSpace modular space launcher wins first commercial contract
MaiaSpace, a launch services startup, has signed its first commercial contract with Exotrail, a French space logistics specialist. The two companies plan to integrate MaiaSpace's modular launch services with Exotrail's spacevan platform for payload hosting and satellite delivery. MaiaSpace aims to support various satellite types, from nano-satellites to 1.5-tonne satellites, using a reusable engine with MethaLox fuel. The partnership is a significant step for MaiaSpace, demonstrating its commitment to competitive space launch services.
- Ed Sees The Greenland Opportunity
➀ Many people, including the author, sold quantum computing shares after Jensen Huang's CES remark;
➁ The author believes that tech shares may be overvalued due to the emergence of DeepSeek and the rise of open-source AI programs in China;
➂ The author suggests investing in Greenland's publicly traded companies, which have seen significant growth in the past year.
March 29
- 2.1MHz low-side current sense amplifier
➀ STMicroelectronics has introduced a 2.1MHz bandwidth low-side current-measurement amplifier in a 6-lead SOT23 package.
➁ The TSC1801 is aimed at motor control, solar power and automotive power conditioning.
➂ It provides 20V/V gain and 0.15% accuracy over the entire temperature range, with a maximum offset voltage of ±200μV.
March 28
- M8 connectors from Inelco Hunter
➀ Inelco Hunter can now ship the Conec M8 range of circular connectors and sockets.
➁ The sockets are available with up to eight poles and various mounting options.
➂ The connectors come with different keying options and matching over-moulded plugs, offering a mating life of over 100 cycles.
- When Will We See A 90nm SoC?
21年前，在Globalpress 'Leading the Recovery'会议中，一个小组讨论了'何时会有量产的90nm SoC'的问题。
来自Cadence Design Systems的高级副总裁Ted Vucurevich表示，预计最早在2004年将出现基于90nm工艺的FPGA设计。
来自Synopsys的Anton Domic认为，到2004年，将会有非FPGA芯片在90nm工艺上实现量产。
台积电的Andrew Moore也提到，公司的发展路线图显示，90nm工艺将在2004年实现。
量产90nm设计面临的挑战包括预期良率问题、客户信心问题、验证问题和成本问题。
- GaN picked for Mazda automotive power project
➀ Mazda and Rohm have signed a deal to develop GaN-based automotive power electronics.
➁ GaN can reduce power conversion losses and contribute to the miniaturisation of components through high-frequency operation.
➂ The collaboration aims to unveil a demonstration model within FY2025 and practical implementation for FY2027.
- Farnell signs global distribution deal with MCC
➀ Farnell与Micro Commercial Components (MCC)签署全球分销协议；
➁ MCC提供包括二极管、MOSFET、IGBT、SiC器件等在内的多种半导体产品；
➂ MCC将超过10万种半导体产品带入Farnell，其中25%为汽车级组件。
- IPC praises ‘war-hating’ President Trump for defence industry support
➀ The IPC, the industry association for printed circuits and electronics assembly, laments the lack of investment in the US PCB industry on the anniversary of President Biden issuing the Presidential Determination 2023-06.
➁ The directive signed by President Trump in 2017 aimed to assess the US defense industrial base and identified a critical technology shortfall.
➂ The IPC expresses its commitment to working with the administration and policymakers to ensure America's defense electronics capabilities are secure and resilient.
- Boosting VC investment in Cambridge
ET Capital has initiated a new program to boost venture capital investment in Cambridge startups. The program focuses on science and technology-driven startups within the Cambridge cluster, aiming to provide a diverse portfolio across multiple sectors and technologies. The first fund, Cambridge Venture Index SEIS/EIS Fund 1, will invest in ten to fifteen startups from April 2025 to March 2026. This fund targets individual investors and is designed to democratize investment in Cambridge's future success. The strategy aims to reduce risk by diversifying investments, leveraging the performance of the best businesses in the Cambridge cluster. The fund also plans to collaborate with incubators and commercialization offices to provide predictable seed capital to startups.
- Tariffs lead to fall in memory inventories
➀ Tariffs have encouraged US memory buyers to get their orders in Q1, reducing inventories;
➁ DRAM prices expected to fall 0-5% QoQ in Q2, with HBM pricing to rise 3-8% due to HBM3e shipments;
➂ Samsung's HBM qualification progress slower than expected, but no significant capacity shift back to DRAM;
➃ SK hynix focusing on server and mobile DRAM, limiting PC DDR5 supply;
➄ DDR4 prices weak due to consumer demand and capacity expansion, with PC DRAM prices expected to remain flat QoQ in Q2;
➅ Server DRAM demand driven by top North American CSPs and AI server investment in China, with DDR5 prices expected to stabilise in Q2;
➆ Mobile DRAM demand improved, with LPDDR4X supply ample but prices expected to decline modestly;
➇ GDDR7 demand from next-gen graphics cards, with prices expected to hold flat or slightly down due to tight supply;
➈ GDDR6 prices expected to decline 3-8%, with suppliers bundling to stabilise pricing and clear inventory;
➉ Consumer DRAM seeing more aggressive purchasing, with DDR4 contract prices expected to rise 0-5% in 2Q25, and DDR3 prices likely to remain flat.