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64 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2025 • Predictive maintenance: Internet of ings (IoT)-enabled sensors can monitor environmental conditions and assembly performance in real-time, enabling proac- tive maintenance to prevent failures. • Design automation: Advanced simula- tion tools allow engineers to model envi- ronmental impacts and optimize designs for reliability. Conclusion e reliability of electronics in harsh envi- ronments hinges on a delicate balance of design, materials, and manufacturing pro- cesses. As miniaturization trends push the boundaries of what is possible, the challenges of maintaining reliability in these conditions grow ever more complex. By understanding the mechanisms of failure, from ECM and cor- rosion to thermal stress and residue sensitiv- ity, and employing proactive strategies to mit- igate them, manufacturers can ensure their assemblies meet the demands of even the most unforgiving environments. Whether designing rugged electronics for industrial use or precision assemblies for aero- space applications, the principles of residue removal, material selection, and protective strategies remain fundamental to achieving long-term reliability. Ultimately, every deci- sion made during the design and manufactur- ing process plays a critical role in determin- ing whether an electronic assembly will thrive or fail when exposed to the harsh realities of the modern world. SMT007 References 1. "Preventing LED Failures Caused by Corro- sive Materials," by Norbert Häfner, Michael Brandl, Andreas Stich, Studylib.net. 2. "Xbox 360 'Red Ring of Death' costs Microsoft more than $1B," by Greg Keizer, Computer World, June 5, 2007. 3. "Reliability Challenges in Aerospace Electron- ics," by J. Smith, et al, IEEE Transactions on Elec- tronics Packaging, Vol. 23, No. 4, 2021. Mike Konrad is founder and CEO of Aqueous Technologies, and vice president of communications for SMTA. To read past columns, click here. The new quantum refrigerator—seen as the square chip at the center of the cop- per housing in the left image—is based on superconducting circuits. The device autonomously cools quantum bits (qubits) to record low temperatures, paving the way for more reliable quantum computers. Quantum computers require extreme cooling to perform reliable calculations. One of the challenges preventing quantum computers from entering society is the difficulty of freezing the qubits to temperatures close to absolute zero. Now, researchers at Chalm- ers University of Technology, Sweden, and the Univer- sity of Maryland, USA, have engineered a new type of refrigerator that can autonomously cool supercon- ducting qubits to record low temperatures, paving the way for more reliable quantum computation. "Qubits, the building blocks of a quantum com- puter, are hypersensitive to their environment. Even extremely weak electromagnetic interference leak- ing into the computer could flip the value of the qubit randomly, causing errors—and subsequently hinder- ing quantum computation," says Aamir Ali, research specialist in quantum technology at Chalmers Uni- versity of Technology. Source: Chalmers University Record Cold Quantum Refrigerator Paves Way for Reliable Quantum Computers