58 The PCB Magazine • September 2016
Programmable Ions Set the Stage for
General-purpose Quantum Computers
To date, many research groups have created small
but functional quantum computers. By combining
a handful of atoms, electrons or superconducting
junctions, researchers now regularly demonstrate
quantum effects and run simple quantum algo
-
rithms—small programs dedicated to solving par-
ticular problems.
China Further Fortifies its Semiconductor
Sector with Formation of High-End
Chip Alliance
With the government's backing, key enterprises in
China's semiconductor sector have just established
a "high-end chip alliance" that fosters the forma
-
tion of a vertically integrated industry ecosystem on
a national scale.
Wearable Cloud Could be Less Expensive,
More Powerful Form of Mobile Computing
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Bir-
mingham are exploring the concept of a wearable
personal cloud—a fully functioning, yet compact
and lightweight cloud computing system embed-
ded into clothing.
White House Advances High-Performance
Computing Initiative
The White House last week released a new strategic
plan to implement the National Strategic Comput-
ing Initiative (NSCI)—a supercomputing research
effort—across government agencies.
What's Wasting Power at Home?
Ask your App!
If you want to save on your monthly electric bill and
reduce your greenhouse gas emissions at the same
time, you might buy a new, energy-efficient refrig
-
erator, water heater, or clothes dryer. But if you can
only replace one of these, which will give you the
biggest payback?
Accelerating Design Times for
High-Performance Systems-on-Chip
A team of computer scientists and electrical engi
-
neers from four U.S. universities have been award-
ed a joint project with nearly $5 million in fund-
ing from the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA).
Connected Car Market to Grow
at 31% CAGR to 2020
The newly published report on connected car mar-
ket titled "The Connected Car Ecosystem: 2016
– 2030: Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies &
Forecasts," says the use of telematics is already
widespread with the growing adoption of applica-
tions such as fleet management, emergency call-
ing, navigation, vehicle tracking and remote diag-
nostics.
Grid-connected Energy Storage Capacity
Will Surge to 21 GWh by 2025
The global energy storage market is expected to
double, from 1.4 gigawatt hour (GWh) added in
2015 to 2.9 GWh this year, offering unique growth
prospects for many energy companies as global
energy markets continue to cool. Global grid-con
-
nected energy storage capacity will surge to 21
GWh by 2025, according to IHS Markit.
Growth in Wearable Electronics Enabled
by Advances in Assembly and Packaging
Strong market growth is predicted for wearable
electronics fueled by new generations of wear
-
ables providing greater functionality in the same or
smaller form factor, for the same or lower cost.
IPC Announces Development of Press-fit
Pin Standard for Automotive Requirements
IPC has announced plans to start the development
of a new standard intended to cover the qualifica
-
tions and acceptance requirements for press-fit pin
technology that includes the reliability needs for
automotive and other industries, such as aerospace.
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