The National Science and Technology Council's Department of Engineering and Technologies recently issued a call for proposals encouraging academia to modify expensive semiconductor equipment through design changes, creating new pathways for talent development and next-generation technology research. Such freedom and flexibility are difficult to achieve at commercial semiconductor companies, but universities have greater autonomy, face no immediate customer delivery pressure, and do not need to prioritize yield at once—allowing a hot-rodding approach to take root in teaching and research.

“Jensanity” has helped fuel the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom, but reports linking Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to an alleged extramarital relationship involving a suspected Chinese spy are putting the company’s corporate governance under greater scrutiny. While the controversy could benefit Huawei Technologies and other Chinese competitors, tighter US chip export controls could ultimately inflict greater damage on China’s AI industry.

Singapore-based cloud provider and former Nvidia customer Megaspeed International saw its assets surge about 90-fold in 2024, but liabilities grew even faster, exceeding total assets by US$10.08 million, according to company filings reviewed by Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao.

Samsung Electronics acquired four US silicon photonics patents from UK-based Rockley Photonics in September 2026, South Korea's Shinailbo reported on November 11, citing US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) records. The reported acquisition could strengthen Samsung's intellectual property portfolio in optical interconnect technology as it expands its silicon photonics foundry business to compete with TSMC.

Samsung Electronics aims to complete its first 3D Cube-H design kit, a hybrid copper bonding technology for vertically stacked logic chips, in early 2027, with prospective customer evaluations to follow, ZDNet Korea reported on November 10, citing an industry source familiar with the plans.

Ingentec’s consolidated revenue reached NT$1.329 billion (US$40.4 million) from January to October 2026, up 79.32% from the same period in 2025. However, October revenue fell 8.59% month-over-month and 18.37% year-over-year to approximately NT$130 million as shipments of specialty gases to Japan, South Korea, and domestic customers declined slightly.

Smaller electronics manufacturers are relying on the spot market for memory as major customers lock in future supply through long-term agreements, according to independent electronic components distributor Smith.

Advantech's South Korean business grew 67% in the first three quarters of 2026, as industrial equipment, networking and cloud infrastructure, and healthcare remained its largest local markets. Some South Korean customers and partners have moved edge AI solutions into mass production, while the company is looking to extend its industrial computing and software integration expertise into robotics and energy applications.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's comments supporting the one-China principle and the use of force to unify Taiwan continue to weigh on Taiwan-Malaysia ties nearly three months later, raising concerns over Taiwanese companies' willingness to invest in Malaysia.

China's leading smart-device original design manufacturer (ODM), Huaqin Technology, plans to invest CNY1 billion (approx. US$149.86 million) in a wafer foundry venture, strengthening upstream semiconductor ties while expanding its AI server and data center businesses.

Jiangsu HISI Semiconductor (HISIGK) has prepared 14 automated lithography systems for delivery across 300mm, 200mm and 150mm wafer platforms, expanding its specialty semiconductor equipment business in markets ranging from MEMS to AR optics and LED chips.

Qualcomm has identified Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology as its primary memory suppliers for certain products, including automotive applications, in its fiscal 2026 annual report. The disclosure was absent from the previous two years' filings and comes as Qualcomm's automotive revenue jumped 52%.

CATL is exploring lithium-air batteries as a long-term research direction, attracting attention to the prospect of electric vehicles travelling more than 2,000km (≈ 1,243 miles) on a charge. That range remains a theoretical scenario, with no announced production battery or vehicle test demonstrating it.