Physical cross-sectioning is commonly used on parts to reveal and study their internal features and defects. An alternative technology, acoustic cross-sectioning, produces equivalent results and images for small parts without damaging them. This article describes a new system for acoustic cross-sectioning and presents a case study of its use in integrated circuit analysis.

As today's electronics systems continue to shrink and become more complex and pervasive, failures can cause costly downtime, product delays and recalls, and debilitating reputational damage. Finding and fixing failures before they do damage is important, but becomes increasingly challenging when devices are built using ever more complex designs. The solution is to employ a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to electronic system failure analysis. In addition, many failures can be avoided altogether by thorough testing, coupled with the latest focused ion beam circuit edit techniques. These advanced methods quickly and inexpensively debug and validate design fixes or explore design optimization opportunities in integrated circuits without having to commit to costly and time-consuming full mask spins.

Determining the root cause of avionics failures requires a disciplined and systematic analytical process supported by sophisticated equipment. This article reviews some of the analytical tools and techniques used to understand and prevent avionics failures.

The rapidly increasing complexity of microelectronic devices is necessitating the use of sophisticated imaging tools to analyze and correct defects. This article describes advanced analytical techniques in use at the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Microstructure Diagnostics.

Acoustic micro imaging is widely used for inspecting IC packages, but readily adapts for the detection of defects in parts and assemblies up to 1 m or more on a side. This article describes a typical imaging setup consisting of a scanning acoustic microscope and water tank and presents examples in which it was used to detect delaminations in solar panels and clogs in brazed aluminum-copper cooling-ring assemblies. It also explains how to deal with issues that arise when scanning large-area parts.

The benefits of trace elemental analysis to improve the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles are explored.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: MS&T 2013 Lecturers Announced; 2013-2014 Student Board Members Announced; Jean Duval Educational Fund with ASM Foundation; Chapter News.

Concentrating solar-thermal power with thermal energy storage can provide renewable energy for electricity or industrial processes at any time of day. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has made significant research investments to increase the operating temperature of solar-thermal systems, which increases overall efficiency, but materials science challenges remain to affordably manufacture and commercialize key components.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM's 2013 Class of Fellows; 2014 ASM/TMS Distinguished Lectureship in Materials & Society; Emerging Professionals.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM's 2014 Class of Fellows; ASM Indian Institute of Metals announces 2014 recipients of two Visiting Lecturer Programs; Brian Wright named 2014 Kishor M. Kulkarni Distinguished High School Teacher.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: 2022 ASM award program honorees; 2022 class of ASM Fellows; updates from the ASM President and executive director on governance and strategic planning; volunteer profile for Bernoulli Andilab; professional profile for Amy Elliott.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM Board nominees for 2019-2022 announced; ASM partnerships with Intelligent Manufacturing Systems and its World Manufacturing Forum (IMS/WMF) and with the Materials Research Society (MRS); ASM Materials Camp celebrates 20 years.

Efforts are underway in every sector of the scientic community to explore and develop possible strategies and solutions to counter sea level rise and climate change. Near-term materials science implications include improvements to corrosion-resistant materials and coatings.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM announces 2019 class of Fellows; ASM Indian Institute of Metals announces recipients of 2019 ASM/IIM Visiting Lectureship; Helmut Clemens named 2019 Henry Clifton Sorby awardee; contributor profile for J. Gilbert (Gil) Kaufman; volunteer profile for Chris Marvel; professional profile for Karen Sabo.

News about ASM members, chapters, events, awards, conferences, affiliates, and other society activities. Topics include: ASM/TMS Distinguished Lectureship; Tribute to Dr. George A. Roberts; Author Spotlight for Mitchell R. Dorfman; Members in the News.