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Roughly every five years in the last three decades, the semiconductor industry has faced notable chip shortages. These were commonly due to external influences like economic downturns or natural catastrophes. But sometimes it "just happened" as a result of increased demand for emerging technologies or the introduction of new digital products or next generation devices. This "routine" cyclicality was disrupted in 2020 by the pandemic which first halted production in the Far East before triggering an unprecedented increase in demand. The supply-demand balancing act of the past (fluctuations between demand, increased production, surplus, slowdown in production, shortage, and so on) was replaced by a more complicated reality. Today, with supply chains finally regaining stability, the market was also expected to steady. But into the picture entered the geopolitical tension between the United States and China, with the semiconductor industry in the line of fire.

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Renana Ashkenazi, General Partner at Grove Ventures.

(Yoram Reshef)

The current state of the industry is a good opportunity to review some macro events and trends that have a significant impact on it:

Whats between the US-China mess and the semi industry?

You dont need to be a geo-political expert or a semi enthusiast to have heard about the link between the two.

Key players in the global supply chain: Both the U.S. and China play crucial roles in the global semiconductor supply chain. The U.S. is a leader in chip design and advanced manufacturing processes, while China is the largest consumer of semiconductors and plays a significant role in assembly, packaging, and testing.

Trade restrictions: The trade restrictions imposed by the U.S. government have limited the access of certain Chinese technology companies to American-made semiconductors and software. The U.S. issued embargo regulations over China in 2022, which prohibit the sale to China of advanced chips with high performance and fast interconnect speeds. The provisions also restrict any sale to China of equipment used to manufacture advanced chips. In a rare move, those restrictions target not only companies but also individuals: If an American citizen, green-card holder, or entity wants to assist China in developing its semiconductor industry, they must apply for prior approval. Considering the fact that U.S. companies design more than 95% of the AI chips that are used in China, and produce manufacturing equipment that is used in every single Chinese chip factory, this inevitably is forcing Chine to try to become self-sufficient.

Efforts to boost domestic production: As a result of the tension and the perceived vulnerability of the supply chain, both countries are taking steps to boost their domestic semiconductor capabilities. The U.S. is investing billions in domestic chip production and R&D to reduce dependence on foreign supplies, while China is investing heavily in its semiconductor industry to achieve self-sufficiency. These actions will undoubtedly reshape the global semiconductor landscape.

National security concerns: Semiconductors are critical not only for PlayStations and Teslas, but they are also critical for military and defense technologies. This makes the control over semiconductor technology and supply chains also a matter of national security for both countries a tricky situation even among friends.

Supply chain has increasingly become one of our industry's most significant challenges.

A typical chip might be designed by ARM (Japanese-owned, UK-based) by a team of engineers in California and Israel, using design software from the United States. When the design is complete, it's sent to a fab in Taiwan, using silicon and gas sourced from Japan. Many of the etching tools in the fab are produced by a Netherlands-based company. The chip is then packaged and tested, often in Southeast Asia, before being sent to China for assembly. This is what youd call a global supply chain.

In the wake of the 2020 crisis, organizations have had to alter their approach to supply chain management, enhancing production and material availability capacity in a variety of ways, such as:

Diversifying sourcing options - including dual sourcing and finding new suppliers.

Smart design - modifying designs to reduce component count.

Streamlining supply chains to decrease lead time cycles.

Using express shipping to cut down transportation time.

Companies are also working to expand the pool of available materials, by improving the repair cycle, salvaging more used parts, and enhancing supplier risk management.

Globalization a thing of the past?

While globalization was once encouraged, it now seems we're heading in the opposite direction. As the U.S. and China lock horns, the American congress has allocated $53 billion to move manufacturing from the far east to the USA, and several European nations are also planning to establish local fabs.

The semiconductor industry used to thrive on a complex global supply chain, with each region contributing based on its strengths. The U.S. is known for its superior core IP and chip design, while East Asia leads in wafer fabrication, supported by substantial capital investment and government incentives, and China dominates in assembly.

Not only did this model work well, but it also saved a lot of money. But it clearly suffers from its vulnerabilities as it relies on free trade which can be compromised by geopolitical tensions, mother nature, and the current global virus. Semiconductors have become a critical resource, so having 80% of their supply concentrated in a single region probably should have never made sense in the first place and doesnt make sense now. The only realistic solution is geographic diversification, and we are definitely seeing localization trends which will impact cost but also create plenty of local opportunities.

Some optimism to end with:

Given the ubiquity of digital devices in our everyday lives, the need for semiconductors hasnt shown any signs of stopping, thanks to the growth of cloud computing, cryptocurrency mining, 5G, and AI. Consequently, the long-term growth projection for the industry remains promising. Cutting-edge technologies in fields such as cloud computing, big data, AI, crypto mining, 5G, mobile, medical devices, and electric vehicles demand ever-increasing computing capabilities, further propelling leading industries and the microelectronics sector. It's anticipated that by 2030, electronics will account for 45% of the manufacturing cost of autonomous vehicles.

Renana Ashkenazi is a General Partner at Grove Ventures

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From chip shortages to global chess: Geopolitical struggles are ... - CTech

BEREA Before Luke Wypler ever stepped onto a practice field as a member of the Browns, the center from Ohio State noticed a chessboard in team headquarters and knew he would have competition.

He discovered the chess set belongs to Amari Cooper and vowed to challenge the Browns wide receiver to a match when veteran players return.

Wypler explained his passion for chess is applicable to the cerebral aspects of football, such as film study and strategy.

That's the part of the game I really love, kind of the chess, I call it, of playing football. It's like the mental warfare behind the scenes that not a lot of people see, Wypler said Friday before the first practice of rookie minicamp.

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As a sixth-round pick in last month's NFL Draft, Wypler is a pawn eager to work for a roster spot behind Browns starting center Ethan Pocic. His main competition will be Nick Harris.

The Browns hosted Wypler for an official pre-draft visit, so he knew Cleveland could be a landing spot. Now his new home is a reality, and he's thrilled about receiving an opportunity to learn from offensive line coaches Bill Callahan and Scott Peters and veterans such as five-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio. He's also reunited with former Buckeyes linemate Dawand Jones, a rookie fourth-round pick.

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All of those factors have led Wypler to conclude his decision to declare for the draft after his junior season and second year as an Ohio State starter was the right one.

In chess parlance, Wypler believes he made the right move.

It couldn't have been better for me, Wypler said.

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In addition to chess, the 6-foot-3, 303-pound Wypler has dabbled in stand-up comedy and juggling, a hobby he picked up in elementary school. Don't be surprised if he wins the Browns rookie talent show.

Telling jokes and juggling can't get better than that, he said.

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In the realm of football, the 22-year-old Wypler is known for a razor-sharp intellect and relentless work ethic a byproduct of the New Jersey native's blue-collar roots.

I would say it probably came from my parents, Wypler said of his tenacious preparation. I always tell people like, 'This isn't work. I get to play a sport for a living.' I watched how my parents had to work growing up.

My dad waking up 4:30, 3 o'clock in the morning, driving trucks, delivering things. That's hard work. This is fun. So, for me, I don't consider this work. This is just something I am lucky to do every single day.

As soon as the Browns drafted Wypler, he and Jones exchanged text messages about continuing their football journeys together. It was the first time Cleveland had picked two Buckeyes in the same draft since 1965 and the first time the organization had chosen two Ohio State offensive linemen in the same draft since 1959.

Run off the ball and being physical, thats what he loves to do, Jones, a 6-foot-8 tackle, said of Wypler. Hes smart. Hes a master of the game.

We shared a great bond at Ohio State. Just to hear his name called picked as a Brown it was like, Lets go! It was like an ecstatic moment.

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Wypler started 13 games for Ohio State each of the past two seasons and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition last year. Although Wypler is a center, he played tackle in high school, and he's already begun cross-training at guard under the guidance of Callahan and Peters.

He played a lot of good football for them down there in Columbus, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. Tough, very, very intelligent, scrappy, just fits in with what we do.

Centers, by nature, oftentimes are really, really intelligent guys because you're making a lot of adjustments at the line of scrimmage when it comes to protection and the run game and those types of things. We ask a lot of our centers.

The simplest explanation for Wypler lasting until the draft's penultimate round, where the Browns nabbed him with the 190th overall pick, is tied to him possessing short arms (31 5/8 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine) by league standards.

Some other O-linemen have overcome a lack of prototypical arm length by proving it didn't leave them more vulnerable to being overpowered in the trenches. For example, former NFL center Ryan Kalil's arms measured 31 inches at the combine. A second-round pick in 2007, Kalil made five Pro Bowls with the Carolina Panthers.

I think that stuff doesn't really motivate me, Wypler said of falling to the sixth round. I think I motivate myself. I kind of let that be what it is. I have a lot of motivation inside of me. I'm very self-motivated, and those outside factors don't really bother me too much.

Wypler's vision isn't limited to draft stock. Like a seasoned chess player, he realizes a long-term view is more important.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

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Browns rookie and former Ohio State center Luke Wypler loves the ... - Akron Beacon Journal

Woodworking has been a hobby for David Pentimone since his parents bought him a used scroll saw off of Craigslist for his 12th birthday.

His first projects were simple.

It just started with like some simple jigsaw puzzle, just like a silhouette of a penguin or a deer or something like that, Pentimone says. And then I started getting a little bit more adventurous."

Armed with designs he found in a book about making wooden chess sets, Pentimone began making pieces. Eventually he made a complete set. Next came a chess set inspired by Roman architecture.

These days, Pentimone has been carving custom architectural chess sets with his scroll saw a new DeWalt, though he's had several different ones over the years modeling them after skylines in San Francisco and New York. The hobbyist's latest set features hometown architectural icons like the Power and Light Building, Bartle Hall and Liberty Memorial.

Julie Denesha

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KCUR 89.3

During the week, Pentimone works as a training manager at Amazon. But the 21-year-old will take any chance he can to disappear into the woodworking shop in the garage of his Northland home.

The chess pieces Pentimone makes are large and blocky.

The base measures inch-and-a-half by an inch-and-a-half. And then the smaller pieces, generally the pawns, they run about 2 to 2 1/2 inches tall," Pentimone says. "The king is generally up to 7 inches tall.

David Pentimone

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David Pentimone

Each hand-crafted set takes around 50 hours of work.

"Scroll saws are just very controlled and, as long as you have a very good grip on the wood, ... it's just learning the tool and then you have that control," Pentimone says.

A couple years ago, Pentimone started posting his creations on social media. He soon had a commission for a custom set with a New York City theme.

When he finished that one, Pentimone knew he wanted to create a chess set based on the skyline he knows best. So he started researching different buildings around town, looking for something that seemed authentically Kansas City.

I was kind of familiar with the different architecture of some of the more historic buildings, like the Power and Light Building, 909 Walnut downtown, Pentimone says.

But creating a design that works takes time.

A lot of it comes down to cutting the piece out (and then realizing), 'that looks terrible', Pentimone says. 'Let's start again, start from scratch, remake the pattern, cut it out until it works.'

At this point, hes about halfway finished with his Kansas City set, and the familiar skyline is taking shape. There are the twin spires of the iconic 909 Walnut building, and the spiny Sky Stations of Bartle Hall.

Using a scroll saw limits the shapes Penitimone can make. Each building he designs has its challenges.

I'm still actively working on Liberty Memorial, because it's such an iconic part of Kansas City, Pentimone says. And it's currently the king but it's square and the real tower is circular. So Im still kind of working on it.

Julie Denesha

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KCUR 89.3

Its been about an hour and Pentimone has finished with the queen, which looks like a miniature Power and Light Building. Beneath his shop lights, the piece's fresh edges look a bit raw. Now its time for a little light sanding before he finishes it off with a coat of Danish oil.

Despite his obvious skill in crafting these chess sets, Pentimone says his chess game could use a little work.

I do play chess, Pentimone says. "Im not fantastic at it."

"I've been playing with some friends, playing online. And then it's also like very enjoyable to take a set that I've made, and get to play on it with a friend, with my brother or something like that," he says. "So I do play and (am) trying to get better at it.

With another six months of work left to finish the Kansas City set, Pentimone has plenty of time to practice.

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This Kansas City woodworker is carving a chess set inspired by his ... - KCUR

FIDE Master (FM) Robert Suelo Jr. will hold simultaneous exhibition matches against select students and Pangasinan residents on Sunday, May 21, at the SM Dagupan Event Center in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

Suelo, the 1996 Philippine Juniors champion, will be joined by National Master (NM) Gefer Imbuido and NM Almario Marlon Bernardino Jr. in the chess simul organized by San Fabian Chess Club president Atty. Reddy Ceralde Balarbar.

"We're excited.The students are eager to meet and play FM Robert Suelo Jr. and the two other national masters in a simul," said Balarbar, who is also the legal adviser of the Hermano Chess Club.

The event was supported by Pozorrubio Vice Mayor Ernesto Salcedo, Cayetano Garcia, Allen Garcia, SM Prime Holdings Inc. and the Pangasinan Association of Chess Executives and Retirees.

National Arbiter Glenn Hullana Garcia said that among the early participants in the chess simul are Hannah Aquino, Joash Aquino, Stanley Eclarino, Khamea Hermogino, Althea Echon, Edlyn Jianme Echon Ednave and Ericka Ordizo.

The 3rd Pangasinan Invitational Executive Chess Cup FIDE 2200 and below rapid tournament will also get going on Sunday after the simul.

Lawyer Rodolfo Enrique "Rudy" Rivera, Dr. Fred Paez, Robert Racasa and Arnel Espiritu have signified their intention to join the one-day executive chessfest that offers P10,000 cash prize plus trophy to the champion. For inquiries, call 0966-6390337.

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3 chess masters to hold simul in Dagupan City on Sunday - The Manila Times

By Wayne Flower, Melbourne Correspondent 01:06 14 May 2023, updated 08:30 15 May 2023

A chess teacher once suspected of being the notorious Mr Cruel has backed calls for detectives to interview a woman who claims she knows where the real killer lives.

Karmein Chan, a 13-year-old private schoolgirl snatched from her home after her sisters were forced into a wardrobe, was shot three times in the head by a man later dubbed Mr Cruel.

Christian Bennett had taught chess at the same school both Karmein and Nicola Lynas - who was abducted and released by Mr Cruel - attended atPresbyterian Ladies College in the 1980s.

He had been an early suspect in the case due to his ability to speak the two Chinese languages spoken by Karmein, was known to have visited Hong Kong many times and had a Hong Kong Cantonese girlfriend at the time of the crimes.

'Needless-to-say, this caused police a great deal of excitement but I had alibis fortunately for the last two crimes,' Mr Bennett told Daily Mail Australia.

Daily Mail Australia reported this month a woman, who believes she lived next door to the killer, claims she is being ignored by 'stubborn' homicide squad detectives.

'Even if they thought the information wasn't credible, it's a basic failure to do their job,' the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

It can be revealed the woman's claims form part of a 6000-word statement she provided to Crime Stoppers three years ago in the hope Victoria Police homicide squad detectives would interview her about the cold case.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia a homicide squad detective spoke to the woman on the phone, however determined the information she supplied via Crime Stoppers was not able to progress the investigation.

Mr Bennett, who last year exposed the official 1991 joint Victoria Police and FBI profile on the case to be flawed, claimed Victorian detectives needed to interview the woman.

'Police should have checked out this lady's story.Just as a matter of good public relations, police should have done more to check out her story,' he said.

'Ive complained to multiple police chief commissioners that a do nothing approach loses the narrative to others by default.

'Since 2016, almost all the announcements and discoveries on the Mr Cruel cases have been made by private researchers, general public, witnesses and or media. Police have done little and at times been an obstruction to information.'

Investigators had worked under the mistaken assertion that the home invasion and three abductions had all happened during school holidays.

Christian Bennett said that1991 profile was used for years and only recently had its credibility destroyed in a Herald Sunarticle by legendary crime reporter Andrew Rule.

'I wrote a 800 page MSS on the Mr Cruel cold case crimes, of which Victoria Police has a copy (probably gathering dust).

'It covers physical evidence such as railways lines (closed down, planned or operating) being near most of the crime sites, to left field things like apparent circumstantial connections with popular media such as books and TV shows,' he said.

Mr Bennett said he had 'paid the price' for going public with his views on the Mr Cruel investigation.

'Almost every serious researcher in the Mr Cruel case has been targeted by trolls, myself included,' he said.

On April 13, 1991,John and Phyllis Chan were at work in their Chinese restaurant leaving daughters Karmein, 13, Karly, nine, and Karen, seven, at home in Templestowe - north east of Melbourne.

Armed with a knife Mr Cruel forced Karly and Karen into a wardrobe and disappeared into the night with Karmein.

Karmein's remains were found near a substation known as the Thomastown Terminal Station about a year after she vanished.

Mr Cruel's first victim was not removed from her house and was instead assaulted just metres away from her parents, who'd been bound and gagged.

But the next three were all abducted, two would return home but Karmein would never be seen again.

The new 'witness' told Daily Mail Australia she had buried the traumatic events of the time deep within herself for decades until it all come flooding back.

'It's definitely a match for Karmein. There's no way it's not,' the woman said. 'And regardless, why haven't police interviewed me?'

In 2016, Victoria Police announced a $1 million reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the conviction of Karmein's killer.

The woman believes that reward combined with the historic cost of the Mr Cruel investigation is behind the homicide squad's decision.

'Money appears to be the real pressure point now with this investigation,' the woman said. 'They're paranoid about people just wanting to get their hands on the reward.'

Mr Cruel's brazen attacks were so meticulously planned and committed in such a calculated fashion he was initially known as 'Mr Cool'.

None of the surviving victims ever saw Mr Cruel's face, which was hidden by a chilling black balaclava with white stitching around the eyes and mouth.

The woman claims Mr Cruel did not act alone and believes his accomplice is the man detectives believe is Mr Cruel.

Mr Bennett's personal research on Mr Cruel was aired in part last year on Channel Nine'sUnder Investigationprogram.

The programproduced an image of a man it believed was Mr Cruel, suggesting he may have worked or posed as a substation employee, or lived closeby.

The home detective correctly identified that each of the four attacks seemed to have occurred close to high-voltage power lines or substations.

Mr Bennett said he had experienced great difficulty in getting Victoria Police to accept information and 'correct its own mistakes'.

'I and countless others have discovered when putting something forward to police - that they may not wish to even contemplate - they will use mistakes to discredit the submission,' he said.

'I have advised a number of people who wish to submit information to police to have it independently checked out for everything from spelling mistakes to factual errors.'

Mr Bennett claimedsome police doubt the Karmein Chan kidnapping was the work of Mr Cruel due to its apparent lack of sophistication.

'Trust me, where the offender is said by two journalists, in a book called Rats, to have exited with Karmein, over the wall into Church Road, the people who lived opposite could only have seen them with great difficulty though the only small window on that side of their house, that was in their bedroom. This home has long since been pulled down,' he said.

'Another police quibble was that the only reasonable (to them), escape route was left down from Church Road into Foote Street. This seemed like an unnecessary risk, as the offender would not be able to see over the hill and could have been subject to a road block.

'There must have been some embarrassment when I pointed out in 2013/14 that the offender may have used an unmarked SEC electricity utility road, which doubled as a walking track but was not marked on the Melway Street Directory at that time.'

Mr Bennet claimed the killer could have circled back through Sarah Crescent, crossed Serpells Road onto the apparently closed road system starting at County Terrace before following the SEC high voltage transmission lines, which could also prevent low flying helicopters getting too close.

'This route makes more sense if the offender is headed south,' he said.

Police have long believed the killer went north.

Anyone with information is urged to call crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Chess teacher once suspected of being Mr Cruel backs new witness - Daily Mail