Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the successful demonstration of wafer-scale fabrication of solid-state nanopores using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography technology by imec, marking a significant step towards low-cost mass production in the molecular sensing field [2][3]. Group 1: Technology and Innovation - imec has successfully created highly uniform nanopores with diameters as small as approximately 10nm on a 300mm wafer, combining EUV lithography with etching techniques to achieve nanoscale precision and repeatability [3]. - Solid-state nanopores, etched in silicon nitride membranes, allow for single-molecule detection by generating real-time analyzable electrical signals when immersed in liquid and connected to electrodes [2][3]. - The technology overcomes limitations faced by biological nanopores, such as stability and integration, making solid-state nanopores ideal for scalable, high-throughput sensing applications [2][3]. Group 2: Applications and Future Prospects - The advancements in EUV nanopore technology are expected to enable rapid diagnostics, personalized medicine, and molecular fingerprinting [4]. - imec is developing a modular readout system with scalable fluid control technology to provide a platform for chemical development related to these applications [4]. - A paper on a 256-channel event-driven readout for solid-state nanopore single-molecule sensing will be presented at the 2026 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), showcasing imec's concept validation ASIC readout [4].

Group 1 - ASML's second-quarter orders reached €5.5 billion (approximately $6.4 billion), exceeding analysts' expectations of €4.8 billion [1] - CEO Christophe Fouquet remains cautious about the market outlook for 2026, highlighting the need to monitor macroeconomic fluctuations and geopolitical risks [1] - ASML's exclusive EUV lithography technology is crucial for the production of high-end AI chips, which are essential components of global AI infrastructure [1] Group 2 - ASML expects third-quarter net sales to be between €7.4 billion and €7.9 billion, with an anticipated annual revenue growth of 15% year-over-year [2] - Supply chain challenges persist, with Intel delaying European factory construction and Samsung experiencing its first profit decline in 2023 due to a drop in AI chip market share [2] - ASML's stock is trading at $800, down approximately 25% from its 2023 peak, as the company seeks to balance short-term market fluctuations with long-term technological advantages amid the AI revolution and geopolitical changes [2]