EOS/ESD ASSOCIATION, INC. MAY/JUNE 2026 VOLUME 43, NO 3 THRESHOLD™ SETTING THE GLOBAL STANDARDS FOR STATIC CONTROL! 1 IN THIS ISSUE: Letter From The President - #2-3 Message From Our Senior Executive Director - #4-5 March Standards Meeting Recap - #6-7 ESDA Events - #8-9 May Tech Talk- #10 TR53® in Rome- #11 Asia Online Forum May - #12 June Meeting Series- #13-14 ESA Conference- #15-18 Asia Online Forum July - #19 2026 EOS/ESD Symposium -#20-21 Standards Technical Summit- #22-24 ESD Technical Article - #25-32 Get Connected - #33 Technical Question - #34 Memorial- #35-39 Ads & Services - #40 ESD Control Plan- #41 Hot Topics - #42 New Releases Products & Standards- #43 Entertainment Center- #44 Happy Birthday- #45 Quiz Corner- #46 Would You Like To Publish Something in Threshold? - #47
THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 ACL Staticide 840 W. 49th Place, Chicago, IL 60609 Tel: 847-981-9212 Fax: 847-981-9278 info@aclstaticide.com • www.aclstaticide.com Manufacturer of anti-static topicals, dissipative coatings for plastic and floors, ESD workstation products including meters. ISO 9001:2008 certified QS CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTS PO Box 779, Amherst, NH 03031 Tel:973-920-7000 Fax:603-672-3028 www.cemag.us web_ce@viconmedia.com Leading source of digital and print information on contamination prevention, detection, and control for cleanrooms and critical environments From the President EOS/ESD Association, Inc, President Nathaniel Peachey 2 Dear Friends of the ESDA, At the recent March working group meetings, we convened a Special Interest Group (SIG) focusing on 3D heterogenous integration. As the limits of traditional scaling tighten, 3D integration has positioned itself as the inevitable next frontier. There were several clarifying ideas that resulted from the SIG meeting. First, for the 3D applications that are defined by 7nm or smaller geometries and many thousands of hybrid bonds, challenges remain in the development of reliable, high-yielding manufacturing. This class of 3D integrated products has traditionally been built in-house, and the intellectual property needed for successful and reliable manufacturing is not being shared with the larger industry. But to enable the full potential of this technology, it must be deployable across multiple process technologies, voltage domains, and manufacturing ecosystems. This impediment restricts a general proliferation of this technology outside of the select companies that have led this innovation. Second, there is yet no consistent, industrywide blueprint for how to test, characterize, or verify reliability of advanced 3D die stacks. As this technology races ahead, the foundations needed for reliable, scalable, and standardized implementation are struggling to keep pace. The testing and characterization of hardware is hampered by 2 conundrums. Not only is there no reliable method to characterize the very low CDM values of these chiplets, but the pitches that are characteristic of this class of chiplets are too tight to allow traditional probing. The immediate goal of the SIG group and the associated 3D Integration Task Team is to publish a white paper articulating these and other issues facing the widespread adoption of 3D integration of advanced nodes and then pointing the way forward in addressing these challenges.
3 Warm regards, Nate Nate Peachey President of EOS/ESD Association Inc. THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Transforming Technologies, LLC 3719 King Road, Toledo, OH 43617 Tel: 419-841-9552 • Fax: 419-841-3241 Email: info@transforming-technologies.com www.transforming-technologies.com Transforming Technologies provides unique and outstanding products to detect, protect, eliminate, and monitor electrostatic charges. IEST - Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology 2340 S. Arlington Heights Road, Suite 100, Arlington Heights IL 60005 Tel: 847-981-0100 • Email: information@iest.com • www.iest.com As secretariat of ISO/TC 209, IEST offers ISO 14644 and ISO 14698 standards, as well as peer-approved standardized procedures, IEST Recommended Practices. Also at the March meetings, we announced the Standard Technical Summit 2026 to be held in Frisco TX. Standards are more than technical documents. At their best, they are declarations of intent; signals to industry about what matters, what is expected, and what the future will demand. As electronics systems grow more complex, more interconnected, and more critical to human safety and global infrastructure, the role of standards has never been more consequential. It is in this context that the 2026 EOS/ESD Standards Technical Summit stands as both a milestone and a mandate. We are entering an era where the traditional assumptions behind ESD and reliability standards are being fundamentally challenged. Advanced packaging architectures blur boundaries between chip, package, and system. Artificial intelligence hardware introduces unprecedented power densities and sensitivity profiles. Automotive, aerospace, and defense electronics increasingly operate in environments where failure is not an inconvenience but a risk. Materials, processes, and manufacturing models are evolving faster than existing standards can keep pace. The question is no longer whether standards need to evolve, but how quickly and how boldly we are willing to lead that evolution. The Technical Standards Summit represents a decisive shift from a maintenance mindset to a visionary one. Rather than focusing narrowly on document updates or incremental revisions, the Summit creates a forum to step back and ask a bigger question: What must the next generation of standards enable if industry is to innovate safely, reliably, and at scale? By design, this is not a traditional standards meeting. It is a strategic convergence of leaders, technologists, and cross‑industry voices tasked with imagining what does not yet exist and defining what must. The EOS/ESD Association’s decision to convene this Summit signals a recognition that leadership in standards is not defined by preserving the past, but by preparing industry for what comes next. Success will be measured by what emerges after the meeting: the collaborations formed, the standards advanced, and the direction set for the next decade of reliability and ESD leadership. Just as important is the Summit’s outward‑looking posture. The challenges shaping ESD and reliability do not respect organizational boundaries, and neither should the solutions. Opportunities for joint work with IEEE, IPC, JEDEC, AEC, EMC communities, and others acknowledge a simple truth: the most robust standards of the future will be built through collaboration at the intersections of disciplines. The Summit invites participants to look beyond familiar frameworks and envision a more integrated standards ecosystem – one that mirrors the interconnected nature of modern electronics.
4 EOS/ESD Association , Inc., Sr. Executive Director Lisa Pimpinella From Our Senior Executive Director THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 ESDEMC Technology, LLC 4000 Enterprise Dr., Suite 103, Rolla, MO 65401 Tel: 573-202-6411 • Fax: 877-641-9358 www.esdemc.com ESDEMC Technology designs, manufactures, and markets ESD/EMC related products and consulting services. Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 200 Research Drive, Wilmington, MA 01887 Tel: 978-275-0800 • Fax: 978-275-0850 www.thermoscientific.com Leading manufacturer of semiconductor test equipment for the simulation of Electro Static Discharge (ESD), Latch-up, and TLP events. What am I pondering? As we continue advancing our strategic mission it seems essential that we regularly evaluate how effectively our products and services meet our objectives not just based on history or plans, but on evolving expectations. Our value must be clear, practical, and directly tied to the success of our staff and volunteers, reflecting their contributions and impact. Many associations look at the same data sets and generally prioritize: Industry-specific knowledge and emerging technologies Training and professional development Certifications and credentials Standards and best practices If I consider the scorecard, I think these are the foundations that started with the Symposium in 1979 and continue today. Consider: ANSI/ESD Standards that are Internationally recognized and many are joint standards and technically equivalent to IEC standards. EOS/ESD Symposium and in-depth Tutorials ESD Control Program Manager Certification that leads industry and education pathways Technical working groups and global engagement opportunities We are delivering in the areas that the broader association community is still working to strengthen. Importantly, we value people and career development, training, and technical advancement. This organization is no longer has an event-only focus but strives to do more and offer more. Our focus on events has transformed from one that has refined and pioneered delivery mechanisms into one that wants to deliver value. We design offerings to provide deeper education and technical value, offer and encourage direct engagement with subject matter experts, advance technical development and enable peer-to-peer problem solving across the industry. Participation must translate into measurable outcomes, whether that is improved ESD control programs, better reliability, or stronger manufacturing processes, and everything in between.
All the best, Lisa Lisa Pimpinella Sr. Executive Director EOS/ESD Association, Inc. 5 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 RMV Technology Group, LLC, A NASA INDUSTRY PARTNER NASA Ames Research Center, Space Portal, Moffett Field, CA 94035 www.esdrmv.com and www.esdaerospacetraining.org Internationally Accredited ESD Product Qualification Laboratory The Exclusive iNARTE® Certified Space & Defense ESD Engineer Training Center 650-964-4792 or renee@esdrmv.com Proline 10 Avco Rd., Haverhill, MA 01835 Tel: 800-739-9067 Fax: 978-374-4885 www.1proline.com E-mail: Bench@1proline.com Manufactures ESD modular and ergonomic work benches Some of our attendee surveys clearly tell us that career advancement, access to evolving technologies, practical job-relevant knowledge, and levels of training and credentials are critical. Our focus to bring quality online forums and accessibly training looks to provide application focused training, certification that validates and leads real world applications and experience, and content aligned with our Strategic Roadmap and emerging challenges identified inside the world of semiconductors. Every program needs to address industry needs. At the same time new technologies are here to stay, and we must find a way to embrace their power without sacrificing the human touch. In this approach, technology is an enabler not a replacement. On demand content, global participation through live online training, and strong technical content are a must. Moving ahead with AI is all around us. It is integrated into new daily habits, and we are learning to harness its power, but it has to be meaningful and purpose driven. Considering content delivery, creation, personalization, accessibility, and engagement scale are all opportunities if balanced and focused on accuracy, technical integrity, and alignment with our standards/training-driven mission. Using digital tools to increase accessibility and engagement without compromising technical depth is important while we foster collaboration across regions and disciplines to address increasingly complex EOS/ESD challenges. If I were to boil it all down more simply this Association has been built on a simple but powerful principle which is providing real solutions for real-world challenges. If we remain diligent and focused on delivering standards that define the industry, provide education that drives immediate application, creating events that produce measurable impact, and build a community that advances technology and reliability worldwide – well we might just be on the mark.
THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 6 March 2026 Standards Meeting Series Recap EOS/ESD Association, Inc. | Las Vegas | March 16–20, 2026 The March 2026 Standards Meeting Series brought together global experts, engineers, and industry leaders in Las Vegas for a highly productive week of collaboration and technical advancement. Hosted by the EOS/ESD Association, the event reinforced its mission to advance electrostatic discharge (ESD) control and reliability through consensus-driven standards development. Broad Technical Engagement Across Working Groups The meeting series featured extensive participation across a wide range of Working Groups (WGs) and Joint Working Groups (JWGs), reflecting the depth and diversity of ongoing standards activity. Key focus areas included: Personnel Grounding & Materials – Wrist straps (WG 1), garments (WG 2), gloves (WG 15), and seating (WG 12) ESD Control Infrastructure – Workstations (WG 4), flooring (WG 7), footwear/flooring systems (WG 97), and hand tools (WG 13) Ionization & Environmental Controls – Ionization technologies (WG 3) Packaging & Handling – Packaging (WG 11) and process assessment (WG 17) Device & System-Level Testing – Device testing (WG 5.0), Transmission Line Pulse (WG 5.5), and system-level ESD (WG 14) Advanced Device Models – Human Body Model (HBM) and Charged Device Model (CDM) Joint Working Groups Program Management & Compliance – ESD control programs (WG 20), compliance verification (WG 53), and high-reliability applications (WG 19) Desco Industries Inc. 3651 Walnut Ave., Chino, CA 91710 www.Descoindustries.com • Tel: CA-909-627-8178• MA-781-321-8370 ESD Control Products & More. Our brands include: APR, Desco, Desco Asia, Desco Europe, EasyBraid, EMIT, ESDSystems.com, Menda, Protektive Pak, SCS, SpecialTeam, Statguard, TRONEX and US Toyo Fan. SelecTech, Inc. 33 Wales Ave, Suite F, Avon MA 02322 USA Ph: 508-583-3200 Fax: 877-738-4537 Email: info@selectechinc.com www.selectechinc.com Manufacturer of StaticStop interlocking flooring
THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 In addition, the Manufacturing Task Team convened to address emerging challenges and align standards with real-world production environments. Advancing Standards and Industry Alignment Throughout the week, working groups reviewed current documents, discussed technical updates, and progressed revisions to ensure standards remain aligned with evolving technologies and manufacturing practices. Particular emphasis was placed on: Improving clarity and usability of existing standards Harmonizing test methods across different ESD models Addressing increasingly sensitive electronic devices Enhancing compliance and verification methodologies The collaboration between subject matter experts fostered meaningful progress on both mature standards and emerging areas of concern. Strengthening the Global ESD Community Beyond technical sessions, the meeting series provided valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and strengthening professional relationships. The inperson format in Las Vegas enabled dynamic discussions that continue to drive innovation and consensus within the ESD community. Looking Ahead The outcomes of the March meetings will directly influence upcoming standards revisions, publications, and future initiatives. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay engaged with their respective working groups as development efforts continue. The EOS/ESD Association extends its appreciation to all participants for their contributions and commitment to advancing ESD control and reliability worldwide. 7 Key Resin Co./Flowcrete 4050 Clough Woods Drive, Batavia, OH 45103 513-943-4225, Fax 513-943-4255 sales@keyresin.com www.keyresin.com Manufacturer of conductive and ESD resinous flooring and floor sealers. Key Resin West 1315 E. Gibson, Suite D., Phoenix, AZ 85034 602-523-9353, Fax 602-523-9349 SCS - Formerly 3M Static Control 914 JR Industrial Drive, Sanford, NC 27332 USA Ph: 919-718-0000 www.staticcontrol.com ESD control products: bags, floor tiles, foot grounders, ionizers, mats, testers & monitors, smocks, vacuums, wrist straps, Static Control Management and more. 7
Upcoming Events 8 May 5, 2026 TechTalk: Beyond the Checklist: Practical “Tricks of the Trade” for ESD Control That Actually Stick ttps://www.esda.org/events/techtalkbeyond-the-checklist-practical-tricksof-the-trade-for-esd-controlthatactually-stick/ May 13-15, 2026 ESD Compliance Verification Technician to TR53® EOS/ESD Association, Inc., Rome, NY https://www.esda.org/store/product/134/tr53-registration-2026/ June 1-7, 2026 Standards and Committee Meeting Series Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NV https://www.esda.org/events/eosesd-association-inc-meeting-series-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 June 14-17, 2026 2026 Electrostatics Society of America Annual Meeting Courtyard by Marriott Cocoa Beach Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, FL https://www.esda.org/events/2026-electrostaticssociety-of-america-annual-meeting/ July 13-16, 2026 International Electrostatic Discharge Workshop (IEW-Asia) – Co-Located with IPFA Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Singapore https://www.esda.org/events/2026-international-esd-workshop-iew-asia/ Core Insight, Inc. 186 Galmachi-ro, Seongnam-city, Gyeonggi-do, 13230, Korea Phone: +82-31-750-9200. Email: sales@coreinsight.co.kr: www.coreinsight.co.kr Steady-State DC Ionizer Manufacturer for BenchTop, Overhead, Nozzle, Gun, Air Assist, and Ceiling Ionizers Molded Fiberglass Tray Co. 6175 US Highway 6, Linesville, PA 16424 USA Ph: +1-814-683-4500 Fx: +1-814-683-4504 www.mfgtray.com Manufactures fiberglass reinforced plastic Fiberstat ESD products; trays, bins, totes, and mats September 21-25, 2026 Standards and Committee Meeting Series Embassy Suites by Hilton Frisco Hotel, Frisco, TX https://www.esda.org/events/eosesd-association-inc-meeting-series-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11/
9 Upcoming Events Continued September 26-October 1, 2026 48th Annual EOS/ESD Symposium and Exhibits Embassy Suites by Hilton Frisco Hotel, Frisco, TX Call for Papers Deadline: February 6, 2026 https://www.esda.org/events/48th-annual-eosesd-symposium-and-exhibits/ October 1, 2026 Standards Technical Summit 2026 Embassy Suites by Hilton Frisco Hotel, Frisco, TX https://www.esda.org/events/standardstechnical-summit-2026/ October 2-4, 2026 ESD Compliance Verification Technician to TR53® Embassy Suites by Hilton Frisco Hotel, Frisco, TX https://www.esda.org/store/product/134/tr53-registration-2026/ October 2-5, 2026 Process Assessment Engineer Certification Embassy Suites by Hilton Frisco Hotel, Frisco, TX https://www.esda.org/store/product/196/esd-process-assessment-engineer-certification-pae-october-25-2026 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 November 11-12, 2026 Asia Online Forum ESD Control Program Auditor Certification featuring ANSI/ESD S20.20 Seminar Virtual https://www.esda.org/events/asia-online- forum-esd-control-program-auditor-certification-featuringansiesd-s20-20-seminar/ HPPI GmbH Stadlerstrasse 6A, D-85540 Haar, Germany Phone: +49 (0)89 / 878 06 98 – 443; www.hppi.de Development and sales of ESD Testers Hanwa Electronic Ind. Co., Ltd. 689-3, Ogaito, Wakayama, Japan 649-6272 TEL:+81-73-477-4435 • FAX:+81-73-477-3445 keiichih@hanwa-ei.co.jp • www.hanwa-ei.co.jp Full Automatic Wafer Level ESD Tester / HBM, MM, HMM, and SCM ESD Tester, TLP Tester/ CDM Tester/ Electrostatic Imaging System November 9-10, 2026 Asia Online Forum Circuit Design Engineers Certification (ECEC 1) Virtual https://www.esda.org/events/asiaonline- forum-circuit-design-engineerscertificationecec-1/
10 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 May Tech Talk May 5 2026 1:00 PM EST th Beyond the Checklist: Practical “Tricks of the Trade” for ESD Control That Actually Stick Most ESD guidance is easy to agree with, and hard to execute efficiently on a real production floor. This Tech Talk moves beyond “cookie-cutter” program language and focuses on practical, field-tested tips that improve day-to-day ESD control without adding unnecessary cost or complexity. Jay Skolnik and John Kinnear will share a set of “boots-on-the-ground” techniques gathered from experienced practitioners—covering how to remove redundant controls to improve ROI while maintaining protection, how to increase the speed and reliability of compliance measurements, and how to recognize and correct situations where an illusion of compliance exists (controls look right on paper, but the process is not actually protecting ESDS items). Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7tmvTrGTRzmQN8HVJYIddw NRD, LLC 2937 Alternate Boulevard, Grand Island, NY 14702 716-733-7634, Fax 716-773-7744 sales@nrdllc.com www.nrdllc.com NRD, LLC is recognized as a global leader in the field of static elimination using non-electrical nuclear ionization. The company is dedicated to developing and manufacturing static control technologies including advanced solutions utilizing Alpha and Beta emitters that meets regulatory requirements of sealed source technology. PurePulse ESD - formally Grund Technical Solutions 393-J Tomkins Ct. Gilroy, CA 95020, USA Phone: +1-408-216-8364 x103 Email: sales@grundtech.com https://www.GrundTech.com Manufacturer of ESD Test equipment for devices and wafers including PurePulse 2-pin set-up for HBM, MM, TLP and VF-TLP. Titan for independent device HBM testing. Test House Services with true 2-pin ESD Verification.
11 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 ESD Compliance Verification Technician to TR53® May 13-15, 2026 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. 218 W Court Street, Rome NY 13440 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. established ESD Compliance Verification Technician, which is based on the ESDA’s technical report, ESD TR53® Compliance Verification of ESD Protective Equipment and Materials. Become certified by industry leaders, developers, and authors of ESD TR53®. The ESD Compliance Verification Technician certification provides an understanding of ESD concepts, how compliance verification fits into an ESD control program, and details all the necessary equipment, methods, and best practices to successfully conduct compliance verification within your organization. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this training, individuals will be able to: Understand fundamentals of electrical theory & electrostatics and the applicability to an ESD Control Program Understand what compliance verification is and how it fits within an ESD Control Program Understand the requirements of ESD TR53®-01-22 and how it can be used to meet the requirements of compliance verification WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Individuals requiring a working knowledge and understanding of ESD TR53®-01-22 Quality Professionals/Engineers/Consultants/Technicians Sales / Application Specialists Register Now! https://www.esda.org/events/esd-compliance-verification-technician-to-tr53-march2026/ Simco-Ion, Technology 1141 Harbor Bay Pkwy, Ste 201, Alameda, CA USA 94502 (800) 367-2452 (510) 217-0600 ioninfo@simco-ion.com www.simco-ion.com/technology Simco-Ion has been the world’s largest provider of solutions for static charge control for over 40 years. Products include ionizing bars, ionizing blowers, in-line ionizing products with balance control as low as ±1V, Novx real-time monitors and ESD event detection. BARTH ELECTRONICS, INC. 702.293.1576 Original Equipment Manufacturers of: CMT Generator, TLP+, VFTLP+, and HMM+ Test Systems Please see barthelectronics.com for more info on our products. 1589 Foothill Drive, Boulder City, NV USA 89005 beisales@barthelectronics.com Since 1964
12 Botron Company, Inc. 21601 N. 21st Ave Phoenix, AZ 85027 Phone: (623) 582-6776 Fax: 623-582-6700. https://www.botron.com Industry-leading ESD compliance automation. Estatec LLC 8175 Saint Andrews Ave. San Diego, CA 92154 Phone: (619) 934-8759 https://usa.estatec.com/ casales@estatec.com Asia Online Forum – Circuit Design Engineers Certification (ECEC 1) May 19–20, 2026 Virtual Event Take your IC design expertise to the next level with the ESD for Circuit Design Engineers Certification from the EOS/ESD Association, Inc. This two-day online forum is designed specifically for circuit designers who implement ESD protection in IC pad rings and architectures, delivering practical knowledge and industry-proven best practices to protect designs and improve reliability. What You’ll Learn ✔ Fundamentals of ESD physics and device behavior ✔ How to design and implement robust ESD protection circuits ✔ Latch-up mitigation techniques for integrated circuits ✔ EDA verification tools and simulation methods ✔ Chip-level implementation and layout principles ✔ Real-world failure analysis and troubleshooting techniques Learn from Industry Experts: Sessions led by leading ESD specialists including: •Gianluca Boselli •John T. Kinnear Jr. •Michael G. Khazhinsky •Robert Gauthier Who Should Attend Circuit designers and engineers responsible for: • ESD circuit implementation • IC architecture and padring design • Reliability and protection strategies Cost Course: $680 USD Certification Exam: $250 USD Earn your ECEC certification and gain the skills needed to implement reliable ESD protection in modern IC designs. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Register Here! THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 12
13 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. June Meeting Series THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 ERGOFORM, S.A. DE C.V. Av. Palmas Nte. 562, Bellavista 62140 Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico Phone: +52.777311.6970. Fax: +52.777.311.666 Email: info@ergoform.com.mx https://wwwergoform.com.mx ERGOFORM is the leading Industrial, Manufacturing and Technical chair ESD manufacturer for 34 years focusing on the endusers health and the erdonomics and durability of our products. WORK SURFACES CORPORATION 47 East Highland Ave.Unit B, Sierra Madre, CA 91024 Phone: +1.626.485.2555. Email: bp@worksurfaces.com https://worksurfaces.com/ We make solid brass ESD grounding systems for electronic workstations. We sell custom ESD equipment covers, wrist straps, ground cords, ect.
14 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. June Meeting Series Hotel booking information: https://www.esda.org/events/eosesd-association-inc-meeting-series-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13/ Tru Vue, Inc. 9400 W. 55th St. McCook, IL 60525, USA Phone: (740) 789-0623 Email: chanderson@tru-vue.com www.tru-vue.com Tru Vue is a leading manufacturer of ultra clear ESD-safe plastics, offering high-performance solutions. With over 80 years of expertise, Tru Vue provides advanced TRU-ESD™ acrylic and polycarbonate solutions for effective safety and contamination control. Staticworx Inc. Williston, Vermont, USA Phone: (617 ) 923-2000 https://staticworx.com StaticWorx high-performance static-control floors protect electronic components, explosives, and high-speed computers from damage caused by static electricity.
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EOS/ESD Association, Inc. www.esda.org info.eosesda@esda.org 218 West Court Street, Rome, NY 13440 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. Technical Session atthe2026ElectrostaticsSociety ofAmericaAnnualMeeting June 14-17, 2026 Featured Technical Presentations Cont. Shock in the Shower: Everyday Electrostatics Industry Standards: What Works & What Doesn’t Carl Newberg, Simco-Ion Industry standards exist to assist users in resolving specific problems. They are used to provide a consistent solution or a path to a solution. However, standards also typically lag technology needs by years or decades. This talk will identify key industry standards used by electrostatic control practitioners and how well they address specific needs. Also addressed will be where current standards are either insufficient or even conflict with one another to create confusion. A discussion on these topics and a call to address gaps will be identified. David E. Swenson, Affinity Static Control Consulting A newly packaged shampoo product, undergoing a local beta test market, delivered a large static shock when the bottle was opened, typically by a wet person standing under a sho wer. The subsequent investigation discovered that the filled shampoo bottle was behaving like a self-powered "Leyden Jar". This discussion attempts to describe the physics and solutions to a severe customer relations problem for the supplier. NASA’sElectrostatics andSurfacePhysicsLab Cocoa Beach, FL 17
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$680 USD | Online Certification: $250 USD Why Attend? Gain a practical understanding of ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 and learn how to effectively audit and integrate an ESD Control Program into your organization’s Quality Management System. Participants will receive: Audit checklists Training materials Guidance documents Live Q&A and interactive breakout sessions Who Should Attend? Quality Professionals & Engineers Internal Auditors Supply Chain Professionals Consultants working with ESD compliance Prerequisite: Review ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 before the course. Learn from Industry Leaders Brennan R. Pimpinella – Manager, EOS/ESD Association, Inc. John T. Kinnear, Jr. – Chair, ANSI/ESD S20.20 Working Group Carl Newberg – Manager, Applications Engineering, Simco-Ion Technology Strengthen your ESD auditing skills and ensure compliance with confidence. 19 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Asia Online Forum – ESD Control Program Auditor Certification Featuring ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 Seminar July 20–21, 2026 Virtual Event Register Online Now EOS/ESD Association Services, LLC 218 W Court St Rome, NY 13440, USA Phone: +1.315.339.6937. Email: lpimpinella@esda.org https://www.esda.org/eosesd-association-services-llc/ ESD Control Program Plan Development assistance, Preassessment to ANSI/ESD S20.20, auditing, and more. Your Company Could be here! Contact us today to find out how info.eosesda@esda.org
EOS/ESD Association, Inc. www.esda.org info.eosesda@esda.org 218 West Court Street, Rome, NY 13440 Rev 4/28/26 2026 EOS/ESD Symposium Technical Sessions & Exhibits - September 28 - September 30, 2026 Technical Standards Summit - October 1, 2026 ESD Compliance Verification Technician Certification - October 2-4, 2026 Process Assessment Engineer Certification - October 2-5, 2026 Embassy Suites by Hilton Dallas Frisco Hotel & Convention Center 7600 John Q Hammons Dr, Frisco, TX, US Protecting Technology at the Speed of Innovation The Global Authority on ESD & EOS Where ReliabilityLeaders Converge Where Standards Are Shaped Where Innovation Is Protected Why This Event Matters Now Increasing devicesensitivity Expanding automotive electrification Higher voltage and power density systems Global compliance demands AI, IoT, and advanced packaging vulnerabilities The margin for error is shrinking. Your knowledge cannot lag behind. As electronic systems become faster, smaller, and more complex, the cost of failure rises exponentially. The 2026 EOS/ESD Symposium is the premier international event dedicated exclusively to advancing electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electrical overstress (EOS) control, device reliability, and compliance excellence. This is not just another conference. This is where: Critical standards are discussed and refined Emerging failure mechanisms are revealed Automotive and advanced semiconductor challenges are solved Industry leaders align on the future of reliability If ESD impacts your products, processes, or performance — you cannot afford to miss this event. 20
Who Attends What You’ll Experience Be Where Reliability Leaders Gather EOS/ESD Association, Inc. www.esda.org info.eosesda@esda.org 218 West Court Street, Rome, NY 13440 Rev 4/28/26 EliteTechnical Program Peer-reviewed research Device-level & system-level EOS/ESD insights Automotive electronics focus Advanced failure analysis case studies Emerging materials and packaging impacts Advanced Education & Certification Master compliance verification measurements Learn advanced process assessment measurements Global Exhibitor Showcase State-of-the-art ESD control solutions Monitoring & test instrumentation Materials, packaging, and grounding technologies Software-driven compliance systems For program details and to register, visit www.esda.events Semiconductor device engineers Automotive electronics leaders Manufacturing & quality managers Reliability engineers Compliance specialists Technical directors Standards committee contributors You’ll engage with the very professionals who influence international standards and drive implementation across global manufacturing ecosystems. The 2026 EOS/ESDSymposium isn’t justan event. It’s the annual convergence of the global ESD community — powered by the expertise, standards leadership, and technical authority of the EOS/ESD Association, Inc. 21
Standards Technical Summit 2026 Shaping the Future of ESD & Reliability Standards Launching on October 1, 2026 at the EOS/ESD Symposium, in Frisco, TX No Additional Cost to Attend EOS/ESD Association®, Inc. is proud to introduce a powerful new annual event designed to shape the future of our industry. 1. Identify the Gaps What should the next generation of ESD and reliability standards look like? Why This Summit Matters The electronics industry is evolving rapidly—advanced packaging, AI hardware, automotive electrification, heterogeneous integration, new materials, and emerging reliability risks are changing the landscape. Standards must evolve just as quickly. The Standards Technical Summit is designed to ensure that ESDA standards — and the broader standards community — remain aligned with real-world industry needs and emerging technologies. This one-day strategic forum brings together corporate technology leaders, standards developers, reliability experts, and cross-industry innovators to answer one critical question: What current industry trends demand new ESD or reliability standards? Where are existing test methods no longer sufficient? What gaps exist in today’s ESDA standards portfolio? Are there opportunities for joint standards with organizations such as IEEE, IPC, JEDEC, AEC, EMC groups, or others? Two Critical Areas of Focus 22 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/
Summit Outcomes Who Should Attend A Forum for Strategic Industry Leadership - Not A Lecture This is not a traditional committee meeting. The Standards Technical Summit is a highlevel, forward-looking strategy session that: Identification of new ESDA standards topics Recommendations for joint industry standards Proposed revisions and extensions to existing ESDA documents Formation of technical teams to move ideas forward If you care about where standards are heading — this is your forum. Corporate Technology Leaders Engineering Directors & Reliability Managers Semiconductor & Advanced Packaging Experts Automotive Electronics Leaders Representatives from other Standards Organizations Symposium Keynote Speakers Industry Visionaries who want to influence what comes next Which standards need updates, revisions, or extensions? What emerging technologies are not yet addressed? How can standards better support advanced manufacturing, aerospace, semiconductor, and emerging industries? Brings together leaders from across industries and disciplines Includes voices from outside ESDA to ensure broad industry context Encourages “outside-the-box” thinking Prioritizes industry needs Catalyzes new technical initiatives and volunteer teams automotive, 2. Strengthen & Evolve Existing Standards Interested in joining? Let us know at https://www.esda.org/standards-summit-interest-form/ 23 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. THRESHOLD™ MAR/JUNE 2026 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ Standards Technical Summit 2026
Help Shape the Future Be part of the conversation that will define the next decade of ESD and reliability standards. Standards do not evolve by accident. They evolve because industry leaders step forward. Join us at the 2026 EOS/ESD Symposium on September 28-30, 2026 — and stay for the inaugural Standards Technical Summit. The EOS/ESD Symposium, held in the days preceding the Summit, remains the premier event for education, technical exchange, and networking in ESD and EOS control. By attending the Symposium, you will: Gain insight from cutting-edge technical sessions Engage with industry leaders Experience keynotes aligned with forward-looking industry challenges Stay for the Standards Technical Summit and help define what comes next For full details, visit https://esda.events/ Together, we will build what’s next. 24 EOS/ESD Association, Inc. THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ Standards Technical Summit 2026
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ ESD Technical Article 25 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
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218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ 32 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Article sourced from: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.35848/13474065/ad8ace
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ 33 Get Connected Are you following EOS/ESD Association, Inc. on Linked In? I hope the answer is YES! It is not too late to follow us. Don’t miss our weekly updates. THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
34 Technical Question(s) Have a question to ask? Send an email to: info.eosesda@esda.org (Be as descriptive as possible.) 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 The response given is a service to industry; the ESDA is not responsible for content. The users of this information need to determine the suitability Are there any specific documents /spec that detail ESD safety limits regarding humidity? A doc that would detail the proper humidity levels to maintain to further prevent esd events when handling class 0 & 1 parts in a lab environment. Our factor is in Arizona, so it can get very dry on average. As we move to a new building, we need help updating our documentation. At the moment, I am revising our ESD: Humidity section, but it lacks proper ESD reference docs. A specification or document does not exist that defines RH requirements for ESD control processes. If the ESD control process conforms to ANSI/ESD S20.20, then the product qualification requires testing of ESD control items at 23C and 12% Rh to make the ESD control program humidity independent. There may be other reasons to have humidity controls in the process and that should be considered. There were some recommendations that Rh should be between 30% and 70% but they were in Mil standards or NASA standards when materials were very humidity dependent. For more information please download the frequently asked questions at https://www.esda.org/store/standards/product/341/humidity-faq/ Answer Question
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ 35 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
36 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/
37 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Memorial delivered by Lisa Pimpinella I am honored to be with you all today celebrating my friend and colleague of 30 years. I started my career at EOS/ESD Association, just one year before Leo G. joined the organization as a volunteer. And I would like to share that part of Leo G’s life with you. Leo G. Henry began his journey with ESDA in 1994 as a volunteer in the Standards Committee working groups, focusing on device technologies. From those early days, it was clear that Leo G. was not someone who simply joined—he immersed himself. Over the years, he held leadership and management roles across nearly every corner of the organization: the Symposium, certification, publications, marketing, academia, tutorials—you might say he participated in everything. If something needed energy, commitment, or a strong point of view, Leo G. was there. He served as an ESDA officer beginning in 2008 as Vice President and continued his leadership path through President and ultimately Past President in 2015. His influence on the direction, stability, and growth of this organization is woven into its fabric. But if there was one thing that defined Leo G. at his core, it was his passion for teaching. He contributed to numerous classes and taught tutorials at local and national events. He believed deeply in developing people—professionally and personally. His classroom extended far beyond formal tutorials; it existed in hallway conversations, late-night planning calls, and candid one-on-one advice sessions. It is difficult to choose just one story to represent Leo G.’s impact, because he influenced so much—and so many—within this organization. 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/
38 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 I began my early career at ESDA, learning and growing in the shadow of individuals who seemed overwhelmingly capable. At times, it was hard to find my place. I was managing tasks and supporting the organization in ways that did not fit the technical track volunteers were on. At times, management style clashed and toes got stepped on. It is pretty easy to see where one could feel like they were in Leo G’s shadow, he had a big presence both literally and figuratively. It was clear though that Leo G. was supportive of everyone around him. His laugh was infectious. His smile was captivating. His desire to be happy wasn’t just a trait; it was a motto he lived by. What meant the most to me was earning his trust. Leo defended me and stood by me through thick and thin. I always had a cheerleader. I always had a supporter. I could go to LeoG. for advice, and he would offer insights that were both sharp and wise. We used to say, “They love our passion when we align… not so much when we don’t.” And we could laugh about it, because neither of us was ever going to turn off the passion. You got it both ways—take it or leave it. Leo G participated in over 12 standards teams and authored over 20 technical papers presented at our Symposium from 1984-2016. These foundational studies contributed to bringing ESD from a “pass/fail qualification test” into a physics-based engineering discipline. By helping to standardize methodologies, and correlating lab data to real-world events, this body of work help develop today’s semiconductor eras of focus with a concentration on the high-reliability levels needed today. 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/
39 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 For me personally, ESDA is where I started—and LeoG remains forever in my heart – we shared a large love for the same organization, for the same family. His belief in me helped shape my path more than he probably ever knew. His legacy lives not only in the programs he built and the leadership he provided, but in the people he championed, the laughter he sparked, and the passion he refused to temper. He will be deeply missed, and forever remembered. We liked to think of Leo G. as our personal bodyguard and he certainly looked the part. Leo G had true “fire in the belly” for ESDA—its volunteers, its staff, and its mission. We always knew his commitment. We always knew where he stood. And most importantly, we always knew how deeply he cared for this organization and for each of us. 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/
40 Services/Advertisements 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
EOS/ESD ASSOCIATION, INC. ESD CONTROL PLAN GUIDANCE This document is designed as a guide to get you started writing an ESD Control Program Plan for your company. The document is fully customizable. Each section contains some baseline information to be modified or supplemented as appropriate. The template follows the layout of the ANSI/ESD S20.20 with the intent to make sure the user realizes what requirements are needed for their control program. The ESD Control Program you write does not need to follow the format of the ANSI/ESD S20.20; however, your ESD Control Program must follow the requirements of ANSI/ESD S20.20. 41 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Download a Complimentary copy Click here The purpose of this document is to provide administrative and technical requirements for establishing, implementing, and maintaining an ESD Control Program.
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ Hot Topics 42 EOS/ESD ASSOCIATION, INC. ESD PROGRAM ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATION EOS/ESD Association, Inc. offers a professional certification for the Basics of ESD, necessary fundamental information, the How To’s of measurement and equipment, and a one-day S20.20 class meant to provide an introduction to control program basics and auditing. For complete details on the program and the courses required visit: https://www.esda.org/certification/esdprogram-associate-certification/ EOS/ESD ASSOCIATION, INC. ESD CONTROL PROGRAM AUDITOR CERTIFICATION EOS/ESD Association’s Control Program Auditor certification provides an understanding of the ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021 standard and how its requirements provide a framework to control the risks of electrostatic discharge (ESD) within an organization. The certification teaches the knowledge and skills needed to successfully integrate ESD Control Program audits within an organization’s quality management system internal audit program. Resources, such as; checklists, training slides, and guidance documents will be made available to attendees. For complete details on the program and the courses required visit: https://www.esda.org/certification/esdcontrol-program-auditor-certification/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/AJUNE 2026
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ New Releases/Products/Standards ANSI/ESD STM4.1-2026 ESD Association Standard Test Method for the Protection of Electrostatic Discharge Susceptible Items – Worksurfaces – Resistance Measurements Order now at: https://www.esda.org/store/standards/product/461/ansiesd-stm4-12026/ ESD TR18.0-01-25 ESD Association Technical Report for ESD Electronic Design Automation Checks Order now at: https://www.esda.org/store/standards/product/457/esd-tr18-0-01-25/ 43 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
Location 44 Entertainment Center 218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026A
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ Happy Birthday! to the following EOS/ESD Association, Inc. Board of Directors and Staff 45 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 Chuck McClain June 13th
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ 46 Fun Corner THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026 (Answer: B) Answer key ESD Trivia Question (Advanced): (Answer B) Which item helps prevent ESD damage? A. Rubber gloves B. ESD wrist strap C. Plastic bags D. Carpet flooring Question: In a controlled ESD-safe environment, why are conductive flooring systems paired with personnel wearing wrist straps or heel grounders, even though both are designed to dissipate static charge? A. To create redundant grounding paths that reduce resistance below 1 ohm B. To ensure continuous discharge of static electricity from both the body and mobile contact points during movement C. Because wrist straps only work when a person is stationary D. To meet OSHA electrical shock protection standards only
218 W. Court St., Rome, NY 13440 + 315-339-6937 Email: info.eosesda@esda.org Web Site: https://www.esda.org/ Do you have something you would like to publish in Threshold? Send an email to nickp@esda.org for information. Editorial Deadlines Threshold™ is published six times a year by the EOS/ESD Association, Inc. a not-for-profit corporation. It strives for the advancement of theory and practice of electrical overstress avoidance and of allied arts and sciences and the maintenance of a high professional standing among its members and others. ©Copyright 2025, ESD Association, Rome, NY Threshold Institutional Listings Space in the Threshold Institutional Listings, which appear at the bottom of newsletter pages, can be purchased for $600.00 for six consecutive issues. Larger contributions are welcome. No agency fee is granted for soliciting such contributions. Inquiries, or contributions made payable to the EOS/ESD Association, Inc. should be sent to: EOS/ESD Association, Inc., 218 W Court Street, Rome, NY 13440-2069 Tel: (315) 339-6937, e-mail: info.eosesda@esda.org. Newsletter Staff Editor Nicholas Pimpinella EOS/ESD Association, Inc. 218 W Court Street, Rome, NY 13440 Tel: 1+ 315-339-6937 E-mail: nickp@esda.org Co-Editor Vicki LaVine EOS/ESD Association, Inc. 218 W Court Street, Rome, NY 13440 Tel: 1+ 315-339-6937 E-mail: vlavine@esda.org Editorial Advisors Dave Swenson, Affinity Static Control Consulting, LLC Charvaka Duvvury, ESD Consulting Editorial Advisory Board President Nate Peachey Qorvo, Inc. Sr. Vice President Robert Gauthier IBM Vice President Misha Khazhinsky Silicon Laboratories, Inc. EOS/ESD Association, Inc. Staff Lisa Pimpinella, Sr. Executive Director Christina Earl, Business Operations Manager Nicholas Pimpinella, Sr. Business Manager Brennan Pimpinella, Sr. Global Markets Engagement Manager Tracy Broadbent Administrative Assistant Vicki LaVine Administrative Assistant John Kinnear, Sr. Technical Manager 47 THRESHOLD™ MAY/JUNE 2026
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