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New digital micromirror device with real-time correction enables equipment manufacturers to achieve high-resolution printing at scale, maximizing throughput and yield

 Caption: TI’s DLP® technology enables maskless digital lithography systems for advanced packaging.

What’s new

Texas Instruments is enhancing the next generation of digital lithography with the introduction of the DLP991UUV digital micromirror device (DMD), the company’s highest resolution direct imaging solution to date. With 8.9 million pixels, sub-micron resolution capabilities and a data rate of 110 gigapixels per second, the device eliminates the need for expensive mask technology while delivering the scalability, cost-effectiveness and precision needed for increasingly complex packaging.

Why it matters

Maskless digital lithography machines – which project light for etching circuit designs on materials without a photomask or high-end stencil – are becoming increasingly popular for the manufacturing of advanced packaging. Advanced packaging combines multiple chips and technologies into a single package, enabling high-computing applications, such as data centers and 5G, to have systems that are smaller, faster, and more power-efficient.

With TI DLP technology, system assembly equipment manufacturers can leverage maskless digital lithography to achieve the high-resolution printing at scale necessary for advanced packaging. The new DLP991UUV acts as a programmable photomask, offering precise pixel control with reliable high-speed performance.

“Just as we redefined cinema by enabling the transition from film to digital projection, TI’s DLP technology is once again at the forefront of a major industry shift,” said Jeff Marsh, vice president and general manager of DLP technology at TI. “We’re enabling the creation of maskless digital lithography systems that empower engineers around the world to breakthrough the current limits of advanced packaging and bring powerful computing solutions to market.”

For more information, read the company blog, “Beyond the mask: How DLP® technology is enabling new computing solutions with advanced packaging.”

More details

Improving advanced packaging requires lithography technology to be more cost-effective, scalable and precise. By eliminating mask infrastructure and its associated expenses, TI’s DLP technology helps significantly reduce manufacturing costs while providing the flexibility to make real-time design adjustments without physical mask changes. The technology can achieve sub-micron precision on a substrate of any size, which directly translates to higher throughput, improved yield and fewer defects.

These are significant advantages as advanced packaging manufacturers seek to meet escalating demands for high-bandwidth, low-power components in AI systems and 5G networks.

The DLP991UUV is the latest and leading device of TI’s direct imaging portfolio. Key features of the device include:

• Highest resolution in the portfolio, offering more than 8.9 Megapixels

• Fastest processing speed of up to 110 Gigapixels per second

• Power levels of 22.5W/cm² at 405nm

• Ability to operate at wavelengths as low as 343nm

• Smallest mirror pitch in the portfolio of 5.4um

Texas Instruments DLP® technology harnesses the power of millions of microscopic mirrors to deliver leading high-resolution display and advanced light control solutions. The technology enables applications ranging from the projection of brilliant 4K content in home theaters to enhanced road safety with intelligent automotive lighting and high-precision lithography and machine vision systems for next-generation industrial manufacturing.

Availability

Preproduction quantities of the new DLP991UUV DMD are available for purchase now on TI.com. Multiple payment and shipping options are available.

About Texas Instruments

Texas Instruments Incorporated (Nasdaq: TXN) is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures and sells analog and embedded processing chips for markets such as industrial, automotive, personal electronics, enterprise systems and communications equipment. At our core, we have a passion to create a better world by making electronics more affordable through semiconductors. This passion is alive today as each generation of innovation builds upon the last to make our technology more reliable, more affordable and lower power, making it possible for semiconductors to go into electronics everywhere. Learn more at TI.com.

Trademarks

DLP is a registered trademark of Texas Instruments. All registered trademarks and other trademarks belong to their respective owners.

IKEA and Ayala Malls partner up to open the IKEA Plan & Order Shop in Quezon City. (L-R) Mark Anthony Sablan, Ayala Malls Head of Key Accounts; Paul Birkett, Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer; Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager; and Gelo Gacad, IKEA Plan & Order Shop General Manager.

IKEA is set to open its first Plan and Order Shop in the Philippines at TriNoma Mall on October 23, bringing affordable and sustainable design closer to northern Metro Manila residents and the provinces beyond.

The IKEA Plan and Order Shop features small scale store with room vignettes and products that shoppers can purchase in-store and also functions as a free Collection Point for online orders. It is also a space for customers to plan their dream kitchens, wardrobe, and storage cabinet with the same expert guidance as offered from IKEA’s sprawling store in Pasay City. The IKEA Plan and Order Shop aim to make affordable home furnishing even more accessible to shoppers from every corner of Metro Manila, one neighborhood at a time.

“I am happy that we are now getting closer to the many more Filipinos, especially in the north of Manila. This partnership between IKEA and Ayala Malls allow us to create spaces that are accessible, convenient, and inspiring. This enables us to be true to our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people.” said Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager.

IKEA and Ayala Malls believe in inclusivity, catering to both thick and thin wallets or budget-conscious customers. Pinheiro adds that from the start, IKEA has been about bringing quality, affordable, sustainable and good design to the many people. “The new Plan and Order Shop at TriNoma reflects our Democratic Design philosophy and offers a convenient alternative for those who live in the north of Metro Manila. TriNoma’s strategic location aligns with our sustainable philosophy in the most practical sense — it saves our customers gas, time, and effort while still giving access to IKEA’s well-designed, affordable home solutions,” Pinheiro added.

Likewise, TriNoma serves the large residential markets of Quezon City, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela. It is also a gateway to northern provinces such as Bulacan and Pampanga, and the rest of Central Luzon, with easy access via the North Luzon Expressway and Skyway 3, making it the ideal location for the IKEA Plan and Order Shop.

The timing of IKEA’s Plan and Order Shop opening couldn’t be better as the Philippines is in the beginning of the celebration season, when Filipinos start preparing for a lot of cooking and eating at home. The IKEA Plan and Order Shop comes in handy as it features kitchen and dining range — giving customers more reasons to visit this newest IKEA store.

IKEA’s Plan and Order Shop is located at ground level of TriNoma Mall on North Avenue corner EDSA, Quezon City. Shoppers can also order online on IKEA Philippine’s website.

Opening soon: IKEA Plan & Order Shop is coming to TriNoma Mall in Quezon City on October 23, 2025.

IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager Ricardo Pinheiro shares that the IKEA Plan & Order Shop brings the brand closer to the many Filipinos living in Quezon City and nearby areas.

A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness coaches, and counselors mans the Wellness Hub built through the collaboration of San Juan Medical Center and SM Foundation.

Eradicating diseases is like going into battle: the best path to victory is to prevent the conflict from erupting in the first place. And who could be more suited to lead this charge than a seasoned doctor who has spent most of his career in the military?

When Dr. Joseph Acosta, a retired general, became the new director of the San Juan Medical Center (SJMC) in 2019, he initially thought that the job would not be a challenge. After all, he had been the director of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Medical Center, commonly known as the V. Luna General Hospital, a primary care facility for military personnel and their dependents.

But when the San Juan City government outlined its vision for SMJC, the retired military doctor – fondly called Doc Gen by colleagues – saw the magnitude of the task before him.

“The San Juan City leadership wanted a real charity hospital,” Doc Gen recalled one of his first conversations with the then newly elected mayor. “That has always been on mind.”

And while a charity hospital may seem easy to visualize, the retired military doctor has something else in mind: an institution that provides holistic healthcare to its constituencies.

Therein lies the challenge.

Given the limitations, public hospitals prioritize caring for the sick. This means that very little, if nothing at all, goes to preventive healthcare.

Doc Gen said he understands why, given the limited budget, public hospitals have to prioritize curative services. This, however, did not discourage him from finding means to achieve his goal.

“Ang real charity hospital, dapat may wellness,” he said, referring to preventive healthcare services. “It’s holistic. Ang idea ng wellness kasi, gusto namin ma-prevent ‘yung mga sakit. Para mas kaunti ‘yung gagamutin namin.”

In the long run, investing in preventive healthcare is more cost effective as it can reduce the number of Filipinos requiring expensive care from specialists, according to Doc Gen.

“Kung nape-prevent ‘yung mga sakit na ‘yun, lalo na ‘yung lifestyle diseases… mas matipid para sa gobyerno,” he added.

Thoughtfully positioned within the hospital grounds, the hub is close enough for medical referrals yet set apart from high-stress clinical areas to create a calming, patient-friendly space.

Coming together for the community

To achieve his vision, Doc Gen thought of collaborating with SM Foundation for the possibility of establishing a wellness hub at SJMC.

“Hindi lang ito simpleng project na gagawa lang sila ng kiosk kaya’t mabuti na lang at merong partners tulad ng SM Foundation na tumutulong,” he said, adding that this would be the first of its kind in a public hospital.

In a matter of months, a section of the SJMC’s old hospital building was transformed into a fully functioning Wellness Hub.

Although still located within the premises of the hospital, the Wellness Hub is strategically located in a patient-friendly environment that is separate from high-stress clinical areas.

Among its features are Nursing Lounge for breastfeeding mothers and a designated Changing Area where patients can comfortably change to hospital gowns. For preventive healthcare, the hub has  allotted spaces for TeenThrive Women’s Health, Men’s Health, Lifestyle Medicine, Comprehensive Care Suite, Sight & Sound, Diagnostic Suite, and Meditation Chapel.

Part of our holistic approach to wellness, the Meditation Chapel of the Wellness Hub offers a tranquil space for prayer, meditation, and spiritual reflection.

Planned future additions include Bite and Smile (Dental), Clear Imaging (Radiology), and Kinetics and Vitality (Gym).

The hub will provide prevention and wellness services to clients, including health screenings, nutrition counseling, stress management, fitness classes, mental health support and patient education, according to Doc Gen.

A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness coaches, and counselors will be available to those who will visit the Wellness Hub.

Healthier future

For Doc Gen, the SMJC Wellness Hub is just the start of a long crusade toward promoting better preventive healthcare in the Philippines, although things are already falling into places. The new facility now becomes an essential part of its goal of becoming a tertiary level training hospital.

With the support of SM Foundation, the hospital is better equipped to support the over 130,000 San Juan population.

To further support the hub’s operations, Doc Gen said they would leverage PhilHealth’s recently launched Yaman ng Kalusugan Program or YAKAP, an enhanced primary care benefit package for Filipinos that seeks to promote preventive health by covering costs for consultations and tests, among others.

Those who will visit the SJMC Wellness Hub will be registered to YAKAP, which will further subsidize the costs of the services.

More than just a room, the newly built facility provides a complete wellness resource, from screenings and counseling for fitness and mental health to healthcare education tailored to patient needs.

An online booking system will also be set up to streamline the process, although walk-ins may be allowed, depending on the availability of slots.

The next step, according to the SJMC director, is to encourage more Filipinos to consider their health even before they become sick.

“This wellness center is part of changing the culture,” Doc Gen said.

With this thrust comes the hope that using the blueprint laid out by SJMC and SM Foundation, more Wellness Hubs will be established in public healthcare institutions across the Philippines.

A resource for patients, hospital staff, and the wider community, the new space aims to extend holistic care that addresses physical, mental, spiritual, and social wellbeing.

The hub promotes preventive care, empowers individuals to take charge of their health, and helps reduce lifestyle-related diseases, improving wellbeing of patients. Meanwhile, through DigiKonsulta, SM Foundation supports SJMC’s implementation of PhilHealth’s YAKAP program.

YouTube has announced the official launch of YouTube Premium Lite in the Philippines, offering Filipinos a new, more affordable way to enjoy most videos on YouTube ad-free for as low as P109 per month.

This expansion comes as YouTube continues to innovate its subscription offerings following the success of YouTube Music and Premium, which recently surpassed 125 million subscribers globally.

Premium Lite is designed for viewers who primarily seek an ad-free experience across gaming, comedy, cooking, learning, and more. The new membership works across devices, including phone, laptop, and TV. However, due to it being a Lite plan, while it offers ad-free viewing for most videos, commercials may still appear on music content and Shorts, and when users search or browse.

The introduction of YouTube Premium Lite in the Philippines emphasizes YouTube’s commitment to offering flexible options that cater to diverse viewer preferences, allowing users to enjoy their favorite content from a wide roster of creators and genres, with fewer interruptions. In addition to providing more viewers with an ad-free viewing experience, the launch of YouTube Premium Lite also continues to create additional revenue opportunities for creators and partners.

Enjoy ad-free viewing on YouTube by getting YouTube Premium Lite today.

SM Foundation’s new four-classroom building provides Bayanan II Elementary School’s Grades 5 and 6 students with learning spaces that meet modern educational needs.

The SM Group, through SM Prime and SM Foundation, has turned over a newly built two-story, four-classroom school building to Calapan, Oriental Mindoro’s Bayanan II Elementary School.

Constructed under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Adopt-A-School Program, the new facility addresses the need for additional classrooms.

The 112^th SM school building was designed with both functionality and inclusivity in mind. Each classroom is equipped with durable wood-steel armchairs, including seats for left-handed learners, as well as panoramic whiteboards to improve visibility. Wall fans enhance ventilation, while each room has its own flush toilet and wash basin for added convenience and hygiene.

Beyond classrooms, the structure features a faculty room, prayer room, clinic, and storage areas, ensuring that both students and teachers benefit from the improved learning environment. A centralized handwashing station with 10 faucets and an overhead water tank was also installed to encourage good hygiene practices.

Safety and accessibility are among the priorities of the new Calapan SM School Building, which includes a ground-floor clinic for easy access.

Safety and accessibility were among the top priorities in the construction. The building is equipped with emergency lighting on staircases, a fire alarm system, and dedicated facilities for persons with disabilities, including an accessible restroom and a wheelchair ramp.

In partnership with Ace Hardware, the school is set to receive a DigiHub equipped with a router, smart TV, 20 desktop computers with earphones and microphones, 10 computer tables, and 20 chairs. The said hub is aimed at boosting digital literacy and supporting students’ access to modern learning tools.

SM Foundation shares that the donation is part of its mission to spread social good by supporting public education and uplifting communities across the country.

Designed with both functionality and inclusivity in mind, each classroom is equipped with durable wood-steel armchairs, including seats for left-handed learners.

Each classroom of the 112^th SM School Building is equipped with four wall fans, panoramic whiteboards for better visibility, and dedicated chairs and tables for teachers.

Loving generative AI and the convenience it brings to your daily life? Then this is good news for you: Google is expanding its newest plan, Google AI Plus, to 40 more countries including the Philippines. Google AI Plus has a host of added perks and benefits that provide enhanced access to its most advanced AI tools and services.

This move is designed to empower more people in emerging markets to do more with Google’s powerful AI tools. With the way many lives and careers have been changed by the potential and possibilities unlocked by Google’s AI, you can now get the absolute best of it for a single, affordable price.

With a Google AI Plus subscription, you get:

• Expanded AI access:Enjoy higher limits for the “Nano Banana” image generation and editing model within the Gemini app. You also receive more access to Google’s video generation model, Veo 3 Fast, which can be used directly in the Gemini app and integrated with cutting-edge AI filmmaking tools like Whisk and Flow.
• AI built into Google Workspace:Gemini is seamlessly integrated into the apps you use every day, including Gmail, Docs, and Sheets, to help you work smarter and faster.
• More storage:A generous 200 GB of storage is included to save your photos, documents, and other files across Google Photos, Google Drive, and Gmail.
• Share with family:All of these benefits can be shared with up to five other family members.

Google AI Plus is here to help you get more out of your day, whether you’re working on a school project, building a creative hobby, or simply getting organized. Imagine what you could accomplish and create with powerful AI tools.

To learn more about Google AI Plus, visit https://one.google.com/about/google-ai-plans/.

Culinary Creations by Rising Negrense Chefs – Two Negrense talents wowed the crowd and stole the spotlight during the media launch of Himbon: The 39th Negros Trade Fair last Aug 26, 2025—and their names are worth remembering. Their gastronomic menu was just a taste of what’s possible: innovative, world-class, and proudly Negrense!