Happy’s Tech Talk #40: Factors in PTH Reliability—Hole Voids
Facing the Future: Time for Real Talk, Early and Often, Between Design and Fabrication
Trouble in Your Tank: Can You Drill the Perfect Hole?
The Future of the World Is Truly in the Hands of Our Youth
December 13, 2019 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
The investments we make in our youth now will pay off for generations to come. We have to support and help wherever we can. At I-Connect007, we are proud to once again sponsor the STEM Outreach Program at the upcoming IPC APEX EXPO 2020. This year, IPC plans to double the number of participating students to 200. It should be a great event.
Another way we support our youth at I-Connect007 is by sharing the stories of young people who are doing amazing things. The following interview tells the story of 14-year-old Dylan Nguyen. Dylan is an avid kite flier in the master class and is often a featured flier at kite festivals along with his younger brother, Cardin, who is age 12.
Dylan started kite flying about four years ago. Now, he and his family can be found participating in and volunteering at kite events. Dylan also believes in giving back to the community. For example, he learned to sew beautiful, handcrafted delta kites so that he could give them away to kids at the 2019 Washington State International Kite Festival. During the same festival, he also co-organized an event to set a new world record with stack kites.
Dylan is also a great student, musician, and creative thinker. Recently, he shared with me the details of his school science fair project, “Kite: Powering the Future,” which solved a problem that he faced. Dylan is a leader with a bright future, and the world is lucky to have him and other kids like him.
Barry Matties: Dylan, tell us about your recent STEM project.
Dylan Nguyen: At the 2018 Washington State International Kite Festival, I streamed music all day while flying. The issue was that I often found my phone running low on battery and had to go on long walks to the sound tent to recharge it. Then, I remembered a scene from the movie “Big Hero Six,” where a little turbine flies in the air. I thought, “That’s aerial energy!” Later, I read an article about a large part of Africa and India that does not have electricity but does have a lot of wind. I thought, “What if I build an airborne wind energy system tethered to a kite to convert wind energy into electrical energy?”
To read this entire interview, which appeared in the November 2019 issue of SMT007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Seeing a Future in Mexico
07/09/2025 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007The Global Electronics Association (formerly known as IPC) has been instrumental in fostering a partnership with Guanajuato, a state north of Mexico City with 12 industrial clusters and close to 150 companies involved in electronics. This past spring, Alejandro Hernández, the undersecretary for investment promotion in Guanajuato, attended IPC APEX EXPO 2025 at the invitation of IPC Mexico Director Lorena Villanueva, where he met with several companies to discuss the opportunities available in Mexico. He is inviting electronics-related companies seeking long-term investment in a centrally located area with access to highways, railways, and ports.
The Global Electronics Association Releases IPC-8911: First-Ever Conductive Yarn Standard for E-Textile Application
07/02/2025 | Global Electronics AssociationThe Global Electronics Association announces the release of IPC-8911, Requirements for Conductive Yarns for E-Textiles Applications. This first-of-its-kind global standard establishes a clear framework for classifying, designating, and qualifying conductive yarns—helping to address longstanding challenges in supply chain communication, product testing, and material selection within the growing e-textiles industry.
IPC-CFX, 2.0: How to Use the QPL Effectively
07/02/2025 | Chris Jorgensen, Global Electronics AssociationIn part one of this series, we discussed the new features in CFX Version 2.0 and their implications for improved inter-machine communication. But what about bringing this new functionality to the shop floor? The IPC-CFX-2591 QPL is a powerful technical resource for manufacturers seeking CFX-enabled equipment. The Qualified Product List (QPL) helps streamline equipment selection by listing models verified for CFX compliance through a robust third-party virtual qualification process.
The Knowledge Base: A Conference for Cleaning and Coating of Mission-critical Electronics
07/08/2025 | Mike Konrad -- Column: The Knowledge BaseIn electronics manufacturing, there’s a dangerous misconception that cleaning and coating are standalone options, that they operate in different lanes, and that one can compensate for the other. Let’s clear that up now. Cleaning and conformal coating are not separate decisions. They are two chapters in the same story—the story of reliability.
Advancing Aerospace Excellence: Emerald’s Medford Team Earns Space Addendum Certification
06/30/2025 | Emerald TechnologiesWe’re thrilled to announce a major achievement from our Medford, Oregon facility. Andy Abrigo has officially earned her credentials as a Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) under the IPC J-STD-001 Space Addendum, the leading industry standard for space and military-grade electronics manufacturing.