The Pulse: Caught in the Crosshatch—A Cautionary Tale of Detective Work
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
Elementary, Mr. Watson DFX—Basically a Basket of Crabs With Spreadsheets
Podcast Episode 2—AI Is Changing the Rules: Are Your PCB Materials Ready?
March 10, 2026 | I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
I-Connect007, the leading media source for the electronics manufacturing industry, today announced the release of the second episode in its new six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics.
In “5G, AI & Beyond—Designing for High-Speed Performance,” we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the rules of electronics design, demanding unprecedented speed, power, and high-frequency performance that push beyond the limits of traditional materials. As AI applications scale rapidly, are yesterday’s materials becoming obsolete?
Subject matter expert Drew Delaney provides a firsthand look at the advanced materials science powering everything from hyperscale AI data centers to 5G antennas and rugged edge devices. From ultra-low-loss laminates measured in thousandths of a decimal point to PCBs engineered to withstand liquid cooling, desert heat, and years of maintenance-free operation, Delaney explains the material properties required to thrive in an era racing toward performance beyond 400G.
Marcy LaRont of I-Connect007 hosts the series, offering listeners a practical, engineering-focused perspective on why laminate selection remains one of the most consequential early decisions in any PCB build—often determining success or failure long before fabrication begins.
“Material selection isn’t just a specification exercise—it’s a strategic design decision,” said Marcy LaRont, host of the series. “As AI, 5G, and high-speed applications continue to push performance boundaries, engineers must think beyond traditional materials and consider long-term reliability, thermal demands, and, of course, signal integrity. This series helps demystify those choices and highlights why they matter more than ever.”
The six-part series will continue with episodes addressing other critical topics shaping today’s PCB fabrication and manufacturing landscape.
Listeners can access the episode on I-Connect007’s podcast platform, as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
From Backbone to Breakthroughs: I-Connect007 Wraps PCB Materials Series with Focus on Innovation
04/30/2026 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 wraps up its six-part podcast series, PCB Materials: The Backbone and Future of Electronics, with Episode 6 and a discussion focusing on innovation. In Episode 6, Marcy LaRont speaks with Isola CTO Kirk Thompson about a critical turning point for the PCB industry as innovation accelerates. As data rates climb and demands from AI infrastructure, power density, flexible electronics, photonics, and chiplet integration intensify, traditional material assumptions are no longer sufficient.
Jiva Soluboard Getting the Attention It Deserves
04/30/2026 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007 MagazineJiva is a newer company that bridges the divide between PCB fabrication and product circularity or sustainability. Jiva Soluboard is the first fully recyclable laminate material ever created for PCB fabrication, and it's not going unnoticed. Stephen Driver, CEO of Jiva, gave us an update at APEX EXPO, including an exciting certification achievement in February.
Driving Innovation: Selecting the Right Laser Source
04/28/2026 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationWhen I first joined Schmoll Maschinen, I brought experience from almost every PCB process, except for laser. As I immersed myself in laser processing, I realized why it can seem so daunting to a newcomer. The complexity arises from three intersecting factors: A vast variety of laser sources: CO2, UV-nano, green-pico, UV-pico, IR-pico, and others; a diverse range of applications: Drilling, cutting, ablation, and more; and an extensive list of materials: These have vastly different absorption rates. Choosing the right machine or laser source is rarely trivial. Even for experienced engineers, answering "Which source is best?" requires examining the business's specific goals.
Insulectro: Advanced PCB Fabrication Materials
04/23/2026 | Real Time with... APEX EXPOExplore advanced PCB fabrication materials with Insulectro's Dain Hertsgaard and Gabriel Zepeda. This interview covers Arlon's innovative polyimide and epoxy solutions, including low-flow options for flex materials and high-performance materials for HDI applications; Qnity's polyimide films for demanding environments, and DuPont Interra's capacitance films for enhanced reliability. Insulectro offers comprehensive service and a commitment to advancing circuit technology
A Mic, a Tiny Cam, and the Show Floor: The Story Behind 'Take the Mic!'
04/23/2026 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamI-Connect007’s Take the Mic! program at APEX EXPO 2026 in Anaheim is proving to be a must-watch feature for this year’s event coverage, as we invited company representatives to participate in a sponsored conversation about their businesses and products in a whole new way: in front of a camera at their booths. While our managing editors and guest editors were conducting slightly longer Real Time with… APEX EXPO interviews in our booth, three staff members and guests acted as roaming reporters, conducting short, prearranged interviews with several companies exhibiting on the show floor.