I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

As a longtime writer and editor, I’m very intrigued by different writing styles, from straightforward news to technical, persuasive, and narrative styles of writing. They all have their place in how and what we want to communicate. How do I want the reader to feel? What action do I want them to take? The “power of the pen” is quite fascinating! As you review my must-reads for the week, I encourage you to pay attention to how they are written and why that style might resonate with you.

I’m highlighting a book, a podcast, a magazine, winners of the APEX EXPO Technical Conference, and a narrative-style column. Not only do these published pieces vary in style, but they also examine the electronics industry from a variety of perspectives. From test to materials, trade show storytelling, and thought leadership, I-Connect007 has the industry covered.

In that vein, please watch the final two pre-show interviews with our premium sponsors, Technica USA and Blackfox, who are speaking about what they’ll be offering at APEX EXPO this year. 

Best Technical Paper Awards Showcased at APEX EXPO 2026
Published March 2

There’s a lot of facts and opinions floating around out there these days, so it’s comforting to stay grounded in topics like those coming from the winners of the APEX EXPO 2026 Advanced Electronic Packaging Conference. Matt Kelly, CTO of the Global Electronics Association, said these recipients “delivered research that advances fundamental understanding, while also providing practical guidance for improving reliability, performance, and manufacturing excellence in electronics.” Follow this link to find out what your peers are working on.

SMT007 Magazine: Europe’s Future in Electronics
Published March 3

We’re marching our way around the globe, this time stopping to survey the electronics ecosystem in Europe in the latest issue of SMT007 Magazine. It’s no secret that Europe has struggled to maintain an edge in today’s supply chain. We focus on what’s happened and where Europe is headed, from interviews with companies forming strategic partnerships and bringing fresh ideas, to how the Global Electronics Association is advocating on behalf of the industry with the European Commission. There’s some good news to share, so be sure to check out this issue.

Rethinking Test Strategy: New Book Tackles DFT for Today’s Complex Electronics
Published March 4

As electronics become denser and more complex, test strategy has to move from an afterthought to part of the design conversation. In his new book, The Printed Circuit Assembler’s Guide to… Design for Test: A Practical Guide to Test and Inspection, Bert Horner, president of The Test Connection and a longtime advocate for better test practices, shares his decades of real-world experience to help engineers build smarter, more reliable products from the start. It’s just the latest in our growing collection of books tailored to specific topics in the electronics industry. (Have you downloaded your copy of Brian Chislea’s new book, The Printed Circuit Designer’s Guide to… UV Curable Conformal Coatings?)

Elementary, Mr. Watson: APEX EXPO—The Ghosts of Past, Present, and Future
Published March 5

I really loved John Watson’s creative storytelling approach to APEX EXPO (and which could apply to any trade show for that matter). John’s columns are always filled with fun stories about food and grandchildren, but this time, he put his focus squarely on how an engineer might feel about taking several days away from their busy schedules to attend the show. He makes his case, and I know you’ll feel that by the time the “ghost” brings the engineer back to the present.

AI Is Changing the Rules: Are Your PCB Materials Ready?
Published March 5

Episode 2 of of our six-part podcast on the critical role of materials in PCB fabrication just dropped. The series is designed to help engineers, fabricators, and decision-makers better understand the fundamentals that most directly impact manufacturing outcomes, says podcast host and I-Connect007 Executive Director Marcy LaRont. In this episode, she talks with Isola’s Drew Delaney to get a firsthand look at how materials science is quietly powering everything from hyperscale AI data centers to 5G antennas and rugged edge devices. Start your journey into PCB materials here and check back each week for a new episode.