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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
Here’s the thing about time travel. You can’t just manipulate the time dimension; you have to move in three-dimensional space as well. That’s because Earth orbits a star, which orbits a galaxy, which is on its own path through three-dimensional space. Our planet follows a complex corkscrew-like path through the universe, covering great distances in just seconds. Build a time machine like HG Wells envisioned, and even a short jump in time means that Earth has moved, and you’re now floating in the void of space. Unsettling, to be sure.
PCBAA Sets Its Priorities for 2026: Support in the House and Senate
David Schild, executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), leads an organization focused on the domestic manufacture of PCBs and substrates to support America’s critical microelectronics supply. In the continuation of this interview, David talks about the ways his organization is aligning its priorities with Washington, in particular, the Executive Branch. It might feel like a snail’s pace, but progress could mean financial support and more domestic security, even for the smaller companies.
What's Next in PCB Fabrication?
If you have been in the PCB business for any length of time, you either know Gene Weiner or know of him. With a career spanning more than six decades, he has been an active member of the Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) since the early 1960s and was inducted into the Raymond E. Pritchard Hall of Fame in 2005 in recognition of his lifelong impact on the industry. Having presented hundreds of technical and management papers, he remains a sought-after speaker in the HDI and UHDI space, most recently being recognized at the TPCA conference in Taiwan.
Navigating the Shift: Key Trends Shaping Growth in AI and Electronics Through 2026
Global Electronics Association's Chief Economist Shawn DuBravac offers guidance on how companies can successfully navigate challenges and seize new opportunities in this dynamic industry. First, he says, economic growth will remain dangerously narrow. Prosperity will concentrate on artificial intelligence infrastructure, defense electronics, and high-income consumer spending, while companies outside these lanes face headwinds.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
It’s the last week of January, and it’s been pretty cold outside. That’s the best time to hunker down and catch up on your reading. Here are my top five must-reads for this week. All eyes continue to be on advanced electronics processes and packaging technology, which are highlighted in Pete Starkey’s review of the ICT winter conference in the UK, as well as Nolan Johnson’s article on inflection points, and Kris Moyer’s look forward into what will be important for PCB designers in 2026 and beyond. Candor Industries’ Sunny Patel discusses “Normalizing the Impossible” in his look forward, and Mike Jouppi contributes with his critical look at what IPC-2152 does not cover.
ICT Winter Seminar: Leading-edge Developments in Electronics Manufacturing
Early fog made the journey challenging for those travelling from afar, but it lifted to reveal a clear blue sky over Hinckley, Leicestershire, which is actually closer to the exact geographical centre of England than the familiar Meriden venue, for the Institute of Circuit Technology winter seminar in December. An intriguing programme, focused on some leading-edge developments in electronics manufacturing, more than justified the effort to attend.
How Technology, Materials, and Manufacturing Will Redefine 2026
Matt Kelly, chief technology officer and vice president of standards and technology for the Global Electronics Association, explores how technology, supply chains, sustainability, and standards are redefining the electronics ecosystem. This is the latest installment in a blog series exploring the future of the global electronics industry.
Is Washington Ready to Get Serious About PCBs?
David Schild, executive director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), leads an organization focused on the domestic manufacture of PCBs and substrates to support America’s critical microelectronics supply. In part one of this interview, he reflects on how a “perfect storm” during the COVID-19 pandemic actually ignited the conversation that has allowed PCBAA to flourish: Years of advocacy, the shock of COVID-era supply chain disruptions, and the long road to the CHIPS Act have helped to reshape the federal mindset on industrial policy.
MacDermid Alpha White Papers: Practical Materials Guidance for Modern Electronics
The I-Connect007 Industry Resource Center brings together technical white papers from leading suppliers to help electronics professionals navigate today’s manufacturing and reliability challenges. Built as an educational hub, the Resource Center connects engineers and manufacturers with application-focused guidance on materials, processes, and performance considerations shaping modern electronics.
Normalizing the Impossible: The Next Era of PCB Fabrication with Candor
Sunny Patel, technical sales manager at Candor Industries, sees the intersection of advanced manufacturing, operational realities, and strategic foresight. In this interview, Sunny offers a technically-grounded view of what will define PCB fabrication through 2030. It’s not about incremental change, he says, but velocity, physics, and the people willing to get their hands dirty to push the limits of what’s possible.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about storytelling. Partly because I’m reading "Creativity, Inc.," by Ed Catmull, and partly because it’s impossible to separate Pixar’s success from the power of the stories it tells, both on screen and behind the scenes. Everything matters to Pixar—from the technology to the leadership—but what makes Pixar truly special is the stories it tells about human emotions. They make our human complexity understandable.
Resilience Through Adaptation: What to Expect from the Electronics Industry in 2026
What does the future hold for the global electronics industry? Few organizations are better positioned to answer that question than the Global Electronics Association. With a unique, global perspective spanning the electronics supply chain, we work at the intersection of industry, policy, technology, and workforce development by engaging with member companies, governments, and partners across major regions worldwide.
USPAE Grants ‘Greater Access’ to Defense Electronics Manufacturers
Chris Peters, co-founder of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics and expert on manufacturing supply chains, recently announced he would be stepping back from his role. I first met Chris in the spring of 2020, when SMT007 Magazine interviewed him for the July 2020 issue. I was pleased that Chris took the time to reflect on the USPAE, past present and future, and his optimism is infectious.
Symposium Review: A Glimpse Into the Future of IC Substrates and Beyond
The Hong Kong Printed Circuit Association (HKPCA) and the Korea Printed Circuit Association (KPCA), with strong support from SEMI, presented “The Future of IC Substrates and Beyond Symposium 2025” at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore in . The event brought together elite professionals, technical experts, and corporate leaders from across the global IC substrate industry chain to explore cutting-edge trends and innovative solutions shaping the future of the sector.
CES 2026 Review: Are We Crossing the Line in Intelligent Systems?
Global Electronics Association senior representatives were impressed by the sheer volume of advanced technology at CES 2026 in Las Vegas last week. “I love the energy and the pace of CES,” said Carrie Sessine, the Association’s chief communications officer, in a LinkedIn post after the event. “There’s so much happening that keeps me moving from one idea to the next.”
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
I was in Chicago this week, where the weather went from sunny and 45° F on the day I arrived to snow and ice by the next morning. As a California/Arizona native, let’s just say I love the look of snow much more than I love driving in it. Still, I am grateful to have been part of some genuinely fun teambuilding with my colleagues at the Global Electronics Association. My must-reads for this week are a diverse grouping of articles and columns, ranging from printed electronics and additive manufacturing to a comprehensive overview of the European EMS and PCB markets to marketing wisdom and, finally, a book to help you reach your full potential, personally and professionally.
Upcoming Issue: Design, Integration, and the Global Push for Advanced Packaging
The upcoming Jan. 19 issue of Advanced Electronics Packaging Digest examines how advanced packaging is redefining system integration, regional semiconductor strategy, and the materials and technologies shaping next-generation electronics. From interposer design challenges to global collaboration and substrate innovation, this issue offers timely insight into where the industry is headed in 2026 and beyond.
Where Electronics Manufacturing Turns for Trusted Technical Insight
In an industry defined by rapid innovation, increasing system complexity, and mounting pressure to deliver reliable products faster, access to credible technical insight is more important than ever. I-Connect007’s Industry Resource Center was created to serve as a centralized, freely accessible library of in-depth whitepapers that address the challenges facing today’s electronics professionals.
Hall of Fame Spotlight Series: Highlighting Michael Carano
This month’s Hall of Fame spotlight features Michael Carano, a former recipient of the Finnegan Standards Medal, which honors those who have exhibited extraordinary leadership in developing and applying voluntary standards. He is the recipient of the Association’s Dieter Bergman Fellowship Award and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014. Still well known within the industry, many of us have had the pleasure of working with Mike on numerous Association projects and committees over the years.
Implementing Inkjet Solder Mask: A Customer Success Story
One of the most significant advancements in PCB manufacturing in recent years has been the shift from traditional solder mask processes to digital inkjet technology. This transition offers clear benefits in performance, usability, and production efficiency. This article presents a case study of a PCB manufacturer that successfully implemented inkjet technology for solder mask application, realizing significant gains in quality, cost savings, and yield by overcoming the limitations of traditional methods.
I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
Happy New Year, everyone! This year promises to be a year of evolution and change. If you didn’t catch Michelle Te’s video review of the most-read stories of 2025, be sure to visit our LinkedIn page for the update. Expect to see changes here at I-Connect007 in 2026 as well. We’re cooking up new ways to better bring you the kind of coverage we do best: reporting that gets under the surface. We’re always asking, “What does that mean to the industry?”
From Technology to Talent: The Ultimate Formula for Success
American Standard Circuits (ASC) has been a cornerstone of the U.S. PCB manufacturing industry. With more than 50 years of expertise, the company has evolved from its early focus on RF technology into a full-spectrum provider of advanced PCB solutions, including RF/microwave, metal-backed, backplane, flex and rigid-flex, and ultra high density interconnect (UHDI) boards. Customers range from military and aerospace applications to high-reliability commercial sectors, including medical, telecom, radar, and transportation.
I-Connect007 Welcomes New Columnist Brian Buyea: Powering the Future
I-Connect007 is excited to announce the addition of its newest columnist, Brian Buyea, president of Remtec, Inc. His column will appear regularly in I-Connect007 magazines and newsletters. Every generation of electronic innovation faces the same invisible enemy: heat. As power levels rise and footprints shrink, the battle for reliability, performance, and longevity comes down to one question: How well can you move the heat?
Voices of the Industry Podcast Examines Ceramic Substrates and Collaborative Manufacturing With Remtec
Ceramic substrates continue to gain attention as electronics designers seek performance, reliability, and thermal advantages beyond traditional PCB materials. In the latest episode of Voices of the Industry, host Nolan Johnson welcomes Brian Buyea, president of Remtec, for an in-depth discussion on why ceramic substrates are an increasingly compelling option.
Dan Beaulieu: The Man Behind the Marketing
For 20 years, It’s Only Common Sense columnist Dan Beaulieu has inspired readers with practical business wisdom and contagious energy. In this interview, Dan recounts his remarkable journey—from forklift driver to founder of a global marketing firm—and shares his passion for storytelling, collaboration, and helping others find their voice in the PCB industry.
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