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THE LEAD
Bill Gates says smartphones’ days are numbered, predicting electronic tattoos embedded in skin will replace them as seamless tools for communication, connectivity and health monitoring.
The US’s leading technologists are tying the country’s economic growth to AI, which faces a major risk as reliance on Taiwan-made chips leaves the sector vulnerable to potential supply disruptions.
TECH NEWS
The October issue of PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY is live, featuring the 2025 designer salary survey, solder paste handling, insights on manufacturability and data transfer, wrap plating methodologies, designing for flex circuit bends, and more.
Circuits Assembly opened entries for its 2026 NPI Awards, recognizing innovations in electronics assembly equipment, material and software.
Yamaha releases LM placement head.
Xiaomi’s CEO revealed the company disassembled three Tesla Model Ys to study their design and improve its YU7 SUV.
A study shows optimized pyrometallurgy processes can significantly cut emissions and boost profitability in e-waste PCB recycling, offering a path toward circular economy and carbon neutrality goals.
Trumpf unveiled a 100G VCSEL with a 150µm substrate, offering a drop-in upgrade for high-speed optical links.
PCEA announced Stephen V. Chavez as recipient of the annual PCEA Leadership Award, for his lifetime service in the pursuit of educating and training PCB design engineers.
PCEA awarded Troy Hopkins with its fourth annual PCEA Membership Award.
PCEA hosts an Oct. 28 webinar on RF PCB design and the transition from HDI to UHDI technologies.
Margaret Upshur, CEO of Mobius Materials, a global online marketplace for excess electronic components, discusses her model for a sustainable, resilient supply chain and other related issues on the latest episode of PCB Chat.
PCEA and Mobius Materials will host a PCB community meetup at PCB West on Oct. 1, featuring a panel on procurement trends from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
Rainmaker Technology head of engineering Jackson Schultz will keynote PCB West this fall in Santa Clara, CA.
PCB West 2025 has sold out its exhibition floor for the 11th time in 12 years, with more than 100 leading companies set to exhibit in Santa Clara. Free sessions will be offered during the exhibition on Oct. 1.
Abstracts for PCB East 2026 on PCB design, fabrication, assembly and emerging technologies, are due Oct. 3.
Looking for networking opportunities? Join the PCEA Discord server, bringing together engineers and designers from around the world on a private channel for discussing technical questions and career opportunities.
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FLEXPERTS
Flexing Your Flex
Since you are designing flex layers into a circuit, it’s a safe bet that circuit is intended to bend. The key question is, will it survive being bent, twisted or otherwise contorted? When considering flexing, focus on a few key variables.
NICK KOOP
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