If it feels like the chip race is moving faster than ever, you’re right! On one hand, record-breaking fab equipment investments and China’s tool purchases highlight how fast the expansions are accelerating. On the other hand, AI breakthroughs and sustainable materials research are quietly redefining how the next generation of electronics will be designed, built and recycled.

Flux AI design agent transforms text prompts into complete PCB designs.

Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have developed a fully compostable printed circuit board made from wood-derived materials and integrated it into a working computer mouse

Researchers at Empa have developed a wood-based, fully biodegradable substrate for printed circuit boards, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based epoxy laminates and reducing the environmental impact of e-waste.

A supercritical water-assisted acid leaching method has demonstrated nearly complete copper recovery from waste printed circuit boards, achieving high leaching efficiency and selectivity.

XJTAG launches: XJExpress and XJExpress-FPGA flash programmers.

Vishay releases DLA 04051 Series polymer capacitors.

Mike Buetow was honored as the inaugural recipient of the PCEA Lifetime Achievement Award and first inductee into the association’s new Hall of Fame during PCB West 2025.

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.

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.

Wally Rhines joins Mike Buetow to discuss the long PCB/MCM design tool rally, a massive jump in employment. broader strength across the ECAD industry, and the effects US policies toward China are having on the market on the latest PCB Chat podcast.

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.

A US congressional investigation found that Chinese chipmakers purchased nearly 40B worth of advanced semiconductor manufacturing tools from American and allied suppliers last year.

The Indian government is signaling a warmer reception for Chinese investment in electronics manufacturing, provided companies commit to technology transfer and local workforce training, officials said.

Global PC shipments rose 9.4% year over year in the third quarter to 75.8 million units, supported by ongoing Windows 11 transitions and large-scale hardware refresh cycles.

Foxconn is facing operational strain after recalling over 300 Chinese engineers from its Indian iPhone production sites amid a 2.2B expansion plan.

SEMI projects a three-year, 374B surge in 300mm fab equipment spending as AI demand and regionalization accelerate advanced capacity build-outs worldwide.

Firan Technology Group posted third-quarter revenue of 47.7M, a 10.8 percent increase from the same period last year.

GUH Holdings Bhd plans to expand into advanced printed circuit boards (PCBs) and launch a RM1.2B property project in Penang, as part of plans to grow the company..

Incap UK completes rooftop solar installation in Newcastle-under-Lyme to power nearly half of its daytime electricity needs.

Optiemus Infracom Limited has established XO Ventures Private Ltd. as a wholly owned subsidiary in India to expand its footprint.

ViTrox Americas appointed ArgoZeta as sales partner for New Jersey, New York and Eastern Pennsylvania.

Jade Micron installed a Hentec Industries Photon steam aging system.

ViTrox Americas appointed ArgoZeta as sales partner for New Jersey, New York and Eastern Pennsylvania.

The Training Connection appointed veteran trainer Jack Harris relationship lead.

Green Circuits appointed Ray Ponder Midwest regional sales manager.

Altus Group named Denis Popilian applications and service engineer.

Among PCB Design, Raises are Up, Benefits are Down and Deadlines Don’t Budge
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY

Electrochemical and ATR-SEIRAS Investigation of Micro-via Filling Performance of Amino-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Levelers
Science Direct

Reliability Analysis and Parameter Optimization of Board-Level BGA Packaging Structures under Thermal-Drop Impact Load
Soldering & Surface Mount Technology

EVENTS

PCB Update is a digital newsletter for PCB design, fabrication and assembly professionals, brought to you by Printed Circuit Engineering Association™. E-mail industry press releases or links to the editors of CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY or PCD&F: pr@pcea.net.