MIT researchers are engineering bacteria to function like transistors, pointing toward a radically different kind of circuit board. Bare board prices are rising as AI-driven demand and fallout from the Iran war put added pressure on PCB supply.

Researchers published a monolithic microwave integrated chip using hexagonal boron nitride switches.

MIT engineers built bacteria that function as transistors, creating "living circuit boards."

Georgia Tech researchers argue the digital data trail behind a part is becoming as important as the part itself for securing manufacturing and defense supply chains.

Quanta, Techman Robot, and Siemens are using digital twins, process simulation, workflow orchestration, and MES to reduce risk, accelerate production readiness, and strengthen electronics manufacturing.

Zentek has filed a provisional USPTO patent application for a water-based EMI shielding coating produced from purified graphite.

SBF introduces automatic label feeder.

SBF introduces Insepct optical inspection system.

ECTC has opened abstract submissions for its 2027 conference.

PCB West 2026 will feature 11 presentations on electronics assembly processes, including a half-day solder paste qualification workshop and sessions covering SMT printing, stencil design, reflow soldering and more.

Tom Kastner, founder of GP Ventures, discusses mergers and acquisitions, global manufacturing challenges, and the current state of the PCB fabrication and assembly industry in the latest episode of PCB Chat.

PCEA will host a 3.5-hour webinar on Nov. 4 led by Susy Webb covering signal routing techniques to improve signal integrity and EMI performance.

PCEA released the sixth edition of PCB Basics: An Introduction to the PCB Industry, adding chapters on HDI/UHDI and AI applications across PCB design, fabrication, assembly, test, inspection and procurement.

PCB West’s early bird conference rate ends Aug. 21, with more than 50 classes and 120 hours of PCB design and assembly training scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 2 in Santa Clara.

CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY is accepting entries for the 20th annual New Product Introduction Awards, with submissions for electronics assembly products due Dec. 14.

PCB West 2026 is nearly sold out, with two exhibition booths remaining for the Sept. 29–Oct. 2 event at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

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.

Foxconn subsidiary FII AMC Mexico acquired 2.6M sq. ft. of land in El Salto, Jalisco, for about $20M to meet operational needs.

Fabrinet reported record quarterly revenue of $1.32B, exceeding guidance, and up 45% from a year ago.

LG Electronics is expanding its Latin American footprint with a new smart-factory production hub in Paraná, Brazil.

Eiso Enterprise opened a second-phase expansion at its Guishan plant, doubling PCB capacity with an eye on AI and aerospace demand.

Molex made an investment in CAEPlus to advance active liquid-cooling tech for AI data centers.

Bare PCB prices are climbing as AI-driven chip demand collides with fallout from the Iran war.

UK-based Space Forge signed an R&D agreement with Texas A&M, marking its first step into US semiconductor-material manufacturing.

ASC Sunstone Circuits appointed Charles Wert president.

Selective UHDI: Using Ultra HDI Where Needed, Not Everywhere
PCD&F/CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY

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

From Biotechnological Residues to Biodegradable Printed Circuit Boards: Aspergillus Niger Mycelium as a Structural Support Material
Cleaner Materials

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.