A main priority for engineers and technology companies in the United States is to develop ways to get the next generation interested in science and engineering. This way, our children will one day be able to lead global development for PCBs, consumer products, medical research and more. Researchers at Harvard University are doing just that and have created an inexpensive robot using basic printed circuit boards that gives children the tools they need to learn about programming and robotics.

This robot uses vibration motors for locomotion and does not have a chassis, according to WIRED. So how does it work? The robot gets its programming interface and power from a connected laptop or desktop computer and uses a highly graphical programming language that allows children to drag and drop commands for it to carry out. In addition to creating this robot, which only costs around $10, the research team has developed a 15-lesson curriculum that teaches students about sensors, programming flow and logic and how to create specific robot behavior.

Starting with the Basics of PCBs

In order for students to gain an understanding and passion for engineering, steps must be taken to introduce them to PCBs and the basics when they are in middle school and high school. From basic design theories to component and material selection, it is important for kids to work with printed circuit boards and start to learn programming languages. This will help to develop the next generation of engineers that will have the tools they need to foster innovation and invention down the road. To learn more about how Advanced Circuits supports engineering students and their development, contact a representative today.

It is not a secret that mobile electronics such as phones, tablets and wearables are slimming down when it comes to design. At the same time, product manufacturers are able to extract even more power from printed circuit boards and components in order to deliver new features that connect both consumers and professionals to nearly every other person on the planet. However, in order to pull this off engineers are designing PCBs much smaller and thinner than ever before.

Innovative PCB Designers Make New Products Possible

Not only are PCB designers under pressure to pack in as many components as possible into smaller spaces, circuit board manufacturers are being tasked with refining production processes to maximize efficiency and value for organizations in need of their services. In addition, reliability and durability concerns arise when dealing with smaller and thinner PCBs. In order to find the perfect solution, engineers continue to research new methods to solve problems such as overheating and low battery life.

The Rise of High-Performance PCBs

As a result of the move of the marketplace into “next-gen” technology, high-performance PCBs are growing in popularity among device makers. When it comes to advanced designs that are being installed in demanding applications, such as in the aerospace and defense industries, selecting the right materials to work under varying circumstances is essential for success. This is why industry experts continue to tackle issues surrounding the next generation of PCBs and how engineers can work to build the circuit boards needed to take projects and products to the next level. To learn more about high-performance PCBs and your options when designing your next batch of circuit boards, contact an expert at Advanced Circuits today.

Protecting the components on your printed circuit boards from the elements is important in order to maintain the standards you set for quality and performance. Most protection on PCBs is used to guard against the elements such as high temperatures and humidity. However, at times electromagnetic interference and other forces can generate transients that can destroy components. There are different types of surges that can occur, which is why it is important to understand how to best protect your PCBs during the design phase.

• Electrostatic Discharge – Also known as ESD, electrostatic discharge is the most common surge. It is caused by a buildup of charge on the equipment or people near it and can produce a surge that damages or destroys semiconductor components.
• Electrical Fast Transient – EFT bursts happen when an inductive load is opened. Inductors store energy and when the circuit is opened the energy is released, which can also have damaging effects.

In addition to these two types of pulses, electromagnetic interference, lightning and other forces can all disrupt electronics. Developing PCB designs that protect against these surges help engineers maintain circuit integrity and efficiency in the application.

Improving Quality of Printed Circuit Boards

The quality of your printed circuit boards depends on their design and implementation. Using specific materials and laminates and efficiently spacing components allows you to get PCBs that will work in your application. It is important to research a PCB manufacturer before placing your order to ensure that you work with industry leaders that can help you get the boards you need while you are on deadline for your project. To learn more about your options for designing and ordering PCBs, contact a representative at Advanced Circuits.

Recharging your smartphone or tablet every day can at times be a hassle. This is especially true when you are away from home and have to rush to find a charger in time. The worst part is that over time, the battery life in your device will start to hold less of a charge and you will need to plug in more often. PCB makers continue to work on ways to make our devices more powerful and reliable. At the same time, a graduate student and researchers at UC Riverside have discovered that sand may be a possible answer to our repeated requests for longer battery life.

Using sand with a high percentage of quartz, the team discovered that purifying the sand and adding salt and magnesium led to the creation of pure silicon when heat is added. The result also had a porosity needed to improve the performance of batteries built with nano-silicon. In addition to boosting the quality of lithium-ion batteries in devices, this can potentially be applied to silicon-based batteries in electric vehicles and extend drive time.

Staying on Top of PCB News

As an engineer it is important to keep up with developments in the PCB industry. This way you will know about the latest developments and what your PCB manufacturer is doing to help your applications reach the next level. Continuing your education will also allow you to develop new techniques in PCB design so that you can maximize your capabilities and reach your full potential. Work with the industry’s largest component library by designing with free PCB Artist layout software from Advanced Circuits. Contact a representative today to learn more and get started.