IPC Working to Revive R&D on Lead-Free Electronics in High-Reliability Sectors

Apr 09, 2019

by Chris Mitchell, IPC vice president, global government relations Ask yourself the following question: Why is it that the aerospace, defense and high performance (ADHP) electronics sectors remain reliant on lead solders and components even as the commercial sector has largely phased out their use? The short answer is that lead-free electronics do not offer the performance and reliability assurances that the ADHP sectors require, but the longer answer is that key stakeholders, including government entities, have not invested in the science to understand how to achieve symmetry and interchangeability between lead and lead-free electronics. IPC is working to change that and we need your help. Essential R&D Delayed by Budget Cuts Over the last 15 years, the commercial electronics industry has largely phased out its use of lead (Pb) in the manufacture of electronic components and circuit assemblies. The transition to Pb-free electronics was driven by the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), which placed new restrictions on the use of lead in commercial products. Though initiated in Europe, RoHS has had a global impact on the electronics industry. Other countries have followed Europe’s lead and manufacturers are now obligated to eliminate the use of lead in their goods for markets around the world. The migration to Pb-free electronics has been successful in the commercial markets, but the ADHP electronics sectors have been slower to abandon the traditional tin-lead solder used in the production of components and circuit assemblies. ADHP products have more demanding performance requirements than consumer electronics; they need to perform flawlessly in harsh environments and in safety-related applications; and there is not enough data on the performance of Pb-free products to support the move. Enter the Pb-Free Electronics Risk Management (PERM) Council, comprised of subject matter experts

from government, industry, academia, and other stakeholders. Founded in 2008 and housed by IPC since 2012, the PERM Council provides leadership and coordination of Pb-free electronics risk management activities in both government and industry. A major focus of the PERM Council has been gathering enough detailed engineering knowledge to underpin the conversion from tin-lead solder to Pb-free in the ADHP sectors. In 2009, PERM supported an effort funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to identify the knowledge gaps and estimate the cost to fill them. The cost estimate this “Pb-Free Manhattan Project” was about $110 million over three years, broken down into more than 100 “bite-size chunks” from $100,000 to $5 million. Unfortunately, due to DoD budget cuts in the last decade, the “Manhattan Project” was never fully funded, although some companies and universities continued to work on the smaller chunks. In 2014, IPC completed a “re-baseline” and estimated that about $40-50 million was still needed to complete the knowledge base. To date, the R&D project is still incomplete. Now, in 2019, IPC and a consortium of manufacturers and academic institutions are working with more than a dozen congressional offices to secure $15 million in federal funding to put the R&D back on track. The formal funding requests have been filed; congressional deliberations on defense spending are underway; and Congress is expected to send a defense appropriations bill to the president for his signature by late summer, at which time we will know whether we have been successful. A great deal of policymaker education and advocacy will be necessary to achieve this goal in 2019 and to keep the momentum going in 2020 and beyond. The IPC Government Relations team will be working on the issue 24/7, but members of Congress are most interested in hearing from IPC members, i.e. the front-line business leaders in their states and congressional districts. To learn more and contribute your expertise to IPC’s Pb-free electronics efforts, please visit the PERM Council page on IPC's website and contact me at ChrisMitchell@ipc.org to join our Advocacy Team.

Question of the Week: What Does Brexit Mean to Your Company?

Apr 04, 2019

The United Kingdom’s effort to leave the European Union, known as Brexit, is making waves in the global economy. Many companies are facing tough decisions about their operations in the UK and EU. IPC members, how concerned are you about the impacts of Brexit on your company? Take a one-minute survey. Last Week’s Question: “Over the last year, how difficult has it been for your company to find qualified workers for roles that require technical knowledge and skills?” The response was nearly unanimous: About 90 percent of those who answered said it was “very difficult,” and around 10 percent said “somewhat difficult” to find qualified workers. That’s a powerful statistic! Thanks for your responses.

Brexit Postponed Amid Political Gridlock; Industry Disruptions in Store

Apr 03, 2019

By Chris Mitchell, vice president, global government relations

Key Summary

• Brexit delays created prolonged uncertainty, with political gridlock pushing decisions past original deadlines
• A no-deal Brexit remained a significant risk, threatening tariffs, border disruptions, and severe economic impacts
• UK political instability — including potential leadership change and early elections — added to business uncertainty
• Manufacturers began stockpiling inventory and rerouting supply chains to mitigate Brexit-related risk
• The electronics industry faced disproportionate disruption due to its globalized supply chain and UK’s sizable workforce
• Economic indicators already showed Brexit-related harm, including reduced GDP growth and weakened investor confidence

The United Kingdom’s effort to leave the European Union, known by the nickname “Brexit,” is bogged down in political uncertainty, which in turn is creating disruptions in the global economy. With a “no-deal” Brexit possible within two weeks, here’s a recap of recent developments and the possible impacts on the electronics industry. (And let us know what you think about Brexit.)

First, a Quick Recap

Following a 2016 referendum in which the “leave” side won narrowly, the British government invoked Article 50 of the Treaty of European Union, which lays out a two-year process for member countries to withdraw from the EU’s political and economic structures. That process was set to conclude by last Friday, March 29. British Prime Minister Theresa May finalized a Withdrawal Agreement with the EU in November 2018. However, Parliament rejected the agreement on January 15, as well as two subsequent versions of it on March 12 and March 29. In a rare move, rank-and-file members of Parliament took control of the chamber twice in the last week to hold “indicative votes” on 12 Brexit alternatives, but none won a majority. Just yesterday, following a lengthy cabinet meeting, Prime Minister May signalled that she would seek a further extension from the EU until May 22 and that she would work more closely with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to forge a compromise.

Top Takeaways

1. The urgency remains even as the deadline is postponed. PM May asked for and received an EU extension of the Brexit deadline to April 12. She now has indicated she will seek an extension until May 22. But May 22 is right around the corner, and the country’s political leaders remain at loggerheads. It is not clear whether working with Corbyn can deliver a deal with majority support.

2. A no-deal Brexit remains a real possibility and would wreak havoc. Goldman Sachs has estimated a 15 percent likelihood that the UK will exit the EU without a deal in place. Some fear the likelihood is even greater, and most agree the outcome would be dire. World Trade Organization (WTO) tariffs would go into effect, requiring goods to be re-priced accordingly. Customs officials would need to re-establish rules and procedures at the border, but it’s uncertain whether adequate infrastructure could be put in place that quickly.

3. A new PM is likely soon. Throughout her tenure, May has come under withering criticism from both the Left and Right for trying to chart a middle course. In a last-ditch effort to win more Conservative Party votes for her Withdrawal Agreement, she pledged to step down if Parliament adopted her deal. The ploy did not work. Now the British political class is gearing up for a leadership contest on top of everything else.

4. A general election is also possible. Britain’s next national election is not scheduled until 2022. Parliament can trigger an election sooner, but the current Conservative majority is largely opposed, having lost seats in 2017 in an election that May did not need to call. On the other hand, the current impasse, if it continues, may make general elections a necessity. The Labour Party may pick up seats in a general election, but few experts think it would be enough for a strong mandate, and any election would be at least several months away.

5. Manufacturers must plan for various scenarios. Saddled with these uncertainties, companies with operations in the UK and EU are hedging against the various outcomes. IHS Markit’s Rob Dobson expects that “the impact of Brexit preparations, and any missed opportunities and investments during this sustained period of uncertainty, will reverberate through the manufacturing sector for some time to come.” In the near term, the uncertainty has led to advance purchasing and stockpiling of inventory, leading to surges in manufacturing production. But many companies are shifting their supply chains away from the UK, sourcing goods and materials from other EU countries or from outside the region altogether. Airbus, Nissan, Ford, Siemens and Sony are just a few of the companies that are considering or actively shifting operations out of the UK as a response to Brexit.

6. The electronics industry may be disproportionately impacted. According to an Oxford Economics study commissioned by IPC, the EU28 electronics industry employs more than 2.4 million workers, with about 8 percent or 196,000 of them in the UK. Without an orderly Brexit, the UK could slide into recession in 2019, and the country’s share of the EU’s electronics workforce could drop even further. It’s impossible to predict with precision, but the electronics industry has a highly globalized and complex supply chain. New trade barriers and uncertainties will constrain the ability of British electronics companies to leverage the European electronics marketplace and labour force.

7. Brexit has already harmed economic growth in the UK. A column in the Financial Times says the UK economy has already shrunk by 1.5 percent since the Bank of England’s 2016 forecast, even as the world economy has grown. Goldman Sachs predicts that a no-deal Brexit could whack UK GDP by another 5.5% and depreciate the pound sterling by 17 percent. The New York Times reports the UK has forfeited its role as an economically and politically stable country from which companies can base their European operations.

With so much at stake for the electronics industry, IPC will continue to stay abreast of developments and keep you informed. Let us know what you think by taking our survey or dropping me a line at ChrisMitchell@ipc.org.

Why was Brexit delayed in early 2019?

Political deadlock in Parliament prevented approval of a Withdrawal Agreement, forcing the UK to seek multiple deadline extensions.

What is a no-deal Brexit and why was it concerning?

A no-deal exit would mean an immediate shift to WTO rules, triggering tariffs, border delays, and widespread supply chain disruptions.

How could Brexit affect electronics manufacturers?

Electronics relies on complex global supply chains, and new trade barriers or border friction would slow production, raise costs, and reduce competitiveness.

Were companies already shifting operations out of the UK?

Yes. Major firms like Airbus, Nissan, and Sony were considering or initiating moves to the EU or elsewhere to avoid Brexit-related uncertainty.

What were the expected economic impacts of a no-deal Brexit?

Forecasts projected UK recession risks, a steep GDP decline, depreciation of the pound, and long-term damage to the UK’s attractiveness as a business hub.

IPC Launches Electronics for a Better World | IPC Cares Initiative

Mar 28, 2019

The electronics industry has a positive impact around the globe— this week of volunteerism is a great way to show the world the good things we do beyond the products we manufacture! From June 9-15, 2019 we are asking companies that are part of the global electronics supply chain to select a charity or cause of your organization’s choice to support through staff volunteer efforts. Take part in a local litter collection. Organize a food drive. Anything to make a difference!! IPC will celebrate your good work through social media and other promotions! Follow our social media pages and stay involved with what our supporters are up to! https://youtu.be/-ID8VdUBugU

Tell Us What You Think About the Skilled Workforce Shortage

Mar 21, 2019

As a longtime leader in education and training in our industry, IPC is stepping up its efforts, and we could use your input. How would you answer the following question? Over the last year, how difficult has it been for your company to find qualified workers for roles that require technical knowledge and skills? Click here to respond by COB Friday, March 29. Thank you!

Trump’s FY2020 Budget Plan Kicks Off U.S. Policy Debates

Mar 21, 2019

by Ken Schramko, senior director, North American Government Relations Within the last week, U.S. President Trump released his $4.7 trillion fiscal 2020 budget plan, kicking off the annual federal budget process. IPC is watching several budget debates that could impact the electronics industry and its supply chain. It’s important to remember that Congress has the power of the purse, and the President’s budget is merely a request. Ultimately, members of Congress must make the tradeoffs that result in spending bills that can pass. When passed in identical form by both houses of Congress, the budget establishes the overall allocations that the appropriations committees then use to write annual spending bills. However, Congress is not even required to pass a budget; and due to partisan wrangling, in many years it does not. Under the rules, action may begin on the annual spending bills even if the House and Senate have not agreed on a budget resolution by May 15. Thus, while the president’s budget is a significant statement of executive branch priorities, it is merely the starting point. Within that context, let’s look at the key takeaways: • The administration’s budget proposal runs a $1 trillion+ annual deficit through FY2022. Rather than balancing the budget within 10 years as Republicans in Congress have proposed in recent years, President Trump proposes to balance the budget in 15 years based on relatively rosy economic assumptions. • The Trump budget assumes the continuation of the spending caps in the 2011 Budget Control Act (BCA), which would force overall federal spending down by $126 billion. Congressional leaders have signaled their intent to raise these caps. • Maintaining the BCA caps would require a 9 percent cut to domestic discretionary spending. Spending for Medicaid, Medicare and other mandatory programs is also proposed to be cut. Programs marked for growth include “funding for border security, national defense, opioids, law enforcement, childcare, veterans’ healthcare, emerging technologies that support the industries of the future, and workforce development.” • The Trump budget would cut overall research and development spending by roughly $6.5 billion—or 5 percent. These cuts would primarily affect civilian agencies including the Dept. of Energy, NASA, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and others. • President Trump is proposing to draw on “off-budget” funds from the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) to push through a 5 percent, $33.8 billion overall increase in defense spending. The move is controversial because the OCO was intended for combat operations and crises abroad. • The Trump Administration is expecting GDP growth to hover around 3 percent for the next decade, while the Congressional Budget Office forecasts a decline in GDP growth from 3.1 percent in 2018 down to 1.7 percent by 2020 and then relatively flat through 2029. Federal Reserve Chairman Powell this week said growth appeared to be slowing from last year, “under the weight of the Trump administration’s trade war, economic slowdowns in Europe and China and fading stimulus from the Republican tax cuts of 2017” (New York Times, 3/21). IPC is digging into the details of the President’s budget request, particularly with regard to DoD, Commerce, and EPA. We will work with Congress throughout the appropriations cycle to protect and improve programs of interest. Please let us know if you have any input on this. Here’s a rundown of how some budget shifts could affect the electronics industry: EDUCATION/LABOR • Would invest $1.3 billion in grants to states for Career and Technical Education (CTE). The recently reauthorized Perkins CTE program helps students gain access to technical education, “including work-based learning during high school and a wide array of post-secondary options including certificate programs, community colleges, and apprenticeships.” COMMERCE • Would eliminate the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and Economic Development Agency, both of which support U.S. manufacturing initiatives. • Would provide $688 million for the National Institute of Standards and Technology and prioritize research in quantum computing, artificial intelligence, and microelectronics. DEFENSE • Significant increases for DoD R&D programs, including hyper-sonics, AI, and quantum computing. More defense R&D could be good news for defense supply-chain research and IPC’s efforts to secure funding for a five-year, $40 million program to help the defense industry move toward Pb-free electronics. EPA • Would cut the agency by $2.8 billion (31.2 percent), which if enacted could affect IPC’s effort to persuade the agency reduce reporting burdens on electronics manufacturers that send byproducts sent for recycling. HOMELAND SECURITY • Would give DHS a $3.6 billion (7.4 percent) increase to help support funding for 750 additional border patrol agents, 1,000 ICE officers, and 54,000 detention beds. The budget proposal would require all employers to use E-Verify program for worker authorization. ENERGY • Would eliminate the Advanced Research Project Agency–Energy (ARPA-E). Looking Ahead The U.S. budget process as it works today also revolves around those cliffhanger moments when Congress and the President must agree on a way forward or trigger government shutdowns or debt defaults. The “meta” decisions are whether to raise the BCA spending caps and based on what understanding; how to handle the next debt-limit increase; and within those parameters, partisan wrangling over programs like the border wall, defense, and health and welfare programs. In short, this promises to be another raucous budget and appropriations year. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about how the federal budget process affects your business.

Here’s the 2019 Outlook on IPC Advocacy for Workforce Education and Training

Mar 12, 2019

by Ken Schramko, senior director, North American government relations The chronic shortage of skilled workers is the top business challenge facing the electronics industry worldwide. Our skilled workers are aging and retiring faster than we can hire replacements. A large majority of our members report that their inability to find skilled workers is limiting their growth. Too often, today’s rising workers lack essential knowledge and skills including math, basic technology skills, and problem-solving. Given these facts, IPC is building on our strengths and making workforce development one of our top priorities. We’ve pledged to develop 1 million new training and workforce development opportunities in the United States over the next five years; and we launched the IPC Workforce Champions initiative to engage our member companies in that effort. Here’s an overview of the government policy landscape that we’re working to shape. New U.S. Government Advisory Board In the United States, last week a newly formed advisory committee to the federal government held its first meeting. The members of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, led by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, include representatives of eight companies, three industry associations, four universities, three state and local governments, and several nonprofits, think tanks, and a trade union. The board will serve from now through July 2020. During the meeting, Ms. Trump outlined four goals of the board: 1. Develop a robust campaign to promote multiple pathways to good-paying jobs, dispelling the myth that there is only one path to a successful career, i.e. a four-year college degree. 2. Improve the availability of high-quality, transparent, and timely data to better inform students and educators, as well as match American workers to American jobs. 3. Modernize candidate recruitment and training practices to expand the pool of job applicants that employers are looking to hire. 4. Measure and encourage employer-led training and investments, such as those being made by IPC. You may recall that IPC President John Mitchell and several IPC member companies were invited to the White House last October to discuss this issue with President Trump, Ivanka Trump and other senior policy officials. Rest assured we have kept those communications channels open and are continuing to engage with the administration on this issue. Congressional Outlook Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, there is strong bipartisan support for addressing the workforce shortage. Last summer, Congress passed and the president signed the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (the Perkins CTE Act), which IPC strongly supported and continues to support in its implementation phase. In the current session of Congress, attention is turning to work-based learning programs and the employment visa backlog. For example, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) recently reintroduced the Promoting Apprenticeship with Regional Training Networks for Employers’ Required Skills (PARTNERS) Act last month. This legislation would promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs for small and medium-sized businesses through the establishment and support of industry-based partnerships. It also would provide funds to states to award grants to eligible partnerships. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are working to make it easier for companies to access high-skilled immigrants. Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Kamala Harris (D-CA) and Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Ken Buck (R-CO) recently introduced the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which would eliminate the per-country immigration caps that cause backlogs in the employment-based green card system. Now Seeking Workforce Champions in the EU, Too Later this month, IPC is preparing to launch its Workforce Champions initiative in Europe with a pledge to provide education, training and career opportunities to more than 500,000 Europeans over the next five years. As part of the preparations, IPC’s European team has been networking and developing relationships with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP); the European Alliance for Apprenticeships; EURASHE, representing technical education institutions; EUROCHAMBRES, representing regional Chambers of Commerce; and the STEM Alliance, bringing together Industries, ministries of education, and other stakeholders to promote STEM education and careers to young Europeans. Please stay tuned for more news on the European front and let us know if you want to get involved. IPC Members: Help Your Industry and Yourselves! Over the last two years, IPC has doubled down on its longstanding commitment to help address the chronic skills gaps affecting the electronics industry. Beyond the efforts noted above, IPC also has launched the IPC Education Foundation to expand the number of education and training opportunities in the electronics industry. Just over the horizon, IPC’s annual U.S. advocacy days in Washington (May 21-22) and Brussels in the Fall will provide opportunities for IPC members to tell government policymakers our views on education and workforce development. IPC encourages our member companies to send senior executives to participate in these important events to help advance our industry’s interests. Please contact me at KenSchramko@ipc.org in the U.S. or Nicolas Robin in the EU if you have any questions or information to share on workforce issues. Our success depends in large part on the guidance and support we receive from IPC members like you!

Tell Us What You Think

Mar 08, 2019

IPC is looking for your thoughts on the following question: “If you were to visit D.C. and have access to any government official(s) for a chat, who would you meet with, and what would you tell them?” Click here to respond! The best responses will be shared in an upcoming edition of the IPC's weekly Global Advocacy Report and will help inform our plans for IMPACT Washington D.C., May 21-22, 2019.

USMCA Fights Ramps Up; IPC Helps Launch New Coalition

Mar 05, 2019

by Chris Mitchell, vice president, IPC global government relations

Key Summary

• IPC and 200 organizations launched a coalition to push congressional approval of the USMCA trade agreement.
• USMCA faces procedural delays including a postponed USITC economic impact report after the government shutdown.
• Congressional review awaits draft implementing legislation and hearings before floor votes can occur.
• House Democrats seek stronger labor, environmental, and prescription drug provisions in the USMCA text.
• Delays risk pushing the vote into election season, complicating bipartisan support for USMCA passage.

Last week, IPC and more than 200 companies and industry associations announced the launch of a new coalition to make the case for congressional adoption of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) Free Trade Agreement. The coalition has a series of daunting and time-pressing tasks ahead of it. The USMCA needs to surmount procedural and political hurdles and be passed this year if we are to avoid the pitfalls of election year politics in the United States. When the leaders of the United States, Canada and Mexico signed the agreement last November, President Trump expressed his desire to see the trade bill move through Congress by early spring, if not sooner. However, several factors have pushed the timeline into at least the summer. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC), which is responsible for producing a report on the economic impacts of the trade legislation, fell victim to the government shutdown. Their report, which was originally due March 15, may now be pushed back as late as May 5.

Although Congress is not required to wait on this report, it is unlikely that either chamber would approve the pact without an official statement on the impacts. Congress is also waiting on the draft implementing legislation that the US Trade Representative is required to submit to Congress at least 30 days prior to introduction of the bill. Given the need to conduct congressional hearings and floor debates before final votes, and given the pressing nature of other congressional business, Congress may not get around to voting on USMCA until July or September. Any additional hurdles in the process would push the bill further into the bright lights of election-year politics. The agreement has also hit a speed bump in the Democratically controlled House of Representatives. Historically, securing Democratic votes for a trade agreement has proven more challenging than securing Republican votes. For the last 30 years, in fact, trade agreements have been passed with the support of the Republican conference and a small but committed group of pro-trade Democrats. This time, two or three dozen Democrats are likely to cross the aisle and vote with Republicans to pass USMCA, but much remains unclear. President Trump and a changing U.S. economy have scrambled the politics of trade in ways that would have been hard to imagine even 10 years ago. For their part, House Democratic leaders remain focused on securing changes to the agreement. Specifically, they would like to see more ambitious labor and environmental chapters to include stronger enforcement provisions.

Additionally, some Democrats want to reopen negotiations related to prescription drugs. These concerns are layered on top of other bipartisan concerns, including changes to the de minimis threshold, which determines which low-value parcels can be shipped across borders tax-free, tariff-free, and with simple customs forms. The Trump administration and the business interests that support the pact continue to emphasize the importance of passing it as early in the year as possible. USTR Robert Lighthizer, during his appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee last week, said that the agreement was “clearly” better than NAFTA and that failure to pass it would cause a loss of credibility on trade with China and other trading partners. The coming months are thus crucial to ensuring the growth and integration of the North American economies through the USMCA. Rest assured, IPC will be in the thick of the debate, urging Congress to pass this bill and bolster the North American electronics supply chain.

Why did IPC help launch a coalition supporting the USMCA trade agreement?

IPC joined more than 200 groups to advocate for swift congressional passage of USMCA to strengthen the North American electronics supply chain.

What procedural delays are affecting progress on the USMCA trade agreement?

The government shutdown delayed the USITC economic impact report, pushing the legislative timeline into summer.

How are House Democrats influencing changes to the USMCA trade agreement?

Democrats are seeking stronger labor and environmental enforcement and revisions to prescription drug provisions.

Why is timely congressional approval of the USMCA trade agreement important?

Delays risk pushing the vote into election year politics, reducing bipartisan cooperation and jeopardizing passage.

How is the Trump administration framing the importance of the USMCA trade agreement?

USTR Lighthizer argues USMCA improves on NAFTA and failure to pass it would weaken U.S. credibility in global trade talks.

IPC Issues Call for Participation for IPC E-TEXTILES Europe 2019

Feb 28, 2019

by Chris Jorgensen, director, technology transfer IPC invites innovators, technologists, materials suppliers, electrical engineers and academicians to submit technical conference abstracts and educational course proposals for IPC E-TEXTILES Europe 2019 to be held on November 12, 2019 in Munich, Germany. IPC E-TEXTILES Europe 2019 will provide a platform for presenters and their companies to promote their expertise in e-textiles technologies to key contacts from such industries as fashion design, health and medical, sports and athletics, automotive and military/aerospace. Expert technical presentations are being sought in the following areas: reliability, test methods, connectors, design, innovations in materials, mass production, washability, and market-specific e-textiles technologies (automotive, military, consumer wearables, etc.) An approximate 300-word technical conference abstract summarizing original and previously unpublished work covering case histories, research and discoveries must be submitted. The submission should describe significant results from experiments and case studies, emphasize new techniques, discuss trends of interest and contain appropriate technical test results. In addition, course proposals are solicited from individuals interested in presenting half-day (three-hour) professional development courses on e-textiles design, manufacturing processes and materials. Technical conference paper abstracts and course proposals are due May 10, 2019. To submit an abstract or course proposal, e-mail me at ChrisJorgensen@ipc.org.

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