Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1531384
JANUARY 2025 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 27 Conclusion Aer three decades of designing PCBs and evolv- ing in my career, I strongly support the proposition that the term PCB designer has evolved into the pro- fession of printed circuit engineer because it takes highly technical engineering skills, continual edu- cation and professional development, and a knowl- edge of industry best practices to successfully design a PCB today. I believe PCB designers are and will continue to be a unique breed of professional individuals. Having to cross-pollinate between mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing domains while being the keystone that bridges these domains together throughout the PCB design process amplifies the criticality and uniqueness of the PCB design profession. A four-year degree is not required, but a higher level of technical education and professional develop- ment to include mentorship, and training—regardless of where you get it from—will be. erefore, the PCB designer of the future will more than likely be a tech- nically degreed, hybrid professional: part engineer, part programmer, part collaborator, and part innova- tor. ey will be adaptable, tech-savvy, and creative problem solvers. eir work will be augmented by AI, enriched by interdisciplinary collaboration, and guided by a commitment to sustainability. As the challenges of signal integrity, electromag- netic compatibility, thermal management, and more grow, so will the opportunities for innova- tion. e role of PCB designers will evolve as tech- nology advances, reshaping industries and creating new opportunities. While AI, remote work, and interdisciplinar y expertise will define the future, the core of design, such as creativity, problem- solving, collaboration, and innovation, will remain timeless. By preparing for the challenges and embracing the possibilities, PCB designers of the future will not only adapt but thrive in a world of endless potential. DESIGN007 Stephen V. Chavez is principal technical product marketing manager with Siemens EDA and chairman of PCEA. High-quality Nanomechanical Resonators With Built-in Piezoelectricity Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden and at the Uni- versity of Magdeburg in Germany have developed a novel type of nanomechani- cal resonator that combines two impor- tant features: high mechanical quality and piezoelectricity. Mechanical resonators have been used for centuries for a multitude of applica- tions. With advancements in microfabrica- tion techniques, researchers have been able to shrink mechanical resonators down to the micro- and nanometer scale. At these tiny sizes, resonators oscillate at much higher frequencies and exhibit a greater sensitivity compared to their mac- roscopic counterparts. "These properties make them use- ful in precision experiments, for example for sensing minuscule forces or mass changes. Recently, nanomechanical res- onators have raised significant interest among quantum physicists due to their potential use in quantum technologies. For example, the use of quantum states of motion would improve the sensitivity of nanomechanical resonators even further," says Witlef Wieczorek, Professor of Phys- ics at Chalmers University of Technology and project leader of the study. A common requirement for these appli- cations is that nanomechanical resonators need to sustain their oscillation for long times without losing their energy. This abil- ity is quantified by the mechanical quality factor. Now, researchers at Chalmers Uni- versity of Technology and at the University of Magdeburg, Germany, made a big leap as they demonstrated a nanomechanical resonator made of tensile-strained alumi- num nitride, a piezoelectric material that maintains a high mechanical quality factor. (Source: Chalmers University of Technology)