Printed Circuit Design & Fab Online Magazine - Market News

Market News

URBANA, IL and WEST LAFAYETTE, IN -- Researchers at Purdue University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have successfully created networks of carbon nanotubes.

This technology will make it possible to create print circuits on plastic sheets for applications including flexible displays. Carbon nanotube transistors can be used to create high-performance, shock-resistant, lightweight and flexible integrated circuits. Nanonets are produced at low temperatures so the circuitry can be placed on flexible plastic sheets, reducing base material costs.

Nanonets are circuits made of numerous carbon nanotubes that randomly overlap in a fishnet-like structure. Until recently, this technology has not demonstrated production robustness. The nanonet networks were often contaminated with random metallic nanotubes that caused shorts.

The problem was solved by cutting the net into strips to break the path of metallic nanotubes and eliminate the shorts.

The researchers created a flexible circuit containing more than 100 transistors, the largest nanonet ever produced and the first demonstration of a working nanonet circuit.

BEIJING – With the Olympics around the corner, Chinese authorities in Beijing have restricted the traffic flow of goods and materials in an approximate 200-mile ring around the city through Oct. 17.

ARLINGTON, VA – The Consumer Electronics Association has hit on a novel way to spread its free trade message: a nationwide bus tour.

The trade group today launched a 28-state grassroots educational initiative to help Americans understand the importance of trade to creating jobs and driving economic growth. The “America Wins with Trade” bus tour set off today from New York City to Washington, DC, where the group will hold a pro-trade rally and press conference July 24 on Capitol Hill.

CEA has called on Congress to reject isolationism and enact trade agreements that expand the economy and create American jobs. “Trade isn't just vital to our companies and our industry, it is essential to preserving America's prosperity and way of life. Our political leaders have told us to make the case to the American people why trade is vital to our nation’s future, so we are launching this nationwide effort,” said CEA President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

SAN JOSE – North America-based manufacturers of semiconductor equipment posted $1.03 billion in orders in June and a book-to-bill ratio of 0.85, says SEMI.

The three-month average of worldwide bookings was flat sequentially, and down about 36% year-over-year, says the trade group.

The three-month average of worldwide billings was $1.21 billion, down about 8% sequentially, and down about 31% compared to June 2007.

"With a half year of data at hand, bookings for the North American equipment manufacturers are down 27% compared to the same period one year ago," said Daniel Tracy, senior director of Industry Research and Statistics at SEMI. “The industry awaits more clarity in the overall economic condition before increasing capital spending.”