BANNOCKBURN, Ill, USA, September 29, 2010 ― IPC ― Association Connecting Electronics Industriesreg; invites accredited U.S. and international colleges and universities with a strong focus on the electronics industry to submit poster abstracts for the academic poster competition at IPC APEX EXPOtrade;, the industrys premier conference on electronics manufacturing, April 1214, 2011, in Las Vegas. In its third year, this competition presents academic research departments with an exceptional opportunity to gain international visibility and recognition of their research as well as their academic institution. In addition, the IPC Academic Poster Competition will provide cash awards to the top three research posters. Submissions for posters are sought on design, materials, processes and equipment in the areas or related areas of: Design Embedded Passive Active Devices Flexible Circuitry High Frequency Lead-Free Issues Package on Package Assembly Printed Board Fabrication Printed Electronics Rework Repair RFID Circuitry Solar Cell Assembly SMT Assembly Test Inspection Wire and Cable Harness Assembly Abstracts of 100 to 300 words that summarize technical and previously unpublished, noncommercial work covering case histories, research and discoveries must be submitted by one researcher on behalf of an accredited college or university, and must be received by January 27, 2011. Following a technical committee review, all passing poster abstracts will be posted on the IPC APEX EXPO show website. Industry technologists worldwide will be invited to vote online for the best poster abstract based on innovation, timeliness of the work and applicability to industry needs. Authors of the 10 posters receiving the most votes will be invited to Las Vegas to display their posters on the show floor April 1214, 2011. As invited guests, the authors will receive an airfare allowance to attend the show and IPC will provide free hotel accommodations for four nights (one room per poster) and a free technical conference registration. During the show, exhibition attendees and exhibitors will vote for the best poster. The top three posters will be announced during the show floor reception on Wednesday, April 13 and cash awards of $3,000, $1,000 and $500, for first, second and third places, respectively, will be presented to the winning poster authors. Notably, the academic poster competition at IPC APEX EXPO offers a unique opportunity for close interaction and communication between academic research programs and companies in electronics assembly and printed board manufacturing and design. For complete details, visit www.IPCAPEXEXPO.org/AcademicPosters. Questions may be directed to Greg Munie, conference director at GregMunie@ipc.org or Toya Richardson, IPC technical administrative assistant, at ToyaRichardson@ipc.org or +1 847-597-2825. About IPC IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.7 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore, India; and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing, China.