Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to produce electromechanical interconnections within integrated circuits (ICs), printed circuit boards (PCBs) and between PCBs and other electronic components such as resistors, capacitors and integrated circuits. Elements include so-called “smart pins” or “neuro-pins” that facilitate electrical pathways in the dimension normal to the plane of a PCB. Smart pins or neuro-pins may be inserted using automated processes that do not require the high temperatures normally associated with soldering. Resultant circuits generally contain a large number of layers that are more compact and more readily constructed compared with conventional PCB-based circuitry.