Semiconductor - Microchip Sustainability

Demand for silicon chips is growing exponentially, thanks to the semiconductor industry's transition to FinFETs and 3D transistors. This growth is driven by device manufacturers' need for more efficient and powerful chipsets, as well as rising demand for autonomous and connected devices.

From smartphones to smart homes, the demand for silicon chips is higher than ever. The average silicon chip size is shrinking, as well. The need for a smaller and faster solution is crucial to keep up with the demand of the market and to keep up with the smaller size trend of silicon chips. Silicon is the building block of all computers. It is vital to the manufacturing of silicon chips and it is in high demand.

Today, chips are made out of silicon. But silicon won't be able to keep up with the demands of our increasingly connected world. The market for silicon chips is expected to grow from $291.1 billion in 2019 to $436.2 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 8.27%, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts (GIA). This growth is due to the increasing demand for autonomous and connected devices, as well as the demand for more efficient and powerful chipsets. In addition, the increasing use of robotics is also fuelling the market growth.

Some of the leading companies in the silicon chip market include Intel, Samsung, and Nvidia. These companies are constantly working on new and innovative chip designs that will help them corner the market. In addition, the silicon chip market is also seeing a rise in new players, such as TSMC, GlobalFoundries, and Renesas. This growth is due to the declining costs of FinFETs and 3D transistors, as well as the increased demand for wireless and embedded devices.

Transistors are the nodes or chips that convert the direct current (DC) from an induction motor into a series of low-voltage pulses which are incorporated in induction motor controllers, communication systems, and industrial controls. The advent of FinFET transistors has boosted the demand for transistors, helping to propel the market growth. With the increasing use of drones, electric vehicles, and other technology-intensive applications, the demand for transistors is expected to grow at a high CAGR over the forecast period.

As we creep ever closer to the so-called “point of no return” when global temperatures surpass 2°C above pre industrial levels, scientists are increasingly concerned about the potential consequences of runaway climate change from the manufacture of silicon chips and other electronics products. A world crossing this temperature threshold will cause massive extinction events, exacerbated ocean acidification, widespread food and water shortages, and even a potential collapse of the global economy.

In a new report published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, a team of scientists report that the manufacture of highly efficient silicon chips could cause the global average temperature to rise by up to 5°C, leading to a “mass extinction event”. The report says that the rapid increase in electronic product demand over the past few decades has already caused unprecedented land, ocean and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, and that this “unprecedented technology-induced increase in GHG emissions is likely to persist”.

The study’s lead author, Prof. Silvia Fabiani of the University of California, Irvine, said: “If unchecked, [Silicon chip] demand could very quickly push the Earth over the 2°C". The semiconductor industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world. It's estimated that the industry produces as much as 10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. To lessen a company's negative effects on the environment, the social sector, and the economy, we should consider circular design, techniques to reuse materials, and reverse logistics. For higher efficiencies, supply chain optimization will remain crucial. Utilising green clouds and digital green technology can improve cloud usage while lowering overall energy consumption.

We hope through this article we can bring to the reader's knowledge on sustainability problems and current progress in the semiconductor industry. We also would like to raise awareness on how the future in semiconductor industry is going to rise and its importance of thinking towards a greener world along with the technological beneficiaries.

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Article reference: @semi.org, @intelignite, Ultra Clean Technology , Agmon P