Semiconductor manufacturing has experienced significant change in the last several years, driven by a confluence of challenges that has shaken up the industry.
Foremost, is the supply chain. First it was disrupted by a global pandemic. As markets like automotive and industrial saw decreased demand, chip makers shifted manufacturing toward more profitable markets, like consumer electronics. Ever since, there has been an imbalance that is just now beginning to find stability. Also consider the fraught geopolitical tensions that have many Western nations finding new supplies, or propping up domestic manufacturing.
There is, of course, the technological advances as well — Moore's law shows no signs of abating. Advanced transistor sizes, such as 7 nm and below, are becoming more standard. Extreme UV technologies offer key advantages here, but there remains a capital expense that is out of reach for most manufacturers. Meanwhile consumers are expecting more performance from their devices, requiring manufacturers to integrate more features into increasingly complex ICs.
Finally, no industry has escaped the scrutiny of sustainability, which is extremely important in an industry reliant on rare materials and high energy needs.
Addressing these challenges will require innovation and strategic planning from the entire industry.
All aboard!
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