Microchips
The building blocks of modern technology
Microchips, also known as integrated circuits or computer chips, are the tiny, powerful devices at the heart of nearly every device we use today. These chips are essential building blocks in all modern technology: from smartphones and computers to cars and medical devices.
What is a microchip?
A microchip is a small piece of semiconductor material, usually silicon, that contains a complex network of electronic circuits. These circuits can include millions or even billions of components that control, limit, and store electrical energy: transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc. All work together to perform specific tasks.
Microchip technology has revolutionized nearly all industries, enabling devices to become smaller, faster, and more efficient.
A story of continuous innovation
The journey of the microchip began in the late 1950s with the invention of the integrated circuit. This breakthrough allowed the miniaturization of electronic components, which were previously large and cumbersome.
As semiconductor technology advanced, microchips became increasingly powerful. They paved the way for the digital age. Guided by Moore's law, the microchip industry’s rapid progression has driven the exponential growth in computing power that continues today.
How microchips are made
The process of manufacturing microchips is a marvel of precision engineering. Starting with a simple piece of silicon, complex processes such as photolithography, doping, and etching are used to create the intricate circuits that make up a chip.
These steps are carried out in ultra-clean environments known as cleanrooms, where even the smallest speck of dust can ruin a chip.
Many modern microchips use CMOS or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology:
- ‘Complementary’ refers to the use of two types of transistors that work together in pairs to perform operations more efficiently. When one type is on, the other is off, minimizing power consumption.
- ‘Metal-oxide-semiconductor’ describes the structure of the transistors used: the metal layer is the gate, which controls the flow of electricity. The oxide layer is an insulator. The semiconductor (usually silicon) is the material that conducts electricity under certain conditions.
The role of microchips in modern devices
The versatility of microchips is a result of the continuous advancements in semiconductor technology. These have allowed microchips to become more powerful and efficient over time.
Whether it’s processing data in a computer, controlling the functions of a smartphone, or managing the electronics in a car, these chips are everywhere. Outside the home, chips enable advancements in communication, healthcare, agriculture, transport, logistics, space exploration, etc. Virtually every sector of the economy benefits from what microchips have to offer.
The future of semiconductor technology
Today, microchips are more advanced than ever. Nanochip technologies are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in computing and electronics.
Moving forward, what will the next breakthrough in microchip technology look like? How will the evolution of these tiny devices continue to shape our lives?
Are we approaching the limits of chip technology? Or will new materials and approaches bring a new era in semiconductor technology?
At imec, we leverage our advanced infrastructure, the brilliant minds of our international team, and our network of academic and industrial partners to shape the future of microchips and the extraordinary breakthroughs they will bring.