What are microchips used for?

Microchips are at the heart of virtually every electronic device. From consumer technology to automotive innovation, healthcare, and beyond, microchips offer benefits enabling a more connected and efficient world.

Smart consumer tech

The most familiar application of microchips is in consumer technology. There, integrated circuits serve as the brains of countless devices that we use on a daily basis.

From smartphones to laptops and gaming consoles, microchips are the driving force behind the functionality and performance of all modern gadgets.

The circuits on the chips inside these devices process data, execute commands, and manage information flow. This enables the seamless operation of software and applications.

Microchips in consumer technology have made it possible to pack immense computing power into small, portable devices. For example, the microprocessors in smartphones allow us to access the internet, take high-quality photos, navigate using GPS, and even control smart home appliances, all from a device that fits in our pockets.

The benefits of microchips in this context are clear: they provide the processing power and efficiency that make modern conveniences possible and much more accessible.

Data- and telecommunication

The telecommunications industry also depends heavily on microchips to provide the connectivity that underpins modern communication networks. Microchips are used in network infrastructure, such as routers, switches, and base stations. They manage data traffic and ensure reliable communication between devices.

In mobile communication, microchips enable the smartphones and tablets to connect to cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. As the world moves towards 5G networks, microchips play a crucial role in delivering the high-speed, low-latency connectivity needed for emerging technologies like the Internet of things and augmented reality.

By the end of this decade, we will probably make the transition from the most advanced implementations of 5G to the first versions of 6G. What will that future look like?

Home automation

In smart thermostats, microchips process data from sensors. They adjust the temperature based on user preferences or environmental conditions, optimizing energy use and enhancing comfort.

In lighting systems, microchips allow for remote control and automation. They enable users to schedule lights, adjust brightness, or even change colors through a smartphone app or voice commands.

This integration of microchips in everyday devices turns a regular home into a smart, connected environment.

Beyond controlling individual devices, microchips also enable the centralization and coordination of home automation systems. Devices such as smart hubs and voice assistants rely on microchips to manage and synchronize various smart devices throughout the house.

This allows for more complex automation scenarios, such as turning off all lights, locking doors, and adjusting the thermostat with a single command. Microchips also facilitate the integration of security systems, enabling features like motion detection, video surveillance, and real-time alerts, which enhance the safety and convenience of modern homes.

Automotive innovation

Microchips are also playing a transformative role in the automotive industry. As vehicles become more sophisticated, the demand for advanced electronics has skyrocketed. Today’s cars are equipped with numerous microchips that control everything from engine management and emissions systems to infotainment and advanced driver-assistance systems.

For instance, microchips enable the precise control of fuel injection and ignition timing, leading to better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. In addition, microchips are integral to features such as lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These enhance safety and help prevent accidents.

As the automotive industry moves towards electric and autonomous vehicles, the importance of microchips will only continue to grow.

• Electric vehicles rely on microchips to manage battery performance, optimize energy consumption, and control electric motors.
• Autonomous vehicles, which are still in the development stage, will depend on powerful microchips to process vast amounts of data from sensors and cameras in real time, enabling the vehicle to navigate safely and make split-second decisions.

Healthcare

In the healthcare sector, microchips are driving significant advancements in medical technology. These improve patient care, enhance diagnostic accuracy, and enable innovative treatments.

One of the most critical applications of microchips in healthcare is in medical imaging. Devices such as MRI machines, CT scanners, and ultrasound systems rely on microchips to process and analyze the complex data needed to create detailed images of the human body. That, in turn, supports accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Microchips are also used in medical devices like pacemakers, insulin pumps, and hearing aids. In these applications, microchips enable precise control and monitoring of the device’s functions, ensuring that patients receive the correct treatment at the right time.

Semiconductor technology also drives innovations in genomics, precision medicine, and personalized treatments.

Next-generation sequencing chips and microfluidic devices are paving the way for faster, more accurate genetic analysis, which is crucial for diagnosing and treating diseases more effectively. These chips integrate multiple functions, from DNA extraction to cell sorting, on a compact, efficient platform, making advanced healthcare accessible and affordable.

In addition to genomics, microchips are playing a pivotal role in cell and gene therapy, drug discovery, and medical device development. Silicon-based chips are enhancing the precision and scalability of cell therapy, a personalized treatment approach that involves modifying a patient’s cells to fight diseases like cancer.

“We want to shrink a complete cell manufacturing plant onto chips.”

Furthermore, in the pharmaceutical industry, microchips are facilitating faster drug discovery and clinical trials through AI-driven platforms and on-chip technologies.

Innovations in wearable and implantable medical devices are also contributing to more personalized and predictive healthcare by monitoring patients' health in real time.

These devices range from fitness trackers and smartwatches that continuously trace vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure to more complex wearables. They provide valuable data that can help people manage their own health more effectively. And they improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Advanced robotics

In factories and production lines, microchips control robots, machinery, and sensors, enabling the automation of complex processes. This automation increases efficiency and productivity while reducing human error and enhancing safety.

Microchips are used in programmable logic controllers (PLCs), which are specialized computers that manage the operation of industrial machinery. PLCs rely on microchips to process inputs from sensors, execute control algorithms, and output commands to actuators.

This level of control allows for the precise operation of manufacturing equipment, leading to higher quality products and faster production times.

One specific example of a disruptive sensitive technology that is miniaturized, low-power, mass-manufacturable and affordable is hyperspectral imaging. While our eyes and regular digital cameras only see the world in combinations of three colors, hyperspectral cameras can detect tens to hundreds of different colors. This allows them to identify specific materials and even assess their condition.

Hyperspectral cameras can, for example, improve the maintenance of machinery and infrastructure by detecting early signs of corrosion on metal surfaces before they become visible to the human eye. Thanks to hyperspectral chips, ultra-compact cameras, and tailored software, hyperspectral imaging has become accessible for continuous and cost-effective use in various production and inspection tools.

Discover how hyperspectral sensors enable the “holy grail of robotics.”

Agrifood technology

Microchips are playing an increasingly important role in agrifood technology. They help to address the challenge of feeding the world’s growing population in a sustainable and efficient way.

One key application is in precision agriculture, where microchips are embedded in sensor technologies to collect and analyze data on soil conditions, crop health, and environmental factors like nitrogen emissions.

These sensors enable farmers to practice site-specific crop management, allowing them to optimize water usage, manage nutrients more effectively, and reduce the need for pesticides. By closely monitoring and responding to the variability within and between fields, farmers can maximize crop yields while minimizing environmental impact.

In addition to precision agriculture, microchips are also transforming food processing and quality control. Sensors equipped with microchips can monitor the quality of food during processing, ensuring that products meet safety and quality standards. These sensors can detect contaminants, monitor temperature and humidity levels, and even assess the freshness of produce.

By integrating microchip-based technologies with data science and artificial intelligence, the agrifood industry can develop innovative solutions that improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure a healthier, more sustainable food supply for the future.

Learn more about how the OnePlanet Research Center is turning this vision into reality

Space exploration

The first chips were designed for military and aerospace applications. Today, space exploration remains an important market for innovative microchips.

Next-generation spacecrafts require photonics-based communication chips and sensors for astronaut health monitoring, to name just two examples.

For a new generation of ever-smaller satellites, integrated imagers, radiation-hardened circuits, optical transceivers and efficient power converters need to be developed. Besides the challenge of miniaturization, these components need to be able to withstand extreme conditions like high radiation levels.

To make sure chips can survive in space, imec has developed technology that protects microchips from radiation damage, allowing them to work reliably for a long time in satellites, spacecraft, and on space missions. Imec’s work with the European Space Agency (ESA) shows how important this technology is for advancing space exploration.

Beyond protecting chips from radiation, imec is also developing advanced imaging sensors and power electronics for use in space.

Imaging devices, like hyperspectral cameras, capture high-quality images from space, which are important for studying Earth and other planets. Imec’s power electronics keep satellite systems running smoothly, even in the harsh conditions of space. Imec researchers are also working on secure communication systems that allow satellites to talk to each other.

All these innovations in microchip technology are helping to push the boundaries of what’s possible in space exploration.

The ubiquity of microchips

So, what is the purpose of an integrated circuit, and why are microchips important? All the examples above illustrate the fundamental role microchips play as building blocks of modern technology, enabling a wide range of applications across multiple industries.

From consumer gadgets and vehicles to medical devices, industrial automation, and reliable outer space technologies, microchips power the devices and systems that make our lives easier, safer, and more connected.

The benefits of microchips are vast, driving innovation and efficiency in almost every sector of the economy. As technology continues to evolve, the role of microchips will only become more significant, shaping the future in ways we can barely imagine today.