As an essential part of any electronic device, a semiconductor is a hub of integrated circuits to help our daily lives to function quickly and efficiently. They serve as the foundation for most of the electronic devices that we take for granted these days. They are typically made from a solid chemical element or compound that is capable of conducting electricity under some conditions, but not all. In the last 50 years, the way that semiconductors are used and made has changed dramatically, and so the materials used within them has also needed to evolve. This is now happening at a rapid rate, so we thought it was time to look at some of the top trends for semiconductor materials throughout the remainder of 2024 and beyond.
Typical semiconductor materials
There are several different materials that have been used in the semiconductor industry for some time now. Things like silicon carbide (SiC), gallium manganese arsenide (GaAS) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) have all been popular choices. In addition to this, we will also commonly see molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) in use.
Global events
There are a number of global events that have taken place in recent years which have impacted on the choice of materials used for semiconductors. The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war has created ongoing political and economic instability across the globe, and this has meant that there has been a significant decline in consumer purchasing power within certain regions. Supply chains have also been disrupted, and whilst demand quickly rebounded after the lockdowns, many manufacturers were looking for ways in which they could adapt their product fluctuations to navigate any periods of uncertainty. This has meant that they have shifted towards new materials that allows them to have greater control over their supply and production.
Greater efficiency
Anyone producing an electronic device knows that speed and efficiency are essential components. It is therefore important to look for materials which will aid this. It now seems that vanadium dioxide shows great potential as an electronic switch and can play an active role in semiconductor processes. The use of materials that can switch between metal and insulators in a fraction of a second will aid the pursuit for smaller and faster electronics. Gallium nitride (GaN) has also been found to provide better speed and efficiency and so GaN-based transistors are being used in new ways, especially when it comes to optoelectronics.
Sustainability
Most manufacturers across the world are now aware of the impact they can have on our planet. This means that there is a definite shift towards environmentally sustainable and eco-friendly products. As a result, many manufacturers are now looking at the ways in which their semiconductor materials can become more sustainable as well as options for reducing waste, transportation and emissions during production.
Changing flexibility
Traditionally, semiconductors have been made from rigid substrates which have been cut or shaped into thin discs or wafers. However, a number of products, including LEDS, solar cells and transistors are benefiting from more flexible substrates and so there is now a shift towards flexible plastic and paper. This is enabled by new material and production developments, which can create materials capable of stretching much further and allowing themselves to be subjected to a much wider temperature range. This can be particularly important when looking at the effectiveness of implantable and wearable medical devices as well as the demand for artificial intelligence hardware.
Semiconductors are incredibly important when it comes to almost any electrical device that we use, and so it stands to reason that these will continue to develop to ensure that our electronic devices can be as small as we need them to be without compromising their speed or their efficiency.
Traditionally, semiconductors have been made from rigid substrates which have been cut or shaped into thin discs or wafers. However, a number of products, including LEDS, solar cells and transistors are benefiting from more flexible substrates and so there is now a shift towards flexible plastic and paper. This is enabled by new material and production developments, which can create materials capable of stretching much further and allowing themselves to be subjected to a much wider temperature range. This can be particularly important when looking at the effectiveness of implantable and wearable medical devices as well as the demand for artificial intelligence hardware.
Semiconductors are incredibly important when it comes to almost any electrical device that we use, and so it stands to reason that these will continue to develop to ensure that our electronic devices can be as small as we need them to be without compromising their speed or their efficiency.
Dive deeper into the future of semiconductors and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology!
