David Schnider’s Post

This is the story behind one of the most valuable — and perhaps, most improbable — technologies humanity has ever created. It's a breakthrough called extreme ultraviolet lithography, and it's how the most advanced microchips in the world are made. The kind of chips powering the latest AI models. The kind of chips that the U.S. is desperately trying to keep out of the hands of China.For years, few thought this technology was even possible. It still sounds like science fiction: A laser strong enough to blast holes in a bank vault hits a droplet of molten tin. The droplet explodes into a burst of extreme ultraviolet light. That precious light is funneled onto a wafer of silicon, where it etches circuits as fine as a strand of DNA. Only one company in the world that can make these advanced microchip etching machines: a Dutch firm called ASML.Today on the show, how this breakthrough in advanced chipmaking happened — and how it almost didn't. How the long-shot idea was incubated in U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories and nurtured by U.S. tech giants. And, why a Dutch company now controls it.This episode was hosted by Jeff Guo and Sally Helm. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Jess Jiang. It was fact-checked by Dania Suleman, and engineered by Patrick Murray. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. For daily news and analysis subscribe to the https://lnkd.in/gs95BvE8 newsletter. #Transport #Logistics #Vehicles

RP NPR Technology: The strange way the world's fastest microchips are made This is the story behind one of the most valuable — and perhaps, most improbable — technologies humanity has ever created. It's a breakthrough called extreme ultraviolet lithography, and it's how the most advanced microchips in the world are made. The kind of chips powering the latest AI models. The kind of chips that the U.S. is desperately trying to keep out of the hands of China. For years, few thought this technology was even possible. It still sounds like science fiction: A laser strong enough to blast holes in a bank vault hits a droplet of molten tin. The droplet explodes into a burst of extreme ultraviolet light. That precious light is funneled onto a wafer of silicon, where it etches circuits as fine as a strand of DNA. Only one company in the world that can make these advanced microchip etching machines: a Dutch firm called ASML. Today on the show, how this breakthrough in advanced chipmaking happened — and how it almost didn't. How the long-shot idea was incubated in U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories and nurtured by U.S. tech giants. And, why a Dutch company now controls it. This episode was hosted by Jeff Guo and Sally Helm. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Jess Jiang. It was fact-checked by Dania Suleman, and engineered by Patrick Murray. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. Read more on NPR https://n.pr/4flFtAD

The strange way the world's fastest microchips are made This is the story behind one of the most valuable — and perhaps, most improbable — technologies humanity has ever created. It's a breakthrough called extreme ultraviolet lithography, and it's how the most advanced microchips in the world are made. The kind of chips powering the latest AI models. The kind of chips that the U.S. is desperately trying to keep out of the hands of China. For years, few thought this technology was even possible. It still sounds like science fiction: A laser strong enough to blast holes in a bank vault hits a droplet of molten tin. The droplet explodes into a burst of extreme ultraviolet light. That precious light is funneled onto a wafer of silicon, where it etches circuits as fine as a strand of DNA. Only one company in the world that can make these advanced microchip etching machines: a Dutch firm called ASML. Today on the show, how this breakthrough in advanced chipmaking happened — and how it almost didn't. How the long-shot idea was incubated in U.S. nuclear weapons laboratories and nurtured by U.S. tech giants. And, why a Dutch company now controls it. This episode was hosted by Jeff Guo and Sally Helm. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Jess Jiang. It was fact-checked by Dania Suleman, and engineered by Patrick Murray. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer. Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. Technology Read more on NPR https://ift.tt/2lTUBoH

For anyone interested in the development of semiconductors and their profound impact on our world, this Financial Times podcast is an excellent starting point. Presented by FT Europe-China Correspondent James Kynge. I'd also highly recommend the book featured in the pod, Chip War by Chris Miller from The Fletcher School at Tufts University. https://lnkd.in/ejwB7PjE #semiconductors #chips MOVE: Mobility Re-imagined

“Continuing to deliver energy-efficient and cost-efficient computing to the world, we see that the future remains bright,” explains Sanjay Natarajan on Financial Times’ Tech Tonic Podcast. He discusses Intel Foundry's commitment to innovation in advanced packaging and diverse chip designs, ensuring Moore’s Law lives on. Listen here: https://intel.ly/3CLIBY4 #Intel #IntelFoundry #MooresLaw

“Continuing to deliver energy-efficient and cost-efficient computing to the world, we see that the future remains bright,” explains @Sanjay Natarajan on @Financial Times’ Tech Tonic Podcast. He discusses Intel Foundry's commitment to innovation in advanced packaging and diverse chip designs, ensuring Moore’s Law lives on. Listen here: https://intel.ly/3CLIBY4 #Intel #IntelFoundry #MooresLaw #IAmIntel

🌍 A Greener Future for AI with Gallium Oxide? Imagine an AI-powered world where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand. 💡 That’s where gallium oxide enters the scene. As the AI industry grows rapidly, so does its environmental footprint. Traditional materials like silicon are beginning to show their limits, but gallium oxide, a high-performing semiconductor, offers new hope. Here’s why it’s a game-changer: Superior Energy Efficiency 🔋: Gallium oxide could cut power consumption by up to 90% for AI systems. High Performance Under Pressure 💥: It operates well under extreme conditions, making it ideal for intensive AI processes. Reduced Environmental Impact 🌱: Less energy consumed means lower emissions – a win for tech and the planet. The future of AI doesn’t have to be a drain on resources. As we explore advanced materials like gallium oxide, we’re stepping closer to a sustainable tech landscape, merging innovation with responsibility. 🌐 Read the full article here: https://www.rfr.bz/lb2ec61 #manufacturing #automation #supplychain #ralfklaassen Liked this post? Want to see more? 🔔 Ring Bell on my Profile Follow #ralfklaassen 🔝 Connect with me

In this episode of my podcast, we focus on the Taichi photonic computer chip, a novel AI chip developed in China that leverages light for data processing. This technology could significantly advance China’s AI and semiconductor industries, potentially surpassing Western dominance. The chip’s energy efficiency and speed are highlighted as major breakthroughs, outperforming current electronic chips by orders of magnitude. We explore the implications of this technological leap, specifically focusing on the potential need for expanded export controls to prevent China from gaining a monopoly in these crucial fields. We also examines the challenges of mass production, including the reliance on various systems and the lack of standardized processing techniques. Restricting exports and carefully regulating access to the core components of this technology may be necessary to prevent China from achieving its self-declared intention of dominance in AI and semiconductor industries—an ambition that has clear economic and strategic ramifications. https://lnkd.in/eSN7WNpZ

Advanced #semiconductor packaging plays a crucial role as the foundation for next generation integrated circuits. The latest report by IDTechEx, "Advanced Semiconductor Packaging 2025-2035: Forecasts, Technologies, Applications" explores the latest innovations covering key technical trends, analyzing the value chain, evaluating major players and providing detailed market forecasts. For more information, including downloadable sample pages, please see https://lnkd.in/dzvT2muC #AI #Computing #EVs #5G #6G #Photonics

New episode: Chips Making Chips! Beyond the Microchip podcast from Microchip Technology Inc. Machines that build machines. It’s a curious paradox. Whenever you consider something that builds itself, physically, it could conjure thoughts of an infinity loop or an M.C. Escher painting. The never-ending loop of technology. The extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine, a marvel of modern engineering, etches patterns onto silicon wafers with unparalleled precision, giving birth to the microchips that power our world. A machine so advanced, so intricate, that it holds the power to create the very building blocks of our digital age. It gives birth to the state of the art in semiconductors. Indeed, the future pulled forward to today. As we marvel at the bleeding edge of technology, we often overlook the humble components that make it all possible. Inside every EUV lithography machine, a symphony of legacy technologies plays out, from power management diodes to analog circuits. These unsung heroes, though less glamorous than their cutting-edge counterparts, are the backbone of innovation. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has witnessed the fragility of global semiconductor supply chains. Black swan events have exposed the dangers of over-reliance on a single source, leading to shortages that ripple across industries. It is a stark reminder that the latest and greatest cannot exist without the tried and true. As we navigate this era of rapid technological advancement, let us not forget the importance of balance. The yin and yang of old and new, of leading and lagging-edge, are forever intertwined in the dance of progress. The lead guitar and vocals may provide the memorable moments in your favorite songs, but have you ever heard a song without the drums? Modern architecture can inspire and awe, but ever tried to build a house without a concrete foundation? Trips to the zoo to visit the tigers provide moments of wonder; what would happen if the protective glass was removed? Remember that next time you marvel at the latest gadget or gizmo. Take a moment to appreciate the unassuming components that make it all possible. For in the grand scheme of innovation, every piece of the puzzle matters, no matter how small, outdated, or seemingly invisible.   How does Microchip Technology provide the critical components for producing #Microchip #Technology? Subscribe to #BeyondtheMicrochip wherever you get your podcasts. Visit https://lnkd.in/g2HTV_Zj to learn more!