By Dave Compertore, Scientist, Lumetrics®, Inc.
Over the past several years, shortages of semiconductors and the components used to make them, such as raw silicon, have had heavy repercussions for manufacturers of chip-based products in the automotive, high tech, and military market sectors.
The cause of these shortages can be attributed to the trickle-down effect of a silicon wafer shortage which is limiting the production of microprocessor chips—a trend that continues to impact semiconductor manufacturers.
To meet the increasing demand for semiconductors under the current constraints of decreased supply of silicon, which is used to produce wafers—an integral product component—semiconductor manufacturers must be strategic in their approach to fabrication.
