Silicon is the raw material from which the IT industry is made: the English name “Silicon” even gives its name to the iconic Silicon Valley in the US. But the material from which our computer chips are made comes in varying degrees of purity – and what’s currently available isn’t pure enough for the leap into the age of quantum computers. Researchers from Australia and Great Britain are now changing that.
Silicon is used for microchips for several reasons: First, it is a semiconductor. That is, it can be made to conduct electricity in different ways under different conditions. It is also easily available: it is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s mantle and is found in many places. The technology economy has been able to count on a readily available raw material for decades. But existing silicon is not suitable for more advanced systems such as quantum computers.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
