Semiconductor Manufacturing: From Crystal to Chip
Chapter 1: Development of a Semiconductor Industry
Early Stages
The electronic industry’s foundation lies in the vacuum tube and early silicon use for signal transmission before World War II. The University of Pennsylvania developed the first electronic computer, ENIAC, during World War II.
The Transistor
William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain invented the solid-state transistor at Bell Telephone Laboratories on December 16, 1947. The semiconductor industry experienced rapid growth in the
Read MoreSemiconductor Properties, Types, and Applications in Electronics
Intrinsic Semiconductors: Semiconductors whose electrical properties are due to their own nature, that is, the atoms such as composition (electronic configuration) and its crystal structure.
Extrinsic Semiconductors: Semiconductors in which impurities, either givers or acceptors, are added. The number of electrons and holes (charge carriers that are normally equal in intrinsic semiconductors) are different, so we can talk about majority carriers (electrons or holes).
N-type Extrinsic Semiconductor:
Read MoreComputer Fundamentals: Components, Operation, and Data Storage
What is a Computer? A computer is an electronic machine used to process digital information. Digital information is expressed in terms of 0 and 1, i.e., in binary numbering.
Basic Operation
- We provide input data to the computer in digital format.
- The computer processes these inputs according to the program instructions being executed. This is mainly carried out by the microprocessor (CPU), but also involves:
- RAM: Temporarily storing data and instructions.
- Graphics Card: With its own processor and RAM.
Electronic Door Entry & Access Control Systems
Electronic Door Entry Systems
Porter-mail is a communication and safety device used to control access to residential and commercial buildings.
Components of an Electronic Door Entry System
Power Supply
Adapts the required voltage (12V or 15V DC) for system components. The power supply’s capacity depends on the number of openers and telephones connected.
Entrance Panel
Houses the buttons, speaker, and microphone for communication. Compact and modular designs accommodate various user numbers. Recessed
Read MoreUnderstanding Gears and Mechanisms: Types, Functions, and Applications
Understanding Gears and Mechanisms
Gears: Transmitting Rotational Force
A gear is a component within a transmission device that transmits rotational force to another gear or device. Unlike a pulley, a gear is a round wheel with teeth or cogs that mesh with other gear teeth, ensuring efficient force transfer without slippage.
Geared devices can transmit forces at different speeds, torques, or directions, depending on their construction and arrangement. Gears are versatile simple machines that can mesh
Read MoreInternal Combustion Engine Deep Dive
Internal Combustion Engine
1. History of the Engine
The internal combustion engine evolved from the steam engine. The key difference is that the internal combustion engine generates work from a mixture of air and fuel, while the steam engine uses steam pressure from external combustion.
Key milestones:
- May 1876: Nikolaus Otto builds the first four-stroke engine.
- 1878: Dugald Clerk builds the first two-stroke engine.
- 1882: Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach start their company, focusing on lightweight,