As we reach the halfway point of 2020, it’s time to catch up on what’s happened in the semiconductor space. While the pandemic led to an inevitable shakeup in many industry operations and consumer habits, new semiconductor developments have shown great promise for progress in the future. In the past few months, we saw big proposals impacting industry growth and leadership, record-setting solar breakthroughs, and even a new way to judge semiconductor progress.
In case you missed anything, here’s a rundown of the the latest news and breakthroughs in the chip field:
For many, the severity of the economic stress caused by the pandemic can be a tough pill to swallow. But in the midst of a dire economic picture, wise engineering leaders recognize that it’s crucial to build the strongest team possible for long-term success. When the impact of technology is undeniably complex and essential, it’s vital to have a team of professionals with the skills and careful attention required to get the job done.
As semiconductor technology evolves, it takes more energy to manufacture them. Smaller, faster, and affordable technology require more process steps and cleaner manufacturing rooms. This means increased energy from HVAC systems and manufacturing process tools. And since large semiconductor manufacturing facilities can consume up to 100 megawatt hours of energy per hour, energy consumption can account for 5 percent to 30 percent of their total operating costs.