The Birth of Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry
Taiwan faced economic and political challenges in the 1970s, leading the government to focus on developing a high-tech industry, especially in electronics and computers. They established the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and, through a partnership with RCA, learned how to make semiconductor chips. This project, which involved sending many talented Taiwanese engineers to the US for training, was very successful. The success of this demonstration factory led to the creation of United Microelectronics (UMC), which proved Taiwan could compete in chip manufacturing. This also paved the way for the Hsinchu Science Park, a technology hub, and eventually led to the founding of TSMC, a major chip manufacturer, by Morris Chang.
Key Vocabulary
A large continuous extent of land that forms the principal part of a country or continent, as distinguished from islands or peninsulas.
Examples:
- The small island nation relies heavily on trade with the mainland for essential goods.
- After years abroad, she returned to the mainland to reconnect with her family.
- Travel between the island and the mainland can be challenging during the winter months.
A unit of length equal to one millionth of a meter, often used in technology to describe very small dimensions.
Examples:
- The dust filter can capture particles as small as five microns.
- Modern processors feature transistors that are only a few nanometers, a fraction of a micron, in size.
- The precision machinery was calibrated to tolerances of a few microns.
A thin slice of semiconductor material, such as silicon, upon which microcircuits are built, serving as the substrate for integrated circuits.
Examples:
- The factory produced thousands of silicon wafers daily for electronic device manufacturing.
- Engineers carefully inspected each wafer for defects before proceeding with the next stage of production.
- The process involved depositing multiple layers of material onto the wafer to create complex circuitry.
To imitate or reproduce the function or behavior of a different system or process, often with the aim of achieving similar or superior results.
Examples:
- The new software successfully emulated the functionality of the older, more expensive system.
- The architect emulated classical Roman designs in the building's facade.
- Students were encouraged to emulate the successful study habits of their peers.
Short for 'fabrication plant' or 'foundry,' referring to a facility where integrated circuits are manufactured.
Examples:
- The company invested heavily in building a new state-of-the-art fab to increase production capacity.
- Operating a semiconductor fab requires immense capital and highly specialized equipment.
- Many smaller design firms rely on third-party fabs to produce their chip designs.
At any time; whenever.
Examples:
- You can call me anytime if you need assistance.
- The system is designed to be accessible anytime, day or night.
- Feel free to visit us anytime you're in the neighborhood.
To exchange one thing for another.
Examples:
- We decided to swap our old car for a more fuel-efficient model.
- The team decided to swap players during the game to improve their defense.
- She offered to swap seats so I could have a better view.
Located or placed in a particular position or context.
Examples:
- The new office building is ideally situated near public transportation.
- The company is well-situated to capitalize on emerging market trends.
- The small village was situated at the foot of the mountains.
To introduce or instill a quality or element into something.
Examples:
- The coach tried to infuse the team with a renewed sense of purpose.
- The chef decided to infuse the olive oil with garlic and herbs for extra flavor.
- Her innovative ideas helped to infuse new energy into the stagnant project.
Having a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another.
Examples:
- Studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between exercise and improved mood.
- The company's sales figures are highly correlated with the overall economic climate.
- The rise in temperature was correlated with an increase in ice cream consumption.
In electronics, referring to a type of transistor (bipolar junction transistor) that uses both electron and hole charge carriers, distinct from other transistor types like MOSFETs.
Examples:
- Early integrated circuits often utilized bipolar transistors due to their high switching speeds.
- The design team weighed the advantages of bipolar technology against CMOS for their new circuit.
- Bipolar devices are known for their current-driven operation, unlike voltage-driven field-effect transistors.
A unit of area equal to 10,000 square meters, or 2.471 acres, commonly used for measuring land.
Examples:
- The national park spans thousands of hectares of protected wilderness.
- The new agricultural project will cultivate crops on an area covering 500 hectares.
- The real estate developer purchased several hectares of land for the new housing complex.
To supervise or manage a project, organization, or group of people.
Examples:
- A project manager was appointed to oversee the construction of the new bridge.
- The committee's role is to oversee the ethical conduct of research.
- She was tasked with overseeing the daily operations of the entire department.
A person, organization, or country that has a lot of power, energy, or influence.
Examples:
- The small startup quickly grew into a technology powerhouse.
- She is a recognized powerhouse in the legal community.
- The company has become an economic powerhouse in the region.
In the context of semiconductors, a factory that manufactures integrated circuits for other companies based on their designs, without designing its own chips.
Examples:
- The fabless semiconductor company relies entirely on external foundries to produce its chips.
- The demand for advanced foundry services has surged with the growth of AI and IoT.
- Establishing a new semiconductor foundry requires a massive upfront investment.
An abbreviation for 'integrated circuit,' a set of electronic circuits on one small flat piece of semiconductor material, typically silicon.
Examples:
- The development of the first IC revolutionized the electronics industry.
- Modern smartphones contain numerous complex ICs that perform various functions.
- Engineers are constantly working to design smaller and more powerful ICs.
A person who has been awarded an undergraduate degree by a university or college.
Examples:
- She earned her bachelor's degree in computer science from a reputable university.
- Many entry-level positions in the field require at least a bachelor's degree.
- After completing his bachelor's, he decided to pursue a master's degree.
To make known (private or sensitive information).
Examples:
- The company refused to divulge the details of the secret project.
- He promised not to divulge any confidential information to competitors.
- Journalists pressed the official to divulge the source of the leaked document.
Referring to a product or service that is supplied in a state ready for immediate use, often implying that the provider handles all aspects of setup and implementation.
Examples:
- The software company offers a turnkey solution for managing customer relationships.
- They opted for a turnkey manufacturing process, allowing them to focus on design.
- The construction firm delivered the new building as a complete turnkey project.
People or entities that reside in or occupy a place or space.
Examples:
- The building's occupants were safely evacuated during the fire drill.
- New occupants began moving into the freshly built apartments.
- The landlord is responsible for the safety of all the occupants of the premises.