From which element are computer chips made?

Silicon is one of the most abundant elements in the world. It is also a primary component in almost all electronic deviсes.

Computer chips are made of silicon, which is a semiconductor, and in order to make the most efficient use of it, chip manufacturers use sand that contains as much silicon as possible.

Unlike other semiconductors, silicon’s conductivity is very easy to change. Through the doping process, manufacturers can introduce elements that make silicon more conductive, less conductive, and even non-conductive. As a result, manufacturers can use fewer materials for chips and make more intricate circuits for increased function.

Silicon is not the only semiconductor out there. Carbon and germanium also have similar properties. However, carbon is too brittle to use in chips. While germanium chips were used early in the computer era and the element is still sometimes used in chips today, silicon can remain a semiconductor at much higher temperatures than germanium. This becomes important when chips are deployed in computers near other electronic elements that retain heat.