An Introduction to Silicon

We have all heard of “Silicon Valley” and know that it is the geographic heart of the United States’ computer industry.

What many don’t realize is that the silicon mentioned in the name is not actually being mined and produced there.

The term was originally attached to the area because of the many silicon chip manufacturers and high-tech businesses that reside in the region. Today it is still the home to the primary computer and technology manufacturers and encompasses the northern reaches of the Santa Clara Valley and its surrounding towns and communities.

So, what is silicon? First let’s establish that silicon is not the same thing as silicone. This is a common misunderstanding. Silicon is a naturally

occurring chemical element. It is actually a bluish tinged rock-like substance which is processed in many different ways.

It is the main component to silicone, which is a polymer product used in almost every area of industry and technology in the world. Luckily silicon is incredibly abundant, and is considered to be the most abundant element after oxygen.

Silicon’s primary uses are in semiconductor devices and integrated circuits – such as microchips. Here we can see why Silicon Valley earned its name, because these are vital components to any computer system.

Of course silicon is not only limited to those areas mentioned above, and it is also processed into such forms as silica, silicates and silicones. This means it is put into heavy use by the construction industries where it appears in glass, concrete and cement. It is also a primary component in the production of alloys which means that is used widely and heavily in the automotive industry which relies upon the cast iron and other cast parts available only through the use of metal alloys. The world of electronics looks to silicon as well where it is used in transistors for radio signals, in LCD displays, and in photovoltaic cells – which are the life’s blood of the solar energy industry.

As mentioned earlier, however, the majority (roughly 40%) of the world’s silicon supplies end up in the various and widespread silicone industries and applications. Here they are used in everything from toys and building supplies, to medicines and lubricants. Trying to make a comprehensive list of the ways silicon is used through silicone products would require pages to complete.

A good illustration as to how much modern consumers rely on silicon and silicone can be created by asking any individual to take a quick glance around their environment. For our example we will place someone in their kitchen. They will see their microwave oven – its LCD display panel is due to silicon, its microprocessor would be unavailable without silicon, its various seals and hinges are lubricated with silicone and many interior parts contain silicon or silicone as well. Continuing on they would see their sink and here too is silicon (in the form of silicone grease). Most plumbers lubricate faucet sets with silicone grease because it can withstand the rigours and exposure to water and other chemicals like no other lubricant available. Clearly the list can go on and on, but the thing that is important to note is that the modern world would be impossible without silicon.