Silicon
Silicon is an important component of many electrical devices, such as transistors, microprocessors, chips and diodes. A chip is a generic electronic component, which can perform multiple functions, while a processor is the heart of the computer device. In fact, it coordinates the calculation activities of the device.
Silicon is a nonmetal or semimetal, so it has intermediate properties between metals and non-metals, in fact it is a semiconductor. So it allows the passage of electricity but the flow can be controlled easily
Silicon ore: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon
Silicon is a refractory material, that is, it is able to withstand very high temperatures for a long time without reacting chemically with the materials with which it comes into contact
Silicon plays an important role as an anodic component of lithium-ion batteries that are and will be used in the automotive field. The graphite will be replaced with silicon, leading to an improvement in the electrodes.
Energy capacity refers to the possibility of accumulating energy per unit of mass and volume.
The goal is to reduce the cost by 50%, in fact today, for the entire system of a lithium-ion battery, about 180 euros are needed.
It consists of a P-N junction, composed of two zones: the p layer, which has an excess of holes, positive charges, and the n layer, characterized by an excess of electrons, negative charges. Through this structure it is possible to regulate the passage of electric current inside the diode. To form a P-N junction, the amorphous silicon must be subjected to special treatments, called doping.
N-Type
If we use elements of the fifth group (arsenic, phosphorus or antimony) it is possible to add some free electrons and facilitate the flow of electric current.
P-Type
If we use elements of the third group (boron, aluminum and gallium) the number of free electrons decreases, leaving free places in the crystal structure. In this case the transitors are of the positive type.
We are getting to the point where silicon cannot be used on such small processors due to its chemical properties. Companies are now using nanoparticles, and new materials, such as silicon alloys and other metals, will be used in the future to meet market needs.
In fact, Intel has already announced that it will use a material other than silicon for its next seven-nanometer technology chips, which correspond to a length of 35 atoms.
