The client came up with these guidelines for his news article. I followed them and wrote a deeply researched article based on this information. (Continue to read the full article)
1. World Dynamics
The race for semiconductor supremacy | FT Film (Take potential points from here)
Chip race: the political economy of semiconductors (Research Paper)
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367433370_Chip_race_the_political_economy_of_semiconductors
The ‘chip war’ is now embedded in US-China techno-economic rivalry
2. Chip Making Companies
Why ASML is the most important company that you have never heard of?
How ASML, TSMC And Intel Dominate The Chip Market | CNBC Marathon
3. How Pakistan can play its role?
If Pakistan wants to build a solid, self-developable semiconductor industry, you have to start with down stream electronics (PCB assembly/SMT) and simpler semiconductor device production and packaging (LED, transistors etc..)
3.1 Studies
Technological Studies (SIF fellowship)
The semiconductor industry in Pakistan is booming with opportunities for the youth to contribute to a global market that has surpassed 500 billion US dollars in market size. National startups in this field are on the rise, and MS in Digital Embedded Systems (DES) programme aims to train students to be ready for this market.
We are thrilled to announce the Semiconductor Industry Fellowships (SIF) program initiated by 10xEngineers Technologies Private Limited, providing tuition fee support and employment opportunities to students in the MS DES programme from Fall 2023.
The MS in Digital Embedded Systems (DES) program at LUMS aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the semiconductor industry. Students will learn how to design and develop digital systems, microprocessors, and microcontrollers, gaining hands-on experience with tools and techniques used in the industry.
Source
Course in GIKI
It teaches Semiconductor device fabrication, metal-semiconductor and metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and devices, photonic devices, transferred?electron devices, switching devices, other semiconductor devices; Amorphous semiconductors, band models of amorphous semiconductors, electronic applications, optical applications, magnetic applications. Super conductive materials and devices.
Interview needs to be done with this guy
3.2 Pakistan Semiconductor National Plan
Chip wars & Pakistan’s semiconductor potential (Take potential points from here)
Pakistan Semicondutor National Plan (Attached along the email)
3.3 Raw Materials
Which Raw Materials Are Used in Semiconductor Chips?
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation
Geo-Chemical and Beneficiation Studies of Yakhtangi
Changing Phosphade stone to Phosphide
Race to semiconductor market dominance and how Pakistan can play its role?
1. World Dynamics
The world tech landscape is going through unprecedented competition. The former world leader in the advanced chip sector, the US is dealing with the growing competition from China that has emerged as a main challenger in the worldwide semiconductor industry. For a long period of time, semiconductor jobs moved to Asia and offshore to cut down costs but today a crusade to bring back manufacturing is on top of the agenda for the US heartland. The geopolitical conflicts, vulnerabilities of supply chains and semiconductors being a vital part of many sectors are some of the factors that have given a new dimension to the political game. China spends extensively on its semiconductor industries and embarks on the journey of self-reliance. In response, the American government has been investing in a research, development, and infrastructural initiative. The CHIPS Act is one of the major initiatives which are designed to ensure a locally-based source of computer chips/microchips to guarantee safe information, technology development, and economic growth. The end-result of this race will influence not only economic competition, national security, and technological superiority but also global impact[1].
Source
The heat of the competition in the semiconductor industry has risen, with players like Japan coming as major players in semiconductor development and production, challenging the dominance of US firms. The US itself, relies on Taiwan for semiconductors, and in return, ready to go support Taiwan in Taiwan strait crisis if needed to defend its sovereignty. On the other hand, it is imposing tariffs on Chinese goods and stopping Chinese-funded acquisitions due to the fears of technology transfer, intellectual property theft, etc. China endures the US's export controls that heavily damage networking equipment companies like Huawei and ZTE. Also, China is using Taiwan’s chips for developing the hypersonic missile system which has a security significance to both the United States and its partners. Besides, China hardens its response to US sanctions by forcefully advocating self-reliance of semiconductors under the "Made in China 2025" initiative. It should be noted that Taiwan stands for more than 60% of the world’s production of chips for high tech wafer fabrication, which is a necessary ingredient for modern technology and other electronic devices. Yet, it is affected directly by the U.S.-China tech war, losing revenue by the prohibition of Huawei products sale and the recent restrictions. The TSMC's CEO voiced worry on such trade obstacles as productivity and efficiency decrease across the globe. In this race for the leading position, each semiconductor is more than a mere component. They are shaping the national security and resilience, the dynamics of vibrant economy and the fragile balance of power among these players[2].
Source
Chip war between China and USA has been accelerated in recent years. Chinese call to build domestic ecosystems to avoid outside reliance on new and emerging technologies has put the US on greater alert. CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 by Baiden government aimed to create America’s own supply chain for semiconductors to protect its economic security in the future. As the semiconductor race covers all of the sectors: consumer electronics to AI, agriculture to aviation, the US-China competition to win the race will affect the key sectors, far beyond the economical spectrum, to the great power politics[3].
Source
2. Chip Making Companies
ASML, a Dutch company, is not as famed but the only producer of extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) systems that are used in making advanced computer chips. EUV machines of ASML are crucial in the production of cutting-edge chips that power the laptops, phones, weapons, medical equipment, AI, robotics, and the IoT. ASML's stock price has risen from $158 per share to $849 per share during the period of the global semiconductor supply chain shortage. Companies like TSMC, Intel, and Samsung are producing their chips especially the most advanced 5nm and 3nm ones with the help of EUV machines. ASML's monopoly in EUV machines production and their partnership with the major chipmakers constitutes their powerful status in the semiconductor industry[4].
Source
The protection and strengthening of a solid semiconductor production infrastructure is critical for the global supply chains and for the national defense of our countries. However, industries that use a bulk quantity of semiconductors dealt with problems on their supplies, meaning they cannot deliver well to consumer desires and are under economic challenges globally. To mitigate the shortage, manufacturers are sharply increasing production to neutralize the worldwide effect. The two biggest customers of ASML are TSMC and Samsung, the companies producing advanced semiconductors located in Asia. TSMC and Samsung are the only firms that manufacture the most advanced chips like those that are used in iPhones and supercomputers. Apart from competition in this industry, Intel is active user of TSMC's concentrated capacity to manufacture its chips. TSMC along with Intel goes on with their collaboration pinning them strategically at the top in the market. TSMC and Samsung are leading the way in chip manufacturing, and Intel intends to match their performance by the year 2025, aiming for three nanometer chips. The global chip problem has made evident the dependence on foreign companies, in turn, the U.S. State funds its own chip industry through the Chips Act and other similar schemes[5].
Source
3. How can Pakistan play its role?
“If Pakistan wants to build a solid, self-developable semiconductor industry, you have to start with downstream electronics (PCB assembly/SMT) and simpler semiconductor device production and packaging (LED, transistors etc..)
Because a self-driving semiconductor industry needs thousands of engineers and thousands of supporting satellite companies, high end (8″, 12″ wafer foundry) semiconductor industry requires too high standards of supply chain that you can’t start from nothing. Lower-end and downstream industry sectors would foster an ecosystem and attract more and more fresh graduates into this industry, gaining experience, then in 2 decades there might be an ecosystem to support a wafer foundry industry.
When Taiwan started semiconductor foundry, we were already good at computer assembly, up to PCB assembly, up to IC packaging. There are already an ecosystem with hundreds of suppliers that can upgrade to work for semiconductor production companies, and thousands of engineering graduates who wish to join this industry”[6].
Source
3.1 Studies
Technological Studies (SIF fellowship)
“The semiconductor industry in Pakistan is booming with opportunities for the youth to contribute to a global market that has surpassed 500 billion US dollars in market size. National startups in this field are on the rise, and MS in Digital Embedded Systems (DES) program aims to train students to be ready for this market.
We are thrilled to announce the Semiconductor Industry Fellowships (SIF) program initiated by 10xEngineers Technologies Private Limited, providing tuition fee support and employment opportunities to students in the MS DES program from Fall 2023.
The MS in Digital Embedded Systems (DES) program at LUMS aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the semiconductor industry. Students will learn how to design and develop digital systems, microprocessors, and microcontrollers, gaining hands-on experience with tools and techniques used in the industry[7].”
Source
Course in GIKI
It teaches “Semiconductor device fabrication, metal-semiconductor and metal-insulator-semiconductor junctions and devices, photonic devices, transferred? Electron devices, switching devices, other semiconductor devices; Amorphous semiconductors, band models of amorphous semiconductors, electronic applications, optical applications, magnetic applications. Super conductive materials and devices[8].”
Source
3.2 Pakistan Semiconductor National Plan
Pakistan can capitalize on this opportunity by leveraging its possibly huge human resources for designing chips. Pakistan has the push, as evident from programs such as the National Semiconductor Plan that facilitate schools' provision of the training of students, participation in international conferences, and assisting local companies in recruitment of local expertise to build domestic potential. Dr. Sherwani spearheaded the plan for the semiconductor industry in Pakistan and made it clear how crucial this field was. This plan has been prepared to serve as a practical guide which should be implemented and applied by Pakistan in the semiconductor sector[9].
Source
The Pakistan National Semiconductor Plan (PNSP) puts forward eight recommendations, including three broader policies and five short-term initiatives. The total amount is expected to be about $240 million funded by private, public, and PPP sources. The wider recommendations include setting up a national semiconductor goal; formation of a Cabinet-level Task Force; and offices for semiconductor business growth. The particular recommendations include founding the Semiconductor Pakistan Association, investing in universities, preparing human resources, proposing Chinese and American companies, and investing in packaging and testing corporations. The plan stresses the issues that Pakistan should build downstream electronics and more simple semiconductor devices to the beginning and then move to high-end semiconductor manufacturing. It emphasizes the need for supporting the ecosystem and cultivating engineering resources so that the semiconductor industry will be established step by step. These efforts aim to increase Pakistan’s semiconductor accessibility and to strengthen national sovereignty[10].
Source
3.3 Raw Materials
There are many raw materials for semiconductor chips. Here are some major ones:
1. Silicon: The major raw material for computer chips is often monocrystalline silicon. It is in plenty in beach sand and suitable for transistors. Microchips are fabricated using silicon wafers.
2. Germanium: Another semiconductor applied to computer chips. The solar cells, optical fibers, satellite image sensors and military goggles that detect in zero light are examples of this.
3. Gallium: This is the raw material for gallium arsenide, a chip with electrical properties. It is used in instruments such as the barometer, nuclear medicine scans, the thermometer, and drugs.
4. Indium Phosphide: This semiconductor is well known to be good for microelectronics and has a large-emitter capacitance and high-collector with a direct bandgap and low current density.
5. Boron: The computers' microchips need this brittle but shiny material. It mainly works by tying the materials to endorse their functionality.
6. DOPANT: A phosphorus atom occupies the same crystal structure location as a silicon atom. These basic minerals fuel medical gadgets and gaming consoles, enabling electronics. Semiconductors accelerate technology and knowledge[11].
Source
Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC) is dedicated to explore the mineral deposits in the country and indicates potential access to the raw materials such as silica sand which is crucial for the semiconductors manufacturing. “The company operates salt mine/quarries, coal mines and a silica sand quarry. This company conducts exploration of mineral deposits and prepares technical and economic feasibility reports. When needed and appropriate, it goes ahead and actually mines and markets the minerals in Pakistan[12].”
Source
When silicon is changed from raw feedstock to solar-grade material, the price gets higher with sand being more than two orders of magnitude lower than crystalline, solar-grade Si. The value of crystalline, solar-grade Si is around $10 kg-1, largely due to foreign governments' subsidies and infrastructure investments. The cost of setting up new manufacturing facilities for crystalline, solar-grade Si is significant, with the last facility in the US costing an estimated $2.5 billion. The fiscal cost of Si refining results in small profit margins. All these factors prevent developing countries like Pakistan from entering the market. A low-cost, low-energy route to solar-grade silicon can be explored, sourced from rice hull ash (RHA)[13].
Source
Minerals like apatite and phosphate, the most typical of phosphorus elements on the earth, are the most common forms orbiting Earth's surface. Energy-rich events can be mentioned as the causes of phosphate phosphidization, attributed to thunder-induced fusion of calcium phosphite upon melting and condensing into iron silicide spherules. A degradation of phosphites might contribute in the phosphorus circulatory system during circumstances of significant energy. Phosphorites are contained in lots of cryofilites like fulgurites, serpentinites, and Archean rocks. The decline of the phosphorus compounds is of paramount importance in reckoning the genesis to the life on this planet. Although there is no mention of naturally existing minerals containing reduced phosphorus(V) oxyacids, phosphine(Piddle) is a trace gas that is prevalent in many environment types. Bacterial taxa made up between 1-10% of microbial lineages which use phosphite and hypophosphite sources as their sole means of procuring phosphorus, thus, highlighting the importance of these compounds in the biological cycle[14].
Source
References
Comments