Hey folks! I’ve been on a recent tech learning journey and I thought I’d share what I’ve discovered about something you’ve likely heard of but maybe know a lot about - semiconductors! I didn’t know much about them, but I’ve come to realize they’re incredibly important to our daily lives.
So what exactly are semiconductors? Essentially, they’re a middle ground between conductors and insulators. So, insulators don’t allow electrical current to flow while conductors do. Semiconductors have both of these properties. It acts like an insulator most of the time but under certain conditions, it can conduct electricity.
Did you know there’s more than one type of semiconductor? I didn’t, but I found out there are actually two main kinds: N-type and P-type.
N-type semiconductors carry electrical currents mostly through what are called negatively charged electrons.
P-type semiconductors carry their current through what are known as “holes” - spots where an electron could be, but isn’t.
Semiconductors are used in so many modern technologies and devices that we use every day! Like LEDs. They are a type of diodes, semiconductors that let electricity flow only one way. These little guys light up when electricity passes through them, illuminating everything from our phone screens to our household lights.
Then transistors – they can control the flow of electricity like a switch, or amplifiers, boosting the electrical signal. Microprocessors are sort of like the brains of electronic devices like computers, smartphones, and appliances, controlling all sorts of operations and processes. Even, solar cells, are usually made from semiconductor materials like silicon.
It’s amazing how something I hadn’t given much thought to is such a huge part of our modern world, powering devices and technologies we often take for granted!
I’ve had great fun learning about semiconductors and I hope you found this peek into their world as interesting as I did. Let’s keep exploring, learning, and sharing our tech journeys together!