submission statement: this video covers Space Forge (based in Wales, UK), a startup using microgravity to create ultra-low-defect “seed” crystals for compound semiconductors (like GaN and SiC) and even diamond materials, then bringing those seeds back to Earth to scale up production.
If it works, it feels like an early step towards using space as an industrial environment for making super high-value materials that are really hard to produce perfectly here on Earth. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how it works
For discussion: could space-assisted semiconductor manufacturing actually become part of future industrial strategy for major global powers, given how geopolitically important chips have become?
barnstormer1993 on
Heere’s a TDLR for all of you that aren’t bothered to watch the whole video:
Space Forge (Wales) is growing ultra-pure semiconductor “seed” crystals in microgravity, where gravity-caused defects basically disappear.
They bring the seeds back to Earth and scale them into wafers for GaN/SiC/diamond materials used in EVs, 5G, and future quantum chips.
Goal is massively fewer defects (up to ~4000x less defects) whcih will provide for more efficient, higher-performance electronics.
If it works, space manufacturing could become a strategic new frontier for Europe’s chip supply chain.
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submission statement: this video covers Space Forge (based in Wales, UK), a startup using microgravity to create ultra-low-defect “seed” crystals for compound semiconductors (like GaN and SiC) and even diamond materials, then bringing those seeds back to Earth to scale up production.
If it works, it feels like an early step towards using space as an industrial environment for making super high-value materials that are really hard to produce perfectly here on Earth. I’m still trying to wrap my head around how it works
For discussion: could space-assisted semiconductor manufacturing actually become part of future industrial strategy for major global powers, given how geopolitically important chips have become?
Heere’s a TDLR for all of you that aren’t bothered to watch the whole video:
Space Forge (Wales) is growing ultra-pure semiconductor “seed” crystals in microgravity, where gravity-caused defects basically disappear.
They bring the seeds back to Earth and scale them into wafers for GaN/SiC/diamond materials used in EVs, 5G, and future quantum chips.
Goal is massively fewer defects (up to ~4000x less defects) whcih will provide for more efficient, higher-performance electronics.
If it works, space manufacturing could become a strategic new frontier for Europe’s chip supply chain.