Tag: chips

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Electronic Components

Chips Act – Latest updates

CHIPS Act Update: New Developments and Their Potential Impact

The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, a significant investment in US semiconductor manufacturing, continues to evolve.

During a Center for Strategic & International Studies event in February, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo gave several updates on the CHIPS Act. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Funding Expectations: While the CHIPS Act allocated $52.7 billion for semiconductor manufacturing incentives, Secretary Raimondo stated in February that companies might receive less than initially requested. This emphasis on “doing more for less” aims to support a wider range of projects within the allocated budget.

Ambitious Goals: The Biden administration’s bold target was also revealed in the February update: the US aim to produce 20% of the world’s most advanced chips by 2030.

Focus on Fabs: Secretary Raimondo emphasized establishing at least two new large-scale clusters for “leading-edge logic chips” by 2030. These fabs are vital for producing the most advanced semiconductors used in various electronic devices.

The Impact: The increased domestic production of chips is expected to:

  • Reduce supply chain disruptions: This could lead to more stable product availability and potentially shorter lead times for sourcing electronic components.
  • Price fluctuations: While the long-term impact on pricing is uncertain, increased domestic production might eventually stabilize chip prices, currently subject to global market fluctuations.
  • Emerging opportunities: The CHIPS Act could foster innovation and development within the US semiconductor industry, potentially leading to the emergence of new domestic chip manufacturers and suppliers.


AI Chip Development and the CHIPS Act

The US hopes to increase its lead in the development of AI chips, and the Act’s provisions include funding for research and development efforts. This could lead to the creation of more efficient and powerful AI chips, ultimately benefiting various industries like healthcare, automotive, and consumer electronics that rely heavily on AI technology.

While the specific details of AI chip development within the CHIPS Act are still unfolding, it’s an area worth monitoring as it holds significant potential for future innovation and economic growth.

Your Partner in an Evolving Electronic Component Industry

As the landscape of the electronic component industry continues to evolve, Lantek stands at the forefront as a trusted and reliable partner, ready to meet all your needs.

We understand the challenges you may face when supply chain disruptions occur, or when your current suppliers cannot meet your specific needs. That is why we are here to help. Our aim is to go beyond being a mere distributor; we aspire to be your long-term partner, dedicated to assisting you with anything you need, whenever you need it.

Lantek is uniquely positioned to not only assist with sourcing hard-to-find electronic components but also specializes in cross-referencing for obsolete parts, securing better pricing, or identifying alternative sources. We offer comprehensive solutions including scheduled orders, ensuring you have the components you need when you need them, and any other support services tailored to your specific requirements.

Contact us today and let us help you navigate the complexities of the electronic component market.

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Electronic Components

Happy Independence Day from Lantek

Happy Independence Day from Lantek

In the United States, the 4th of July is a very special day. 
 

It is the day we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the document that created the United States of America.  

 

The date has been a federal holiday since 1941, which means we here in the US are lucky enough to get a day off! 

 

Independence Day means a lot to us here at Lantek. As an independent global electronic component distributor, independence comes with the territory. Our independence has helped us better serve our customers since the company was founded.  

 

Working with Lantek helps keep you independent too. With our all-encompassing service, you are not relying on multiple companies to fill your requirements.  

 

Many of the values in the Declaration of Independence are reflected in our company’s core values: 

Determination 

Making sure to always go the extra mile to meet your requirements. Whether it is stocking, sourcing or selling, Lantek is here to help. 

Faith 

We can give you assurance that when you buy with Lantek, you are choosing a reliable source with years of experience in sourcing. 

Loyalty 

Your dedicated Account Manager who will be your point of contact for everything that you need, with no unwanted communications. 

Trust 

Our industry-leading quality and component inspection gives you the reassurance that your supply chain is protected with Lantek. 

 

 

Although we are off celebrating Independence Day today, we will be back tomorrow to fill all your electronic component requirements. Email us now at sales@lantekcorp.com and we will get back to you.  

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Electronic Components Semiconductor

Semiconductor cleanrooms

Semiconductor clean rooms

The process of making a semiconductor is a long one, and one of the essential components of the process is the cleanrooms.

What is a cleanroom?

The semiconductor manufacturing process is a very delicate, painstaking process. Cleanrooms have really tight control over many elements,
including temperature, humidity and airflow. These things can all impact the manufacturing process.

Even a single stray particle of dust or a degree below or above the desired temperature could completely alter the semiconductor.

Heat and humidity

Heat can affect the resistance and conductivity of a semiconductor. As a semiconductor’s temperature increases, the conductivity also increases and resistance drops.

Humidity, too, can have a huge impact on the end product. According to Air Innovations, the humidity in a cleanroom should fall between 30% and 50%. These conditions are ideal for stopping bacterial growth and is comfortable for the staff working inside.

Strict regulations

There is a maximum particle count and particle size in place in cleanrooms. This is usually stipulated in ISO requirements, that cleanrooms have to comply with. Depending on the process going on in the cleanroom, the regulations could be more or less stringent.

One of the biggest risk factors to a cleanroom is the people working within it. The staff are required to wear specialist clothing to
prevent cross-contamination, and require a high level of training. It’s also important, this time for the staff’s safety, to design cleanrooms to allow
people to work safely within.

In the event of

The cleanroom filters the air and has mechanisms in place in deal with contamination events.

Due to the demand for semiconductors cleanrooms are often running 24-hours a day. This means they are under a lot of strain and need to
be prepared for any eventuality.

If equipment fails in a cleanroom, all of the components inside are at risk of irreparable damage. These disasters, known as contamination events, can include power glitches, fan failure and pressure malfunctions. Any of these events could be catastrophic if not handled
properly.

Thankfully a cleanroom is unlikely to face a contamination event if it has a well-designs regulation system. If the conditions are tightly
controlled, manufacturers are much less at risk of contamination events.

Squeaky clean

Although we aren’t involved in the manufacturing process, we make sure the electronic components we source for our customers are the best
quality, and we have a guarantee in place to protect you. To hear more about what Lantek can do for you, email us today at sales@lantekcorp.com, or call us on 1-973-579-8100. 

Categories
Electronic Components

CHIPS Act Statements of Interest

Credit: sharefaith via Pexels

CHIPS Act statement of interest

The Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Act Program Office has received more than 200 Statements of Interest (SOIs) since February.

NOFO

The first Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was released at the end of February this year. The NOFO detailed some of the incentives for semiconductor and equipment manufacturing facilities laid out in the CHIPS Act.

Over 50% of the statements show interest in the first NOFO, but the rest indicate interest in upcoming funding opportunities for 
semiconductor suppliers and R&D facilities.

Applicants include leading-edge fabs, legacy chip facilities and packaging facilities. The Department is evaluating applications based on whether they will advance the US economy and protect national security.

Statements so far

The CHIPS Program Office Director, Mike Schmidt, and Chief Investment Officer, Todd Fisher, were recently interviewed by Bloomberg.

During the interview Schmidt mentioned some issues that were repeatedly coming up in SOIs, including what federal state local permits were required, and what the NIPA (National Income and Product Accounts) review process would be.

Schmidt made it clear that, although the US has a share in the global semiconductor R&D industry, it is lagging behind in leading-edge logic and advanced chips. They also both stressed they were aiming for supply chain resilience, rather than a purely financial return.

Supporting the industry workforce

Some critics have questioned the relevancy of certain areas covered in the CHIPS Act, including the childcare clause. The Act’s first NOFO set childcare requirements that manufacturers would have to fulfil to qualify for funding. Some question whether this is relevant or necessary to the Act, however Fisher and Schmidt said it was.

Schmidt stated that workforce concerns are at the top of many companies priorities lists. He said that adding a childcare clause is an aide to attracting a larger, more diverse workforce down the line. Fisher added that in the last 20 years the domestic semiconductor industry lost a third of its workers while the industry tripled globally.

The two also cited companies such as Samsung, TSMC and Micron who all have successful childcare policies in place.

A class act

 

Despite the fast-paced nature of the electronics industry, Lantek Corporation is a safe, reliable choice to source all your electronic components.
With an extensive stocklist, global network, unrivalled on-time delivery and dedicated account management team, we’re able to provide a rapid response to our customers’ urgent needs and dynamic market conditions. Contact Lantek today at sales@lantekcorp.com, or call us on 1-973-579-8100. 

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component shortage Covid-19 Electronic Components Supply Chain

Lantek 2022- a year in review

Lantek 2022- a year in review

As 2022 comes to an end, we at Lantek are reflecting on the many ups and downs of the year and the great things that will be happening in 2023. 

This year was yet another year of challenges for finding product and then the even bigger challenge to find stock at pricing that customers can afford. Lantek was able to work with many companies this year to help avoid lines down situations. The years of experience from all of our staff
played a major role in that.

Electronica

This past November we were able to meet up with long time and even some new customers at Electronica in Munich. Some conversations were
had about the market and where everyone sees it going but more importantly, it was a chance to just sit and talk face to face with people we haven’t seen since 2018!

Frank Cervino, our GM, said this: “After so many years, catching up with customers and suppliers during these uncertain market
conditions was very beneficial. It was also a pleasure to spend time with the Cyclops Group and be present on the stand.”

Christmas

As our year ends on December 22, we will be having a Christmas lunch brought in for us all to enjoy.

In January, Lantek will be marking its 29th year in business and what a way to celebrate but with our new office and warehouse
space!

We are hoping to be able to start moving product by mid-February.

We will take volunteers to help with that! (If any of you have ever been to NJ in the winter, you will appreciate the challenge this will be)

See you next year!

In closing we would like to wish all of you a very happy holiday season and may your 2023 be a prosperous and positive one!

We will be back in the office on January 3, 2023 for any and all of your electronic component needs. Please contact us at 973.579.8100 or at sales@lantekcorp.com.

Categories
Electronic Components

Process nodes and transistor density

process node

Process nodes and transistor density

There are regular news articles published claiming that the smallest ever process node has been produced. We hear all the time about how small chips are becoming. But how can we measure this progress and does size really matter?

Moore’s Law

The concept of Moore’s Law, loosely, is that the number of transistors in a microchip increases as the size decreases. Originally, when Gordon Moore observed this in 1965, it was thought that the number of transistors would double every two years, but this rapid rate has definitely slowed.

Even so, there is still a constant increase in the number of transistors that can fit on an IC. In 1971, 6 years after the advent of Moore’s Law, there were around 2.3 thousand transistors on a single chip. This sounds like a lot, but we can now fit hundreds of millions onto one.

Nowadays, as it probably always was, it is a race between manufacturers to produce the smallest, most advanced chips. And with the advancement of manufacturing technology, the stakes are higher than ever.

Process nodes

The main method of measuring electronic component progress now is through process nodes. This is the term used for the equipment used for semiconductor wafer production. It describes the minimum repeatable half-pitch (half the distance between two identical features on a chip) of a device. It seems, though, that even this node measurement is no longer accurately used, according to some sources.

Some recent node announcements come from big players in the industry, including Intel, Samsung and TSMC. Taiwan’s largest semiconductor company, TSMC, recently announced that it would be converting its 3nm process node into 1.4nm. Critics, however, were not sure how possible this would be.

Samsung also recently revealed its plans to start manufacturing 2nm process chips in 2025. Additionally, Intel is planning on producing 1.8nm chips in late 2024. Part of the process of developing smaller process nodes is changing the technology involved in production.

What is the measure of a chip?

The method of measuring chips by process nodes is not entirely accurate and can be quite ambiguous. Some people have suggested chip density within the chip would be a better indicator of advancement.

While companies compete to develop the smallest process, some companies are fitting more chips onto bigger nodes. To put it in perspective, Intel’s 7nm process has 237 million per millimetre squared. In comparison, TSMC’s 5nm chip has only 171 million per millimetre squared.

So, although certain chips may have a smaller process node, it doesn’t necessarily reflect how advanced the chip actually is. Intel often uses density to describe its chips, because that is much more beneficial to them.

It’s a process

The question is, should all chips be measured this way instead of in process nodes? If process nodes aren’t accurate to their original definition, the measurements don’t indicate of the highest power chips out there. This might be confusing to consumers when choosing a manufacturer.

It will become increasingly difficult to measure in process nodes as chips get increasingly smaller. Many manufacturers are already making plans for when they begin to measure in Angstrom rather than nanometres. If the changeover from one measurement type to another was not confusing enough, if the measurement method is inaccurate, it may get very complicated.

Apparently, though, transistor count can be just as inaccurate because there is no standard way of counting them. The number of transistors on a single chip design can vary by 33-37% which is quite substantial.

The final node

Unfortunately, there’s no definitive answer on how to measure the advancement of chips anymore. Moore’s Law is far from dead, but is very much up to interpretation these days. Those purchasing or sourcing chips will have to have their wits about them.

For those sourcing chips, contact Lantek. We can source day-to-day or hard-to-find components with ease and can guarantee our customers the best price. Get in touch via sales@lantekcorp.com or call us on 1-973-579-8100 

Categories
Electronic Components

Semiconductors in space

semiconductors in space

Semiconductors in space

Blast off

A post about semiconductors being used in space travel would be the perfect place to make dozens of space-themed puns, but let’s stay down to earth on this one.

There are around 2,000 chips used in the manufacture of a single electric vehicle. Imagine, then, how many chips might be used in the International Space Station or a rocket.

Despite the recent decline in the space semiconductor market, it’s looking likely that in the next period there will be a significant increase in profit.

What effect did the pandemic have?

The industry was not exempt from the impact of the shortage and supply chain issues caused by covid. Sales decreased and demand fell by 14.5% in 2020, compared to the year-on-year growth in the years previous.

Due to the shortages, many companies within the industry delayed launches and there was markedly less investment and progress in research and development. However, two years on, the scheduled dates for those postponed launches are fast approaching.

The decline in investment and profit is consequently expected to increase in the next five years. The market is estimated to jump from $2.10 billion in 2021 all the way up to $3.34 billion in 2028. This is a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.89%.

What is being tested for the future

In the hopes of ever improving the circuitry of spaceships there are several different newer technologies currently being tested for use in space travel.

Some component options are actually already being tested onboard spacecrafts, both to emulate conditions and to take advantage of the huge vacuum that is outer space. The low-pressure conditions can emulate a clean room, with less risk of particles contaminating the components being manufactured.

Graphene is one of the materials being considered for future space semiconductors. The one-atom-thick semiconductor is being tested by a team of students and companies to see how it reacts to the effects of space. The experiments are taking place with a view to the material possibly being used to improve the accuracy of sensors in the future.

Two teams from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are currently looking at the use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) in space too. This, and other wide bandgap semiconductors show promise due to their performance in high temperatures and at high levels of radiation. They also have the potential to be smaller and more lightweight than their silicon predecessors.

GaN on Silicon Carbide (GaN on SiC) is also being researched as a technology for amplifiers that allows satellites to transmit at high radio frequency from Earth. Funnily enough, it’s actually easier to make this material in space, since the ‘clean room’ vacuum effect makes the process of epitaxy – depositing a crystal substrate on top of another substrate – much more straightforward.

To infinity and beyond!

With the global market looking up for the next five years, there will be a high chance of progress in the development of space-specialised electronic components. With so many possible advancements in the industry, it’s highly likely it won’t be long before we see pioneering tech in space.

To bring us back down to Earth, if you’re looking for electronic components contact Lantek today to see what they can do for you. Email us at sales@lantekcorp.com or use the rapid enquiry form on our website.

Categories
Electronic Components

Upskilling and STEM investment: how to combat the semiconductor worker shortage

Thermal management

Upskilling and STEM investment: how to combat semiconductor worker shortage

Noticed that you’re waiting longer than usual for your electronic parts these days? You’re not the only one.

The lack of chips is considerably noticeable, but it’s also drawn attention to how desperate we are for more electronics workers. There’s a lack of highly skilled people in the tech sector right now, and with the States aiming to increase its share of semiconductor production, we’ll need to fill out this workforce fast.

But the experts have a few ideas up their sleeves, here’s what they think:

It’s a BIG industry

The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released a report in 2021 that said for every US worker directly employed in the semiconductor industry in 2020, another 5.7 jobs were supported. This means that two years ago at least 1.85 million jobs were supported, either directly or indirectly, by the sector.

The 277,000 people that work specifically in the sector, in manufacturing, design, testing and research, are enabling around 300 downstream sectors, according to the report.

Upskilling/Reskilling

As the electronics industry is constantly changing and evolving it might be difficult for longer-serving employees to be equipped with currently relevant skills. The increasing automation of production lines, while efficient for manufacturers, requires highly skilled workers for operation and maintenance. Therefore, the upskilling and reskilling of employees is essential.

In another SIA report, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, the association said that only 20% of employees in the semiconductor industry actually attended university in 2019. To add to this, the higher-skilled members of the STEM sectors were more likely to go on to work for consultancy or investment firms. Giving the current workforce the option to upskill, and the potential extra wages that would come with it, might be an easy and enticing way to bulk up the thin-on-the-ground areas of employment.

Similarly, giving skilled workers the chance to re-specialize within their areas of expertise could ease the shortage relatively simply.

International talent

Joint workforce development may also be an avenue for investment. The US’s international partners could well help bridge the gap in the electronics industry, something that the 2019 European METIS initiative explored.

The electronics industry project, co-funded by the student exchange programme Erasmus+, looked to fund the education, professional mobility and recognition of electronics industry qualifications. The project aimed to encourage international students to study and work in the sector in different countries.

Employees and Incentives

It’s probably no surprise that there are more men in electronics manufacturing, with the US Bureau of Statistics saying that women made up less than 30% of the sector in 2021. The majority of women were white, with approximately two in five women being Asian or Hispanic. Black or African American females were the most underrepresented at about 4%

Students are another source of untapped potential. Thankfully, the new semiconductor legislation that could soon be signed into law will increase funding for STEM students. The US Innovation and Competition Act, passed by the Senate last year, promised $5 billion in scholarships for STEM-specializing students, $8 billion for workforce programs and almost $10 billion for university technology centers and innovation institutes.

These employee groups might be ideal targets for recruitment and development in the industry, and since the CHIPS Act promises so many additional jobs in the next four years, employers better get on it!

But you don’t need to worry until then. Thankfully when it comes to electronic parts, Lantek always has your back. Talk to us today at sales@lantekcorp.com and we’ll help you find what you’re looking for.

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Technology

What is the Internet of Things?

internet of things

What is the Internet of Things?

EveryThing

In terms of IoT, a ‘Thing’ is anything that can transfer data over a network and can have its own IP address. They are most often ‘smart’ devices, that use processors or sensors to accumulate and send data.

These devices have little-to-no need for human interaction, except in cases where the smart device is controlled by a remote control or something similar. Due to the low cost of electronic components and wireless networks being readily available, it’s possible for most things to become, well, Things.

Technically, larger items like computers, aeroplanes, and even phones, cannot be considered IoT devices, but normally contain a huge amount of the smart devices within them. Smaller devices, however, like wearable devices, smart meters and smart lightbulbs can all be counted as IoT items.

There are already more connected IoT devices than there are people in the world, and as more Things are produced this progress shows no sign of slowing.

Applications of IoT

The automation and smart learning of IoT devices has endless uses and can be implemented in many industries. The medical industry can use IoT to remotely monitor patients using smart devices that can track blood pressure, heart rate and glucose levels, and can check if patients are sticking to treatment plans or physiotherapy routines.

Smart farming has garnered attention in recent years for its possibly life-saving applications. The use of IoT devices in the agricultural industry can enable the monitoring of moisture levels, fertiliser quantities and soil analysis. Not only would these functions lower the labour costs for farmers substantially but could also be implemented in countries where there is a desperate need for agriculture.

The industrial and automotive industries also stand to benefit from the development of IoT. Road safety can be improved with fast data transfer of vehicle health, as well as location. Maintenance could be performed before issues begin to affect driving if data is collected and, alongside the implementation of AI, smart vehicles and autonomous cars could be able to drive, brake and park without human error.

What’s next?

The scope of possibilities for IoT will only grow as technology and electronics become more and more accessible. An even greater number of devices will become ‘smart’ and alongside the implementation of AI, we will likely have the opportunity to make our lives fully automated. We already have smart toothbrushes and smart lightbulbs, what more could be possible in the future?

To make it sustainable and cost-effective, greater measures in security and device standardisation need to be implemented to reduce the risk of hacking. The UK government released guidelines in 2018 on how to keep your IoT devices secure, and a further bill to improve cyber security entered into law in 2021.

If you’re looking for chips, processors, sensors, or any other electronic component, get in touch with Lantek today. We are specialists in day-to-day and obsolete components and can supply you where other stockists cannot.

Contact Cyclops today at sales@lantekcorp.com. Or use the rapid enquiry form on our website to get fast results.

Categories
Electronic Components

Latest electronic component factory openings

electronic component factory openings

Latest electronic component factory openings

We’ve all heard about the shortages in standard components like semiconductors and chips. Cars, phones and computers, items we use every day, are no longer being produced at the speedy rate we’ve come to expect. The cause of this shortage is, in part, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

To combat this shortage many electronic component manufacturers have announced the opening or development of new factories. This is especially noticeable in Europe and America, where production has often been outsourced to Asia in the past.

So who are the latest companies expanding operations, and how much are they spending? Check out our quick run-down of factories and when they should open:

Company: Intel

Location: Ohio, USA

Product: Chips

Completion date: 2025

Cost: $20 billion (£14.7 billion)

The latest, and possibly greatest, announcement on our list comes from Intel. The corporation revealed in January that they would be committing to building two chip manufacturing plants in New Albany, Ohio. The move is said to be due to supply chain issues with Intel’s manufacturers in Asia, and should boost the American industry with the creation of at least 3,000 jobs. Construction should begin this year.

Company: Samsung Electronics

Location: Texas, USA

Product: Semiconductors

Completion date: 2024

Cost: $17billion (£12.5billion)

The household name announced late last year that they would begin work on a new semiconductor-manufacturing plant in Taylor, Texas. The Korean company stated the project was Samsung’s largest single investment in America, and is due to be operational by the middle of 2024.

Company: Infineon

Location: Villach, Austria

Product: Chips

Completion date: 2021

Cost: €1.6 billion (£1.3 billion)

After being in construction since 2018, Infineon’s Austrian plant became operational in September last year. The chip factory for power electronics, also called energy-saving chips, on 300-millimeter tin wafers began shipping three months ahead of schedule in 2021, and its main customer base will be in the automotive industry.

Company: Northvolt

Location: Gdańsk, Poland

Product: Batteries

Completion date: 2022

Cost: $200 million (£148 million)

The Swedish battery manufacturer is expanding its operations with a new factory in Poland. While initial operations are supposed to begin this year producing 5 GWh of batteries, it hopes to further develop to produce 12 GWh in future. Northvolt has also just begun operations at its new battery factory in Skellefteå in Sweden.

Company: Vingroup

Location: Hà Tĩnh, Vietnam

Product: Batteries

Completion date: 2022

Cost: $174 million (£128 million)

The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer is due to start production at its new factory later this year, where it will produce lithium batteries for its electric cars and buses. The factory will be designed to produce 10,000 battery packs per year initially, but in a second phase the manufacturer said it will upgrade to 1 million battery packs annually. VinFast, a member of Vingroup, is also planning on expanding operations to America and Germany.

Company: EMD Electronics

Location: Arizona, USA

Product: Gas and chemical delivery systems

Completion date: 2022

Cost: $28 million (£20.7 million)

The member of the multinational Merck Group is expanding operations with the construction of a new factory in Phoenix, Arizona, to manufacture equipment for its Delivery Systems & Services business. The factory is due to be operational by the end of the year, and will produce GASGUARD and CHEMGUARD systems for the company.

A bright future

These electronic component factory openings signal a great increase in business, and will aide in the easing of the component crisis. But it will take a while for these fabs to be operational.

Can’t wait? Lantek is there for all your electronic component needs. We have 30 years of expertise, and can help you where other suppliers cannot. Whether it’s day-to-day or obsolete electronic components, contact us today at sales@lantekcorp.com, or use the rapid enquiry form on our website.