In episode 40 of @AuManufacturing Conversations with Brent Balinski, we hear from independent semiconductor professional Dr Steven Duvall.
Duvall hits some of the important points from his excellent four-part series, co-authored with Glenn Downey, contributed to @AuManufacturing's "Australia's place in the semiconductor world" editorial series.
From a very basic starting point -- an explanation of what semiconductors are and what they do -- he describes their importance in the modern world, the nation's use of them, where we can look to grow our participation in this ultra-competitive and highly-international sector, and more. All in under 20 minutes.
Episode guide
0:34 - Background at Intel and Silanna and current association with the Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau.
3:40 – What is a semiconductor and what are some of the different understandings of the term?
6:10 – How semiconductors pervade our lives.
6:50 – The oil of the 21st century?
8:55 – Why are semiconductors important to Australia? And why do we even need a role in this industry?
10:24 – It’s virtually important for Australia or any other country to produce every semiconductor product it uses, but there are probably a few we should focus on making here.
11:08 – “The evergreen nature of the semiconductor industry” and its support for engineering and scientific talent.
12:10 – “A somewhat controversial view” on what we need here.
12:40 – We have an opportunity to start small with compound semiconductors.
14 – The four areas where compound semiconductors can be important, and where Australia could focus. Where does the expertise currently lie?
15:55 – How much would it cost to get started?
Relevant links
The four-part series by Duvall and Downey (in order)
AN INTRODUCTION TO SEMICONDUCTORS
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/australias-place-in-the-semiconductor-world-an-introduction-to-semiconductors
THE CURRENT ‘STATE OF THE WORLD’
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/australias-place-in-the-semiconductor-world-the-semiconductor-state-of-the-world
THE INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA AND ITS OPPORTUNITIES
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/australias-place-in-the-semiconductor-world-the-semiconductor-industry-in-australia-and-its-opportunities
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUSTRALIA IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY
https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/australias-place-in-the-semiconductor-world-the-opportunities-for-australia-in-the-semiconductor-industry
