->Gone to Applied Materials. Heard about how Applied Materials is so important towards major companies such as Intel, Samsung etc. Listened to the manager of Applied Materials (Singapore) talk about his personal life story. Followed by the many employees of Applied materials giving us more information about Applied Materials (eg Endura system). Then a tour of the assembly plant. (the EMO button was interesting... initially thought it was really for emoing... but its actually the emergency machine off button..) Lunch and chatting session with some employees. End.
-> A trip to Intel Mobile Communications (or Infineon). (The company with the iconic buildings with white sails to reduce heat entering)
We had an interactive session for a presentation about modern living and its relation to Intel. And learnt about the various scientists who shaped the technological world, ranging from Steve Jobs to William Shockley. Lunch. Hands-On and practical session. QnA. End.
Okay, so lets get on to the main point.
1)Money is important
But so is your interest and passion.
2)You should take chances.
But make sure it is a calculated risk.
3)Aim to rise in Authority.
But not abuse it.
4)Specializing in a single skill is good.
But having exposure to many skills would benefit too.
5)Aptitude is as important as Attitude for success.
But never forget luck plays a role too. (So do not fret if you fail)
6)Plan early. Think early. Do early.
But never expect a sure success.
7)Similar to Murphy's Law, anything that can be hacked:will be hacked.
Thus the importance of software engineers to patch and prevent hackers from succeeding in their actions.
Also,
It is heartening to know that Applied Materials and Intel Mobile Communications and their employees has spent the time and effort to 'sell' to us the prospects of an engineer and about their importance to our modern day living. It also reminds us that times are changing, the world needs new technology, the world needs a new generation of engineers to shape the future. The many tests of a modern day electronic product has many many great people behind to accomplish it. And with each day, there will be more great people and more great inventions. Hopefully one of the days...
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Pre-Learning Journey reflections
Before researching on Intel Mobile Communications, my impression of the company is that it dealt with the production of the processors in mobile devices, since Intel has always dominated the processor market for computers, with products ranging from x86 processors to solid-state drives. However, after research, I found out that Intel Mobile Communications is actually a subsidiary of Intel Corporation and develops, manufactures and markets semiconductor products and solutions for wireless communications, mainly targeting smart phones.
Intel also is a leading supplier of standard Single-Chip mixed signal GSM, EDGE, and 3G/UMTS solutions, setting new benchmarks with the latest products, a great achievement despite it being a rather new company.
As for Applied Materials, I haven't really heard much about it, but after research, I realised that they are the largest supplier of manufacturing equipment, services and automation software to the semiconductor industry – a position that the company has held since 1992. Their innovative products can be found in every semiconductor factory in the world, enabling the production of every advanced microchip. As the industry moves from one technology generation to the next in its drive to make smaller, faster and more functional chips, Applied Materials is always there – providing the leading-edge technology to help make it happen.
Its amazing to find out that an emerging area for Applied Material's technology is in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D-ICs), a type of chip packaging done at the wafer level to streamline the manufacturing process. In a 3D-IC, multiple chips are vertically stacked in a single package to deliver higher performance and functionality in a smaller area. The chips are electrically connected using deep holes called through-silicon vias (TSVs). This would allow for greater functioning since currently, only one side of the chip is used.
Both Intel Mobile Communications develop and produce rather similar products-semiconductors. With regards to the production of these microchips, there are several steps and of course includes many scientific concepts:
1)One of which is how the wafer ingots are produced. The process includes nucleation, where there will be a seed crystal to allow for the silicon to crystallize to form an even shape by acting as a scaffold for the silicon to crystallize on. The process of nucleation and growth generally occurs in two different stages. In the first nucleation stage, a small nucleus containing the newly forming crystal is created. Nucleation occurs relatively slowly as the initial crystal components must impinge on each other in the correct orientation and placement for them to adhere and form the crystal. After crystal nucleation, the second stage of growth rapidly ensues. Crystal growth spreads outwards from the nucleating site.
2)Another one is the designing of the circuits being mainly Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor(CMOS), an improvement from the previous design of NMOS and PMOS since there are less static power disruptions. The main principle behind CMOS circuits that allows them to implement logic gates is the use of p-type and n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors to create paths to the output from either the voltage source or ground. When a path to output is created from the voltage source, the circuit is said to be pulled up. The other circuit state occurs when a path to output is created from ground and the output pulled down to the ground potential.
3) Also, the companies make use of silicon's special property of being a semi-conductor, which means it is a non-conductor of electricity when pure but when ions are added, they become good conductors of electricity. This allows for the microchips to have designated conducting areas in the same piece of silicon, which saves the trouble of having to use multiple materials to construct the chip.
With regards to the learning journey...
First of all, I would wish to learn about the daily routines of an engineer because I do have an inclination towards becoming one in the future and knowing what I am working towards is definitely encouraging. Also, I do wish to know about how the industry manufactures and develop these microchips and perhaps think of ways to help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, to allow for cheaper and better products to enter the market.
As I am still not very clear about mobile communications, I would say it might be feasible for mobile communications to improve, to allow the mobile devices to be used to connect with many more things other than mobile devices themselves, ranging from computers, doors and maybe even to be used as mobile switches to switch on and off the lighting in the house. This was, mobile devices can bring much more benefits to mankind.
Resources:
http://www.intel.com/
http://www.appliedmaterials.com/
http://www.wikipedia.com/
http://www.processpecialties.com/siliconp.htm
Intel also is a leading supplier of standard Single-Chip mixed signal GSM, EDGE, and 3G/UMTS solutions, setting new benchmarks with the latest products, a great achievement despite it being a rather new company.
As for Applied Materials, I haven't really heard much about it, but after research, I realised that they are the largest supplier of manufacturing equipment, services and automation software to the semiconductor industry – a position that the company has held since 1992. Their innovative products can be found in every semiconductor factory in the world, enabling the production of every advanced microchip. As the industry moves from one technology generation to the next in its drive to make smaller, faster and more functional chips, Applied Materials is always there – providing the leading-edge technology to help make it happen.
Its amazing to find out that an emerging area for Applied Material's technology is in three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D-ICs), a type of chip packaging done at the wafer level to streamline the manufacturing process. In a 3D-IC, multiple chips are vertically stacked in a single package to deliver higher performance and functionality in a smaller area. The chips are electrically connected using deep holes called through-silicon vias (TSVs). This would allow for greater functioning since currently, only one side of the chip is used.
Both Intel Mobile Communications develop and produce rather similar products-semiconductors. With regards to the production of these microchips, there are several steps and of course includes many scientific concepts:
1)One of which is how the wafer ingots are produced. The process includes nucleation, where there will be a seed crystal to allow for the silicon to crystallize to form an even shape by acting as a scaffold for the silicon to crystallize on. The process of nucleation and growth generally occurs in two different stages. In the first nucleation stage, a small nucleus containing the newly forming crystal is created. Nucleation occurs relatively slowly as the initial crystal components must impinge on each other in the correct orientation and placement for them to adhere and form the crystal. After crystal nucleation, the second stage of growth rapidly ensues. Crystal growth spreads outwards from the nucleating site.
2)Another one is the designing of the circuits being mainly Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor(CMOS), an improvement from the previous design of NMOS and PMOS since there are less static power disruptions. The main principle behind CMOS circuits that allows them to implement logic gates is the use of p-type and n-type metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistors to create paths to the output from either the voltage source or ground. When a path to output is created from the voltage source, the circuit is said to be pulled up. The other circuit state occurs when a path to output is created from ground and the output pulled down to the ground potential.
3) Also, the companies make use of silicon's special property of being a semi-conductor, which means it is a non-conductor of electricity when pure but when ions are added, they become good conductors of electricity. This allows for the microchips to have designated conducting areas in the same piece of silicon, which saves the trouble of having to use multiple materials to construct the chip.
With regards to the learning journey...
First of all, I would wish to learn about the daily routines of an engineer because I do have an inclination towards becoming one in the future and knowing what I am working towards is definitely encouraging. Also, I do wish to know about how the industry manufactures and develop these microchips and perhaps think of ways to help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness, to allow for cheaper and better products to enter the market.
As I am still not very clear about mobile communications, I would say it might be feasible for mobile communications to improve, to allow the mobile devices to be used to connect with many more things other than mobile devices themselves, ranging from computers, doors and maybe even to be used as mobile switches to switch on and off the lighting in the house. This was, mobile devices can bring much more benefits to mankind.
Resources:
http://www.intel.com/
http://www.appliedmaterials.com/
http://www.wikipedia.com/
http://www.processpecialties.com/siliconp.htm
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