Semiconductor Materials & Supply Chains
Explore the critical materials that make semiconductors possible — silicon, gallium, germanium, and specialty metals. Covers the CHIPS Act, BIS export controls, CSIS analysis, and the geopolitical battle over semiconductor supply chains.
Metals U Education
Program Features
- Self-paced
- Online
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Program Features
- Self-paced
- Online
- Interactive LMS Content
- Blockchain-based Certificate
Description
The Materials Foundation of the Semiconductor Industry
Semiconductors are the foundational technology of the modern world — but the materials required to make them are surprisingly scarce, geopolitically sensitive, and technically demanding. Silicon, gallium, germanium, indium, hafnium, and a host of specialty chemicals form the material substrate of every chip, sensor, and transistor manufactured today.
This course examines semiconductor materials from a supply chain and geopolitical perspective. Drawing on resources from NIST's CHIPS Program, SEMI's industry data, CSIS, BIS export control frameworks, and USGS mineral statistics, students will understand the material vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain and policy responses including the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act.
Who This Class Is For
- Technology and semiconductor industry professionals
- Trade and export control policy professionals
- Supply chain and procurement specialists
- Investors in the semiconductor and electronics sector
Program Syllabus
Module 1: Key Materials in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Silicon wafers and polysilicon production. Specialty gases and ultra-pure chemicals. Gallium, germanium, and compound semiconductors.
Module 2: The Global Semiconductor Supply Chain
Fabless design, wafer fabrication, and assembly/test/packaging. Geographic concentration: TSMC, Samsung, and the logic chip oligopoly. Legacy vs advanced node manufacturing.
Module 3: Export Controls & Technology Restrictions
BIS Entity List and Export Administration Regulations. U.S. controls on advanced chips and manufacturing equipment. China's export restrictions on gallium and germanium. Allies' coordinated responses.
Module 4: The CHIPS and Science Act
Domestic fabrication investment incentives. National Semiconductor Technology Center. NIST's role in implementation. Industry response and fab announcements.
Module 5: Compound Semiconductors & Advanced Materials
GaN, SiC, and their applications in power electronics and defense. Indium phosphide in optical communications. Supply risks for specialty compounds.
Module 6: Geopolitical Scenarios & Strategic Implications
Taiwan contingency analysis. Alliance-based supply chain coordination. Long-term investment and policy outlooks for semiconductor materials.