CHIPS ( $CHIPS)IDO

​Chips, or computer chips or microchips, are small fragments which allow machines to think and function. Although they're small—some smaller than your fingernail—they're incredibly powerful. Chips are present in many things that we use every day, such as phones, tablets, computers, cars, televisions, and even washing machines. A chip is constructed using a substance called silicon, which is derived from sand. Within every chip are millions of small switches known as transistors. Transistors assist the chip in performing work such as solve problems, store information, and execute programs. Chips can be likened to the "brains" of machines. They assist your phone to execute applications, assist your car to drive itself, and even assist doctors to operate intelligent machines in hospitals.

Producing chips is a very accurate and time-consuming process. Chips are made in clean factories known as "fabs," short for fabrication plants. The air is extremely clean in these buildings, and the employees wear special suits in an attempt to keep the chips dust-free. There are a lot of steps and a lot of time involved in making one chip. All of it must be absolutely perfect, or the chip won't function. Because chips are such a precious commodity, all nations desire to ensure that they have an adequate supply on hand. There have been periods in the past when there weren't sufficient chips to meet demand. This presented problems for firms that manufacture automobiles, phones, and computers. To alleviate this condition, the United States created and enacted the CHIPS and Science Act legislation. This law provides funds and assistance to firms that manufacture chips in the US. The objective is to produce more chips here, generate jobs, and make the nation great with technology.

Chips are essential to our future. Chips are in everything from video games and school computers to big things like space rockets and renewable energy. The more intelligent machines and computers become, the better chips will become. We might not even notice it, but chips work hard in the background making life easier, safer, and more enjoyable. Now that you have learned about chips, it makes sense how so much can be done by just one small piece of technology. The next time a computer or phone sits in your palm or pocket, keep in mind—there is a tiny chip in there that's making it all possible.​