In this digital age, behind every smart phone, every smart watch and even every autonomous driving system, there is the same basic element-the wafer. It is one of the cornerstones of modern technology and an indispensable presence in the semiconductor industry.

So what exactly is a wafer? Simply put, a wafer is a circular thin sheet made of high-purity silicon material with an extremely smooth and flat surface. It is in this tiny space that carries countless transistors and other micro-components, thus forming the familiar integrated circuit (IC).

However, it is not easy to convert a piece of ordinary silicon raw material into high-tech components that can drive the world. This process requires a number of complex steps including, but not limited to, purification, dicing, polishing, and final patterning, among others. Each process must be accurate to the nanometer level, and requires a very high clean environment to ensure that the quality is not contaminated.

Nowadays, with the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and fifth-generation communication networks (5G), people's demand for high-performance processors and memory is increasing, which also makes the wafer a key force for technological innovation. Whether it is to improve the calculation speed or reduce energy consumption, advanced process technology is constantly refreshing the limits.

Looking at the international market, the current wafer supply is facing unprecedented tension. On the one hand, the outbreak has led to global supply chain disruptions; on the other hand, the rise of industries such as new energy vehicles has brought more order growth pressure. At the same time, major manufacturers are actively expanding production to meet long-term demand expectations.

It is worth noting that we should pay attention to environmental protection while pursuing maximum efficiency. Large-scale industrial production in the traditional sense is often accompanied by waste of resources and environmental pollution risks. Therefore, how to realize green manufacturing has become a difficult problem for all practitioners. By improving the production process to reduce waste emissions or recycling waste materials and other methods, can lay a solid foundation for the construction of a more sustainable industrial system.