AI and Chips with Kai Beckman, CEO of Electronics of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany

Efficiency in Chip Creation

One of the key focuses of the discussion was on the importance of materials in creating efficient chips. Traditionally, the semiconductor industry heavily relied on lithography for miniaturization. However, developing new materials has become equally crucial for enabling small structures to function effectively, especially with nanometer-scale structures. The conversation highlighted how companies like EMD Electronics contribute various materials critical to over a thousand steps involved in chip production, ranging from lithography to planarization.