Asianometry

The podcast delves into the history and current turmoil of ESKOM, South Africa's electricity monopoly. It highlights the recent surge in load shedding after a temporary reprieve, revealing the company's struggles. The narrative traces back to the early 1900s, showcasing how the gold mining industry shaped the energy landscape. Political shifts and rampant corruption exacerbate ESKOM's woes, with increasing pressure to adopt renewable energy amidst a dire energy crisis. A gripping exploration of power dynamics and public utility challenges.

Discover the fascinating history of nitrate mining in the Atacama Desert, a key player in global agriculture. Explore the territorial conflicts that arose over these valuable resources and meet the monopolists who shaped the industry. Uncover the technological advancements that led to the decline of this once-thriving enterprise, including a shift toward lithium battery production. This deep dive reveals the human stories and historical forces behind an industry that profoundly impacted nations.

Discover the fascinating evolution of photoresists in semiconductor manufacturing, transitioning from traditional methods to cutting-edge solutions for extreme ultraviolet lithography. Learn about the game-changing advancements in metal oxide and dry resists, as well as the fierce competition and patent disputes brewing between industry players. This technological shift poses exciting possibilities for the future of semiconductor efficiency and resolution.

Battery prices for lithium-ion packs are plummeting, raising eyebrows worldwide. The spotlight is on Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries, once considered low-quality, but now revolutionizing energy costs. Innovations in China's battery technology are reshaping market dynamics, making it cheaper to source from there despite tariffs. Additionally, the discussion dives into advanced laser technologies, highlighting China's ambitious strides in extreme ultraviolet light machines, setting the stage for a competitive future in high-tech manufacturing.

Discover the mind-boggling concept of femtoseconds, a unit of time so small it's beyond comprehension. Learn how femtosecond lasers have revolutionized fields from chemistry to medicine. Explore the historical advancements that made ultrafast measurements possible—like flash photolysis and innovative laser technologies. Delve into the impact of titanium-doped sapphire lasers and their game-changing applications. Finally, glimpse the future potential of capturing events even faster with atosecond pulses.

In the 1970s, France launched an ambitious nuclear energy initiative known as the Messmer Plan, aiming to drastically reduce oil dependency. The program evolved from historical opposition to a nuclear powerhouse, growing from experimental reactors to 58 operational ones. The podcast dives into the conflicts within nuclear development, detailing the rivalry between France's Atomic Energy Commission and EDF. It also examines the economic and political challenges that arose as France sought energy independence, highlighting the complexities behind its nuclear revolution.

The podcast dives into the fascinating evolution of semiconductor yields, tracing the journey from abysmally low rates of around 2% in the late 1970s to impressive modern figures of 80-90%. It highlights how new automated inspection tools transformed the industry by enhancing defect detection accuracy. The discussion uncovers the struggles of human inspection, revealing the subjective challenges faced in the past. Listeners will learn about the groundbreaking advancements in wafer inspection technologies that have revolutionized chip fabrication.

While attending an ASML presentation at SEMICON Korea, I noticed a tidbit on one of the slides. A key part of their future EUV roadmap has been growing the power source to 800 watts or more. But it had not been super clear to me how they were going to do that, other than maybe raising the speed of the tin pellets. Then I saw the slide and it showed something new, at least to me. Three laser pulses rather than two. Now how about that? No, this is not an Onion article. This looks to be real. In this video, I want to talk about lasers and EUV light sources. And how three is better than two. Get all episodes of Asianometry, Sharp Tech, Sharp China, Stratechery Updates and Interviews, Greatest of All Talk, and Dithering as part of Stratechery Plus for $15/month or $150/year. Listen to Stratechery. Listen to Dithering. Listen to Sharp China. Listen to Sharp Tech. Listen to Greatest Of All Talk.

Dive into the fascinating world of quantum computing with single photons. Learn how PsiQuantum is innovating by using photons instead of traditional qubits. Explore the complexities of quantum entanglement and the remarkable photon detection technologies that are shaping the future. Discover advancements in photonic quantum computing across the globe, with highlights from Europe and China. Delve into the potential and limitations of this cutting-edge technology as it coexists with classical computing.

Discover how a small rodent transformed modern medicine! The podcast highlights the unexpected role of Chinese hamsters in producing vital antibody therapies, leading to revolutionary drugs like Keytruda. It also recounts a daring rescue of these animals during the Chinese Civil War, shedding light on their historical significance. From their breeding challenges at Harvard to the ongoing impact of CHO cells, learn how these little creatures have played a monumental role in medical advancements that shape our health today.