Outlook for semiconductors remains bright

Article Excerpt

The global Covid-19 pandemic has created significant supply/demand imbalances in the global semiconductor industry. However, the current disruption should not obscure the strong underlying growth trend as demand for technologically advanced products such as self-driving technology, 5G mobile applications, the Internet of things (IoT), and cloud computing fuel further growth. What are semiconductors? A semiconductor is a material usually comprised of silicon, which conducts electricity more than an insulator, such as glass, but less than a pure conductor, such as copper or aluminum. Their actual function includes the amplification of signals and switching. Also known as computer chips, semiconductors can be found in thousands of products such as computers, smartphones, appliances, vehicles, and medical equipment. There’s a semiconductor shortage Semiconductors have been in short supply this year, due to a number of reasons including factory closures resulting from the pandemic, weather-related incidents that forced temporary plant closures, and significantly higher demand for consumer electronics. Automakers have been especially hit hard by the shortage, with…