*in response to experiment 7
In relation to experiment 7, semiconductors and integrated circuits are used in everyday life. Electronic devices like our cellular phones, iPods, laptops, cars, televisions, etc. all have these tiny circuit components in them, so it’s not a surprise that the rate that we produce these components is growing exponentially. And since these semiconductors are being produced at a fast pace, we must be concerned about it’s sustainability. What happens to these electronic devices when they become neglected, obsolete, or thrown away? They become waste and they start to fill landfills. IBM states that, “up to more than 3 million wafers [are] discarded worldwide each year.” [3] To become sustainable, these semiconductors can be recycled. Once recycled, these semi-conductors can be used for newer machines and this will reduce the need to produce more. For an example, 3 million silicon wafers can be recycled to create solar panels for over 6 thousand houses [3].
Energy
The amount of energy we put out is proportional to the energy that we put in. Nothing gets created nor destroyed. The majority of the power that we generate for our semiconductors and electronics come from fossil fuels. As stated in green-energysaving.com, “It is predicted that there will be no fossil fuels left in the world in 250 – 350 years, with coal being the last to disappear, and oil and gas going much sooner.” [2] To conserve the fossil fuel that is still left on our planet, we need to reduce the amount that we use. The solution, GO GREEN. Renewable energy is the way of the future, and there are many ways to renew energy including: wind, geothermal, hydroelectricity, and solar. There are also simple things that we as individuals can do including: turning off our electronics when not in use, buy energy star/ energy reducing products, not turning on the air con or heaters, and even carpooling when going somewhere.
Environment
Technology of the present day advances very quickly. On the up-side this makes us, as human beings, advance; but on the down-side, this leaves many of the electronics that we used to use, obsolete and thrown away. As stated in Wikipedia, “The processing of electronic waste in developing countries causes serious health and pollution problems because electronic equipment contains some very serious contaminants such as lead, cadmium, beryllium, and brominated flame retardants.” [1]
Economics
To become more sustainable, we need to be more conscious about all the electronics we buy. Do not purchase electronics just because it is “the new craze”, but to only buy it if you really need it. Modern day technology advances so fast that by the next financial quarter, that piece of equipment has already become outdated. Buy not always buying new electronics, you will reduce electronic waste, and also save money. Another way how economics plays a huge role in sustainability is that you can get rebates for being sustainable. Go Solar claims “More than $1,300 in provincial and federal incentives is available to homeowners that install a solar water heater.”[4] The incentive for a residential “green energy” solution is to save power and save money.
Equity
In the aspect of equity, these semiconductors before, during, and after the recycling must not be harmful to anyone or anything. For example, if the semiconductors are to be decomposable, it shouldn’t harm nature once it starts to decompose into the soil. Or when a semiconductor gets recycled, the chemicals shouldn’t harm the workers that are recycling them. Sustainable semiconductors must be 100% safe.
To make experiment 7 slightly more sustainable I have a few propositions:
1. For the Sweep-N-Go section, you don’t need to turn all the machines on. Everything minus the power supply and the oscilloscope needed to be turned on.
2. For part 4 and 8, increasing IE and IB so many times seemed a bit to repetitive. Reducing the amount of times to step these two currents can save lab time, and in turn, save energy.
[1] Electronic waste, Wikipedia, Available: ![[WWW]](http://wikispot.org/wiki/eggheadbeta/img/sycamore-www.png){kind=small}
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste. [Accessed November 17,2009].
[2]green-energysaving.com Available: http://green-energysaving.com/carbon-emissions/fossil-fuels/how-much-fossil-fuels-are-left-when-will-fossil-fuels-run-out/ [Accessed November 17,2009].
[3] Author Unknown, “IBM Unveils New Wafer Solar Power Recycling Process,” Energy Policy TV - Solar Channel, Available: http://video.energypolicytv.com/displaypage.php?vkey=70fe748e6982b3439ad3&channel=Solar. [Accessed November 19,2009].
[4]Incentives, Go Solar, http://www.gosolarontario.ca/en/incentives_gs.asp [Accessed November 19.2009]
