Monday, June 20th 2022
Supply Cut of Noble Gases from Russia Could Hit Chip Production
It turns out that Russia was a major supplier of, among many other things, industrial-grade noble gases, which are vital for semiconductor production. Earlier this month, the Russian government announced that it is cutting supply of noble gases to "unfriendly countries" (countries in the US sphere of influence), unless they pay for the merchandise in Russian Rubles, by creating remittance accounts in Russian banks (similar to how it wants these countries to pay for crude oil and natural gas).
Russia and Ukraine were leading global suppliers of industrial noble gases, together making up a third of the noble gas consumed by the semiconductor industry. Much of the heavy industry in Ukraine is either out of service, or committed to the war effort, which lets Russia dictate terms for its supply. Argon, xenon, helium, and neon are the most sought after noble gases in the semiconductor industry. In addition to the inert environment, mixtures of these gases are required by the lasers that perform lithography (etching microscopic circuits on silicon wafer).
Source:
TechARP
Russia and Ukraine were leading global suppliers of industrial noble gases, together making up a third of the noble gas consumed by the semiconductor industry. Much of the heavy industry in Ukraine is either out of service, or committed to the war effort, which lets Russia dictate terms for its supply. Argon, xenon, helium, and neon are the most sought after noble gases in the semiconductor industry. In addition to the inert environment, mixtures of these gases are required by the lasers that perform lithography (etching microscopic circuits on silicon wafer).
15 Comments on Supply Cut of Noble Gases from Russia Could Hit Chip Production
Is neon and other noble gases actually consumed in lasers and other equipment? Seems unlikely as they're chemically inert. More probably they are either lost in the environment or get contaminated, so with some effort, a larger percentage could be recovered.
Russia doing what Russia wants to do seems the only issue atm.
Don't believe Russian oil has ever stopped flowing either.
BTW I just saw news of European countries restarting coal power plants while they are lecturing India and China over green house gas emissions.
Yep no taste to stop Russia anywhere so sanctions have been for the most part symbolic jesters at best with no bite
When Russia says something you have to take it seriously because nobody will step in and frankly talk is cheap except on Russia's side you can take that shit to the bank.
Funny thing is we're supposed to believe US would do something if China invaded :laugh:
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Dore
economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/us-carves-out-mechanism-for-insulating-russian-fertilizer-exports-from-sanctions/articleshow/90577961.cms
Also this week seeing news of how Europe is being a hypocrite with colonial attitude towards climate change: