<p>Smaller than a fingernail, Microchips are integrated circuits providing computer circuitry that is one of the most important inventions of the human race.</p>
<p>A microchip is basically an interconnected circuitry of transistors and resistors etched on semiconducting material like germanium or silicon. The Microprocessor of a computer, and the computer memory, both contain microchip circuits. Most modern gadgets contain this piece of technology.</p>

The Microchip

<ul>
<li>Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce are credited for the creation of microchips.</li>
<li>In 1959, Texas Instruments received the patent for mini electronic circuits, and inventor Jack Kilby rose to prominence.</li>
<li>Apart from the mini chips, he also invented the calculator and holds more than 60 patents.</li>
<li>A company of Robert Noyce, Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation, got the silicon chips patented. He later founded the company Intel.</li>
</ul>

Inventors Of The Microchip

<p>Built on multiple layers, microchip makers use a process called photolithography using chemicals and light. It is generally covered with a thin layer of aluminium.</p>
<p><strong>Apart from computers and laptops, Smartphones are the most common electronic devices carrying a whole lot of chips. Television sets, GPS devices, ID cards and Air Force missiles use this technology.</strong></p>

Microchips: Make And Usage

<figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/RAxbTIiW10pw_pCxAMyoucq8xQ4=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/97640207-F-56b005975f9b58b7d01f836b.jpg" srcset="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/z04yM-ylDFoSCwgoWKlaRUFoEaw=/300x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/97640207-F-56b005975f9b58b7d01f836b.jpg 300w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/rdvq-V0Z_CO2bYAm8j0z5ivK2M0=/417x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/97640207-F-56b005975f9b58b7d01f836b.jpg 417w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/BsaFA4ySMpAcPCLV-BX2Vj2N_HQ=/534x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/97640207-F-56b005975f9b58b7d01f836b.jpg 534w, https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/RAxbTIiW10pw_pCxAMyoucq8xQ4=/768x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/97640207-F-56b005975f9b58b7d01f836b.jpg 768w" alt="Computer chip" width="721" height="531"><figcaption dir="auto">Steven Weinberg / Stone / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><div>
Updated January 10, 2021
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A microchip, smaller than your fingernail, contains computer circuitry called an <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-integrated-circuit-aka-microchip-1992006" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">integrated circuit</a>. The invention of the integrated circuit stands historically as one of the most important innovations of mankind. Almost all modern products use chip technology.
</p><p dir="ltr">
The pioneers known for inventing microchip technology are <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/jack-kilby-father-of-the-microchip-1992042" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">Jack Kilby</a> and <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-gordon-moore-1992167" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" dir="ltr">Robert Noyce</a>. In 1959, Kilby of Texas Instruments received a U.S. patent for miniaturized electronic circuits and Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation received a patent for a silicon-based integrated circuit.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> What Is a Microchip? </span> </h2><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/28dxgC_jkQG-6ZETs_HtyuNEK68=/2034x1356/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/microchip-5c424d634cedfd0001cc73f0.png" alt="Blue microchip illustration"><figcaption dir="auto"> Blue microchip illustration.

KTSDESIGN / Science Photo Library / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">
A microchip is a set of interconnected electronic components such as transistors and resistors that are etched or imprinted onto a tiny chip of semiconducting material, such as <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/silicon-facts-606595" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">silicon</a> or <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/germanium-facts-606538" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="2" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">germanium</a>. Microchips are usually used for the logic component of a computer, known as the microprocessor, or for the computer memory, also known as RAM chips. The microchip can contain a set of interconnected electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors that are etched or imprinted on a tiny, wafer-thin chip.
</p><p>
An integrated circuit is used as a controller switch to perform a specific task. The transistor in the integrated circuit acts like an on and off switch. The resistor controls the electrical current that moves back and forth between the transistors. The capacitor collects and releases electricity, while a diode stops the flow of electricity.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> How Microchips Are Made </span> </h2><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/W9br7HseDwxcC4TqFI8VDsuXEfQ=/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-603706371-b2982facf40245acadb3c9d987161835.jpg" alt="Focused Engineer Examining Microchip With Flashlight"><figcaption dir="auto"> An engineer examines a microchip by shining a light through it.

&nbsp;

Hero Images&nbsp;/ Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p dir="ltr">
Microchips are built layer by layer on a wafer of a <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-semiconductor-1991409" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">semiconductor</a> material, like silicon. The layers are built by a process called photolithography, which uses chemicals, gases and light.
</p><p>
First, a layer of silicon dioxide is deposited on the surface of the silicon wafer, then that layer is covered with a photoresist. A photoresist is a light-sensitive material used to form a patterned coating on a surface using ultraviolet light. The light shines through the pattern, and it hardens the areas exposed to the light. Gas is used to etch into the remaining soft areas. This process is repeated and modified to build the component circuitry.
</p><p>
Conducting paths between the components are created by overlaying the chip with a thin layer of metal, usually aluminum. The photolithography and etching processes are used to remove the metal leaving only the conducting pathways.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> Uses of the Microchip </span> </h2><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/VCBLK90nmDhmiyeL78KEsbdSAkE=/2119x1414/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/GettyImages-1144060264-488726c0b3f546c09753578fca3437e7.jpg" alt="Closeup view of a finger touching on smartphone. "><figcaption dir="auto"> Smartphones are among the many devices powered by microchips.

zhengshun tang / Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>
Microchips are used in many electrical devices besides a computer. In the 1960s, the Air Force used microchips to build the Minuteman II missile. NASA purchased microchips for their Apollo project.
</p><p dir="ltr">
Today, microchips are used in <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-smartphones-4096585" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" dir="ltr">smartphones</a> that allow people to use the Internet and have a telephone video conference. Microchips are also used in televisions, GPS tracking devices, identification cards as well as medicine, for the speedier diagnosis of cancer and other diseases.
</p><h2 dir="ltr"> <span dir="ltr"> More About Kilby and Noyce </span> </h2><figure><img src="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/E5jaYNamQUWgtQUe5Si6qUGYSD0=/1000x667/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/robertnoyce-59ca90a80d327a0011ed9553.jpg" alt="Robert Noyce"><figcaption dir="auto"> Robert Noyce.

Intel Free Press / Flickr / CC 2.0</figcaption></figure><p>
Jack Kilby holds patents on more than 60 inventions and is also well known as the inventor of the portable calculator in 1967. In 1970, he was awarded the National Medal of Science.
</p><p dir="ltr">
Robert Noyce, with 16 patents to his name, founded <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/intel-history-1991923" data-component="link" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" data-ordinal="1" rel="noopener noreferrer" dir="ltr">Intel</a>, the company responsible for the invention of the&nbsp;microprocessor in 1968.&nbsp;
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The invention of the microchip and its integrated circuit are the most important innovations of mankind. Almost all modern products use chip technology.

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Technology & The Future

<p dir="ltr">A microchip, smaller than your fingernail, contains computer circuitry called an <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-integrated-circuit-aka-microchip-1992006">integrated circuit </a>. The invention of the integrated circuit stands historically as one of the most important innovations of mankind. Almost all modern products use chip technology. </p>

<p dir="ltr">The pioneers known for inventing microchip technology are <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/jack-kilby-father-of-the-microchip-1992042">Jack Kilby </a>and <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-gordon-moore-1992167">Robert Noyce </a>. In 1959, Kilby of Texas Instruments received a U.S. patent for miniaturized electronic circuits and Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation received a patent for a silicon-based integrated circuit. </p>

<p dir="ltr">A microchip is a set of interconnected electronic components such as transistors and resistors that are etched or imprinted onto a tiny chip of semiconducting material, such as <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/silicon-facts-606595" rel="noopener noreferrer">silicon </a>or <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="2" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/germanium-facts-606538" rel="noopener noreferrer">germanium </a>. Microchips are usually used for the logic component of a computer, known as the microprocessor, or for the computer memory, also known as RAM chips. The microchip can contain a set of interconnected electronic components such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors that are etched or imprinted on a tiny, wafer-thin chip. </p>

<p>An integrated circuit is used as a controller switch to perform a specific task. The transistor in the integrated circuit acts like an on and off switch. The resistor controls the electrical current that moves back and forth between the transistors. The capacitor collects and releases electricity, while a diode stops the flow of electricity. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Microchips are built layer by layer on a wafer of a <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-semiconductor-1991409">semiconductor </a>material, like silicon. The layers are built by a process called photolithography, which uses chemicals, gases and light. </p>

<p>First, a layer of silicon dioxide is deposited on the surface of the silicon wafer, then that layer is covered with a photoresist. A photoresist is a light-sensitive material used to form a patterned coating on a surface using ultraviolet light. The light shines through the pattern, and it hardens the areas exposed to the light. Gas is used to etch into the remaining soft areas. This process is repeated and modified to build the component circuitry. </p>

<p>Conducting paths between the components are created by overlaying the chip with a thin layer of metal, usually aluminum. The photolithography and etching processes are used to remove the metal leaving only the conducting pathways. </p>

<p>Microchips are used in many electrical devices besides a computer. In the 1960s, the Air Force used microchips to build the Minuteman II missile. NASA purchased microchips for their Apollo project. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, microchips are used in <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-smartphones-4096585">smartphones </a>that allow people to use the Internet and have a telephone video conference. Microchips are also used in televisions, GPS tracking devices, identification cards as well as medicine, for the speedier diagnosis of cancer and other diseases. </p>

<p>Jack Kilby holds patents on more than 60 inventions and is also well known as the inventor of the portable calculator in 1967. In 1970, he was awarded the National Medal of Science. </p>

<p dir="ltr">Robert Noyce, with 16 patents to his name, founded <a data-component="link" data-ordinal="1" data-source="inlineLink" data-type="internalLink" dir="ltr" href="https://www.thoughtco.com/intel-history-1991923" rel="noopener noreferrer">Intel </a>, the company responsible for the invention of the microprocessor in 1968.  </p>

Who Invented the Microchip?

The Microchip

Inventors Of The Microchip

Microchips: Make And Usage

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