CONNECTING

THE WORLD

Sponsored by
 CONNECTING
THE WORLD
TABLE OF CONTENTS
02 INTRODUCTION: HOW MICROTECHNOLOGY
CONNECTS THE WORLD
04 HOW THINGS GOT SO SMALL
06 WHAT IS A SEMICONDUCTOR
08 INTEL COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
12 INTEL EXPERIENCES PROFESSIONAL STORIES
16 INSIDE INTEL THE FUTURE LIVES HERE
18 MICRON SPOTLIGHT
20 VERIZON SPOTLIGHT
23 APPLIED MATERIALS SPOTLIGHT
25 RESOURCES /CONTRIBUTORS
2 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR
INTRODUCTION: HOW MICROTECHNOLOGY
Tiny items with massive CONNECTS THE WORLD
influence,
semiconductor chips are at the center
of our digital world. Smart phones, video game consoles,
computers, automobiles, appliances are just a few of the
everyday items powered by microtechnology. Any device
or product that features electronic displays, or needs to
process data, needs chips.
Advances in technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence,
virtual reality, cloud computing, autonomous vehicles and
smartphones will rely on the power, stability and growth
of the global semiconductor industry. It’s no surprise
the global semiconductor industry is forecasted to grow
from $450 billion in 2021 to over $800 billion by 2028. In
2020, there were about 277,000 jobs in the semiconductor
manufacturing industry.
Some of the largest chip producers based in the United
States include Intel, Micron, Applied Materials, Broadcom,
Qualcomm and Texas Instruments. Employment
opportunities abound in this industry poised for massive
growth. From technical roles requiring hands-on training
to engineering roles requiring 4 or more years of college,
there are many pathways to a career in microchips and
semiconductors.
In this ebook we take a look at the various ways
microtechnology connects the world and how selected
companies are leading in innovation and career pathways.
From the microchip to the metaverse, we hope this
book inspires you to jump into the future with a career
in advanced semiconductor manufacturing and
microtechnology.
— The STEMconnector Team
3
 THE 101 ON MICROCHIPS,
HOW THINGS GOT SO SMALL SEMICONDUCTORS AND
INTEGRATED CIRCUITS
MICROCHIP
Also known as microcircuits
and integrated circuits,
microchips are silicon chips
containing an integrated
circuit, which is small
in size and is often part
of a computer or other
electronic equipment.
The electronic
components, which include
miniaturized active devices
Microtechnology has emerged in various technological and passive devices and
fields since about 1920. Advances in scientific knowledge and applications their interconnections, are
of that knowledge make microtechnology possible. Specific concepts and
built up on a thin substrate
inventions have provided the necessary basis for microtechnology. of semiconductor material
These significant inventions include: the microscope, electricity,
computers, and lasers. For example, microscopes allow technicians to
(typically silicon). The
resulting circuit is a small
view minute regions of computer microprocessors and components of monolithic “chip,” which
other microdevices. may be as small as a few
square millimeters.
The first microchips were made in the early 1960s. Some microchips are
microprocessors; others can be memory or interface microchips. The
microprocessor chip communicates with memory and interface chips SEMICONDUCTOR
within the computer through buses, or series of wires, that
relay information.
Semiconductor is the
material between a
conductor and an insulator
Not long after the computer was invented, engineers began to make material. Common
improvements that increased computer functions and decreased computer semiconductor materials
size. Today’s computers contain many microcomputer components— the include silicon, germanium,
primary one is the microprocessor, a type of microchip. A microprocessor and gallium arsenide. Silicon
contains the entire computer central processing unit on a single chip. The is the most common material
individual circuit components are generally microscopic in size. in commercial applications.
CONDUCTORS
Metals with better
conductivity, such as gold,
silver, copper, iron, tin,
aluminum, etc., are called
conductors.
INSULATORS
Materials with poor
conductivity, such as coal,
artificial crystals, amber, and
ceramics, are insulators.
ADVANCED
MANUFACTURING
Advanced manufacturing
is the use of innovative
technologies and
methodologies to enhance
and optimize output.
MICROTECHNOLOGY
Manufacturing technology
for making microscopic
devices in the micrometer
range (typically 1-100
micrometers), such as
integrated circuits. The
process usually involves
replication and parallel
fabrication of hundreds
or millions of identical
structures using various
thin film deposition
techniques and carried
out in environmentally-
controlled clean rooms.
MICROPROCESSOR
The microprocessor is the
central unit of a computer
system. It is essentially
the brain of the computer
that performs arithmetic
operations. It’s often
referred to as a processor,
a central processing
unit, or as a logic chip.
It’s a programmable,
multipurpose device that
incorporates the functions
of a central processing unit
(CPU) on a single integrated
circuit (IC).

The first time the Jack Kilby, Texas Robert Noyce Intel announces the The IBM 5100 is the Steve Jobs unveils Intel becomes the Intel introduces
word "computer" Instruments patents the world’s first “micro-pro- first, commercially the first Macintosh largest semiconductor IDM 2.0
was used to engineer, invents the silicon-based grammable computer successful, portable equipped with supplier in the world.
describe a machine. integrated circuit. integrated circuit. on a chip” – the 4004 computer. keyboard, mouse
microprocessor. and handle.

1897 1958 1959 1971 1975 1984 1991 2021

4 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 5

WHAT IS A
SEMICONDUCTOR?
Semiconductors are
essential for the operation
of all modern electronic
devices.
The term “semiconductor”
refers to a material that
has electrical conductivity
greater than an “insulator”
but less than a “conductor.”
However, it more commonly
refers to an integrated
circuit (IC) or computer
Digital cameras Computers/laptops
Radios XPUs
Scanners Diodes
Smartphones Microcontrollers
Televisions RF Transmitters
Watches/clocks Wireless HD video
6 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR
chip. The most common
semiconductor material is
silicon, the main ingredient
of computer chips.
Semiconductors are
the critical ingredient of
computer chips, which are
built for many functions.
This motherboard is
showing at least eight of
them (the CPU, chipset,
memory, storage,
ATMs
Smoke detectors
Internet
Refrigerators
Coffee makers
Video games
Washing machines
BIOS, and input/output
chips). Functions of
semiconductors might
include the amplification
of signals, switching and
energy conversion.
Semiconductors are
the foundation of modern
technology. Billions of
connected devices on
the planet would not
function without them.
Blood-pressure Wireless patient
sensors monitors
Smoke detectors A/C temp sensors
Hearing aids Efficient logistics
MRIs systems
Pacemakers LED light bulbs
Ultrasound modules Monitoring systems
Security devices
HOW CHIPS ARE MADE A computer chip’s journey begins with research.
Engineers and scientists from companies and academia develop revolutionary
processing and packaging technologies.
1 2
DESIGN
Chip architects,
logic designers and
circuit designers
create computerized
drawings (blueprints).
4 5
DIE & SORT
Finished wafers
get cut into dies (or
computer chips) and
placed on reels.
TALK THE TALK - KEY
TERMINOLOGY
Fab: A factory that performs
Semiconductors are the first half of silicon chip
probably the most complex manufacturing (fabrication),
products manufactured in where bare silicon
the world, yet they’re often wafers undergo weeks
as small as a fingernail. of processing to become
They are packed with integrated circuits.
billions of microscopic
switches, called Test/Assembly: The second
“transistors,” that make half of chip manufacturing,
them work. where bare silicon die are
encased in a protective
package and undergo final
inspection; also refers to
factories dedicated to this
function.
Die: A single integrated
circuit cut from a wafer after
fabrication.
Smart home systems
Solar panels Chip: A tiny, thin square
Advanced driver
or rectangle that contains
assistance systems
Diagnostic equip-
integrated electronic
ment circuitry. A chip contains
Mapping/Sensing one or more die, which are
Navigation systems
MASK OPS
Engineers take the
digital blueprints and
convert them into
glass templates, called
masks, which are
used in fabrication for
photolithography, or
“printing with light.”
TEST &
ASSEMBLY
Technicians test each
die one last time, then
mount them between
a heat spreader and
a substrate to form
a sleek, enclosed
package.
built in batches on wafers
of silicon.
Foundry: A silicon
fabrication business that
offers manufacturing as
a service to outside chip
design companies, which
are referred to as “fabless
semiconductor companies”
contrasts with an integrated
device manufacturer.
Integrated circuit: A
semiconductor device that
includes many transistors
and electrical circuits,
designed to perform one or
many functions.
Integrated device
manufacturer or IDM:
Company that both designs
and manufactures silicon
chips, such as Intel and
Samsung.
Intellectual property or
IP: A functional unit of an
its passage; common
3
shorthand for computer
FABRICATION chips and the industry.
Technicians in
cleanroom suits use a Transistor: A type of switch
multitude of machines
to create layers of
that controls the flow of
circuits and devices electricity. A chip can
on silicon wafers. Each contain millions or billions
wafer will contain
of transistors.
hundreds of chips.
6
Wafer: A round slice of
WAREHOUSING purified silicon less than 1
mm thick, up to 12 inches
Logistics
professionals or 300 mm in diameter,
ship out chips upon which integrated
to customers or
global distribution
circuits are implanted and
hubs to be sent to etched and later sliced into
manufacturers or individual die.
boxed up for retail.
MOORE’S LAW AND
WHAT IT MEANS
integrated circuit, such as Gordon Moore, Intel
CPU cores, graphics and
media, memory and AI.
Co-founder and creator
of Moore’s Law, made an
observation of increasing
Package: A protective economic efficiency. In
enclosure around one or 1965, Gordon Moore made
many silicon die that includes what he later called “a
connectors to the computer. wild extrapolation of
very little data” that the
Semiconductor: A material number of components per
(such as silicon) that can integrated circuit would
be altered to conduct keep doubling annually
electrical current or block (revised later to biannually).
MOORE’S LAW
Transistors
Duel-Core Itanium® 2 processor
1,000,000,000
Itanium® 2 processor
100,000,000
Pentium®4 processor
10,000,000
Pentium®II processor
Pentium® processor
Pentium®III
processor
80486
1,000,000
80386
80286
100,000
8086
10,000
8080
8008
4004
1,000
1970 1970 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005
7
 CAREER PATHS AT INTEL

INTEL MANUFACTURING AND

FACILITIES
Manufacturing Technicians
and Specialists at Intel build
the world’s best processors.
As a Manufacturing and Technical professional, you
will have the chance to create the next generation of
products using some of the world’s most advanced
manufacturing processes.

FAB CONSTRUCTION SILICON PHOTONICS

Intel’s Fab Construction Encompassing a variety
Enterprise is looking for of engineering roles, our
world-class, diverse, technical Silicon Photonic career
talent to innovate and help track is changing the
build some of the world’s landscape of technology
largest semiconductor manufacturing, assembly test and and data centers through
advanced packaging factories across the globe. the study and application
of this exciting technology,

HARDWARE which allows the transfer of

data among computer chips
Intel’s Hardware career track using light.
offers opportunities from
state-of-the-art manufacturing,
Intel Corporation is an American multinational corporation and to quantum computing, by
technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. It is the world’s engineering technology and
products that will drive end to end quality and security.
largest semiconductor chip manufacturer by revenue and best known for developing
the microprocessors found in most of the world’s personal computers. Intel is also the
world’s largest manufacturer by revenue of semiconductor chips, a product used in SOFTWARE
most of the world’s electronic devices. Intel’s software engineers
Focused on creating world-changing technology that improves the life of every actively establish tomorrow’s
infrastructure, as well as
INFORMATION
person on the planet, Intel sets the industry standard for processor innovation and
performance, powering laptops, desktops, workstations and servers, immersive solutions for big data and
intelligent devices, and
gaming, content creation, IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and more.
accelerate cloud computing adoption with an established TECHNOLOGY
reputation for innovation. Information Technology
professionals provide

We believe that data is dramatically shaping the future of all ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE advanced analytics,
emerging data center
humankind. Intel is working relentlessly to unleash the potential Intel’s Artificial Intelligence technologies, and cloud-
career track is for based solutions to help
of data, leading to more capable and efficient networks, and professionals who are ready advance Intel’s products
pervasive AI across smart devices. Moore’s Law set the pace for to advance technology for and services in the
the sake of making the latest marketplace.
the digital revolution and continues to inspire us today.
– Intel
and greatest, and even more, eager to develop complete
solutions for real world problems.

8 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 9


have announced
INTEL QUICKSTART enrollment is now open
for a new semiconductor
PROGRAM manufacturing Quick
Start program at Mesa
To support the growing Community College (MCC).
semiconductor industry’s The accelerated two-week
employment needs program prepares students
and welcome diverse for a rewarding career as a
talent into the technical semiconductor technician
workforce, Maricopa with hands-on learning from
Community Colleges industry experienced Intel
and Intel Corporation employees as instructors.
10
INTEL INTERNSHIP
PROGRAM
Intel has an empowering
internship program serving
thousands of students
who are preparing for
real careers outside of
college. Our goal is to
provide real-world, thought-
provoking internships
to undergraduate and
graduate-level students.
There is no better way to
learn than to experience
things first-hand.
Intel internships offer
students a chance to get
experience with ownership
of projects from day one,
as well as the opportunity
to develop a network of
contacts for their future.
Intel managers encourage
students to take the
initiative and develop
programs that meet their
particular interests.
As an intern at Intel,
you will enjoy a variety of
benefits including:
• Experience with
leading-edge
technologies
• Competitive salaries
• Networking with
Intel managers and
executives
• Access to Intel
University classes
for professional
and personal
development
• Consideration for
full-time employment
when you graduate
MANUFACTURING
AT INTEL
Making computer chips
requires one of the most
complex manufacturing
processes humans have
ever devised. For more
than 50 years, Intel
engineers and scientists
have continually faced and
met the challenges posed
by the physics of squeezing
billions of microscopic
transistors onto ever-
smaller computer chips.
Delivering on this promise
requires a massive global
team, world-class factory
Don’t be
infrastructure and a robust encumbered
supply chain ecosystem.
Manufacturing Technicians by history. Go
and Specialists at Intel build
the world’s best processors.
off and do
As a Manufacturing and something
Technical professional,
you will create the next
wonderful.”
generation of products
using some of the
– Robert Noyce
world’s most advanced
manufacturing processes.
This includes working in
one of Intel’s Fabrication
facilities, which are the
most technologically
advanced, high volume
manufacturing plants
in the world. As part of
Manufacturing at Intel, you
would be part of world-
leading wafer production
creating the very latest
semiconductor devices.
Learn more about
manufacturing and other
career opportunities at
Jobs.Intel.com.
COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 11
 INTEL EXPERIENCES:
Read what Intel team members
say about their personal career pathways and
experience at Intel.
SENIOR STRATEGIC
QUALITY ENGINEER
As a senior strategic quality
engineer, Saskia applies
Artificial Intelligence and
data visualization
It is resilience that paves the way
for achievement of a brilliant and
amazing STEM career future.”
- Saskia, Senior Strategic Quality Engineer in the
Global supply chain Fab materials (GSEM) sourcing and
procurement operations organization
12
PROFESSIONAL STORIES
methods to enable
predictive, preventative,
and proactive solutions to
maximize product quality
and data processing
efficiency for the factory.
Q What career path did
you take to get to your
current role?
A I pursued college
and university level
education in two different
Caribbean territories. I
achieved my bachelor’s
degree in Chemical
Engineering at UWI,
St.Augustine Campus,
Trinidad. I’ve had a passion
for water treatment science
since that time which set
the stage for my facilities
role as a first ever Intel
TD facilities mechanical
systems water treatment
program manager over a
decade later. I successfully
completed my Master’s
Degree in Chemical
Engineering with minor
Environmental Engineering
emphasis and a thesis
option at New Jersey
Institute of Technology.
Q What role do you
see in the future for
Semiconductors?
A Globally over one
hundred billion
semiconductors see
daily consumption. I
envision semiconductor
materials having a growing
and lasting impact on the
computing and electronic
product supply chain
because of several
reasons. We will not be
able to sustain a ready
supply of integrated
circuits, transistors
and other computing
components without
semiconductors. They
are pivotal to enabling
modern technology.
Q What advice would
you give to someone
interested in pursuing
your career?
COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR
A I advise those persons
faced with making a
career choice to seek
out mentors who have
succeeded despite
the odds. The goal is
progression, not perfection.
It is resilience that paves
the way for achievement
of a brilliant and amazing
STEM career future.
It is my strong belief
that women often deliver
significant contributions
to the STEM fields but are
often in the background.
The showcasing of more
success stories of women
in STEM will pave the
way for the diversity and
representation the field
desperately needs.
A I hold a degree in
Automotive Technology.
I went to Universal Now I get to
Technical Institute in
do something
MANUFACTURING Exton, PA, right out of high
wonderful
EQUIPMENT TECHNICIAN school. I wanted to pursue
Q What career path did
you take to get to your
a dealership career in
the automotive field and
became a technician at
everyday I go
to work. I get to
current role? Toyota. I eventually realized
enrich the lives
the dealership world was of every person
not for me. When Intel on earth.”
reached out to me on -Eddie, Manufacturing
LinkedIn, I was on my way
to my dream career.
Equipment Technician at Intel
Q What role do you
see in the future for
Semiconductors?
your career?
A We will need more
engineers to develop
A Never give up. There
was a point where I
felt stuck in my previous
more semiconductors! job before Intel, but then
Everything we use daily, has one day my life changed
some sort of chip inside of it. for the better. Now I get to
do something wonderful
Q What advice would
you give to someone
interested in pursuing
everyday I go to work. I get
to enrich the lives of every
person on earth.
13

systems. All-in-all, they help
your console by protecting
your battery and keeping
your system from burning
up while you play video
games.
In extreme gaming,
change, giving modern
games a more realistic
appearance. In other
words, the smoothness of
the stages and accurate
reaction from your controls
within the game are all the
results of semiconductors
at work. Next time you
play Super Smash Bros
Ultimate and are able to
dodge someone’s attack
because of your lightning
fast reflexes, think of the
semiconductors and chips
at work allowing that
reaction to take place!
GOING VIRTUAL
provide a similar experience
to VR, but offer improved,
lifelike imaging with the
aesthetique of normal
glasses instead of heavy
VR goggles. Smart glasses
rely heavily on the power of
semiconductors to provide
better visuals and total
body immersion. Similarly,
the development of
semiconductor technology
is one of the most
important factors in the
commercialization of smart
glasses. The technological
development of memory
semiconductors are used
to produce and save VR
images, secure storage
space, and release images
onto a display. With such
advanced image resolution
and upgraded display
technology, smart glasses
wouldn’t be possible
without semiconductor
performance supporting
and implementing them.
All-in-all, virtual reality could
become part of daily life
through smart glasses –
imagine the possibilities!
Whether you’re bored
in class, daydreaming of
vacation, or missing a
certain place, VR could help
take you there sooner than
you think.

consoles are having Although various formats

process. The Reticle Room
is where reticles are stored
and maintained. In this
role, she follows up on
any alerts and reports that
indicate quality concerns
and collects data before
referring any defects or
quality concerns to the
RETICLE ROOM on-call engineering team
MANUFACTURING to collaborate on possible
in different areas of the
factory starting in Etch
(process where
material is selectively
removed from a thin film on
a silicon wafer to create a
pattern of that material on
the wafer)
then taking a special
training assignment for
Lithography (process
GAMING
Prior to the invention of
semiconductor chips,
computers were large,
clunky devices with
lots of tubes and wires!
However, the creation
of semiconductors has
allowed machines to be
made faster, cheaper,
to process a lot of real
time information and
changes while you play.
For example, how are
we able to have realistic
moving shadows and
changes in lighting that are
adjusted in real time? The
answer is GPUs! During
extreme gaming, GPU
processing allows scenes
and frames to rapidly
of gaming have been
around for decades,
virtual reality (VR) is an
emerging technology that
has quickly turned into its
own genre. With VR, a user
has the ability to visualize
the internal structure of a
semiconductor, use a virtual
space controller (space ball
or glove) to rotate it, inspect
it from a different angle,

TECHNICIAN solutions. that makes photocopies

of highly complex circuit
and more convenient.
Constant innovation and
and change the intrinsic
physical properties of the
Carmen is a Reticle Room
Manufacturing Technician.
A reticle is a tool with an
Q What career path did
you take to get to your
current role?
patterns and are then
exposed onto a silicon
wafer) to learn about the
development has led to the
manufacturing of the sleek
modern gaming consoles
device.
Within the realm of VR
are “smart glasses” which
opaque plate or film with scanners, metrology, and and smart equipment that
transparent areas which
allows light to shine through A I started with Intel, in
Fab 6/Chandler, while
theReticle Room. we know today.
Some types of
a defined pattern and is
used during the lithography
attending Arizona State
University. I have worked Q What advice would
you give to someone
interested in pursuing your
semiconductor chips
use binary code to direct
commands, whether these
career? are used to get your game
started or to save your
Go for internships and jobs that
are tied to your career goals. Be A Go for internships
and jobs that are tied
to your career goals. Be
latest high scores and
progress. Microprocessors,
memory, and graphic
passionate, work hard and focus on
passionate, work hard and processing units (GPUs) are
problem solving and teamwork” focus on problem solving all common semiconductors
- Carmen, Manufacturing technician and teamwork. for computers and gaming

14 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 15

 INSIDE INTEL: program which will allow a media and is the first real

THE FUTURE LIVES HERE

user to operate a computer time deepfake detecting
through detection of brain software. Watch the video
waves! Watch the video

as synchronous design
methodology, meaning
it operates off a rigid
sequential instruction set.
Mike’s team, however, is
interested in Asynchronous
design, a completely
different way of designing
chips inspired by the
functions of the human
brain. Watch the video
BRAIN-COMPUTER
lab at Intel, focusing on
assisting people living with
disabilities to overcome
many challenges. Their
goal: to design a technology
that understands people
better. The ACAT (Assistive
Context-Aware Toolkit) was
developed to allow people
to control their windows
machine using only small
facial movements that
can be picked up via their
FAKECATCHER
Deepfakes are synthetic
face videos, images, or
audio where the actor or
action of the actor is not
real. While this technology
was originally developed
with good intentions, it has
become a major problem
in manipulated media,
forgeries, impersonations,
and many other avenues
of misinformation. To
aid in the battle against
defects, Intel has developed
“fakecatcher”, a defect
detection algorithm that
recognizes synthetic media.
The program works by
recognizing subtle color
and motion changes
in human skin that are
QUANTUM COMPUTING
Intel is harnessing chemistry
and quantum computing
to push the boundaries
of processing power. In
conventional computing,
transistors operate in
binary states, zero or one.
In quantum computing,
the basic unit is what
is known as a working
qubit and operates in two
possible states. Because
qubits operate at very low
temperatures, they are
used in a special cooler
called a dilution refrigerator
that is approximately 250
times colder than outer
space! Jim Clarke and his
team at Intel are currently
working on developing a
more scalable system for

INTERFACE webcam. Today, Nachman’s

team is working to further
invisible to the human eye
but can be picked up by
quantum computing that
can complete a sequence of
Step into Intel and you can see the future in motion. From Lama Nachman works this technology and create a computer. Fakecatcher calculations exponentially
neuromorphic computing, to AI, to quantum computing, Intel in a human Artificial a system that operates on currently operates with 91% faster than a supercomputer.
researchers are charting a course for the future in unimaginable ways. Intelligence (AI) research a brain-computer interface accuracy in detecting faked Watch the video

3DAT : 3D ATHLETE providing data on velocity, computing technologies. by Intel from a startup

TRACKING TECHNOLOGY acceleration, stride length

Ashton Eaton has won
gold medals in the Olympic
decathlon for the past two
summer games in a row. In
2019, Eaton was hired by
Intel, alongside Olympic
sprinter Noah Lyles, to
begin working on 3D
athlete tracking technology.
3dat is designed to take
video footage of an athlete
and superimpose a digital
skeleton onto the individual,
and more. 3dat was
originally intended for the
Olympic TV audience and
is now being considered
for the NFL draft and other
sports. Watch the video
NEUROMORPHIC
COMPUTING
Neuromorphic computing
looks at how biological
brains compute information
and applies that to modern
Today, computers are
limited to operating by
executing very precise
instruction sets. Brains,
however, compute in a
structurally dynamic
manner via the interaction
of living cells. This is what
scientists are hoping to
replicate in neuromorphic
chips. The idea is that
neuromorphic chips will
have the ability to respond
to external input and adapt
accordingly. Acquired
company researching
asynchronous design,
Mike Davies and his
team of researchers have
backgrounds in numerous
scientific disciplines such
as physics, biology, and
chemistry. The team
is currently working
on designing a chip
that deviates from the
conventional clock design
used in most chips today.
Almost all chips are made
with what is referred to

16 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 17


MICRON CHIP CAMP
AGES 13-15
Micron Chip Camp is
different from other
STEM camps. All camp
activities relate directly
to the semiconductor,
manufacturing, and
engineering industries
and are facilitated by real
Micron team members and
What’s a logic gate? Why do
semiconductor engineers avoid static?
At Micron Chip Camp, students will get
answers to these questions and more.
18
MICRON SPOTLIGHT
college students.
Sponsored by the Micron
Foundation, Chip Camp is a
no-cost day camp filled with
hands-on STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering &
Math) activities. The camp
has activities led by Micron
engineers, scientists, and
other professionals. College
students serve as ‘Crew
Leads’ throughout Chip
Micron Technology, Inc.
is an American semiconductor
manufacturing company and producer
of computer memory and computer data
storage including dynamic random-
access memory, flash memory, USB
flash drives and solid state drives.
Camp, supporting campers
and guiding them from
activity to activity.
AT CHIP CAMP,
STUDENTS WILL:
• Learn how memory chips
are made.
• Discover the scientific
principles involved
in building circuits,
launching rockets and
programming robots.
• Explore topics in
engineering, physics,
chemistry and computer
science.
• Meet inspiring, diverse
STEM mentors, including
Micron team members
and engineering students
from local universities.
Through the interaction
with Micron professionals,
students can foster
mentor relationships,
learn about the various
uses for Micron memory
products, and career
opportunities available in
the semiconductor industry.
College students also act
as mentors, but because
they are closer in age,
provide a unique level
of support and nuanced
understanding for campers
as they are being exposed
to continuing or newfound
passions.
During the camp
experience, students are
placed in teams of 4-6 with
names like Angstrom, Flash,
DRAM, etc. These names
are part of the vocabulary
of semiconductors that
students learn during camp.
Over the years, some of
the most popular activities
have been learning about
Electrostatic Discharge
(ESD) and Nanotechnology,
programming a Lego©
Mindstorms robot, as well
as building & launching
rockets.
Learn more about Micron
Chip Camp here.
COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR
Once a film with the right
properties has been
developed, it is tested for
electrical performance and
integration compatibility.
This job combines
organization, creativity, data
analysis, and teamwork
to successfully find a film
MICRON INDIVIDUAL
deposition solution that will
be implemented in future
memory products.
SPOTLIGHT
Brenda Kraus
Senior Member of the Q What career path did
you take to get to your
Technical Staff – Research current role?
and Development, Metals
Deposition Engineer,
Micron Technology A I graduated with a
Bachelor of Science in
Chemistry in the 1990s. I
As an R&D Metals had no prior knowledge of
Deposition Engineer, the Semiconductor Industry
Brenda specializes in but rather stumbled upon
developing novel metal/ it and worked my way into
conductive films using an Engineering position
chemical vapor and through hard work and
atomic layer deposition some luck!
for Emerging Memory
and DRAM memory
types. Her job involves
identifying chemical and
Q What role do you
see in the future for
Semiconductors?
tool vendors to work with
to develop a process
for a given application. A Semiconductors will
unquestionably be a
Remember that work-life balance is
important, so take care of your mental
and physical health. A positive attitude
and not being hard on yourself will
help you succeed.”
—Brenda Kraus
critical component in a
vast array of industries.
interested in pursuing your
career?
As our world finds new
ways to use technology,
such as in the medical
field, automotive industry,
A Research and apply
to universities with
semiconductor-related
communication industry, programs. This is more
artificial intelligence, important for graduate
and internet of things,
semiconductors will play
a critical role in enabling
school but also helps when
you’re an undergraduate.
In undergraduate, build
new technologies to make your resume with hands-on
the world better. To enable experience doing research
this, the semiconductor or internships in related
industry requires innovative fields/projects. This will
and motivated individuals to help you get into your
drive our industry forward desired graduate school.
to meet these needs. By far, In graduate school,
the semiconductor industry make as many professional
is an explosive area to work
in and will drive the future
of our world.
connections as possible
through partnerships,
conferences, and internships.
Build the soft skills including
Q What advice would
you give to someone
communication, presentations
and report writing.
19
VERIZON SPOTLIGHT Verizon is one of the worlds largest
leading providers of technology and communications
services. The Company was first in the world to launch 5G
LILY ZHU SPOTLIGHT
Zhu began working in
and its 5G Ultra Wideband network covers more than 135
satellite communication
million people across 1,700 cities in the U.S.
in June of 1992. Since
“We are working to build a strong ecosystem with chipset then, she has worked as
vendors to advance our network and provide better a system integrator and
wireless service to our customers,” said Lily Zhu, Device system engineer before
Technology Fellow at Verizon. “As the success of the becoming a product
cellular industry is heavily dependent on semiconductor manager in cellular Semiconductors impact
communications. Today,
evolution, Verizon is heavily invested in the advancement
she works as a strategist
so many industries from
of the industry to help further improve 5G and future
in device technology at wireless communication
generations of cellular networks.
Verizon, responsible for to industrial control
There are many technical career paths within Verizon device, chipset, and original (controller and actuator),
for someone with a background in semiconductors from equipment manufacturing,
device architecture, 5G autonomous cars, Internet
requirements, architecture, network/device planning to
the execution of network evolution.” strategy and the roadmap of Things, Security,
to support Verizon’s 5G Sports, AR/VR and the
network evolution, as well
metaverse. There are no
as leading and working with
limits for a semiconductor
VERIZON INNOVATIVE students at schools across curriculum and learning cross fun ctional teams.
related career.”
LEARNING the U.S., including Title
I schools, and provided
tools such as virtual reality
(VR) equipment, 3D printing
Currently, Lily is driving
strategic initiatives on - Lily Zhu
Verizon Innovative Learning hundreds of schools with stations, augmented reality 5G device evolution to
is the company’s award- connectivity and next-gen (AR) apps and more in a support R16/R17 3GPP
winning education initiative, technologies that bring custom-designed, state-of- features, achieving 10Gbps
under its Citizen Verizon innovative lesson plans the-art experiential learning speed, upcoming 5G
responsible business plan, to life. environment. deployments, network
focused on addressing Verizon is launching 50 slicing and Industrial IOT/
barriers to digital inclusion. VERIZON INNOVATIVE new Verizon Innovative private network use cases
Over the last decade,
working through nonprofit LEARNING LABS Learning Labs in Title I
schools across the country
to next gen technology on
RFIC and antenna modules.
partners, Verizon Innovative The Verizon Innovative f all 2022, bringing the total In addition to this, she is
Learning has committed $1 Learning Lab program, in to 107 across 18 states, exploring new 5G use
billion in market value to collaboration with non- which will offer emerging cases in sports analytics
support digital equity and profit partner Heart of technology with a student- that can leverage 5G’s
inclusion within education America and the J. Orin facing, project based speed/low latency and
for some of the most Edson Entrepreneurship curriculum. provide more science to
vulnerable populations + Innovation Institute at After receiving her player performance and
across the country. Arizona State University, master’s degree in health tracking/evaluation
To date, the initiative has provides students with electrical engineering as for the coaches and tech-
reached over 1.5 million access to robust, hands-on a Software Engineer, Lily on-the-bench.

20 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 21


VERIZON INNOVATIVE printing, augmented reality,
social entrepreneurship and
LEARNING STEM mentorship.
ACHIEVERS In partnership with
The Verizon Innovative
the National Association
for Community College
Learning STEM Achievers Entrepreneurship (NACCE),
program, previously known the program includes
as two separate programs a summer immersion
- Young Men of Color and experience and then hosts
Young Rural Women, offers one STEM Enrichment
under-resourced middle Day in the fall and spring,
school students a free all held on-site at a total
project-based enrichment of 44 Historically Black
program developed to Colleges and Universities
enrich learning through (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving
design thinking, 3D Institutions (HSIs) and
22
community colleges across
the country.
VERIZON INNOVATIVE
LEARNING HQ
Leveraging its decade
of experience working
to help close the digital
divide, Verizon is now
scaling its education
resources digitally to reach
over 3 million teachers
nationwide with Verizon
Innovative Learning HQ:
A free education portal,
available at Verizon.com/
APPLIED MATERIALS
SPOTLIGHT
Applied Materials is a global
manufacturing company that plays a key role in the
evolution of the electronics industry. It is the leader
in materials engineering solutions used to produce
virtually every new chip and advanced display in the
Learning, that makes next-
gen learning tools available world. Applied Materials expertise lies in modifying
to all K-12 educators materials at the atomic level and on an industrial
nationwide. scale to establish the foundation for manufacturing
semiconductor chips.
The goal of Verizon
Innovative Learning HQ Every year nearly 30 million wafers are processed for
is to help more teachers smartphones, each wafer contains hundreds of chips
recognize the benefits which meet the same rigorous specifications. A leading
of tapping into next-gen expertise in materials engineering and equipment
technologies in their lesson building, Applied Materials has made the manufacture
plans, such as AR, VR, and of these chips on the industrial scale possible.
more. The education portal
provides free access to
SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESS TECHNICIAN
next-gen technologies and
classroom implementation after 1.5 years. I was promoted again after 1.5 more
strategies, to reach more years to Process Technician IV. I’d say I attribute my
students where they are.
APPLIED MATERIALS progression to hard work and problem solving.
Thomas is a Semiconductor Process Technician IV at
Applied Materials. His role is to train others on the robots
Q What advice would you give to someone interested in
pursuing your career?
used on our equipment, including programming, as well
as performing cross-sectional analysis on semiconductor
process results.
A Even if you are not sure what the job is, just try it. It
might be scary at first but you’ll learn quickly what you
are good at. Be curious, a problem solver and fix things.
This can be applied to many jobs.
Q What career path did you take to get to your current
role?
A I got my AAS degree in Material Science at San
Joaquin Delta College and took an Internship with
Lawrence Livermore Labs in Livermore. I applied to
I attribute my progression
to hard work and problem
several organizations and a friend helped me connect
with Applied Materials. With my education, I started as a
solving.”
- Thomas
Process Tech II before being promoted to Process Tech III
COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 23
 DISCOVER INTERNSHIPS RESOURCES &
AND CAREER CONTRIBUTORS
CONTRIBUTORS
INTEL

OPPORTUNITIES
Gabriela Gonzalez
Ph. D., Director, Global STEM Computer History Museum
Research, Policy & Initiatives Global
Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact
RESOURCES The Atlantic
INTEL

IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR
Bullock Museum
Oregon RISE
Maria Carmen Gonzalez The History of Computer
Reticle Room Manufacturing New Mexico RISE
Technician Happy
Arizona Rise
iPCB

INDUSTRY ON
Eddie Mitchell Intel Labs
Manufacturing Equipment Shunlongwei Co. Ltd
3DAT – 3-D Athlete Tracking
Technician Britannica
3DAT Overview
Saskia Christian Brainspire
Brains behind the Brains

ATLASJOBS
Senior Strategic Quality Engineer Business Wire
Human Collaboration – Lama
Electronics Hub
MICRON Deepfake Detection
Cathy Ammirati TechTarget
Real-time Deepfake Detection
Senior STEM Partnerships Program
CNBC
Manager, Micron Gives Quantum Computing
BBVA
Photonics
Brenda Krau
Center for Security and Emerging Technology
Senior Member of the Technical Staff Silicon Photonics Overview
– Research and Development, Metals Semiconductor Industry Association
Semiconductors and Intel
Deposition Engineer Deloitte
Intel products
VERIZON McKinsey
Lily Zhu Fortune
ONLINE RESOURCES
Device Technology Fellow
Used to inform this ebook IRDS
Christina Moon Ashraf Hitachi Hightech Micron
Corporate Communications
BBC Applied Materials
APPLIED MATERIALS Semiconductor Industry Association Verizon
Brittany Anderson Encyclopedia.com
Early Career Program Manager,
University Relations Bricsys

www.atlasjobs.com
24 COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR 25
COPYRIGHT 2022 STEMCONNECTOR