Chip

Electricity harnessed inside,
reproduced thin dimensions,
does a computer chip comprise.

Analog, digital and mixed signal devices,
are the classifications these can reach,
thousands, millions of transistors within minimal sizes.

The chips and integrated circuits find home,
with conductive wiring spun,
on circuit board's copper and electric roads.

Transistors are the key, they come in many types,
considered among the greatest of inventions,
they are the chips brain, and power many a device.

Resisters are placed to prevent bridging effects,
the metallic surfaces are bound,
with solder, an alloy of tin and lead.

Capacitors store energy, pins carry a current,
through the ovens they travel,
sometimes infrared lamps play the furnace.

In 1960 this technology matured,
but chips are not restricted,
to this process, some utilize wafers.

For wafers, silicon is the canvas,
on which the portrait is painted,
low material costs and good temperature ranges to manage.
 
Many layers make up a wafer's scheme,
it's silicon and aluminum are gray,
but refracted light gives way to reds, blues, yellows and greens.

"Etching" is the process,
of at least two layers of electronically interconnected wafers,
mounted one at a time, cut and polished.

Inexpensive creations, roll out the line,
like a newspaper, churning out new wafers,
instead of one at a time.
 
The circle takes shape to help prevent brakes,
to fit in as many chips as possible,
and machines can handle them easier this way.

Look close into the heart and observe,
that human mind behind the creation,
has left us a mark of his work.

Be wary dear chip, for though you make possibilities infinite,
with your uses many, and speed fantastic,
it can prove ill, pushing those limits.

In 1956 this tool rose from the mind of man,
perfected in the 1980's, it still gains momentum,
to think, it hails from the humility of sand.

It now can be found in many everyday things,
from computers to cellular phones and cars,
and most likely whatever our future might bring.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2007

Poem

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Brown Avatar
August 2, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Congratulations on your poetry making it through round one in the PoetrySoup International Poetry contest David D. I wish you the best in the final round. Love, Carol
Moreno Avatar
May 3, 2009 at 1:43 PM
David, my belated congrats in making the semi finals...Raul
Mason Avatar
April 27, 2009 at 3:11 PM
As I enjoyed this write on 12/28 so do I now and find that it is a "first round survivor" ... smile ... congratulations, David and good luck in the contest!!
Brown Avatar
April 10, 2009 at 5:00 AM
Congratulations on your poetry making it into the semi finals. Wishing you the best of luck in the finals David. Love, Carol
Winter Avatar
December 29, 2008 at 10:02 AM
Congratulations on your wonderful poetry being featured this week! Warmest wishes for a safe and happy new year! Love, Shar
Jordan Avatar
December 29, 2008 at 9:27 AM
David - Congratulations on having your poetry featured this week – I hope the coming year has many blessings in store for you and those you love – God Bless, MJ
Mason Avatar
December 28, 2008 at 6:35 PM
This is quite an accomplishment, David ... to be able to include this history is very clever and I'm glad I'm won't see this future ... LOL ... I truly missed out on the covered wagon trip ... smile ... Thanks for this great writing and it surely is a well-deserved selection to be a feature here at the Soup! Congratulations!
Suzadail Jr. Avatar
December 28, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Congratulations David on "Chip" being featured. Technology is taking over. I still yearn for simpler times. When you trapped a mouse and ate chips. God Bless. Vince
 Avatar
December 28, 2008 at 4:19 PM
The gagets are taking over! Ha! Ha! Interesting use of imagery to convey your thoughts. Congratulations on having your poem featured. Wishing you continued success with your writing. Karen
Richards Avatar
December 28, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Well deserved to be a featured poem this week. Chips hold magic...some of which I don't understand...but loved the poem! ~ Carrie
Esquire Avatar
December 28, 2008 at 2:17 PM
David, Congratulation on YOUR Featured POEM "Chip" I am computer Illiterate Thank-YOU for the tech info I read it but still Don't understand Computers or Chips Great Write... HG
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