Context: 

Rajasthan-based Sahasra Semiconductor will start the commercial production of first made-in-India memory chips from September or early October.

What are Semiconductors? 

• Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics). 
  • Semiconductors can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.
• Basic Composition of Semiconductors:

• • The basic component of a semiconductor chip is a sliver of silicon.
  • This silicon chip is etched with billions of microscopic transistors.
  • Patterns on the chip are formed by specific minerals and gases.
  • These patterns control the flow of electrical current and execute various computational instructions.
• Varieties of Semiconductors:
  • Higher nanometer value semiconductors find applications in automobiles and consumer electronics.
  • Lower nanometer value semiconductors are used in devices like smartphones and laptops.
• Application: Semiconductors are essential components found in nearly all modern electronic devices, including smartphones and Internet of things (IoT) devices.

News Source: Business Standard