Abstract

This paper outlines the basic technology and economic model of the core silicon technology. Silicon is the second most abundant element on the earth’s crust but there is no specific deposit or mine for silicon. The only source for silicon is “sand” that the earth has an abundant supply. Here we outline the basic steps of manufacturing silicon ingot and wafers. It is projected that, once produced, these products will gain immediate market access, thus creating economic activities in a reasonably short period of time. The three initial products that could stem from the basic silicon ingot are silicon wafers, for both semiconductor and solar cell applications, and optical fiber for communication. This report focuses on the essential silicon technology to produce silicon ingot, and silicon wafer, as the first step. Finally, the historic data available for the silicon wafer consumption per year have been modeled with the well-known Bass diffusion model. It was found that with modified parameters, the Bass model fits the historic data well and the same model allows a projection for a few years in the future. This projected economic activities, therefore, encourages a social transformation towards a technological self-sufficiency.

Keywords: Keywords: Silicon technology; Bass diffusion model; Silicon wafer consumption; Social transformation; Technological self-sufficiency