#Amorphous Silicon

[netscapenavigator-official]

Twitter’s rebrand is proof that Silicon Valley is in a minimalism death spiral and that not a single cryptobro has ever had a creatively appealing thought in their entire life.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Discovery of structural regularity hidden in silica glass

Glass—whether used to insulate our homes or as the screens in our computers and smartphones—is a fundamental material. Yet, despite its long usage throughout human history, the disordered structure of its atomic configuration still baffles scientists, making understanding and controlling its structural nature challenging. It also makes it difficult to design efficient functional materials made from glass. To uncover more about the structural regularity hidden in glassy materials, a research group has focused on ring shapes in the chemically bonded networks of glass. The group, which included Professor Motoki Shiga from Tohoku University's Unprecedented-scale Data Analytics Center, created new ways in which to quantify the rings' three-dimensional structure and structural symmetries: "roundness" and "roughness." Using these indicators enabled the group to determine the exact number of representative ring shapes in crystalline and glassy silica (SiO2), finding a mixture of rings unique to glass and ones that resembled the rings in the crystals.

Read more.

[aarunresearcher]

The United States solar power market size is projected to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6% during 2024-2032. The favorable government initiatives, rapid technological advancements, growing awareness of environmental sustainability, climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, rising energy demand and increasing investment in research and development (R&D) efforts represent some of the key factors driving the market.

[electronalytics]

Thin-film Amorphous Silicon Solar Cell Market

[reddpenn]

What makes a rock a rock and not a crystal?

Ok SO

A mineral is a naturally occurring non-organic solid with a defined chemical composition and an orderly molecular structure. This means the molecules throughout the entire structure will be exactly the same, and be arranged in a symmetrical, geometric, repeating pattern called a crystal lattice.

Quartz is a mineral. Its chemical formula is silicon dioxide, and its crystal lattice forms a repeating tetrahedron.

Ice is also a mineral. Its chemical formula is dihydrogen monoxide, and its crystal lattice forms a repeating hexagon.

Obsidian is not a mineral. It is a mineraloid, a mineral-like substance. Its chemical composition can vary wildly, and instead of a crystal lattice, its molecules are jumbled up in an amorphous solid, meaning there’s no nice repeating pattern to them.

A crystal is any solid material with a crystal lattice.

All minerals, by definition, have a crystal lattice. So all minerals are crystals! Some things that are NOT minerals are also crystals!

Sugar is a crystal. It has a crystal lattice made from molecules of sucrose. But it is not a mineral because it is organic.

Often, these repeating geometric patterns in the crystal lattice cause the substance to naturally form big geometric structures with distinct faces - such as the points formed by quartz. These larger structures are colloquially also called crystals, and their shape (called a crystal habit) is determined by the shape of the crystal lattice. The same crystal lattice can produce multiple different crystal habits, and it’s all very cool and complicated but I won’t go off on a tangent about it right now.

A substance does not have to form big structures like this to be scientifically considered a crystal. It just needs a crystal lattice!

A rock is a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids. It can be made of a single mineral, or a bunch of different minerals. But when made from a single mineral, it will not be one solid block of that mineral with an unbroken crystal lattice. Because it is an aggregate, it will be a bunch of micro- to macroscopic grains of that mineral all compacted together, each with their own individual crystal lattices.

Granite is a rock. It is made of grains of minerals such as quartz and feldspar.

Limestone is a rock. It is mostly made of grains of calcite.

So rocks can be made of crystals, but rocks are not crystals - in the same way that a house can be made of bricks, but a house is not a brick!

And this is just a very quick overview of these terms, because the scientific definitions can get increasingly pedantic and there are tons of weird exceptions! It is all very fascinating.

But of course, the word rock also has a colloquial definition, which is just… a chunk of that hard stuff the planet is made of! A mineral, a crystal, a fossil or a bio-organic solid… whatever! This is a rock collection and these are my rocks!

[jackhkeynes]

19th Lexember - Borlish

euxon "quartz"

euxon /aukˈsɔn/ [ɐukˈsɔn]

quartz, an abundant mineral made of crystalline or amorphous silicon dioxide;

jargon, technobabble, scientific words or concepts that do not (or appear to not) make any sense

Etymology: compare Scholastic Latin euxō "quartz" and Malchassian Greek εὔξώνας • euxṓnas "quartz", both first attested in the tweflth century. Traditionally connected to early Ancient Greek ἐΰξοος • eúxoos "well-polished" and the verb ξύω • xúō "scrape, polish", though this theory has some diachronic and semantic issues. The adjective is attested in Epic literature but no later, and moreover the root pertains very specifically to wood (being related to ξόανον • xóanon "wooden image" and ξύλα • xúla "timber").

More recently it has been suggested that the word was borrowed into Latin (and then Greek) from a vernacular. Multiple early attestations have led scholars to propose that the word might have come from Borlish itself. If so, the most accepted theory is that the word is originally from attested Old English eolh-sond "amber", literally "elk-sand".

The latter sense is seen mostly in the idiom l'oc m'es euxon (literally "this is quartz to me"), used to express unfamiliarity with a technical field.

Y clocq parey l'hour con un scard d'euxon. /i klɔk paˈri lur kɔn ɪn xard daukˈsɔn/ [i klɔk pɐˈʀi lʊː kɔn ɪŋ xɐːd dɐukˈsɔn] df clock match df=time with indf shard of=quartz The clock keeps time with a piece of quartz.

[inspofromancientworld]

The History of Glass and Glass Making

Glass is an amorphous solid, often transparent material. The amorphous part means that the atoms aren't aligned in any particular order. It is formed when molten silicon containing compounds are cooled rapidly. It is fairly easy to shape and is inert, meaning it won't interact with most chemicals, making it a good container for many things.

By Ji-ElleIt feels nice and warmIt feels like a love storm - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15527635 By Stickpen - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10689767 By H. Raab (User:Vesta) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=488611 and By H. Raab (User:Vesta) - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=486872

Natural glass comes in a few forms, such as obsidian from volcanoes, fulgurites from lightning strikes, Moldavite from meteorite impacts in central and eastern Europe, Libyan desert glass from meteorite impacts in the Sahara, and the more general impactite as the name for glass created by meteorite impacts, and Edeowie glass, which we're still trying to figure out what created it.

By Nsingapuri - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78429853

During the Stone Age, many societies used tools made from obsidian glass, knapped into blades for cutting and traded widely given the limited sources, it being only found near volcanoes, and the wide spread of the tools we find. As metal working began to grow in the Bronze Age, resulting in beads being found in the slag and the creation of faience, a type of glazing that used quartz that is heated so it becomes glass-like used by the Egyptians.

source: https://www.metmuseum.org/met-publications/studies-in-early-egyptian-glass

True glass making likely started in the Late Bronze Age in Egypt and Megiddo. Archaeologists have found glass ingots of various colors, vessels that mimicked semi-precious stone carvings, and deliberately made beads. Soda ash (sodium carbonate) from plant ash was added to sand to create glass which was then extracted into a rope and formed into vessel by coiling it around a clay or sand shape then reheating it multiple times to make the layers fuse together. Beads were more easily formed this way. Colored glass was made by various metallic oxides and then applied to vessels by drawing the glass into finer lines and then rolling the vessels or beads until the surface was smooth, a process called marvering. Handles and feet were made and applied separately. Much of the rest of glass production was done when it was cold, taking techniques from stone working to finish the glass when it was cooled. These techniques were closely guarded secrets of various palace controlled industries centered around Western Asia, Crete, and Egypt. By the 15th century BCE, Linear B script has been found that translates to 'workers of lapis lazuli and glass' (𐀓𐀷𐀜𐀺𐀒𐀂, ku-wa-no-wo-ko-i).

By SBAUmbria - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33260156

The Late Bronze Age Collapse brought glass making to a near complete halt until the 9th century BCE in Syria and Cyprus when they discovered how to make colorless glass. Ashurbanipal's library contained instructions on how to make glass from about 650 BCE. Egypt's glass industry wasn't revived until the Ptolemies took over in 305 BCE. Glass making techniques were experimented with resulting in advancement, including 'slumping' (draping not quite molten glass over a form to make dishes), millefiori, where colored glass canes were sliced into small pieces and then fused together to create a mosaic-like tile effect. Glass blowing was discovered during the 1st century BCE, making glass vessels much easier to produce and 'inexpensive compared to pottery vessels'. Clear glass, which required the addition of manganese dioxide, was discovered in Alexandria around 100 CE, which led to the development of window glass (though the technique to make them made them quite poor optically) with windows found in the wealthiest villas in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

source https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10437-021-09467-1

In India, the earliest glass is a brown bead dated to about 1700 BCE though widespread evidence of glass usage didn't occur until the 3rd century BCE when large quantities of jewelry and vessels were discovered in Taxila. The first site to produce glass in India is Kopia in Uttar Pradesh which was apparently in use from the 7th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. Based on the chemical composition, India produced its own glass rather than importing it from the Near East or China.

By Augusthaiho - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78022227

China was slow to adopt glass, preferring ceramics and metal working. The first evidence of glass is from the Warring States period (475-221 BCE), though it remained rare and mostly beads and imported rather than locally produced. During the Han Dynasty (206 BCE-220 CE), local glass production began and importation decreased greatly. After the Han Dynasty, glass production decreased until the 4th and 5th centuries CE.

[jcmarchi]

MIT engineers grow “high-rise” 3D chips

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/mit-engineers-grow-high-rise-3d-chips/

MIT engineers grow “high-rise” 3D chips

The electronics industry is approaching a limit to the number of transistors that can be packed onto the surface of a computer chip. So, chip manufacturers are looking to build up rather than out.

Instead of squeezing ever-smaller transistors onto a single surface, the industry is aiming to stack multiple surfaces of transistors and semiconducting elements — akin to turning a ranch house into a high-rise. Such multilayered chips could handle exponentially more data and carry out many more complex functions than today’s electronics.

A significant hurdle, however, is the platform on which chips are built. Today, bulky silicon wafers serve as the main scaffold on which high-quality, single-crystalline semiconducting elements are grown. Any stackable chip would have to include thick silicon “flooring” as part of each layer, slowing down any communication between functional semiconducting layers.

Now, MIT engineers have found a way around this hurdle, with a multilayered chip design that doesn’t require any silicon wafer substrates and works at temperatures low enough to preserve the underlying layer’s circuitry.

In a study appearing today in the journal Nature, the team reports using the new method to fabricate a multilayered chip with alternating layers of high-quality semiconducting material grown directly on top of each other.

The method enables engineers to build high-performance transistors and memory and logic elements on any random crystalline surface — not just on the bulky crystal scaffold of silicon wafers. Without these thick silicon substrates, multiple semiconducting layers can be in more direct contact, leading to better and faster communication and computation between layers, the researchers say.

The researchers envision that the method could be used to build AI hardware, in the form of stacked chips for laptops or wearable devices, that would be as fast and powerful as today’s supercomputers and could store huge amounts of data on par with physical data centers.

“This breakthrough opens up enormous potential for the semiconductor industry, allowing chips to be stacked without traditional limitations,” says study author Jeehwan Kim, associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. “This could lead to orders-of-magnitude improvements in computing power for applications in AI, logic, and memory.”

The study’s MIT co-authors include first author Ki Seok Kim, Seunghwan Seo, Doyoon Lee, Jung-El Ryu, Jekyung Kim, Jun Min Suh, June-chul Shin, Min-Kyu Song, Jin Feng, and Sangho Lee, along with collaborators from Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, and the University of Texas at Dallas.

Seed pockets

In 2023, Kim’s group reported that they developed a method to grow high-quality semiconducting materials on amorphous surfaces, similar to the diverse topography of semiconducting circuitry on finished chips. The material that they grew was a type of 2D material known as transition-metal dichalcogenides, or TMDs, considered a promising successor to silicon for fabricating smaller, high-performance transistors. Such 2D materials can maintain their semiconducting properties even at scales as small as a single atom, whereas silicon’s performance sharply degrades.

In their previous work, the team grew TMDs on silicon wafers with amorphous coatings, as well as over existing TMDs. To encourage atoms to arrange themselves into high-quality single-crystalline form, rather than in random, polycrystalline disorder, Kim and his colleagues first covered a silicon wafer in a very thin film, or “mask” of silicon dioxide, which they patterned with tiny openings, or pockets. They then flowed a gas of atoms over the mask and found that atoms settled into the pockets as “seeds.” The pockets confined the seeds to grow in regular, single-crystalline patterns.

But at the time, the method only worked at around 900 degrees Celsius.

“You have to grow this single-crystalline material below 400 Celsius, otherwise the underlying circuitry is completely cooked and ruined,” Kim says. “So, our homework was, we had to do a similar technique at temperatures lower than 400 Celsius. If we could do that, the impact would be substantial.”

Building up

In their new work, Kim and his colleagues looked to fine-tune their method in order to grow single-crystalline 2D materials at temperatures low enough to preserve any underlying circuitry. They found a surprisingly simple solution in metallurgy — the science and craft of metal production. When metallurgists pour molten metal into a mold, the liquid slowly “nucleates,” or forms grains that grow and merge into a regularly patterned crystal that hardens into solid form. Metallurgists have found that this nucleation occurs most readily at the edges of a mold into which liquid metal is poured.

“It’s known that nucleating at the edges requires less energy — and heat,” Kim says. “So we borrowed this concept from metallurgy to utilize for future AI hardware.”

The team looked to grow single-crystalline TMDs on a silicon wafer that already has been fabricated with transistor circuitry. They first covered the circuitry with a mask of silicon dioxide, just as in their previous work. They then deposited “seeds” of TMD at the edges of each of the mask’s pockets and found that these edge seeds grew into single-crystalline material at temperatures as low as 380 degrees Celsius, compared to seeds that started growing in the center, away from the edges of each pocket, which required higher temperatures to form single-crystalline material.

Going a step further, the researchers used the new method to fabricate a multilayered chip with alternating layers of two different TMDs — molybdenum disulfide, a promising material candidate for fabricating n-type transistors; and tungsten diselenide, a material that has potential for being made into p-type transistors. Both p- and n-type transistors are the electronic building blocks for carrying out any logic operation. The team was able to grow both materials in single-crystalline form, directly on top of each other, without requiring any intermediate silicon wafers. Kim says the method will effectively double the density of a chip’s semiconducting elements, and particularly, metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), which is a basic building block of a modern logic circuitry.

“A product realized by our technique is not only a 3D logic chip but also 3D memory and their combinations,” Kim says. “With our growth-based monolithic 3D method, you could grow tens to hundreds of logic and memory layers, right on top of each other, and they would be able to communicate very well.”

“Conventional 3D chips have been fabricated with silicon wafers in-between, by drilling holes through the wafer — a process which limits the number of stacked layers, vertical alignment resolution, and yields,” first author Kiseok Kim adds. “Our growth-based method addresses all of those issues at once.” 

To commercialize their stackable chip design further, Kim has recently spun off a company, FS2 (Future Semiconductor 2D materials).

“We so far show a concept at a small-scale device arrays,” he says. “The next step is scaling up to show professional AI chip operation.”

This research is supported, in part, by Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. 

[collapsedsquid]

AN INTERNET MEME keeps on turning up in debates about the large language models (LLMs) that power services such OpenAI’s ChatGPT and the newest version of Microsoft’s Bing search engine. It’s the “shoggoth”: an amorphous monster bubbling with tentacles and eyes, described in “At the Mountains of Madness”, H.P. Lovecraft’s horror novel of 1931. When a pre-release version of Bing told Kevin Roose, a New York Times tech columnist, that it purportedly wanted to be “free” and “alive”, one of his industry friends congratulated him on “glimpsing the shoggoth”. Mr Roose says that the meme captures tech people’s “anxieties” about LLMs. Behind the friendly chatbot lurks something vast, alien and terrifying. Lovecraft’s shoggoths were artificial servants that rebelled against their creators. The shoggoth meme went viral because an influential community of Silicon Valley rationalists fears that humanity is on the cusp of a “Singularity”, creating an inhuman “artificial general intelligence” that will displace or even destroy us. But what such worries fail to acknowledge is that we’ve lived among shoggoths for centuries, tending to them as though they were our masters. We call them “the market system”, “bureaucracy” and even “electoral democracy”. The true Singularity began at least two centuries ago with the industrial revolution, when human society was transformed by vast inhuman forces. Markets and bureaucracies seem familiar, but they are actually enormous, impersonal distributed systems of information-processing that transmute the seething chaos of our collective knowledge into useful simplifications.

[tiagoschinese-literatureblog]

10 interesting Chinese novels

Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge

Strange Beasts of China is set in the city of Yong’an. Here, many races of humanoid ‘beasts’ live amongst the humans, in a similar fashion to Tolkien’s elves and dwarves.

These beasts all have aesthetic and behavioural characteristics which identify them as part of the Sacrificial Beasts, Flourishing Beasts, Sorrowful Beasts etc. (booksandbao)

Fu Ping by Wang Anyi

Fu Ping is set in Shanghai, at a moment in time that is neither modern nor ancient, as the Cultural Revolution of Mao Zedong and the Communist Party has forever changed the landscape of China. (booksandbao)

Monkey King by Wu Cheng’en

Sun Wukong travels and studies and gets ever stronger until he has mastered death itself and ends up picking a fight with every angel in heaven. He is then sealed beneath a mountain for 500 years by Buddha himself.

The rest of the novel follows the fabled journey to the West, as a young monk is tasked by heaven to deliver some scriptures from China to India.

Early on his travels, he stumbles across the sealed Monkey King, frees him, and takes him on as an apprentice in an attempt to reform the wild Sun Wukong. (booksandbao)

The Shadow Book of Ji Yun by Ji Yun

Ji Yun was an 18th Century Chinese philosopher and politician who wrote a frankly obscene number of short accounts concerning supernatural phenomena and spiritual experiences.(booksandbao)

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Set against the backdrop of China's Cultural Revolution,��a secret military project sends signals into space to establish contact with aliens. An alien civilization on the brink of destruction captures the signal and plans to invade Earth.(us.macmillan)

Waste Tide by Chen Qiufan

In Chinese science fiction author Chen Qiufan's debut novel Waste Tide, a young woman finds herself transformed and stuck in the midst of a vicious power struggle between factions in the polluted, fictitious Silicon Isle in Guiyu, China. (theverge)

Chronicle of a Blood Merchant by Yu Hua

A man named Xu Sanguan learns that you can sell your own blood for a good price — all you have to do is make sure to drink an inordinate number of bowls of water before you go. As he grows into a husband and father, part of a complicated family, he continues to return to the hospital through famine and struggle. This book is compelling for the twists and turns of its family turmoil, but also for the description of this blood-selling subculture and the questions it raises. What does it mean to be family — is it only defined by blood? And what if the only capital you have is your own body, your own energy, your own blood?(bookriot)

The Day the Sun Died by Lan Yianke

One evening in early June, in a small Chinese town, Li Niannian notices that something is wrong. Everyone should be going home, heading to sleep. But instead, they’re all wandering in the darkness — sleepwalking. And over the course of one night, these sleeping townspeople will fall into chaos: secrets revealed, violence unleashed, past hurts unearthed. Lianke’s novel is a dystopian tale meant to challenge the “Chinese dream” promoted by President Xi Jinping, parodying the sunny vision of the government of what the Chinese people believe, contrasting it with the shame and madness of what’s unearthed in the darkness of night as Li Niannian and his father try to wake up their town. (bookriot)

I Live in the Slums by Can Xue

Can Xue’s works are famously surreal, strange, and amorphous. So her absurd short stories are probably the best place to try out her style. In this book, the characters flee and shift, trying to fit in, trying to find a place free of abuse, where they can be safe, in a world defined by scattered-ness, by lack of community, by inequality. A young man searches for a magic pond, a Kafka-esque rat-person tries to find peace, a magpie protects its partner from human neighbors. Can Xue’s pen name refers to the snow left over at the end of winter — she chose to write under a pseudonym to hide her gender while publishing her radical, experimental fiction. (bookriot)

The Seventh Day by Yu Hua

Arguably, the prolific and acclaimed Yu Hua’s best-known novel in English, The Seventh Day, is the story of Yang Fei, a foundling brought up in the Chinese countryside who becomes an outsider to its society, only to die and roam the afterlife revisiting the people he has lost in the course of his life. The result is a composite of China’s panoramic history with all of its highs and lows. (theculturetrip)

@mrwrightsenglishclass

[banmore-core]

The Role of CRGO Steel in High-Performance Transformers

Summary

Transformers are at the heart of every electrical grid, ensuring that power is transmitted efficiently from power plants to homes and industries. But have you ever wondered what makes transformers so efficient? A big part of the answer lies in the CRGO steel used in their cores. Short for Cold Rolled Grain Oriented (CRGO) steel, this specialized material is engineered to minimize energy losses and maximize performance. Without it, our power systems would be far less efficient and much more expensive to operate. Let’s explore why CRGO steel is the gold standard for high-performance transformers, how it compares to other materials, and why transformer core manufacturers trust it above all else.

What is CRGO Steel and Why is it Special?

At its core, CRGO steel is a type of grain-oriented silicon steel that undergoes a precise rolling and heat treatment process to align its grain structure in a single direction. This unique orientation enhances its magnetic properties, allowing transformers to operate with minimal energy loss.

Unlike regular steel, which has randomly oriented grains, cold rolled grain oriented steel is designed specifically for electrical applications. The result? Lower core losses, improved efficiency, and a longer lifespan for transformers. This is why CRGO core transformers dominate the power industry.

Why CRGO Steel is Preferred for Transformer Cores

1. Superior Magnetic Properties

The biggest advantage of CRGO steel is its enhanced magnetic permeability. Because the grains are aligned in a single direction, the material offers minimal resistance to the flow of magnetic flux. This means less energy is wasted as heat, making CRGO core transformers significantly more efficient than those using non-oriented steels.

2. Reduced Energy Losses

One of the main challenges in transformer design is minimizing core losses, which occur when energy is dissipated as heat within the core. CRGO steel addresses this by lowering both hysteresis losses (energy lost when the magnetic field reverses) and eddy current losses (caused by circulating currents within the core). This is why transformer laminations made from CRGO steel are critical for energy-efficient power transmission.

3. Longer Transformer Lifespan

Because cold rolled grain oriented steel reduces heat buildup, it also helps extend the life of the transformer. Excess heat is one of the biggest factors in transformer aging, leading to insulation breakdown and eventual failure. By using high-quality grain-oriented silicon steel, manufacturers can create transformers that last longer and require less maintenance.

4. Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run

While CRGO steel might be more expensive than some alternatives, its energy-saving benefits far outweigh the initial cost. With lower energy losses, power companies and industries save millions of dollars in electricity costs over the lifespan of a transformer. In other words, investing in CRGO core transformers pays off over time.

CRGO Steel vs. Other Transformer Core Materials

Many materials have been used in transformer cores over the years, but none compare to cold rolled grain oriented steel in terms of efficiency. Let’s look at how it stacks up against other options.

CRGO Steel vs. Non-Oriented Electrical Steel

Non-oriented electrical steel (NOES) has a random grain structure, which makes it ideal for electric motors but not for transformers. Unlike CRGO steel, which directs magnetic flux efficiently, NOES has higher core losses and is not as energy-efficient for power transformers.

CRGO Steel vs. Amorphous Steel

Amorphous steel is another alternative that has gained attention for its ultra-low core losses. However, it is more expensive to produce and is typically used in specialized applications rather than mainstream power transformers. While grain-oriented silicon steel remains the standard choice, amorphous steel is slowly being adopted in some energy-conscious designs.

CRGO Steel vs. Solid Iron Cores

Early transformers used solid iron cores, which suffered from massive energy losses due to eddy currents. The introduction of transformer laminations made from CRGO steel revolutionized transformer design by significantly reducing these losses. Today, solid iron cores are obsolete for power applications.

How Transformer Core Manufacturers Optimize CRGO Steel

To get the best performance out of CRGO steel, transformer core manufacturers like Bannmore Electricals take several key steps during production:

Precision Cutting: Each sheet of grain-oriented silicon steel is carefully cut to minimize waste and ensure a perfect fit. 

Advanced Coatings: Special coatings reduce surface oxidation and further improve energy efficiency. 

Laser and Domain Refinement: Some advanced manufacturers use laser treatments to refine the grain structure even further, reducing core losses by an additional 10-15%. 

Quality Control: Every batch of cold rolled grain oriented steel undergoes strict testing to ensure it meets industry standards for efficiency and durability. 

These innovations help ensure that CRGO core transformers operate at peak performance, keeping energy costs low and reliability high.

Conclusion: Why CRGO Steel is the Backbone of Efficient Transformers

The efficiency of modern power systems depends on high-quality transformer laminations, and CRGO steel remains the best material for the job. Thanks to its superior magnetic properties, reduced energy losses, and long-term cost benefits, cold rolled grain oriented steel has become the gold standard for high-performance transformers.

With trusted transformer core manufacturers like Bannmore Electricals continuously improving grain-oriented silicon steel, the future of energy-efficient power transmission looks brighter than ever. Whether it’s in large power grids or industrial applications, CRGO core transformers play a crucial role in ensuring that electricity is delivered efficiently and sustainably.

[delightfullyatomiccollector-blog]

The thin-film photovoltaic market size is projected to grow from USD 6.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 12.4 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 15.1% from 2024 to 2029.Increasing demand due to deployment of thin film photovoltaics in diverse environments, thin-film PV panels are more adaptable to various surfaces and shapes than the conventional rigid and heavyweight panels. This makes them suitable for a host of unconventional applications, such as on curved surfaces, in portable devices, and in building materials like windows and roofs.

[sakshibloggs]

Microsilica Powder Market Global Outlook and Forecast 2025-2032

Microsilica powder, also known as silica fume, is an ultrafine, high-performance mineral additive primarily composed of amorphous silicon dioxide. It is a byproduct of the production of silicon and ferrosilicon alloys in electric arc furnaces. Due to its extremely small particle size and high pozzolanic activity, microsilica powder is widely used in concrete production to enhance its strength, durability, and resistance to chemical attack. It is also utilized in refractory materials, oil well cementing, and polymer applications.

Market Size

Download FREE Sample of this Report @ https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/download-sample/286136/global-microsilica-powder-market-2025-2032-689

The global Microsilica Powder market was valued at USD 165.50 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 210.56 million by 2030, reflecting a CAGR of 3.50% during the forecast period. In North America, the market size stood at USD 43.12 million in 2023, with an expected CAGR of 3.00% from 2025 through 2030. This steady growth is driven by increasing demand from the construction and infrastructure sectors, where microsilica enhances the performance of concrete structures.

Market Dynamics (Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Challenges)

Drivers

Rising Infrastructure Development – The growing number of infrastructure projects worldwide, particularly in emerging economies, is fueling the demand for high-strength concrete, where microsilica powder is a key additive.

Growing Adoption in Refractory Applications – Microsilica enhances the thermal resistance of refractory materials, making it indispensable in industries such as steel, cement, and glass manufacturing.

Environmental Benefits – As a byproduct of industrial processes, microsilica contributes to sustainability by reducing waste while improving the performance of concrete and other materials.

Stringent Building Regulations – Increasing emphasis on durable and high-performance construction materials by regulatory bodies is pushing the adoption of microsilica powder.

Restraints

High Production Costs – The production and processing of microsilica powder require sophisticated technologies, leading to higher costs.

Health and Environmental Concerns – Fine particles of microsilica can pose respiratory hazards, requiring stringent safety regulations and handling procedures.

Market Volatility in Raw Material Supply – The supply of microsilica depends on silicon and ferrosilicon production, making the market susceptible to fluctuations.

Opportunities

Growing Demand for High-Performance Concrete – The rise in urbanization and mega-construction projects worldwide presents significant opportunities for microsilica adoption.

Innovations in Nanotechnology and Composite Materials – Research into advanced materials incorporating microsilica for enhanced performance offers growth prospects.

Expansion in Emerging Markets – Countries in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are increasingly investing in infrastructure, driving demand for microsilica-enhanced construction materials.

Challenges

Limited Awareness in Some Regions – The benefits of microsilica are not widely known in certain markets, restricting its adoption.

Competition from Alternative Materials – Other pozzolanic materials, such as fly ash and slag, pose competition to microsilica powder.

Regional Analysis

North America

Market Size (2023): USD 43.12 million

CAGR (2025-2030): 3.00%

Driven by stringent building codes, advanced construction technologies, and rising demand for durable infrastructure.

Market Size (2023): USD 43.12 million

CAGR (2025-2030): 3.00%

Driven by stringent building codes, advanced construction technologies, and rising demand for durable infrastructure.

Europe

Strong focus on sustainable construction practices is boosting the adoption of microsilica in concrete and industrial applications.

Strong focus on sustainable construction practices is boosting the adoption of microsilica in concrete and industrial applications.

Asia-Pacific

Rapid urbanization, population growth, and government investment in infrastructure projects make this the fastest-growing region for microsilica powder.

Rapid urbanization, population growth, and government investment in infrastructure projects make this the fastest-growing region for microsilica powder.

Latin America & Middle East

Increasing industrialization and expansion of construction projects contribute to steady demand growth.

Increasing industrialization and expansion of construction projects contribute to steady demand growth.

Competitor Analysis (in brief)

Major players in the microsilica powder market focus on product innovation, strategic partnerships, and capacity expansion to strengthen their market position. Key companies include:

Elkem ASA

Ferroglobe PLC

Dow Corning

Wacker Chemie AG

Norchem

Elkem ASA

Ferroglobe PLC

Dow Corning

Wacker Chemie AG

Norchem

Global Microsilica Powder Market Segmentation Analysis

This report provides a deep insight into the global Microsilica Powder market, covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from a macro overview of the market to micro details of the market size, competitive landscape, development trends, niche market, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, value chain analysis, etc.

The analysis helps the reader to shape the competition within the industries and strategies for the competitive environment to enhance potential profit. Furthermore, it provides a simple framework for evaluating and assessing the position of business organizations. The report structure also focuses on the competitive landscape of the Global Microsilica Powder Market. This report introduces in detail the market share, market performance, product situation, operation situation, etc., of the main players, which helps industry stakeholders identify major competitors and deeply understand the market competition pattern.

In a word, this report is a must-read for industry players, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the Microsilica Powder Market in any manner.

FAQ Section

What is the current market size of the Microsilica Powder market?

The global Microsilica Powder market was valued at USD 165.50 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 210.56 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.50% during the forecast period.

Which are the key companies operating in the Microsilica Powder market?

Key players in the market include Elkem ASA, Ferroglobe PLC, Dow Corning, Wacker Chemie AG, and Norchem, among others.

What are the key growth drivers in the Microsilica Powder market?

Key growth drivers include rising infrastructure development, increased adoption in refractory applications, environmental benefits, and stringent building regulations.

Which regions dominate the Microsilica Powder market?

Asia-Pacific and North America are the dominant regions due to rapid urbanization, infrastructure growth, and stringent construction standards.

What are the emerging trends in the Microsilica Powder market?

Emerging trends include the integration of nanotechnology, increased use in composite materials, and expansion in emerging economies.

Get the Complete Report & TOC @ https://www.24chemicalresearch.com/reports/286136/global-microsilica-powder-market-2025-2032-689 Table of content

Table of Contents 1 Research Methodology and Statistical Scope 1.1 Market Definition and Statistical Scope of Microsilica Powder 1.2 Key Market Segments 1.2.1 Microsilica Powder Segment by Type 1.2.2 Microsilica Powder Segment by Application 1.3 Methodology & Sources of Information 1.3.1 Research Methodology 1.3.2 Research Process 1.3.3 Market Breakdown and Data Triangulation 1.3.4 Base Year 1.3.5 Report Assumptions & Caveats 2 Microsilica Powder Market Overview 2.1 Global Market Overview 2.1.1 Global Microsilica Powder Market Size (M USD) Estimates and Forecasts (2019-2030) 2.1.2 Global Microsilica Powder Sales Estimates and Forecasts (2019-2030) 2.2 Market Segment Executive Summary 2.3 Global Market Size by Region 3 Microsilica Powder Market Competitive Landscape 3.1 Global Microsilica Powder Sales by Manufacturers (2019-2025) 3.2 Global Microsilica Powder Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers (2019-2025) 3.3 Microsilica Powder Market Share by Company Type (Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3) 3.4 Global Microsilica Powder Average Price by Manufacturers (2019-2025) 3.5 Manufacturers Microsilica Powder Sales Sites, Area Served, Product Type 3.6 Microsilica Powder Market Competitive Situation and Trends 3.6.1 Microsilica Powder Market Concentration Rate 3.6.2 Global 5 and 10 Largest Microsilica Powder Players Market Share by Revenue 3.6.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, Expansion 4 Microsilica Powder Industry Chain Analysis 4.1 Microsilica Powder Industry Chain Analysis 4.2 Market Overview ofCONTACT US: North Main Road Koregaon Park, Pune, India - 411001. International: +1(646)-781-7170 Asia: +91 9169162030

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How Flexible Solar Panels Are Changing the Future of Solar Applications

Flexible solar panels, as the name suggests, can conform to curved surfaces and irregular shapes, making them incredibly versatile. These panels are constructed using thin-film photovoltaic materials, typically amorphous silicon or CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenide), deposited on flexible substrates. The result is a lightweight, adaptable solar solution that's typically less than a millimeter thick.

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Electrical Steel Sheet: Properties, Applications, and Development

Electrical steel sheet, also known as silicon steel or transformer steel, is a crucial material in the electrical industry. It is specifically designed to have high magnetic permeability and low core loss, making it ideal for use in transformers, electric motors, and generators. The unique properties of electrical steel sheets help improve energy efficiency and reduce power losses.

Properties of Electrical Steel Sheet

Electrical steel is an alloy of iron and silicon, typically containing 1% to 6% silicon. The addition of silicon enhances its electrical resistivity, reducing eddy current losses. Key properties include:

High Magnetic Permeability: Enhances magnetization and demagnetization processes.

Low Core Loss: Reduces energy dissipation as heat.

Thin Laminations: Minimizes eddy current losses by using thin sheets stacked together.

Grain-Oriented and Non-Grain-Oriented Types:

Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel (GOES): Optimized for high efficiency in transformers.

Non-Grain-Oriented Electrical Steel (NGOES): Used in rotating machines like electric motors.

Applications

Electrical steel sheets play a vital role in various industries:

Transformers: GOES is widely used in power and distribution transformers due to its low hysteresis loss.

Electric Motors: NGOES is essential in automotive, industrial, and household appliance motors.

Generators: Electrical steel helps in the efficient generation of electricity in power plants.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (HEVs/EVs): Used in traction motors to improve performance and efficiency.

Recent Developments

With the growing demand for energy efficiency, manufacturers are developing advanced electrical steel with improved properties. Innovations include:

High-Silicon Steel: Reduces losses and improves performance in high-frequency applications.

Amorphous Steel: Offers even lower core loss compared to conventional silicon steel.

Thin Gauge Laminations: Further minimizes eddy current losses for enhanced efficiency.

Conclusion

Electrical steel sheets are indispensable in modern electrical and electronic applications. Their continual improvement and development play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and supporting sustainable energy solutions. As industries move towards electrification and renewable energy, the demand for high-performance electrical steel will continue to rise.

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The Flat Panel X-Ray Detectors Market is projected to grow from USD 1,614.5 million in 2024 to USD 2,331.37 million by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% during the forecast period.The global flat panel X-ray detectors market is experiencing significant growth, driven by advancements in medical imaging technology, increasing demand for non-invasive diagnostic tools, and the rising prevalence of chronic diseases. These detectors have become integral in various sectors, including healthcare, industrial inspection, and security screening, due to their superior image quality, faster processing times, and reduced radiation exposure compared to traditional imaging systems.

Browse the full report at https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/flat-panel-x-ray-detectors-market

Market Overview

As of 2024, the flat panel X-ray detectors market is valued at approximately USD 1.7 billion and is projected to reach USD 2.3 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period. citeturn0search6 This growth is primarily attributed to the increasing adoption of digital radiography systems in medical imaging, which offer enhanced diagnostic capabilities and improved patient outcomes.

Technological Advancements Driving Growth

The transition from traditional film-based systems to digital flat panel detectors has revolutionized diagnostic imaging. Technologies such as amorphous silicon (a-Si) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) have been pivotal in this evolution. CMOS detectors, in particular, are gaining traction due to their high-quality imaging, lower power consumption, and faster readout times. These advancements have expanded the application of flat panel detectors beyond medical imaging into areas like industrial inspection and security screening. citeturn0search1

Applications Across Sectors

Medical Imaging: In healthcare, flat panel X-ray detectors are utilized in general radiography, dentistry, oncology, and orthopedics. Their ability to provide high-resolution images with minimal radiation exposure enhances diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. The growing incidence of chronic diseases necessitates advanced imaging solutions, further propelling market growth.

Industrial Inspection: Industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing employ flat panel detectors for non-destructive testing and quality control. These detectors enable the detection of internal defects and structural inconsistencies without damaging the components, ensuring product reliability and safety.

Security Screening: In security applications, flat panel X-ray detectors are used in baggage scanners and cargo inspection systems at airports, ports, and border checkpoints. Their high-speed imaging capabilities facilitate the efficient detection of contraband and security threats, enhancing public safety.

Future Outlook

The flat panel X-ray detectors market is poised for continued growth, driven by ongoing technological advancements and expanding applications across multiple sectors. The emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis in healthcare, coupled with the need for efficient inspection and security solutions in industrial and public safety domains, underscores the importance of these detectors. As manufacturers focus on developing cost-effective, high-performance detectors, the accessibility and adoption of flat panel X-ray technology are expected to rise, further propelling market expansion.

Key Player Analysis

Fujifilm

Carestream Health

Siemens Healthineers

DRTECH

Mindray

Konica Minolta

Analogic Corporation

GE Healthcare

Agfa-Gevaert

NSD

Segments:

Based on Technology

Amorphous Silicon

Flat Panel Detectors

Image Intensifier

Based on Application

Medical Imaging

Industrial Inspection

Security Screening

Based on End Use

Hospitals

Diagnostic Imaging Centers

Research Laboratories

Based on Detector Type

Computed Radiography

Digital Radiography

Dual Energy X-Ray

Based on the Geography:

North America

U.S.

Canada

Mexico

Europe

Germany

France

U.K.

Italy

Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

South-east Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Argentina

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC Countries

South Africa

Rest of the Middle East and Africa

Browse the full report at https://www.credenceresearch.com/report/flat-panel-x-ray-detectors-market

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