China's semiconductor industry: dilemma and solution

The 142nd "Financial Academic Frontiers" report conference took place on the evening of April 19, 2022, with a focus on the current state of China's semiconductor industry. Organized by the Financial Research Center of Fudan Development Institute and chaired by Professor Sun, this event featured a presentation by Professor Sun's research team. In this article, we will delve into the background, overview, development, expert opinions, and further discussion of China's semiconductor industry based on the report, public information, and on-site discussions.

Semiconductor industry economics

In February 2019, the Semiconductor Industry Association (Sia) reported record-breaking sales of "over 1 trillion" chips in 2018. According to the Wall Street Journal, semiconductors rank fourth among the world's most traded products, following crude oil, refined oil products, and automobiles. In addition to this, the global semiconductor market is projected to reach $555.9 billion by 2021, with shipments totaling 115 trillion tons. China holds the largest share of this market with transactions worth $192.5 billion. Companies worldwide have ramped up production to meet the growing demand for chips amidst a global shortage, as noted by John Neuffer, President of Singapore Airlines.

Thanks to the widespread use of high-performance chips, today's smartphones have significantly more computing power than the technology that NASA used to send humans to the moon in 1969. These powerful chips are also driving a variety of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, Internet of Things, blockchain, 5G, autonomous driving, and wearable devices. Additionally, semiconductors have a long history of application in industries such as consumer electronics, medical advancements, communications, information security, automotive manufacturing, industrial production, military operations, and aerospace development. In fact, the semiconductor industry plays a crucial role in enabling the advancement of both new and traditional industries. It is safe to say that virtually every modern sector relies on chips in some capacity. As a cornerstone of modern industry, the semiconductor industry supports the growth of emerging fields and facilitates the upgrading of established ones.

What is the manufacturing process of probes?

Utilizing the enzyme known as reverse transcriptase, distinct mRNA molecules serve as the foundation for the creation of gene-specific probes. This enzyme meticulously constructs a complementary DNA counterpart (cDNA) from the mRNA template. In the event that radioactive bases are incorporated into the reaction mixture, the resultant cDNA becomes radiolabeled, enabling its application as a hybridization probe. This probe is then employed to search for and identify corresponding complementary sequences.

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What does a probe signify in the realm of DNA analysis?

Probes represent a solitary-stranded arrangement of DNA or RNA molecules, which serve as a tool to pinpoint and recognize distinct sequences within the DNA or RNA structure. These probes are meticulously crafted to be complementary to the targeted segment of the genome, enabling them to bond, or hybridize, with the intended sequence when the probe and the genome are united.

What do we mean by a 4-probe instrument?

The utilization of a four-point probe apparatus is a common practice for assessing the sheet resistance of thin layers or substrates, expressed in ohms per square. This is achieved by strategically directing an electrical current through the outermost probes and subsequently measuring the potential difference across the innermost probes.