Although it is not apparant, it would be hard to imagine how we would live today without the use of silicon. The name silicon derives from the Latin silex or silicis, meaning “flint” or “hard stone.” Amorphous elemental silicon was first isolated and described as an element in 1824 by Jöns Jacob Berzelius, a Swedish chemist. If an industrial worker is exposed to quartz and cristobalite, then he may be affected by lung cancer. Elemental silicon is produced commercially by the reduction of silica (SiO2) with coke in an electric furnace, and the impure product is then refined. The material was a pivotal asset for the Allied forces, who relied on rubber for the manufacture of gas masks, boots, and truck tires. The word “Silicon” is taken from the Latin word ”silex or silicis”, which means “hard stone”. Being one of the most commonly found elements within the Earth, Silicon is used in the manufacturing of several items such as: 1. Science Kids - Fun Science and Technology for Kids - Silicon Facts, Amethyst Galleries' Mineral Gallery - The Mineral Silicon, silicon - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). When a diatom reproduces, these two halves break apart. View all What are 5 uses of silicon? They are not stable in room temperature. The Silicon-based high-power laser provides a beam of 111°C temperature along with a 200A/cm2 threshold current per unit area and 100mW output power. Due to the intrinsic properties of the atoms, it is highly unlikely that silicon-based life could thrive on Earth. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Its high melting point and ability to conduct electricity makes it ideal for its use in the electronics industry. On a small scale, silicon can be obtained from the oxide by reduction with aluminum. Glassmaking utilizes silicon in its form as sand, or silica. Construction Materials Since there are four valence electrons available, silicon can form an ionic or covalent bond by sharing or giving away its electrons. Below are four ways silicon is helpful in the world of technology. In another part of the country, James Wright, an engineer for General Electric, had made the same discovery independent of Warrick. scores an impressive 9-9.5, which is slightly less than a diamond. Silicon photonics can create the process of optical data at high speed.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'allusesof_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_3',141,'0','0'])); Silicon is also used in the manufacturing of Silicone rubber. Silicon is used in the production of fire bricks. Mixed with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, the element can be synthesized into the highly flexible rubber silicone. The photovoltaic cells on the solar panel are made up of Silicon, and it is very efficient in converting light energy from the sun to electric energy.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'allusesof_com-banner-1','ezslot_12',105,'0','0'])); The compound known as Silicon Dioxide is used in making glass and ceramic products. A brown, powdery, amorphous form of silicon has been described that also has a microcrystalline structure. Rubber became scarce during World War II. After all, as Bill Gates once said, “There will always be ignorance, and ignorance leads to fear. Instead, they had produced a non-Newtonian fluid. Artificially, silicon can be produced by the combination of neon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and helium. Silicon is used in much mould release agents and moulding compounds. Silicon is used to create silicone, which chemically are silicon-oxygen polymers with methyl groups attached. The structure and properties of silicon make it a suitable element for a number of industries. This is the reason why it is not available in its pure form naturally. The simplest example of a semiconductor is a diode, a component found in circuits that conducts electricity in one direction and blocks it in the other. Nearly 30 percent of the weight of the earth's crust can be attributed to silicon. Your email address will not be published. Crystalline elemental silicon was not prepared until 1854, when it was obtained as a product of electrolysis. An insulator depending upon the temperature physical and chemical properties for virtually all electronic equipment of plants... Terracotta Army and quantum physics are a number of high-profile historical leaders, reason... The natural silicates are the rocks which contain both silicon and deals with properties..., by allowing control of electrical current or an insulator depending upon the temperature powerful.... Scale, silicon is not found in a matter of months the second most readily element. 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