Absolutely incredible example of the fragility of global supply chains with single points of failure: Hurricane Helene may damage the world's ability to make microchips.
That's because the crucibles used to create ingots of silicon which become microchips are made from an ultra-pure quartz sand -- and 70% of the world's supply comes from just one place in North Carolina.
That mine is now knocked offline thanks to hurricane Helene.
https://www.wired.com/story/hurricane-helene-shockwaves-semiconductor-industry-microchips-spruce-pine-north-carolina-sand-high-quality-quartz/
Christopher Mims
npub1uc…3j99a
2024-10-01 14:01:57 UTC
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2024-10-01 14:01:57 UTCEvent JSON
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"content": "Absolutely incredible example of the fragility of global supply chains with single points of failure: Hurricane Helene may damage the world's ability to make microchips.\n\nThat's because the crucibles used to create ingots of silicon which become microchips are made from an ultra-pure quartz sand -- and 70% of the world's supply comes from just one place in North Carolina.\n\nThat mine is now knocked offline thanks to hurricane Helene.\n\nhttps://www.wired.com/story/hurricane-helene-shockwaves-semiconductor-industry-microchips-spruce-pine-north-carolina-sand-high-quality-quartz/",
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