Distillations: Science + Culture + History

We don’t normally think of computers, radios, and cell phones as products of chemistry, but none of these devices would be possible without specialized chemical manufacturing components and techniques. The integrated circuits at the heart of these tools depend on the unique electrical properties of certain inorganic elements such as silicon, germanium, and gallium. SHOW CLOCK 00:00 Opening Credits 00:31 Introduction 01:30 Element of the Week: Germanium 03:25 Conversation with Henry Kressel 07:35 Listener feedback 09:55 Quote: William Shockley 10:15 Closing Credits CREDITS Special thanks to Anke Timmermann for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.