Materials Science and Engineering: Semiconductors. Semiconductors are not as effective conductors as metals such as gold, silver and copper. However, they have higher mobilities at room temperature and higher temperatures.This means that an electrical current can travel through them much faster.anometer-scale semiconductor particles can emit light of different colors depending on their size. Semiconductors are also used to fabricate solar cells because they absorb light and generate a current. Silicon-based solar cells are currently the most popular cells used.