Title: There's a global shortage of computer chips – what's causing it? | New Scientist
Headings: There's a global shortage of computer chips – what's causing it?
There's a global shortage of computer chips – what's causing it?
What is causing the shortages?
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Was there any backup stock of computer chips?
Read more: Virtual computer chip tests expose flaws and protect against hackers
Why can’t chip manufacturers just increase output to meet demand?
How will this affect me?
Read more: The superconductor breakthrough that could mean an energy revolution
Which manufacturers are affected?
How long will it last?
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Content: One chip-maker told The Washington Post that car company executives were telling him: “ You’re killing me. You need to make more.” But semiconductor factories have limited capacity, and building new factories takes massive investment and often several years. Chip-makers also have incentive to focus their efforts on smartphone and tablet chips rather than on the older technology used in cars which has lower profit margins. Read more: Virtual computer chip tests expose flaws and protect against hackers
Why can’t chip manufacturers just increase output to meet demand? In short, a perfect storm of problems has hit the semiconductor industry. Much of the world’s supply of computer chips comes from Taiwan, and most are made by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), which has been dealt a double whammy. Compounding the pandemic trouble is the trade war between the US and China.