Indium powers InP lasers critical for 800G and 1.6T optical interconnects in AI data centers. Explore the complex refining process, China’s 70% dominance in indium production, export controls driving price spikes, looming supply shortfalls, and how Chinese firms like Huawei are mitigating risks through silicon photonics, quantum dot lasers, and co-packaged optics (CPO).
Gallium is a critical yet highly inelastic byproduct of aluminum and zinc refining, essential for GaN power devices, GaAs RF chips, and InP photonics that enable efficient AI data centers, high-speed interconnects, and 5G infrastructure. Learn about extreme purity requirements, steep marginal costs for additional supply, China’s 98–99% dominance, export controls, and emerging recycling and diversification efforts needed to secure the AI buildout.
Copper is critical for AI infrastructure, powering chip interconnects and high-density data center power delivery. Learn about refining processes, surging demand, sulphuric acid price signals, risks, and why the industry is shifting to 800V DC architectures to scale efficiently.
Discover how high-purity quartz (HPQ) from Spruce Pine, NC and silicon enable wafer starts for AI chips. Learn about fused quartz crucibles, the Czochralski process, Sibelco IOTA supply, wafer demand forecasts, and semiconductor materials risks.
Tungsten is essential for reliable vias and contacts in advanced AI semiconductors via WF6 CVD processes. Discover surging AI-driven demand, China’s ~80% control of production and refining, purity requirements, geopolitical supply risks, and emerging diversification efforts like new mines and recycling.