integrated circuit
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An integrated circuit is an electronic circuit built on a tiny, flat piece of semiconductor material, which allows many components to be packed closely together in a small space. This matters because it enables the creation of compact, efficient electronic devices like computers and smartphones that would be impossible to make with larger, separate components.
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A microscope image of an integrated circuit die used to control LCDs. The pinouts are the dark circles surrounding the integrated circuit.
An integrated circuit (IC), also known as a microchip or simply chip, is a compact assembly of electronic circuits formed from various electronic components, such as transistors, resistors, and capacitors, and their interconnections. These components are fabricated onto a thin, flat piece ("chip") of semiconductor material, most commonly silicon. Integrated circuits are integral to a wide variety of electronic devices (including computers, smartphones, and televisions) performing functions such as data processing, control, and storage. They have transformed the field of electronics by enabling device miniaturization, improving performance, and reducing cost.