I've been looking forward to this trip since I signed up the learning journey. Intel is a very significant company in the world of computers and technology. Having read up a little on the company, I was full of anticipation for a glimpse of the real stuff. On 18th Nov. a group of HCI students gathered. Despite many of us turning up an hour early (likely too enthusiastic) and having to endure the wait, the end was worthwhile.
Wearing our visitor tags, we proceeded to the auditorium where we were given a very warm welcome (literally, they had hot coffee and tea) during and after the briefing. The briefing was anything but brief, I suppose it should be called a lecture, though that sounds too much like a typical classroom lesson, which it is not. We were introduced to the history of Intel and the mechanics of what it does in a fun and engaging manner that intrigued us.
The 3Cs formed the majority of what we learnt on the briefing. Communication, control and computer. Digital electronics is based on the binary system, with a switch being the most basic component. There are two digits: 0 and 1. 0 for no, 1 for yes. In the main, the advantages are the ease of design, reproducability and the speed. Next is control. It represents the "Feedback control system" It means the reaction of a system based on a feedback and comparison mechanism. Communication, one of the marvels of the modern world. It goes from transmitter, through the medium then to the receiver. Intel does the transmitter bit.
After the briefing, we were led to the cafeteria in the main building for lunch. A sumptious buffet was prepared for us where we took the chance to interact briefly with the employees from Intel (and enjoy the food of course). We then visited the labs where the engineers worked. After some introductions to the hardware and software, we (finally) had some hands-on. Personally, I think we did ok (at least no broken machines or explosions). We had a final wrap up and we took a group photo. The Intel employees were very welcoming and friendly, they seem so happy to host us. So thank you guys for making our journey a fruitful one. :)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Goodrich
Brilliant name for a company, I decided when I was first briefed about the trip. The good and the rich. Of course, this disguises the nature of the company's work, well, till the point where google is concerned. On that fine Monday afternoon, after an informative trip to Applied Materials, the group of HCI students journeyed to Goodrich Corp. With a slight delay at the entrance gate, we were seated in a high ceiling(befitting of an aerospace company) room where we were given a good and rich understanding of the work they did, and how they did it.
They make and design nacelles which are basically housing for external aircraft parts such as the engine. They use durable and lightweight materials known as composite materials such as carbon laminate and carbon sandwich. They conceptualize the end product with a MSC software, make a prototype and subject it to a wide range of tests to determine its durability.
We were taken to a tour of their working areas where they made the plates of the nacelle. We had just enough time for a couple of stations in which the end product was a plate. I may not be a very good judge of hardness and durability, but I think I know a hard plate when I see one.
We ended the day with some light refreshment. Despite it being a short trip of approximately 3 hours, the learning was no less than the one in the morning. The day ended on a grey sky, a sky where the planes return to rest in the hangers, and we return to rest in bed.
They make and design nacelles which are basically housing for external aircraft parts such as the engine. They use durable and lightweight materials known as composite materials such as carbon laminate and carbon sandwich. They conceptualize the end product with a MSC software, make a prototype and subject it to a wide range of tests to determine its durability.
We were taken to a tour of their working areas where they made the plates of the nacelle. We had just enough time for a couple of stations in which the end product was a plate. I may not be a very good judge of hardness and durability, but I think I know a hard plate when I see one.
We ended the day with some light refreshment. Despite it being a short trip of approximately 3 hours, the learning was no less than the one in the morning. The day ended on a grey sky, a sky where the planes return to rest in the hangers, and we return to rest in bed.
Applied Materials
In the morning, when the sun just began to show itself, a group of students have already gathered in preparation of their journey to the "most important U.S company you've probably never heard of." Well, I have now (maybe a little earlier), and now you do. The group of students set out on a mini-bus, wandering through the streets of Singapore, till they reached Upper Changi Road, nearly half the island away from where they began. Thus starts the first experience of industries for several students of HCI, including myself.
Truthfully, upon arrival at the company, I did not find it particularly impressive; narrow hallways, merely two lifts, and five or six stories. We had to split up into two groups just to ascend to the 4th level, where the briefing room is.
And that's when and where the impressions began to change
First off, we were greeted by Mr Avid (correct me if the spelling is wrong), one of the GM of the company. He began telling us his life journey through education, work, till he ended up where he is now. That was a friendly, informative start. Further on, we were treated to a slew of information by various office staff. Despite being quite technical, I managed to stay generally conscious and absorb the information. Some significant pickup points include the sputtering process used to embed various elements onto wafers, and the importance of vacuum in the processes. I also developed a better understanding of transistors, which act as switches of sorts and is important in improving efficiency. Speaking about efficiency, it reminds me of Mr Avid telling us about industrial engineers, whose job is to improve systems, making them more efficient. Perhaps with greater research and learning and a bit (a lot) of innovation on the part of the students that have come, and those that will come after, efficiency will be pushed to the limits and transcend it.
Anyway, back to the journey. We were led for a production line trip by Mr Bryan. We all looked a bit silly in the safety wear, but then again, it was quite hard to recognise anyone. He showed us how many of the machines worked, the quality testing and so on. He encouraged us to ask questions. One of them was the "EMO" button on the machines. My first impression was like "how do make a machine emo (emotional in teen language)" It turns out it stood for Emergency Machine Override. The only thing lacking on the production line trip was the lack of people working. We happened to catch them on the lunch hour, when everyone was at the cafeteria.
We wrapped up the journey with a sumptious buffet, during which we interacted with some of the staff. All in all, it was an eye opening journey, which we realised that we could actually translate theory in school to reality in life.
Many thanks to: HCI, Applied Materials Inc, Mrs Eileen Tay, Mr Chia Kok Pin, and most importantly, the many friendly staff of Applied Materials who hosted us.
Truthfully, upon arrival at the company, I did not find it particularly impressive; narrow hallways, merely two lifts, and five or six stories. We had to split up into two groups just to ascend to the 4th level, where the briefing room is.
And that's when and where the impressions began to change
First off, we were greeted by Mr Avid (correct me if the spelling is wrong), one of the GM of the company. He began telling us his life journey through education, work, till he ended up where he is now. That was a friendly, informative start. Further on, we were treated to a slew of information by various office staff. Despite being quite technical, I managed to stay generally conscious and absorb the information. Some significant pickup points include the sputtering process used to embed various elements onto wafers, and the importance of vacuum in the processes. I also developed a better understanding of transistors, which act as switches of sorts and is important in improving efficiency. Speaking about efficiency, it reminds me of Mr Avid telling us about industrial engineers, whose job is to improve systems, making them more efficient. Perhaps with greater research and learning and a bit (a lot) of innovation on the part of the students that have come, and those that will come after, efficiency will be pushed to the limits and transcend it.
Anyway, back to the journey. We were led for a production line trip by Mr Bryan. We all looked a bit silly in the safety wear, but then again, it was quite hard to recognise anyone. He showed us how many of the machines worked, the quality testing and so on. He encouraged us to ask questions. One of them was the "EMO" button on the machines. My first impression was like "how do make a machine emo (emotional in teen language)" It turns out it stood for Emergency Machine Override. The only thing lacking on the production line trip was the lack of people working. We happened to catch them on the lunch hour, when everyone was at the cafeteria.
We wrapped up the journey with a sumptious buffet, during which we interacted with some of the staff. All in all, it was an eye opening journey, which we realised that we could actually translate theory in school to reality in life.
Many thanks to: HCI, Applied Materials Inc, Mrs Eileen Tay, Mr Chia Kok Pin, and most importantly, the many friendly staff of Applied Materials who hosted us.
Friday, November 4, 2011
Pre-journey reflection
The two companies I have been assigned to both apply modern technology to improve standard of living and the convinience for the average man. Of course, this resonates with the usual teenage dreams (no, not the one in the song) of making the world a better place.
On this post, I shall be focusing on Intel Corporation, the main company in my journey. Intel is one of the early developers of microprocessor chips, which made up a large portion of its business once the use of the personal computer (PC) became widespread. Since then, they have strived to make the chips even more efficient, leading to the rapid growth of the computer industries. Recently, with the hype of solar energy, Intel has begun to develop transistors to aid in photovoltaics.
However, there are many allegations and evidence that Intel carries out anti-competitive practices such as paying companies such as Acer, Dell, HP, to exclusively use Intel chips in their computers. This mainly effects other semiconductor manufacturers such as AMD, whom which Intel has a longstanding rivalry. Here is one of the many lawsuits AMD threw at Intel.
This has given me the impression that Intel is like the genius that wins by putting others down. Prior to my research, I had always imagined that Intel was merely a dispensor of useful gadgets. Perhaps both my impressions are right, maybe both are wrong, the journey should give me a clearer picture of the true situation.
Like many semiconductor manufacturers, Intel applies the physical properties of certain elements and compounds. Silicon is used most commonly due to abundance and thus economic viability. Its electronic properties and conductivity can be altered by adding impurites in a controlled manner. Impurities such as boron or phosphorous are added through the method of doping (i.e add impurities to the melt and let it solidify).
In the end, there is much to do, and much to think before and after this journey, for I expect to be inspired.
On this post, I shall be focusing on Intel Corporation, the main company in my journey. Intel is one of the early developers of microprocessor chips, which made up a large portion of its business once the use of the personal computer (PC) became widespread. Since then, they have strived to make the chips even more efficient, leading to the rapid growth of the computer industries. Recently, with the hype of solar energy, Intel has begun to develop transistors to aid in photovoltaics.
However, there are many allegations and evidence that Intel carries out anti-competitive practices such as paying companies such as Acer, Dell, HP, to exclusively use Intel chips in their computers. This mainly effects other semiconductor manufacturers such as AMD, whom which Intel has a longstanding rivalry. Here is one of the many lawsuits AMD threw at Intel.
This has given me the impression that Intel is like the genius that wins by putting others down. Prior to my research, I had always imagined that Intel was merely a dispensor of useful gadgets. Perhaps both my impressions are right, maybe both are wrong, the journey should give me a clearer picture of the true situation.
Like many semiconductor manufacturers, Intel applies the physical properties of certain elements and compounds. Silicon is used most commonly due to abundance and thus economic viability. Its electronic properties and conductivity can be altered by adding impurites in a controlled manner. Impurities such as boron or phosphorous are added through the method of doping (i.e add impurities to the melt and let it solidify).
In the end, there is much to do, and much to think before and after this journey, for I expect to be inspired.
This is me.
Guten tag, my readers. I am but a student, ready to embark upon a learning journey to reality. Nearing the end of my Seconday 3 year, I am still uncertain where my future lies. So this trip could be the one to enlighten me. I like discovery, novelties and understanding. Vaguely, my career options are in the finance, science or pyschology fields. Being a teenager, I can still believe that the world is my playground, for me to work on, to change. So the future promises to be an interesting one.
So on the 14th and 18th of November 2011, I shall be going to Applied Materials and Intel Mobile Comm. to explore and get my first glimpse of the future. Wish me luck, and hope I find inspiration
P.S The title of this blog is the name of a song by Demi Lovato :)
So on the 14th and 18th of November 2011, I shall be going to Applied Materials and Intel Mobile Comm. to explore and get my first glimpse of the future. Wish me luck, and hope I find inspiration
P.S The title of this blog is the name of a song by Demi Lovato :)
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