The Secret Sand Behind The Digital Age

Have you ever stopped to think about how a computer is made? You may be surprised to learn that sand is a secret but crucial component. It's not just any sand though, it's what the sand is made of, quartz, that is the essential ingredient. Quartz is a form of silicon dioxide, also known as silica, and plays a vital role in manufacturing the silicon from which we make computer chips, fiber-optic cables and other high-tech hardware.

The digital age relies on silicon and, luckily, it's one of the most abundant elements on earth. The only problem is that it never turns up naturally, in its pure elemental form. It's usually bound with oxygen, making quartz. Spruce Pine, North Carolina is the source of the purest natural quartz on earth. The town's mineralogical wealth is due to a unique geological history. It's quite fascinating and you can read more about in this article from Wired.

A complex chemical process is necessary to separate the silicon from the quartz and if you're into chemistry, check out the full article for quite the lesson. Your head may be spinning by the end.

 

 

 

 




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