Silicon Wafer Record Project
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In 2015 I worked with my uncle Robert Steimle, an engineer for NXP Semiconductor (formerly Freescale), on a project that took a very analog approach to storing media on a digital component. His idea was inspired by the glass records I'd been producing. He wanted to make a working record from a silicon wafer. He asked for my input on the project and I was happy to help with a few artistic aspects. As part of this ambitious project, the engineers at Freescale developed an entirely new process to etch the grooves of a phonograph record onto a silicon wafer. The process presented unique challenges as it would require translating an audio file into grooves that could be etched and finding a way to etch much deeper than is normally done.
Silicon wafers are used to make integrated circuits or "chips" that are found in everything from computers to mobile phones. They're an integral part of many electronics. With this project it was exciting to see a component in modern music playing machines (MP3 players, mobile phones etc) manipulated to make music in a most analog way.
In 2016 I spoke about this project along with my uncle at the Austin Mini Maker Faire. The Maker Faire in Austin was a great opportunity to talk to other makers and see exciting projects at the intersection of art and science.
Silicon wafers are used to make integrated circuits or "chips" that are found in everything from computers to mobile phones. They're an integral part of many electronics. With this project it was exciting to see a component in modern music playing machines (MP3 players, mobile phones etc) manipulated to make music in a most analog way.
In 2016 I spoke about this project along with my uncle at the Austin Mini Maker Faire. The Maker Faire in Austin was a great opportunity to talk to other makers and see exciting projects at the intersection of art and science.
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