Silicon metalloid ingot - one troy ounce - .9999 bullion
Silica is extremely common in the earths crust in many minerals including quartz, granite, and sand. The French chemist Antoine Lavoisier proposed in 1797 that silica may be the oxide form of a yet undiscovered element, but he had no means of reducing this oxide. It wasn't until 1854 that a nearly pure cystalline allotrope of silicon was able to be prepared by French chemist Henri Étienne Sainte-Claire Deville. Simple industrial uses of silica have endured since ancient times and include use in ceramics, mortars, and concrete. The first silicon semiconductor devices were developed around the turn of the 19th century with the first silicon crystal radio developed in 1906 by American engineer Greenleaf Whittier Pickard. In the early 1940s as part of the incredible techological advances of the WWII era, high purity germanium and silicon crystals were developed for use in radar detector systems. From that point until the late 1950s germanium was the dominant material used in semiconductor devices. That was when Egyptian engineer Mohamed M. Atalla after completing his training in mechanical engineering at Purdue University including his PhD, went on the work at Bell Labs where he would make the most important discovery in silicon semiconductor technology. He discovered a process for thermal growth of a dioxide layer on the surface of silicon that would electrically stabilize its surface. This revolutionized the industry, allowing for mass production of silicon semiconductor devices, including integrated circuits which soon followed and ushered in the Silicon Age. Our silicon ingots are nearly pure and are free of any dioxide layer, transistors, and integrated circuits. If you are so inclined, feel free to slice them into wafers and build your own supercomputer. Please just be aware that we won't take them back in wafer form as part of our return policy:)
Inscribed on our ingots are the chemical symbol (Si), purity (99.99%), weight (one troy ounce), and a serial number (this number is unique and will vary). On the reverse is our logo. These ingots are smooth and lightly polished, similar to the one pictured. There can be tiny edge dings/chips which do not detract from the inherent value of this metalloid. As always, weight and purity are guaranteed by Rare World Metals Mint. Silicon in the solid elemental form we supply is safe but if inhaled in powdered form over a period of time can result in silicosis, a chronic inflammatory condition with a predilection for the upper lobes of our lungs. As with all of our products please keep them in a safe place, do not ingest (or inhale), and keep them away from children.
Each ingot will be shipped with an assay certificate and every shipment will include our velvet logo bag. If you are not completely satisfied with any purchase from us, you have 30 days to return it for a full refund (buyer to pay return shipping). Domestic shipping is free for all orders over $99 (enter code free shipping at checkout). For orders of $99 or under, domestic shipping is $9.95. International shipping is via DHL, FedEx, or USPS international express and costs $45 for shipments up to a pound (9 one ounce ingots or less including packaging materials) and $10 for each additional pound. International customers please be aware that your country may levy import duties and/or VAT taxes on your purchase from us. We have nothing to do with this and cannot pay it for you. If you refuse our package because of this extra cost we will take it back and will refund your order in full once received minus the cost of the return shipping. If you are unsure what these import costs will be please check with your country's customs office.
