What do tires and microchips have in common?

Probably, many have heard of the term "Silicon Valley". Many still mistakenly believe that it's about silicone :) This is not the case at all.

This is a region in Northern California that serves as a global center for high technology and innovation. Without delving into the history of the creation of the first semiconductor laboratory, it can be safely assumed that "Silicon Valley" got its name due to innovations in microelectronics, which is simply impossible without silicon dioxide or "silica". This is one of the main materials for microelectronics.

In the tire industry, this element has also gained widespread use as energy-saving tires develop. If at first it was just a matter of ecology and energy savings, today it is the key to extending the range of electric vehicles.

The main advantage of using silica in tires has been the reduction of heat and, surprisingly, the improvement of traction properties on ice. Thus, it is now difficult to find a company that does not use this element in the recipe of its rubber compound.