How Do They Do It? Season 2 Episode 14 Hydroelectric Power, Computer Microchips

How They Do It season 2 episode 14 explores two different technologies that have revolutionized the world: hydroelectric power and computer microchips.

The first segment of the episode delves into hydroelectric power, which is the production of electricity through the use of flowing water. The show takes viewers on a journey to a hydroelectric power plant to see how this technology works. The episode starts by explaining the basic principles that drive the process of generating electricity using water. Viewers are shown how water is used to turn turbines which in turn activates generators to generate electricity. They also explain how large dams are built to hold water and control its flow, creating a large reservoir of water that can provide a constant supply of hydroelectric energy.

Another aspect of the show looks at how hydroelectric power has been harnessed by different regions across the world. From the mighty Hoover Dam in the United States to smaller hydroelectric power plants that generate power for remote communities, the show highlights the many different ways that this technology has helped bring power to people who might not have had access to it otherwise.

The second segment of the episode focuses on computer microchips - the tiny silicon wafers that have become the foundation of modern computing. Viewers are transported into a factory where they get an up-close look at how microchips are made.

The show explains how microchips are made up of layers of silicon and other materials and how these layers are carefully etched with microscopic patterns. The key takeaway of this episode is how all of these microscopic operations get conducted in a clean room. They explain why there can be no dust particles in this environment as even a single one can interfere with the delicate layers on the chip causing entire batches to be discarded.

The episode also highlights the various phases involved in creating a microchip from designing their layout to testing them to ensure that they are working correctly. The viewers see how the silicon wafers are exposed to many different chemicals and how this process transforms a boring-looking wafer into a chip that can be used to power devices and enable communication.

Overall, How They Do It season 2 episode 14 is a fascinating dive into two different technologies that have come to define the modern era. The episode is full of insights into how these two powerful and transformative forces have been harnessed to power the world and shape the way that we live. The show will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of hydroelectric power and how computer microchips have transformed our world into a digital landscape.