Introduction
I chose to do the chemistry of an LED, because I enjoy learning about electronics. LED’s affect the daily lives of everyone! They are in anything from TV screens, to car lights, and in home lighting. An LED or Light emitting diode is an electronic component that creates visible light when a current is applied. My life is affected by LED’s because I use LED’s at my business everyday, they are used to light my house. and they are in my Mac’s display. Composition of ...
Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components
LED Semiconductor
Liquid Plastic Mold
Chemistry's Role
The LED is composed of a semiconductive wafer that is made in a large oven. Silicon is placed in the oven and metal impurities are stirred in so that there is a path for electrons to flow.These wafers are cut down into extremely small wafers that then have metal contacts connected to them. This is how the electricity is able to flow. Gold is then used to connect the two contacts that have the electricity supplied to them. The LED semiconductor is not naturally occurring and is man-made.
The plastic comes from natural substances like coal or crude oil. Plastic is refined into pellets. Plastic pellets are placed in a hopper. The plastic then falls into a heating chamber. When ready screw pushes the melted plastic into a mold of the desired shape and it is cooled.
Background Research
What is it? An LED or Light emitting diode is an electronic component that creates visible light when a current is applied.
What is it made of? Various chemical described below, plastic(the coating), the legs are made of tinned copper wire, and a semiconductor led chip.
What chemicals are in it?They are created of compound semiconductor materials, which are the elements from group 3 and 5 they are:
Indium gallium nitride (InGaN): blue, green and ultraviolet high-brightness LEDs
Aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP): yellow, orange and red high-brightness LEDs
Aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs): red and infrared LEDs
Gallium phosphide (GaP): yellow and green LEDs
What are the Chemical reactions needed? When electricity flows through the chemical causing the electrons to become excited and therefore glow.
Components: Plastic, tinned copper wire, and LED semiconductor chip
About the Author
Kyle Eaton is a senior at Billings Senior High. He enjoys spending time doing various activities such as rock climbing, ice climbing, skiing, fishing, backpacking, hunting, and math. He is part of the National Honors society and he owns his own business. He is planning to attend Montana State University to attain a degree in engineering.
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http://www.ledsmagazine.com/articles/2004/01/what-is-an-led.html
http://electroiq.com/blog/2012/02/top-10-led-manufacturers-in-2011/
http://www.plasticseurope.org/what-is-plastic/how-plastic-is-made.aspx
http://www.acrilex.com/plastic-materials-for-led-illumination/
http://rel.intersil.com/docs/lexicon/manufacture.html