The little-known tale of thirsty chips
10-14-2024
Purdue graduate students awarded CUAHSI’s “Let’s Talk About Water” grant
Two things that affect everyone daily are the water we need for life and the chips we need to run our electronic devices. These two essential commodities are oddly connected. By some estimates, a large semiconductor chip facility can use millions of gallons of groundwater per day. That’s the equivalent of the daily groundwater used by a small city with a population around 120,000.
Three graduate students from Purdue University were awarded the “Let’s Talk About Water” grant for 2023 by the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science (CUAHSI) to investigate groundwater use in the semiconductor industry. The grant was awarded to Ayobami Oluwadunsin Oladapo (team leader, Earth Atmospheric Planetary sciences - EAPS) and co-creators Shivika Aggrawal (Ecological Sciences & Engineering/Horticulture & Landscape Architecture - ESE/HLA) and Srilani Wickramasinghe (ESE/EAPS) for their proposal called “The little-known tale of thirsty chips.” The team was advised by Dr. Marty Frisbee, Associate Professor of EAPS. CUAHSI only selects one project per cycle.
The trio used the grant funding to create a short documentary based on interviews with students, the general public, and experts in groundwater science, water use in AI, and water management practices in the semiconductor industry.
Their documentary was completed in the summer of 2024 and the team will hold several departmental and campus screenings. In addition, they plan to show their documentary at upcoming film festivals. The first public screening on Purdue’s campus will be held in WALC 1087 on Oct. 23 at 11:30 am. They also plan to reserve time for a discussion or panel following the screening.
“The students take a neutral stance,” explains Frisbee. “Their goal is to educate the general public, public officials, and stakeholders about groundwater use in the semiconductor industry using a science-based, fact-based approach. They want to spark debate that will hopefully lead to innovation in water efficiency in these industries. These discussions are critical as the need grows and the industry widens. Everyone agrees that having domestic semiconductor facilities is a good idea given what happened with the global shutdown and supply chain shortages due to the covid pandemic. However, we need to educate people on the demands that this industry places on groundwater and highlight ways that existing facilities are becoming or plan to become water efficient. We do not want to curtail growth in the sector. Instead, we want to encourage discussions that lead to innovation that can minimize the impact on groundwater resources.”
Ayobami says that being selected for the project was an exhilarating experience mixed with joy, gratitude, and a sense of validation.
“Knowing that our efforts and ideas were recognized and deemed worthy of support filled us with a deep sense of accomplishment and excitement for what lies ahead,” she says. “Being selected for the project instilled a profound sense of responsibility. We felt entrusted with a great opportunity and a unique platform to shine a light on a problem of national relevance centered around the expanding semiconductor industry versus its potential impacts on local water resources. We’re motivated to make the best use of this opportunity in an unbiased, non-partisan, fact-based manner to initiate a meaningful dialogue among all parties of interest.”
Their pitch came together very quickly. Ayobami discovered the opportunity a week before the deadline to apply. She reached out to fellow students Shivika and Srilani to see if they were interested in putting together a proposal.
“Teamwork turned the impossible into achievable, and the arduous path into a smooth journey,” says Ayobami. “With the clock ticking, the three of us joined forces, weaving our collective expertise and determination together. Together we conquered the challenges, leaving no stone unturned.”
Water is crucial to the process of creating semiconductors. Ayobami explains that water plays a vital role in various stages of semiconductor production, such as wafer fabrication, chemical & mechanical cleaning, as a reactant and solvent in certain chemical reactions, rinsing and dilution, and cooling processes. Water usage varies from facility to facility depending on equipment, processes, and technologies used at each facility.
A significant chip fabrication facility can reportedly consume millions to over tens of millions of gallons of water daily, an amount roughly equivalent to the water usage of about 300,000 households according to approximate calculations, according to Ayobami. The manufacturing process is water intensive requiring repeated rinses of ultra-pure water (UPW) that is commonly treated “in-house”. Ultra-pure water is critical in preventing contamination during the manufacturing process because even a minute impurity can make the chips unstable. In general, it can take up to 1.6 gallons of tap water to produce 1 gallon of UPW during the water filtration/treatment process depending on the quality of the tap water. This becomes an important consideration since one chip might require as much as 2,200 gallons of UPW for rinsing and cooling. This is equivalent to as much as 3,520 gallons of tap water.
“Given the extensive reliance on water, our project aims to highlight the significance of water usage in semiconductor production, emphasizing the need for responsible practices to balance industry growth with environmental sustainability,” she says. “Through our educational documentary, we hope to contribute to a broader understanding of water's critical role in the semiconductor industry and the importance of understanding and implementing water conservation measures such as advanced water recycling systems, closed-loop water management, and water-saving processes to minimize water consumption and to reduce the overall environmental impact of chip production.”
“As Purdue fosters innovation and collaboration within the semiconductor sector, our short documentary will remind and hopefully inspire others that responsible resource management is important,” she says. “By implementing water-smart strategies and innovative technologies, we aim to create a harmonious synergy between the semiconductor industry's development and environmental stewardship. Our efforts to optimize water usage and reduce wastage will not only contribute to the industry's operational efficiency but also align with the university's commitment to sustainable practices and research as well as showcasing how environmental sustainability and technological advancements can go hand in hand.”
Ayobami, the team leader, received her Bachelor of Technology in geology from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. She completed her M.S. degree in EAPS working with Dr. Frisbee on the interactions between melting alpine glaciers and mountain groundwater systems in the summer of 2024. She is currently working on her Ph.D. with Dr. Frisbee with a focus on quantifying the hydrogeology and groundwater/surface-water interactions of unconsolidated aquifer systems in glacial sediment in northern Indiana.
“Overall, my role as the team lead was to work closely with my co-creators in ensuring that the project achieved its objectives of educating and raising awareness about water usage in semiconductor production,” says Ayobami. “I was committed to making this initiative a success and contributing to the advancement of sustainable practices in the semiconductor industry. As a team member for this project, my background in hydrogeology equips me to bring valuable insights and expertise to this project. I am committed to applying my knowledge and research skills to contribute to the success of the project and further our understanding of water conservation in the context of the semiconductor industry.”
Srilani, team co-creator, comes from a background in green technology and environmental science and engineering with her bachelor's from University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka and master's from Tsinghua University, China. She’s currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Purdue in ESE/EAPS working with Dr. Frisbee. Her overarching goals are to improve our understanding of groundwater/surface-water interactions and nutrient transport processes in large agricultural watersheds such as the Wabash River Watershed in Indiana.
“I was excited to hear about this funding opportunity from Ayobami (who is my lab mate), because I’ve always been a strong proponent of sharing complex scientific concepts in a manner that is more palatable and appealing to a non-scientific audience,” she says. “Joining this project was a great learning experience, both personally and professionally, as I learned to appreciate the inherent complexities associated with such techno-socio-economic issues. It opened my eyes to the importance of open debate and dialogue that acknowledges the diverse perspectives on our path toward potential solutions. Moreover, what was most compelling to me was the opportunity to share this message with the community in a very visual and engaging format, like a film.”
She plans to further her research career as a researcher & practicing hydrogeologist, focusing on addressing groundwater-surface water issues in her community. After Purdue, she hopes to use her expertise to encourage others to get involved in hydrogeology.
“While I’m committed to building a career as a hydrogeologist, I also have a strong interest in community work & creative projects. I can see myself finding a niche that combines water, community, and creativity in a way that feels unique to me.”
The other co-creator of this grant is Shivika. She has a background in both civil engineering and sociology. This trans-disciplinary approach has allowed her to appreciate the multifaceted nature of water and how it intersects with various aspects of human life. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in ESE/HLA at Purdue working with Dr. Linda Prokopy and Dr. Aaron Thompson. Her research focuses on designing tools and methods for visioning sessions with agriculture stakeholders in the Midwest.
“For my individual contribution to this funding opportunity, I played an important role as a creative thinker with a unique trans-disciplinary background,” she says. “I brought innovative ideas to the table, ensuring that our documentary project stands out in terms of both content and presentation. I try to encourage creative exploration while maintaining a strong and balanced narrative thread throughout the documentary.”
She’s clear about her plans after graduation: hydrosociology will be a big part of her focus as she explores innovative ways to address water-related challenges.
“I intend to continue my journey in the realm of research through avenues that enable me to maintain a creative and innovative approach. My commitment to remaining at the forefront of developments in the water sector means that I will actively seek opportunities that allow me to contribute to multidisciplinary research and co-participatory problem-solving in this dynamic field. Whether it's through academia, research centers, or industry collaborations, I aim to stay deeply involved in addressing pressing water-related challenges.”
About the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) combines four of Purdue’s most interdisciplinary programs: Geology & Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. EAPS conducts world-class research, educates undergraduate and graduate students, and provides our college, university, state and country with the information necessary to understand the world and universe around us. Our research is globally recognized, our students are highly valued by graduate schools, employers, and our alumni continue to make significant contributions in academia, industry, and federal and state government.
Contributors:
Ayobami Oluwadunsin Oladapo, Purdue University graduate student
Shivika Aggrawal, Purdue University graduate student
Srilani Wickramasinghe, Purdue University graduate student
Dr. Marty Frisbee, Associate Professor for the Purdue University Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Writer: Cheryl Pierce, Communications Specialist