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- Image of advanced electronics, Courtesy of Mollie Dominy

Next-Gen Chips? China’s InSe Disrupts Silicon’s Reign

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 11:24 PM ET

When it comes to tech supremacy, the rivalry between China and Silicon Valley resembles a heated chess match. Except China just flipped the board and said, “We’re inventing a new game now.” Their latest gambit? Turning semiconductor innovation on its head with indium selenide (yeah, try pronouncing that without sounding like you’re casting a spell). It’s time to dissect this power play.

What Exactly Happened?

A viral claim made the rounds recently that China had “killed the silicon wafer.” Spoiler alert: that’s dramatic internet fluff. However, there’s truth beneath the exaggeration. Chinese researchers have found a way to mass-produce indium selenide (InSe) wafers, a semiconductor material that makes silicon chips seem about as cutting-edge as floppy disks.

This breakthrough isn’t just about new tech; it’s about redefining the semiconductor industry’s playing field. Think of it as China not just competing in the tech race but building its own track entirely. The implications? Huge.

Why Should Silicon Valley Be Nervous?

Indium Selenide Could Be a Game Changer

Indium selenide has several advantages over silicon, including higher electron mobility (translation: faster, more efficient processors) and lower power consumption. This means faster chips that use less energy. Silicon? Meet your cooler, younger cousin.

China’s Strategy Is Sanction-Proof

While the US throws trade sanctions like confetti at a wedding, China has been quietly crafting tech solutions that don’t rely on Western supply chains. It’s not an overnight death knell for Western tech, but it’s certainly a massive step toward independence for Beijing.

Hold On, Silicon Isn’t Dead Yet

Next-Gen Chips? China’s InSe Disrupts Silicon’s Reign 1 Image of Cityscape, Courtesy of Roland Berger and Bloomberg Finance

Listen, as impressive as this all sounds, putting a single piece on the chessboard doesn’t mean you’ve won the game. Silicon Valley has decades of infrastructure built on silicon technology. Mass-producing indium selenide chips at scale will take time, money, and countless headaches.

Remember, silicon wafers are manufactured in massive 300mm sizes. China’s current indium selenide wafers? A humble 5cm. Scaling that to industrial levels isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon through quicksand.

What This Means for the Future of Tech?

While the Western tech world remains laser-focused on maintaining dominance with AI, cloud services, and data centers, China’s actively forging Plan B. Here’s how this plays out across major industries:

Defense and Aerospace

Indium selenide’s speed and precision are a dream for radar systems, satellites, and electronic warfare tools. Forget the “can they beat us to market?” question. The better one is, “can they outperform us in strategic sectors?” Spoiler alert: yes, probably.

AI and Cloud Computing

Imagine an indium selenide-powered supercomputer that’s insanely fast and energy-efficient. The West’s main players in AI chips, like Nvidia and Intel, have been put on notice.

Consumer Electronics

Smartphones, wearables, foldable screens, you name it. Don’t be surprised when your next super-thin gadget isn’t powered by Silicon Valley but something “Made in China” that packs the punch of next-gen materials.

Is This the Beginning of the End?

No, but it’s definitely a plot twist. Think of this as China laying the groundwork for an alternative tech ecosystem. It’s not aiming to destroy Silicon Valley (yet), but it’s creating enough leverage to rewrite the rules. The West’s obsession with sanctions may have slowed China’s progress with silicon-based tech, but Beijing wasn’t playing the same game.

Where Does This Leave Silicon Valley?

Still standing, but with a glaring reminder that no empire is unshakable. This is a wake-up call not just for Silicon Valley but for Western strategy as a whole. If you spend all your energy blockading one path, don’t be shocked when your rival builds a bridge.

China hasn’t killed silicon, but it’s set the stage for a sequel. And if the West doesn’t invest in next-gen materials and diversify its supply chains, they’ll find themselves playing second fiddle in a tech-driven world (hey, play Despaci…).

Geopolitics aside, this is an exciting, albeit nerve-wracking, time for tech enthusiasts. What we’re witnessing isn’t just competition; it’s evolution on a global scale. You’d better buckle up—you’re going to want to watch how this unfolds.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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