Explore the colossal chipmaking factory of TSMC's Arizona facility, where futuristic wonders await as we delve into the immense scope of this urban-scale technology construction.

In the heart of the Arizona desert, just outside Phoenix, lies a technological marvel that is changing the landscape of US semiconductor production. This is TSMC Arizona, a state-of-the-art chipmaking facility that is part of TSMC's ambitious expansion into US soil.

The facility, a vast structure with a solar panel-fronted footprint, is home to over 3,000 engineers, technicians, and support staff from various countries. TSMC Arizona employs a unique Automated Material Handling System that ferries wafers around the facility, ensuring smooth and efficient production.

The facility's advanced lithography equipment, including the ASML lithography machine, uses a process that involves plasma ignition and the movement of molecules and atoms to create the intricate patterns on the chips. Each chip produced contains billions of transistors, making the technological achievement astounding.

In January of this year, TSMC Arizona began producing 4nm chips, marking a significant milestone in the facility's mission to build some of the world's most advanced chips on US soil. This expansion is part of a new $100 billion investment package, on top of the $65 billion already invested in its Arizona facility.

However, the expansion has not been without controversy. Local environmental and labor groups have criticised the perceived lack of oversight and thorough reviews of the impact of the fab on the state's water supply. The facility is located in one of the driest areas in the US, and the company is working on an industrial reclamation water plant to recycle and reclaim 90% of the water it uses, as announced by Lacey Suastegui, program manager at TSMC Arizona.

Chris Camacho, former president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, has emphasised the importance of water management, acknowledging the changes related to climate and water scarcity management.

TSMC Arizona is not the only US facility in TSMC's portfolio. The company also has a smaller fab in Camas, Washington. The company's expansion into the US is a strategic move to strengthen domestic semiconductor production, a goal supported by the U.S. government through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.

The company behind this $100 billion investment plan is Intel, with TSMC being responsible for the production of over 90% of the world's most advanced chips. TSMC has released a promotional video on YouTube for its new facility, providing a glimpse into the 2001: A Space Odyssey-like interiors of TSMC Arizona.

Workers at TSMC Arizona wear "bunny suits" to prevent contamination of the production line, ensuring the highest standards of cleanliness and precision. As TSMC continues its expansion, the future of US semiconductor production looks promising, with TSMC Arizona at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Explore the colossal chipmaking factory of TSMC's Arizona facility, where futuristic wonders await as we delve into the immense scope of this urban-scale technology construction.