1.   Playing an industry role that is crucial, yet often overlooked, silicon wafer makers like MEMC provide the basic building material of the information age.

2.   Silicon chip makers have been achieving increases in speed by making the circuits in the chips smaller and smaller, so electrons have shorter distances to travel.

3.   Smaller companies that make parts or equipment used in these industries, such as lensmaker Hoya Corp. and silicon maker Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., may also rise.

4.   The barcodes, developed in Britain by SmartBead Technologies of Cambridge, are etched onto microscopic aluminium wafers using techniques developed by silicon chip makers.

5.   E.On has previously announced plans to divest U.S. silicon wafer maker MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. as part of its drive to concentrate on energy.

6.   Northern California, once the home of silicon chip makers, then the ill-fated dot-com industry, is now becoming a worldwide force in digital gaming.