# An Interview with Jeri Ellsworth - Carnassial Chip Chemicals

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2011-07-19
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 52
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/the-amp-hour-52-carnassial-chip-chemicals/

## Summary

Jeri Ellsworth, an independent hardware engineer and YouTuber, details her process for building transistors and logic gates at home using household chemicals and scavenged equipment. She explains how she simplifies semiconductor manufacturing by using vinyl stickers for masking, conductive epoxy for contacts, and low-concentration hydrofluoric acid for etching, avoiding expensive fab tools. The conversation also covers her views on the semiconductor industry, including the 'warm fuzzy' brand loyalty to companies like Intersil and Altera, and the technical advantages of software-defined radio over traditional superheterodyne receivers.

## Chapters

- [0:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=27) Introduction: Jeri Ellsworth and Home-Built Transistors
- [3:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=208) Home Semiconductor Fabrication: Equipment and Chemicals
- [5:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=347) Safety and Handling of Hydrofluoric Acid
- [12:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=751) The Feasibility of Home Chip Manufacturing
- [19:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=1167) Energy Costs of Silicon Processing and Solar Cells
- [32:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=1962) Industry Brand Loyalty and Intersil Collaboration
- [40:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=2438) NDAs, Data Sheets, and Patent Marks
- [47:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=2832) Masking Techniques and Bipolar vs. MOSFETs
- [56:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2011-07-19-an-interview-with-jeri-ellsworth-carnassial-chip-chemicals#t=3364) Software-Defined Radio Architecture

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Intersil (company)
- Altera (company)
- Fluke 87 (product)
- Fluke 289 (product)
- Tech 575 (tool)
- Intel 4004 (chip)
- Wink (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [026 - You Can Lose in so Many Colors!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2019-08-31-026-you-can-lose-in-so-many-colors) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [Ray Kampmeier | The Humble Transistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-10-07-ray-kampmeier-the-humble-transistor) (Being an Engineer)
- [033 - All Over the Place](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2020-04-27-033-all-over-the-place) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)
- [454: Printf Hello](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-07-06-454-printf-hello) (Embedded.fm)
- [Ep011: Weird Keyboards, Salvaging LCD Screens, and Mike Interviews Ivan of Espressif in Shanghai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-22-ep011-weird-keyboards-salvaging-lcd-screens-and-mike-interviews-ivan-of-espressi) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

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