Cited on HN 3 times, 2024–2025, never outright recommendedscore 0
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026
HN points to it as an example of hobbyist, at-home integrated circuit fabrication.
Breaking Taps tries to build semiconductor fabrication capability at home, working through decades of lithography history while chasing one-micrometer features. It documents the equipment, process steps and many setbacks along the way.
“Here is BreakingTaps fabricating home made chips, he has a fair bit of equipment though” (HN, 2025)
FWIW, there _is_ work being done on the hobby front for IC fabrication "at home". We're still far from buying a miniature chip-fab-in-a-box product, but current technology makes yesterday's tech far more affordable. We're on our way. Example: [this video]
While it's not "easy", I was surprised to learn recently that DIY microprocessors are far more accessible than I thought. Here is BreakingTaps fabricating home made chips, he has a fair bit of equipment though [this video] There a a few different techniques that can be used. Most of the lithography techniques use Hydrofluoric Acid, but if you are okay with slower build times you can etch the circuits directly with Ion beams or Electron Beams. But the short story is you need an overhead projector, a microscope, and a few gnarly chemicals. Otherwise fairly straightforward.
Home-made chip fabrication showing DIY processors are accessible
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