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Kim Cornett, graduate student in the department of electrical engineering in the College of Engineering, replies:
An electrical circuit is an electrical pathway that conducts electricity for the purpose of delivering power or carrying information. An integrated circuit is an electrical circuit realized entirely in miniaturized form on the surface of a semiconductor material.
Integrated circuits have revolutionized the technological world by enabling more complex circuits on a smaller and smaller scale utilized in our computers, iPods, and smart phones. Integrated circuits are built out of special materials called "semiconductors" which either conduct or do not conduct electric current depending on several conditions. Engineers can use semiconductors to create micro-sized devices, like transistors, that can be connected by miniature wires. Many layers of wires can be built up on top of the semiconductor with each layer protected by a thin layer of glass. The result is a multi-layer circuit that has all of its parts integrated into one extremely small piece, hence the name “integrated circuit.”
Research at the University of Arkansas contributes to the development of integrated circuit design. Current research is being done to allow such circuits to be used in extreme environments like space, hybrid cars, medical applications and more. These integrated circuits have provided the platform for advancement since the late 1950s and engineers and researchers will continue to push these technologies to new levels in the future.