The semiconductor device technology and its societal impact

This chapter brings together the social implications and ubiquitous impact of semiconductor devices in today's life throughout every corner of the world. It is our intention to show tangible examples on how high-technology electron devices have improved the quality and conditions of human life, while helping to preserve a sustainable and greener environment. We present here a compilation of several different applications, where high-technology or state-of-the-art electron devices make it possible to save vast amount of energy in several areas; from more energyefficient lighting, control of motors, scaling down to the plethora of electronic systems that are prevalent in modern society and have changed the manner in which we interact with others at the local and global levels. We intend to show how new materials or fabrication steps, incorporated in the manufacture of high-technology electron devices, have been combined to produce solutions that reach far beyond the microprocessor's mainstream. Applications beyond the highly integrated processors, which are the main driving force of high-technology electron devices, have been shown to be highly effective in several fields, such as energy conversion, biosignal monitoring, human health, medicine, and drinking water monitoring and decontamination, to list just a few examples.