Don't scrap that wafer

IC manufacturers throw away about three million prime wafers a year. Solar cell manufacturers are getting squeezed by a silicon shortage.

If that sounds like a business opportunity waiting for a product, you're right. IBM has figured out a way to de-pattern scrap wafers, cleansing them of IP so that they can be recycled.

Now, reclaimed wafers are nothing new. I suspect the difference is a better way to get rid of the IP, but I'm waiting to hear more from IBM.