Ipad Camera: What Materials Make It?

Apple iPads are made from materials sourced from all over the world. The iPad's camera has evolved over the years, with the original iPad having no camera at all. The iPad Pro 11 3rd gen, for example, has 12 MP wide ƒ/1.8 and ultra wide ƒ/2.4 rear lenses, a 12 MP TrueDepth ƒ/2.4 front lens, and a LiDAR scanner. The iPad's display, multi-touch screen, and other human-computer interface components make up nearly 44% of the total cost of materials for the basic 16GB memory, non-3G version of the iPad.

Aluminium, silicon, and steel are used in iPad construction

Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is extensively used as a semiconductor in solid-state devices in the computer and microelectronics industries. Silicon is also used to make silicones, which are polymers with silicon-oxygen chains and organic groups attached to each silicon atom.

Steel is another metal used in iPad construction, though it is not as abundant as aluminium or silicon.

Rare earth materials and chemicals are used in small amounts

Rare earth materials are used in a variety of applications due to their unique properties. For example, neodymium-iron-boron magnets, which are made using rare earth elements, are the strongest magnets known and are useful when space and weight are limiting factors. This makes them ideal for use in electronic devices such as iPads, where miniaturization is important. Rare earth magnets are also used in computer hard disks and CD-ROM and DVD disk drives, as well as various automotive subsystems such as power steering, electric windows, power seats, and audio speakers.

In addition to magnets, rare earth materials are also used in alloys and catalysts. For example, cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and praseodymium are used in the production of special alloys and to remove impurities from steel. Lanthanum-based catalysts are used in petroleum refining, while cerium-based catalysts are found in automotive catalytic converters.

While rare earth materials offer many benefits for a variety of applications, their use also comes with some challenges. As they are often found in small quantities and used in small amounts, traditional recyclers do not typically recover them from electronic waste. This can lead to these materials ending up in landfills, where they can emit harmful chemicals into the Earth.

To address this issue, Apple has made efforts to increase the recyclability of their products, including iPads. They have also started using recycled rare earth elements in some of their new products, such as the "Taptic Engine" in their iPhones, which allows the phone to mimic a physical button click despite being a flat pane of glass. By doing so, Apple not only reduces the environmental impact of their products but also ensures a more stable supply chain for these materials.

LCD screens are made from liquid crystals

In an LCD screen, an electric current is used to switch segments of liquid crystals from a transparent phase to a cloudy phase. Each segment forms part of a number or letter. The segments can also be shaped like tiny dots or pixels and arranged in rows and columns. They are turned on and off individually to either block or allow polarised light to pass through. When the light is blocked, a dark spot is created on the reflecting screen.

The liquid crystal in an LCD screen is sandwiched between two pieces of glass or transparent plastic called substrates. If glass is used, it is often coated with silicon dioxide to improve liquid crystal alignment. Transparent electrode patterns are then made by applying a layer of indium tin oxide to the glass and using a photolithography or silkscreening process to produce the pattern.

Lithium-ion polymer batteries are used in iPads

The lithium-ion polymer battery in an iPad accounts for about 21% of the device's total weight, or 155 grams. The lithium supply for these batteries comes primarily from countries in South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. The production of lithium-ion batteries requires a significant amount of water, approximately 79 gallons per battery.

Apple's lithium-ion batteries are designed to meet international safety certification standards, including those set by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These standards ensure the safe use and transport of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices.

The use of lithium-ion polymer batteries in iPads contributes to Apple's efforts towards creating a more environmentally friendly product. Unlike traditional disposable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This reusability aligns with Apple's goal of moving towards a “cradle-to-cradle” product lifecycle, minimising waste and promoting sustainability.

Silicon chips are made from silicon and trace chemicals

Silicon chips, which are found in iPads, are made from silicon and trace chemicals. Silicon is the second most abundant element on Earth, made from sand, specifically silica sand, which is silicon dioxide. Silicon is a semiconductor, which means it can be used as either an insulator (which blocks electricity) or a conductor (which allows electricity to flow). This property is important for making chips.

Silicon is not the most optimal material for chips, as other materials have better electronic properties. However, silicon is used because it is cheap, extremely abundant, and good enough for the job. It is also easy to create a high-quality thin insulator on the surface of a silicon chip, which is advantageous when creating transistors.

The process of making silicon chips involves melting silica sand and casting it in the form of a large cylinder called an 'ingot'. This ingot is then sliced into thin wafers. On these wafers, transistors are created, acting as miniature electrical switches that can turn a current on or off. The addition and removal of materials form a multilayered latticework of interconnected shapes.

The iPad's camera uses silicon chips to process images and adjust settings such as exposure and contrast. While the iPad's camera may not have the same level of detail as an iPhone, it can still produce surprisingly good photos, especially in terms of exposure and brightness.

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