Microelectronics is a subfield of
electronics. As the name suggests, microelectronics relates to the study and manufacture (or
microfabrication) of very small electronic designs and components. Usually, but not always, this means micrometre-scale or smaller. These devices are typically made from
semiconductor materials. Many components of normal electronic design are available in a microelectronic equivalent. These include
transistors,
capacitors,
inductors,
resistors,
diodes and (naturally)
insulators and
conductors can all be found in microelectronic devices. Unique wiring techniques such as
wire bonding are also often used in microelectronics because of the unusually small size of the components, leads and pads. This technique requires specialized equipment and is expensive.