singulated

Singulated is the adjective derived from singulate, meaning separated from a group into individual units. The term is used across industries to describe objects that have been isolated from a larger mass, typically by cutting, trimming, or otherwise separating along defined boundaries. In manufacturing and fabrication, singulation denotes the process of dividing a larger object, such as a wafer or sheet, into discrete units. The term is commonly used in electronics and solar technology, where precision separation is required to yield individual dies, chips, or cells. In semiconductor fabrication, singulation (often called dicing) uses saws, lasers, or other cutting methods to separate a silicon wafer into its constituent dies. The resulting singulated dies are then packaged or tested. In solar cell production, singulation refers to separating interconnected cells into individual modules or cells for wiring and assembly; laser scribing or mechanical scoring are typical methods.

In agriculture and horticulture, singulation describes delivering or planting seeds one at a time, usually by seed-in-placer equipment or seed-taping systems, to ensure uniform spacing and emergence. In biology and biomedical research, singulation can refer to preparing single cells from a heterogeneous sample for analysis or culture, often via microfluidic devices, flow sorting, or micromanipulation.

The concept is closely related to precision manufacturing and quality control, where accurate isolation of units reduces cross-contamination, ensures proper packaging, and improves yield. Terms related to the process include dicing, separation, and isolation, depending on the materials and methods involved.