Patents by Inventor Marc Hofmann
Marc Hofmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Publication number: 20230361237Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for producing a solar cell having a rear-side contact with a tunnel barrier. A monocrystalline wafer having a front side and a rear side may be provided with silicon and a dopant. A tunnel barrier is produced on the wafer, and a polycrystalline or amorphous layer is deposited on the tunnel barrier. The polycrystalline or amorphous layer includes silicon and a dopant. The polycrystalline or amorphous layer is removed on the front side by gas-phase etching.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2023Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicants: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Nines PhotovoltaicsInventors: Marc Hofmann, Sebastian Mack, Bishal Kafle, Jochen Rentsch, Nabeel Wahab Khan, Laurent Clochard, Edward Duffy
-
Patent number: 11062151Abstract: A method for ascertaining a description of a lane which is in an environment of a vehicle includes ascertaining an assignment function that is set up to assign different values of a feature vector different descriptions of a lane. The method also includes ascertaining environment data of the vehicle, where the environment data includes information about a roadway marking and/or about one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle. In addition, the method includes ascertaining a current value of the feature vector on the basis of the environment data, and determining a description of the lane using the assignment function and using the current value of the feature vector.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Yusaku Yamashita, Georg Tanzmeister, Marc Hofmann
-
Patent number: 10889683Abstract: The present invention relates to the polyamines N,N?-diaminopropyl-2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diamine and N,N?-diaminopropyl-4-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diamine and mixtures thereof, to the use thereof as curing agents for epoxy resin and to a curable composition comprising epoxy resin and these polyamines. Even at low temperatures this curing agent/the corresponding curable composition cures rapidly and is early-stage water resistant and is thus especially suitable for floor coatings. The invention further relates to the curing of this composition and the cured epoxy resin obtained by curing of this composition.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: BASF SEInventors: Christian Gruenanger, Alexander Panchenko, Irene Gorman, Veit Stegmann, Johann-Peter Melder, Norbert Gutfrucht, Martin Ernst, Marc Hofmann
-
Publication number: 20200071456Abstract: The present invention relates to the polyamines N,N?-diaminopropyl-2-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diamine and N,N?-diaminopropyl-4-methyl-cyclohexane-1,3-diamine and mixtures thereof, to the use thereof as curing agents for epoxy resin and to a curable composition comprising epoxy resin and these polyamines. Even at low temperatures this curing agent/the corresponding curable composition cures rapidly and is early-stage water resistant and is thus especially suitable for floor coatings. The invention further relates to the curing of this composition and the cured epoxy resin obtained by curing of this composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: BASF SEInventors: Christian GRUENANGER, Alexander PANCHENKO, Irene GORMAN, Veit STEGMANN, Johann-Peter MELDER, Norbert GUTFRUCHT, Martin ERNST, Marc HOFMANN
-
Publication number: 20180089518Abstract: A method for ascertaining a description of a lane which is in an environment of a vehicle includes ascertaining an assignment function that is set up to assign different values of a feature vector different descriptions of a lane. The method also includes ascertaining environment data of the vehicle, where the environment data includes information about a roadway marking and/or about one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle. In addition, the method includes ascertaining a current value of the feature vector on the basis of the environment data, and determining a description of the lane using the assignment function and using the current value of the feature vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Yusaku YAMASHITA, Georg TANZMEISTER, Marc HOFMANN
-
Publication number: 20150160798Abstract: A multifunctional operating device for a hierarchical menu structure consisting of several menus, includes a video screen, several operating keys, to which in each case one function within the menu structure can be assigned arbitrarily and can be selected by operating the respective operating key, and assigned visual information concerning the function selected by the operating key on the video screen. An operating status is assigned to the operating keys, in which operating status the assigned visual information concerning the selectable function is displayed on the video screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Hermann KUENZNER, Marc HOFMANN
-
Patent number: 8828790Abstract: A method for local contacting and local doping of a semiconductor layer including the following process steps: A) Generation of a layer structure on the semiconductor layer through i) application of at least one intermediate layer on one side of the semiconductor layer, and ii) application of at least one metal layer onto the intermediate layer last applied in step i), wherein the metal layer at least partly covers the last applied intermediate layer, B) Local heating of the layer structure in such a manner that in a local region a short-time melt-mixture of at least partial regions of at least the layers: metal layer, intermediate layer and semiconductor layer, forms. After solidification of the melt-mixture, a contacting is created between metal layer and semiconductor layer. It is essential that in step A) i) at least one intermediate layer designed as dopant layer is applied, which contains a dopant wherein the dopant has a greater solubility in the semiconductor layer than the metal of the metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Ralf Preu, Andreas Grohe, Daniel Biro, Jochen Rentsch, Marc Hofmann, Jan-Frederik Nekarda, Andreas Wolf
-
Publication number: 20110272020Abstract: A method for producing a solar cell from a silicon wafer, including the following process steps: A) texturizing one side of the silicon substrate (1) for improving the absorption or removing saw damage on one side of the silicon substrate (1); B) generating an emitter area (2) on one side of the silicon substrate (1) by diffusing in a doping material for forming a pn transition; C) removing a glass layer which comprises the doping material; D) applying a masking layer (3) which is a dielectric layer; E) removing one part of the material of the silicon substrate (1); F) applying metal structures (5, 6) for electrically contacting the solar cell. It is significant that thermal oxidation is performed between the process steps E and F for forming an oxide layer (4) and that the masking layer (3) and the oxide layer (4) remain on the silicon substrate (1) in the subsequent process steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: November 10, 2011Inventors: Daniel Biro, Oliver Schultz-Wittmann, Anke Lemke, Jochen Rentsch, Florian Clement, Marc Hofmann, Andreas Wolf, Luca Gautero, Sebastian Mack, Ralf Preu
-
Publication number: 20110233711Abstract: A method for local contacting and local doping of a semiconductor layer including the following process steps: A) Generation of a layer structure on the semiconductor layer through i) application of at least one intermediate layer on one side of the semiconductor layer, and ii) application of at least one metal layer onto the intermediate layer last applied in step i), wherein the metal layer at least partly covers the last applied intermediate layer, B) Local heating of the layer structure in such a manner that in a local region a short-time melt-mixture of at least partial regions of at least the layers: metal layer, intermediate layer and semiconductor layer, forms. After solidification of the melt-mixture, a contacting is created between metal layer and semiconductor layer. It is essential that in step A) i) at least one intermediate layer designed as dopant layer is applied, which contains a dopant wherein the dopant has a greater solubility in the semiconductor layer than the metal of the metal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2009Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Forderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Ralf Preu, Andreas Grohe, Daniel Biro, Jochen Rentsch, Marc Hofmann, Jan-Frederik Nekarda, Andreas Wolf
-
Publication number: 20100296679Abstract: A method provides time-dependent automatic acclimatization of at least one parameter of a hearing device, for example the volume, to a predeterminable target. In the method the speed of the automatic acclimatization is influenced by parameter changes made by a wearer of the hearing device himself. Advantageously this makes it possible to address the individual familiarizing phase and requirements of the wearer of the hearing device and finally to set an optimum parameter value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: SIEMENS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS PTE. LTD.Inventors: Marc Hofmann, Christoph Konrad Schmid, Michael Sieber
-
Publication number: 20090032095Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a semiconductor component having at least one optically reflective surface in which a silicon wafer, which has an etchable dielectric layer at least in regions on at least one of its surfaces, is provided with a silicon-containing masking layer in order to screen against fluid media. In addition a layer comprising aluminium is deposited on the masking layer and subsequently a thermal treatment of the semiconductor component is undertaken, the result being dissolving of the silicon in the aluminium. Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding semiconductor component made of a silicon wafer having at least one optically reflective surface. Semiconductor components of this type are used in particular as solar cells.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.Inventors: Oliver Schultz, Marc Hofmann
-
Publication number: 20070242050Abstract: A multifunctional operating device for a hierarchical menu structure consisting of several menus, includes a video screen, several operating keys, to which in each case one function within the menu structure can be assigned arbitrarily and can be selected by operating the respective operating key, and assigned visual information concerning the function selected by the operating key on the video screen. An operating status is assigned to the operating keys, in which operating status the assigned visual information concerning the selectable function is displayed on the video screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: October 18, 2007Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Hermann Kuenzner, Marc Hofmann