Patents by Inventor Jeroen Van Duren

Jeroen Van Duren 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).

  • Patent number: 9466499
    Abstract: A substrate having a plurality of site-isolated regions defined thereon is provided. A first electrochromic material, or a first electrochromic device stack, is formed above a first of the plurality of site-isolated regions using a first set of processing conditions. A second electrochromic material, or a second electrochromic device stack, is formed above a second of the plurality of site-isolated regions using a second set of processing conditions. The second set of processing conditions is different than the first set of processing conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Minh Huu Le, Minh Anh Nguyen, Sandeep Nijhawan
  • Patent number: 9455437
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe solid-state lithium batteries and methods for forming such batteries. A first current collector is provided. A first layer is formed above the first current collector. The first layer includes lithium and cobalt. The first layer is annealed. A second layer is formed above the annealed first layer. The second layer includes lithium and cobalt, and the annealed first layer and the second layer jointly form a first electrode. An electrolyte is formed above the first electrode. A second electrode is formed above the electrolyte. A second current collector is formed above the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Abraham Anapolsky, Minh Huu Le, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Publication number: 20160233541
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe solid-state lithium batteries and methods for forming such batteries. A first current collector is provided. A first layer is formed above the first current collector. The first layer includes lithium and cobalt. The first layer is annealed. A second layer is formed above the annealed first layer. The second layer includes lithium and cobalt, and the annealed first layer and the second layer jointly form a first electrode. An electrolyte is formed above the first electrode. A second electrode is formed above the electrolyte. A second current collector is formed above the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Abraham Anapolsky, Minh Huu Le, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Publication number: 20160181615
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe solid-state lithium batteries and methods for forming such batteries. A layer stack may be formed between a substrate of the batteries and a current collector of the batteries. A texturing may be provided to at least one of the components of the batteries to increase the interfacial area between the components. At least one of conductive metal oxides, conductive metal nitrides, conductive metal carbides, or a combination thereof may be used to form a current collector of the batteries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Abraham Anapolsky
  • Publication number: 20160099482
    Abstract: Embodiments provided herein describe solid-state lithium batteries and methods for forming such batteries. A first current collector is provided. A first electrode is formed above the first current collector. The first electrode includes lithium and cobalt and is formed using PVD in a gaseous environment including at least 96% argon. An electrolyte is formed above the first electrode. A second electrode is formed above the electrolyte. A second current collector is formed above the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Abraham Anapolsky, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 9299571
    Abstract: A gradient in the composition of at least one of the elements of a metal-based semiconductor layer is introduced as a function of depth through the layer. The gradient(s) influence the current density response of the device at different gate voltages. In some embodiments, the composition of an element (e.g. Ga) is greater at the interface between the metal-based semiconductor layer and the source/drain layers. The shape of the gradient profile is one of linear, stepped, parabolic, exponential, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Haifan Liang, Sang Lee, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 9178097
    Abstract: Methods are described for forming CIGS absorber layers in TFPV devices with graded compositions and graded band gaps. Methods are described for utilizing Al to increase the band gap at the front surface of the absorber layer. Methods are described for forming a Cu—In—Ga layer followed by partial or full selenization. This results in a higher Ga concentration at the back interface. The substrate is then exposed to an aluminum CVD precursor while the substrate is still in the selenization equipment to deposit a thin Al layer. The substrate is then exposed to a Se source to fully convert the absorber layer. This results in a higher Al concentration at the front of the absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Haifan Liang, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 9177876
    Abstract: Optical absorbers and methods are disclosed. The methods comprise depositing a plurality of precursor layers comprising one or more of Cu, Ga, and In on a substrate, and heating the layers in a chalcogenizing atmosphere. The plurality of precursor layers can be one or more sets of layers comprising at least two layers, wherein each layer in each set of layers comprises one or more of Cu, Ga, and In exhibiting a single phase. The layers can be deposited using two or three targets selected from Ag and In containing less than 21% In by weight, Cu and Ga where the Cu and Ga target comprises less than 45% Ga by weight, Cu(In,Ga), wherein the Cu(In,Ga) target has an atomic ratio of Cu to (In+Ga) greater than 2 and an atomic ratio of Ga to (Ga+In) greater than 0.5, elemental In, elemental Cu, and In2Se3 and In2S3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Haifan Liang, Jessica Eid, Minh Huu Le, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 9112095
    Abstract: In some embodiments, Cu—In—Ga precursor films are deposited by co-sputtering from multiple targets. Specifically, the co-sputtering method is used to form layers that include In. The co-sputtering reduces the tendency for the In component to agglomerate and results in smoother, more uniform films. In some embodiments, the Ga concentration in one or more target(s) is between about 25 atomic % and about 66 atomic %. The deposition may be performed in a batch or in-line deposition system. If an in-line deposition system is used, the movement of the substrates through the system may be continuous or may follow a “stop and soak” method of substrate transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Teresa B. Sapirman, Philip A. Kraus, Sang M. Lee, Haifan Liang, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 9109121
    Abstract: Methods and compositions for forming porous low refractive index coatings on substrates are provided. The method comprises coating a substrate with a sol-formulation comprising silica based nanoparticles and an alkyltrialkoxysilane based binder. Use of the alkyltrialkoxysilane based binder results in a porous low refractive index coating having bimodal pore distribution including mesopores formed from particle packing and micropores formed from the burning off of organics including the alkyl chain covalently bonded to the silicon. The mass ratio of binder to particles may vary from 0.1 to 20. Porous coatings formed according to the embodiments described herein demonstrate good optical properties (e.g. a low refractive index) while maintaining good mechanical durability due to the presence of a high amount of binder and a close pore structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignees: Intermolecular, Inc., Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Nikhil D. Kalyankar, Zhi-Wen Sun, Jeroen Van Duren, Mark Lewis, Liang Liang
  • Patent number: 9105527
    Abstract: Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor deposition, metal-based patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Sang Lee, Minh Huu Le
  • Patent number: 9105526
    Abstract: Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) deposition, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Minh Huu Le, Sang Lee, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Publication number: 20150179683
    Abstract: Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) deposition, metal-based semiconductor (e.g. ZnOx, ZnSnOx, ZnInOx, or ZnGaOx) patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Minh Huu Le, Sang Lee, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Publication number: 20150179684
    Abstract: Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor deposition, metal-based patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, or source/drain patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Sang Lee, Minh Huu Le
  • Publication number: 20150179839
    Abstract: Solar cells and methods for forming a back contact layer for a solar cell are disclosed. The methods comprise depositing a first layer comprising a conductor on a substrate, depositing a second layer on the first layer, the second layer comprising between about 1 nm and about 25 nm of a metal chalcogenide, and forming a third layer operable as an absorber layer on the second layer. The absorber layer can comprise a photoactive semiconductor layer. In some embodiments, the absorber layer comprises a chalcogenide of copper-indium-gallium. In some embodiments, the absorber layer comprises a chalcogenide of copper-zinc-tin. In some embodiments, the absorber layer comprises CdTe. In some embodiments, the metal comprises Mo, W or Ta. In some embodiments, the metal comprises Mo. In some embodiments, the chalcogenide comprises S or Se or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Intermolecular Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Khaled Ahmed, Haifan Liang
  • Patent number: 9034690
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide methods for forming indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) devices. A substrate is provided. An IGZO layer is formed above the substrate. A copper-containing layer is formed above the IGZO layer. A wet etch process is performed on the copper-containing layer to form a source region and a drain region above the IGZO layer. The performing of the wet etch process on the copper-containing layer includes exposing the copper-containing layer to an etching solution including a peroxide compound and one of citric acid, formic acid, malonic acid, lactic acid, etidronic acid, phosphonic acid, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Sang Lee, Zhi-Wen Sun
  • Patent number: 9013021
    Abstract: Optical absorbers, solar cells comprising the absorbers, and methods for making the absorbers are disclosed. The optical absorber comprises a semiconductor layer having a bandgap of between about 1.0 eV and about 1.6 eV disposed on a substrate, wherein the semiconductor comprises two or more earth abundant elements. The bandgap of the optical absorber is graded through the thickness of the layer by partial substitution of at least one grading element from the same group in the periodic table as the at least one of the two or more earth abundant elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Haifan Liang
  • Patent number: 9012261
    Abstract: Methods for HPC techniques are applied to the processing of site-isolated regions (SIR) on a substrate to form at least a portion of a TFT device used in display applications. The processing may be applied to at least one of gate electrode deposition, gate electrode patterning, gate dielectric deposition, gate dielectric patterning, metal-based semiconductor material (e.g. IGZO) deposition, metal-based semiconductor material (e.g. IGZO) patterning, etch stop deposition, etch stop patterning, source/drain deposition, source/drain patterning, passivation deposition, or passivation patterning. The SIRs may be defined during the deposition process with uniform deposition within each SIR or the SIRs may be defined subsequent to the deposition of layers wherein the layers are deposited with a gradient in one or more properties across the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Sang Lee, Minh Huu Le, Sandeep Nijhawan, Teresa B. Sapirman
  • Patent number: 8980682
    Abstract: Methods of forming absorber layers in a TFPV device are provided. Methods are described to provide the formation of metal oxide films and heating the metal oxide films in the presence of a chalcogen to form a metal-oxygen-chalcogen alloy. Methods are described to provide the formation of metal oxide films, forming a layer of elemental chalcogen on the metal oxide film, and heating the stack to form a metal-oxygen-chalcogen alloy. In some embodiments, the metal oxide film includes zinc oxide and the chalcogen includes selenium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Haifan Liang, Jeroen Van Duren
  • Patent number: 8961814
    Abstract: Methods and formulations for the selective etching of etch stop layers deposited above metal-based semiconductor layers used in the manufacture of TFT-based display devices are presented. The formulations are based on an alkaline solution. Methods and formulations for the selective etching of molybdenum-based and/or copper-based source/drain electrode layers deposited above metal-based semiconductor layers used in the manufacture of TFT-based display devices are presented. The formulations are based on an alkaline solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeroen Van Duren, Zhi-Wen Wen Sun