Patents by Inventor Martha Christina Lux-Steiner

Martha Christina Lux-Steiner 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: 8609516
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method for producing an N-type semiconductive metal sulfide thin film on a heated substrate includes converting an indium-containing precursor to at least one of a liquid phase and a gaseous phase. The indium-containing precursor is mixed with an inert carrier gas stream and hydrogen sulfide in a mixing zone so as to form a mixed precursor. A substrate is heated to a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 275° C. and the mixed precursor is directed onto the substrate. The hydrogen sulfide is supplied at a rate so as to obtain an absolute concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the mixing zone of no more than 1% by volume. The In-concentration of the indium containing precursor is selected so as to produce a compact indium sulfide film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Allsop, Christian-Herbert Fischer, Sophie Gledhill, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Patent number: 8334154
    Abstract: A method for producing quantum dots embedded in a matrix on a substrate includes the steps of: depositing a precursor on the substrate, the precursor including at least one first metal or a metal compound; contacting the deposited precursor and uncovered areas of the substrate with a gas-phase reagent including at least one second metal and/or a chalcogen; and initiating a chemical reaction between the precursor and the reagent by raising a temperature thereof simultaneously with or subsequent to the contacting so that the matrix consists exclusively of elements of the reagent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: David Fuertes Marón, Sebastian Lehmann, Sascha Sadewasser, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Patent number: 8158204
    Abstract: For making ceramic or oxidic layers (CL/OL) on substrates (S), the method according to the invention therefore provides that following application (I) and drying (II) of a suitable precursor (P) the formed precursor layer (PLD) is gassed (III) with a moist reactant gas (RG) for conversion into a corresponding hydroxide or complex layer (HL) and then thermally treated (IV) for forming a ceramic or oxidic layer (CL/OL). For the alternative production of other chalcogenidic layers of increased material conversion additional gassing is carried out with a reactant gas containing chalcogen hydrogen. Metallic layers may alternatively be made by use of a reducing reactant gas. The methods in accordance with the invention may be used wherever surfaces, even those of shaded structures, must be protected or modified or provided with functional layers, particularly in solar and materials technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Christian-Herbert Fischer, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner, Hans-Juergen Baecker
  • Patent number: 8143145
    Abstract: A method of producing, at atmospheric pressure, an n-type semiconductive indium sulfide thin film on a substrate using an indium-containing precursor, hydrogen sulfide as a reactive gaseous precursor, and an inert carrier gas stream includes cyclically repeating first and second steps so as to produce an indium sulfide thin film of a desired thickness. The first method phase includes converting the indium-containing precursor to at least one of a dissolved and a gaseous phase, heating the substrate to a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 275° C., directing the indium containing precursor onto the substrate and supplying hydrogen sulfide to the indium-containing precursor in a mixing zone in an amount so as to provide an absolute concentration of hydrogen sulfide that is greater than zero and no greater than 1% by volume. The indium concentration of the indium-containing precursor is set so as to produce a compact In(OHx,Xy,Sz)3 film, where X=halide and x+y+2z=1 with z?0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Allsop, Christian-Herbert Fischer, Sophie Gledhill, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20110163308
    Abstract: An array of vertical light-emitting diodes includes a flexible substrate-free array of vertical light-emitting diodes having a flexible polymer film forming an insulating organic layer, and a plurality of nanowires embedded in the flexible polymer film. Each of the nanowires is formed by a first and second inorganic semiconductor material or by a first organic and the first inorganic semiconductor material disposed in a respective channel in the flexible polymer film so as to form a pn-hetero-junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner, Christoph Aichele
  • Publication number: 20110104876
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition method for producing an N-type semiconductive metal sulfide thin film on a heated substrate includes converting an indium-containing precursor to at least one of a liquid phase and a gaseous phase. The indium-containing precursor is mixed with an inert carrier gas stream and hydrogen sulfide in a mixing zone so as to form a mixed precursor. A substrate is heated to a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 275° C. and the mixed precursor is directed onto the substrate. The hydrogen sulfide is supplied at a rate so as to obtain an absolute concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the mixing zone of no more than 1% by volume. The In-concentration of the indium containing precursor is selected so as to produce a compact indium sulfide film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Allsop, Christian-Herbert Fischer, Sophie Gledhill, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20110081734
    Abstract: A method of producing, at atmospheric pressure, an n-type semiconductive indium sulfide thin film on a substrate using an indium-containing precursor, hydrogen sulfide as a reactive gaseous precursor, and an inert carrier gas stream includes cyclically repeating first and second steps so as to produce an indium sulfide thin film of a desired thickness. The first method phase includes converting the indium-containing precursor to at least one of a dissolved and a gaseous phase, heating the substrate to a temperature in a range of 100° C. to 275° C., directing the indium containing precursor onto the substrate and supplying hydrogen sulfide to the indium-containing precursor in a mixing zone in an amount so as to provide an absolute concentration of hydrogen sulfide that is greater than zero and no greater than 1% by volume. The indium concentration of the indium-containing precursor is set so as to produce a compact In(OHx,Xy,Sz)3 film, where X=halide and x+y+2z=1 with z?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Nicholas Allsop, Christian-Herbert Fischer, Sophie Gledhill, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20110048956
    Abstract: The problem addressed by the invention is that of improving on an electrodeposition method for the production of nanostructured ZnO in such a manner that this method enables the production of nanostructured ZnO with a high internal quantum efficiency (IQE) without additional tempering steps. According to the invention, the electrodeposition method use an aqueous solution of a Zn salt, for example Zn(NO3)2, and a doping agent, for example HNO3 or NH4NO3. ZnO nanotubes produced in this way show an intense emission band edge in the UV range and only a weak emission in the range from 450 to 700 nm in the photoluminescence spectrum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM BERLIN FÜR MATERIALIEN UND ENERG
    Inventors: Jie Chen, Lorenz Ae, Christian-Herbert Fischer, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20100108986
    Abstract: A method for producing quantum dots embedded in a matrix on a substrate includes the steps of: depositing a precursor on the substrate, the precursor including at least one first metal or a metal compound; contacting the deposited precursor and uncovered areas of the substrate with a gas-phase reagent including at least one second metal and/or a chalcogen; and initiating a chemical reaction between the precursor and the reagent by raising a temperature thereof simultaneously with or subsequent to the contacting so that the matrix consists exclusively of elements of the reagent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM BERLIN FUER MATERIALIEN UND ENERGIE GMBH
    Inventors: David Fuertes Maron, Sebastian Lehmann, Sascha Sadewasser, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Patent number: 7704863
    Abstract: Chemical bath deposition (CBD) has proved top be the most favorable method for application of a buffer layer to semiconductor substrates, for example, chalcopyrite thin-film solar cells, whereby previously cadmium sulphide (CdS) was deposited and as cadmium is a highly toxic heavy metal, alternatives have been required. According to the invention, the semiconductor substrate is dipped in a solution for approximately 10 minutes, produced by the dissolution of zinc sulphate (0.05-0.5 mol/l) and thiourea (0.2 to 1.5 mol/l) in distilled water at a temperature being held essentially constant throughout said period. For the first time, the ZnS layer permits comparable or higher efficiencies than conventionally only achieved with toxic cadmium compounds. The method is hence much more environmentally-friendly with the same result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventors: Ahmed Ennaoui, Timo Kropp, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20080274577
    Abstract: A chemical bath deposition method of depositing on a semiconductor substrate a layer of zinc sulfide by dipping the semiconductor substrate into an aqueous solution of zinc sulfate and thiourea and ammonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Ahmed Ennaoui, Timo Kropp, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Patent number: 7019207
    Abstract: Known methods of producing large-surface integrated thin-film solar modules with an amorphous, poly- or microcrystalline absorber layer always comprise division and conversion structuring processes which can cause instabilities in the structuring and which are relatively expensive. According to the inventive method which can be used to fabricate substrate solar cells and superstrate solar cells, the mask which is used provides for structuring itself during the deposition of layers for the rear electrode and the absorber layer through its geometrical form. The use of a mask which can be reused as an independent element after use in this method allows for a relatively free range of possible geometric forms. This also makes possible applications inside and outside of buildings, including in the area of a window, from an esthetic and informal point of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hahn-Meitner-Institut Berlin GmbH.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harneit, Arnulf Jaeger-Waldau, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner
  • Publication number: 20030121542
    Abstract: Known methods of producing large-surface integrated thin-film solar modules with an amorphous, poly- or microcrystalline absorber layer always comprise division and conversion structuring processes which can cause instabilities in the structuring and which are relatively expensive. According to the inventive method which can be used to fabricate substrate solar cells (116) and superstrate solar cells, the mask (100) which is used provides for structuring itself during the deposition of layers for the rear electrode (106) and the absorber layer (11) through its geometrical form. The use of a mask (110) which can be reused as an independent element after use in this method allows for a relatively free range of possible geometric forms. This also makes possible applications inside and outside of buildings, including in the area of a window, from an esthetic and informal point of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Wolfgang Harneit, Arnulf Jaeger-Waldau, Martha Christina Lux-Steiner