Abstract: A method for the remote optimization of a task lamp that provides a practitioner the ability to alter task lamp lighting to suit a particular user in that user's environment without requiring the practitioner to be present in the same location. To effect such a method the practitioner and the user may be connected remotely, preferably via a video call, and the practitioner may be able to remotely control a task lamp set up by the user at their own location. The task lamp may be wirelessly connected to the practitioner via built-in hardware and a proprietary software, or may be wirelessly connected to the user via built-in hardware and a proprietary software that is connected to the practitioner's proprietary software. The task lamp may also be adjusted by the user independently. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.

Abstract: A variable hue task lamp with novel hue selection component is disclosed herein. The color and intensity of a task lamp is adjusted using a wireless connection from a device such as a smart phone, tablet, or computing device based upon an optimization method using a sample text or scene. The user first optimizes hue by adjusting the background color of the sample text or picture on the device. The optimum hue is then communicated to the task light, which sets light emitting diode intensities to match the optimum choice. Presets further localize choices in color space, and a comparison to white verifies the benefits of the chosen hue.

Abstract: A variable hue task lamp with novel hue selection component is disclosed herein. The color and intensity of a task lamp is adjusted using a wireless connection from a device such as a smart phone, tablet, or computing device based upon an optimization method using a sample text or scene. The user first optimizes hue by adjusting the background color of the sample text or picture on the device. The optimum hue is then communicated to the task light, which sets light emitting diode intensities to match the optimum choice. Presets further localize choices in color space, and a comparison to white verifies the benefits of the chosen hue.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring eye blink mechanics is disclosed herein. One or more sensors mounted on an eyeglass frame may record blink mechanics over an extended period of time, typically longer than can be observed by a doctor during the course of a clinical examination, using camera imaging or infrared reflection. The system and method for monitoring eye blink mechanics provides a simultaneous record of blink rate and drying of the tear film, and may also monitor completeness of the individual blink process. Recorded data may be downloaded to a data processing system for analysis, the results of which are used to indicate treatment for DES, DBM, and other blink related pathologies. The system may also provide treatment through feedback based on real-time measurements by training the patient to correct dysfunctional blink mechanics as they are occurring.

Abstract: A non-disposable, protective surgical floor mat system that is made of a bodily fluid-impervious material, has raised borders, and drainage slots adapted to contain spillage of surgical fluids, and incorporates a disposable suction device that is adapted to drain, permit suction of or otherwise permit removal of the contained fluids while the surgical procedure is being performed or afterward.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. The back surface includes a doped region, the doped region having the same conductivity as the substrate but with a higher doping level. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Front junction isolation is accomplished using a laser scribe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing a buried insulator isolation for solar cell contacts. According to certain aspects, the invention places a buried oxide under the emitter of a polysilicon emitter solar cell. The oxide provides an excellent passivation layer over most of the surface. Holes in the oxide provide contact areas, increasing the current density to enhance efficiency. The oxide isolates the contacts from the substrate, achieving the advantage of a selective emitter structure without requiring deep diffusions. The oxide further enables use of screen printing on advanced shallow emitter cells. Positioning of the grid lines close to the openings also enables use of a very thin emitter to maximize blue response.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. After removing the PSG, assuming phosphorous diffusion, and isolating the front junction, dielectric layers are deposited on the front and back surfaces. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Prior to depositing the back surface dielectric, a metal grid may be applied to the back surface, the back surface contact grid registered to, and alloyed to, the metal grid during contact firing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electrical contacts in a semiconductor device, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses for providing point contacts in a polysilicon emitter or HIT type solar cell. According to certain aspects, the invention uses a dielectric layer interposed between the substrate and a conductive layer to provide a limited area over which junction current can flow. The benefit is that the metal grid conductors do not need to align to the contacts, and can be applied freely without registration. Another benefit of the invention is that it provides increased efficiency for poly emitter and HIT cells through use of point contacts to increase current density. A further benefit is that patterning can be accomplished using low cost methods such as inclusion masking, screen printing or laser ablation. A still further benefit is that final contacts do not need alignment to the point contacts, eliminating registration required for conventional point contact designs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a high efficiency solar cell using a novel plasma oxidation process to form a passivation film stack on a surface of a solar cell substrate. In one embodiment, the methods include providing a substrate having a first type of doping atom on a back surface of the substrate and a second type of doping atom on a front surface of the substrate, plasma oxidizing the back surface of the substrate to form an oxidation layer thereon, and forming a silicon nitride layer on the oxidation layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of a high efficiency solar cell using a novel plasma oxidation process to form a passivation film stack on a surface of a solar cell substrate. In one embodiment, the methods include providing a substrate having a first type of doping atom on a back surface of the substrate and a second type of doping atom on a front surface of the substrate, plasma oxidizing the back surface of the substrate to form an oxidation layer thereon, and forming a silicon nitride layer on the oxidation layer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate the formation of high efficiency solar cells and novel methods for forming the same. Embodiment of the invention can be used to form a solar cell that has doped regions that act as a back surface field. The methods and apparatus disclosed herein may include the use of a doping source, a rapid annealer and a slow annealer. One embodiment of the methods used to form an improved emitter structure include disposing an amount of a dopant atom in a substrate and performing two or more thermal processing steps to cause the dopant to diffuse deeper into the substrate to achieve a desirable multi-facet doping profile.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell is provided. One surface of a semiconductor substrate is doped with a n-type dopant. The substrate is then subjected to a thermal oxidation process to form an oxide layer on one or both surfaces of the substrate. The thermal process also diffuses the dopant into the substrate, smoothing the concentration profile. The smoothed concentration gradient enables the oxide layer to act as a passivating layer. Anti-reflective coatings may be applied over the oxide layers, and a reflective layer may be applied on the surface opposite the doped surface to complete the solar cell.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. After removing the PSG, assuming phosphorous diffusion, and isolating the front junction, dielectric layers are deposited on the front and back surfaces. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Prior to depositing the back surface dielectric, a metal grid may be applied to the back surface, the back surface contact grid registered to, and alloyed to, the metal grid during contact firing.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes an active region located on the front surface of the substrate, formed for example by a phosphorous diffusion step. The back surface includes a doped region, the doped region having the same conductivity as the substrate but with a higher doping level. Contact grids are formed, for example by screen printing. Front junction isolation is accomplished using a laser scribe.

Abstract: A simplified manufacturing process and the resultant bifacial solar cell (BSC) are provided, the simplified manufacturing process reducing manufacturing costs. The BSC includes a back surface contact grid and an overlaid blanket metal reflector. A doped amorphous silicon layer is interposed between the contact grid and the blanket layer.

Abstract: A method for forming front contacts on a silicon solar cell which includes texture etching the front surface of the solar cell, forming an antireflective layer over the face, diffusing a doping material into the face to form a heavily doped region in valleys formed during the texture-etching of the face, depositing an electrically conductive material on the heavily doped regions in the valleys and annealing the solar cell.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally contemplate methods for treating a semiconductor solar cell substrate to reduce the number of undesirable material defects or interface state traps on the surface or within the substrate. These defects can adversely affect the efficiency of the solar cell because electron-hole pairs tend to recombine with the defects and are essentially lost without generating any useful electrical current. In one aspect, a method of forming a solar cell on a semiconductor substrate is provided, comprising doping a front surface of the substrate, applying a passivating layer to the front surface and/or a back surface of the substrate, and annealing the substrate to reduce the interface state trap density (Dit).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention contemplate high efficiency emitters in solar cells and novel methods for forming the same. One embodiment of the improved emitter structure, called a high-low type emitter, optimizes the solar cell performance by equally providing low contact resistance to minimize ohmic losses and isolation of the high surface recombination metal-semiconductor interface from the junction to maximize cell voltage. Another embodiment, called an alternating doping type emitter, provides regions of alternating doping type for use with point contacts in the back-contact solar cells. One embodiment of the methods includes depositing and patterning a doped or undoped dielectric layer on a surface of a substrate, implanting a fast-diffusing dopant and/or a slow-diffusing dopant into the substrate either simultaneously or sequentially, and annealing the substrate to drive in the dopants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing substrates are provided. In one embodiment, a susceptor for an apparatus for processing a substrate includes a plurality of segments aligned to form a substrate support surface, each segment having one or more flat surfaces for supporting the substrate, and an opening that extends along an axis of rotation. The susceptor also includes a plurality of rotatable shafts, each shaft positioned in the opening of one of the segments. The method of processing a batch of substrates includes transferring at least one substrate in the batch into a processing chamber and onto a susceptor, processing the at least one substrate within the chamber, transferring the at least one substrate out of the processing chamber, and removing debris from the substrate support surface by rotating the segments to dump any debris on the substrate support surface onto a chamber floor where it will remain during further processing.