Patents by Inventor Tsun-Neng Yang

Tsun-Neng Yang 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: 8207013
    Abstract: A simplified method for fabricating a solar cell device is provided. The solar cell device has silicon nanowires (SiNW) grown on an upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon (Si) substrate. Processes of textured surface process and anti-reflection thin film process can be left out for further saving costs on equipment and manufacture investment. Thus, a low-cost Si-based solar cell device can be easily fabricated for wide application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Publication number: 20120070938
    Abstract: A simplified method for fabricating a solar cell device is provided. The solar cell device has silicon nanowires (SiNW) grown on an upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon (Si) substrate. Processes of textured surface process and anti-reflection thin film process can be left out for further saving costs on equipment and manufacture investment. Thus, a low-cost Si-based solar cell device can be easily fabricated for wide application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL-INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Patent number: 8053038
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a titanium-based compound film of a poly-silicon solar cell. In the method, a ceramic substrate is made of aluminum oxide. The ceramic substrate is coated with a titanium film in an e-gun evaporation system. Dichlorosilane is provided on the titanium film by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition. A titanium-based compound film is formed on the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 8021909
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a silicon quantum dot planar concentrating solar cell. At first, silicon nitride or silicon oxide mixed with silicon quantum dots is provided on a transparent substrate. By piling, there is formed a planar optical waveguide for concentrating sunlit into a small dot cast on a small solar cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council - Institute of Nuclear Research
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Publication number: 20110171773
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making a silicon quantum dot planar concentrating solar cell. At first, silicon nitride or silicon oxide mixed with silicon quantum dots is provided on a transparent substrate. By piling, there is formed a planar optical waveguide for concentrating sunlit into a small dot cast on a small solar cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL-INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventor: Tsun Neng Yang
  • Patent number: 7972942
    Abstract: Metal impurities of an upgraded metallurgical grade (UMG) silicon (Si) wafer are reduced. The UMG Si wafer having a 5N (99.999%) purity is chosen to grow a high-quality epitaxial Si thin film through atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD). Through heat treating diffusion, the epitaxial Si film is used to form sink positions for the metal impurities in the UMG Si wafer. By using concentration gradient, temperature gradient and interface defect, individual and comprehensive effects are built for enhancing purity of the UMG Si wafer from 5N to 6N. Thus, a low-cost Si wafer can be fabricated for Si-based solar cell through a simple, fast and effective method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Patent number: 7960292
    Abstract: A zinc oxide (ZnO) film is fabricated. Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is used to obtain the film with few defects, high integrity and low cost through an easy procedure. The ZnO film above a silicon substrate has a matching crystal orientation to the substrate. Thus, the ZnO film is fit for ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LED), solar cells and related laser devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Patent number: 7951638
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a textured surface on a solar cell. At first, there is provided a solar cell with a P-type layer and an N-type layer. Then, a silicon quantum dot-silicon nitride film is provided on the solar cell by chemical vapor deposition. Then, the silicon quantum dot-silicon nitride film is etched. In a first phase, the etching of the silicon nitride is faster than that of the silicon quantum dots so that the silicon quantum dots are exposed, thus forming a transient textured surface on the silicon quantum dot-silicon nitride film. In a second phase, the etching of the silicon nitride is slower than that of the silicon quantum dots so that some of the silicon quantum dots are removed, thus leaving cavities in the silicon quantum dot-silicon nitride film, i.e., forming a final textured surface on the silicon quantum dot-silicon nitride film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Research
    Inventor: Tsun Neng Yang
  • Patent number: 7915068
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making solar cells with sensitized quantum dots in the form of nanometer metal crystals. Firstly, a first substrate is provided. Then, a silicon-based film is grown on a side of the first substrate. A pattern mask process is executed to etch areas of the silicon-based film. Nanometer metal particles are provided on areas of the first substrate exposed from the silicon-based film. A metal electrode is attached to an opposite side of the first substrate. A second substrate is provided. A transparent conductive film is grown on the second substrate. A metal catalytic film is grown on the transparent conductive film. The second substrate, the transparent conductive film and the metal catalytic film together form a laminate. The laminate is inverted and provided on the first substrate. Finally, electrolyte is provided between the first substrate and the metal catalytic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council—Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Meng-Chu Chen, Shan-Ming Lan, Tsun-Neng Yang, Zhen-Yu Li, Yu-Han Su, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7896723
    Abstract: A silicon quantum dot fluorescent lamp is made via providing a high voltage source between a cathode assembly and an anode assembly. The cathode assembly is made by providing a first substrate, coating a buffer layer on the first substrate, coating a catalytic layer on the buffer layer and providing a plurality of nanometer discharging elements on the catalytic layer. The anode assembly is made via providing a second substrate, coating a silicon quantum dot fluorescent film on the second substrate with and coating a metal film on the silicon quantum dot fluorescent film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council - Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku
  • Patent number: 7892953
    Abstract: A method is disclosed to make a multi-crystalline silicon film of a solar cell. The method includes the step of providing a ceramic substrate, the step of providing a titanium-based film on the ceramic substrate, the step of providing a p+-type back surface field layer on the titanium-based film, the step of providing a p?-type light-soaking layer on the p+-type back surface field layer and the step of conducting n+-type diffusive deposition of phosphine on the p?-type light-soaking layer based on atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition, thus forming an n+-type emitter on the p?-type light-soaking layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7883387
    Abstract: In a method for making a pulsed high-voltage silicon quantum dot fluorescent lamp, an excitation source is made by providing a first substrate, coating the first substrate with a buffer layer of titanium, coating the buffer layer with a catalytic layer of a material selected from a group consisting of nickel, aluminum and platinum and providing a plurality of nanometer discharging elements one the catalytic layer. An emission source is made by providing a second substrate, coating the second substrate with a transparent electrode film of titanium nitride and coating the transparent electrode film with a silicon quantum dot fluorescent film comprising silicon quantum dots. A pulsed high-voltage source is provided between the excitation source and the emission source to generate a pulsed field-effect electric field to cause the nanometer discharging elements to release electrons and accelerate the electrons to excite the silicon quantum dots to emit pulsed visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku
  • Publication number: 20110027935
    Abstract: In a method for making a full-spectrum solar cell, there is provided an ordinary solar cell with an anti-reflection layer. The anti-reflection layer is coated with a film of silicon nitride and/or silicon oxide. The silicon/nitrogen ratio and/or the silicon/oxygen ratio and the temperature are regulated, thus forming a silicon-rich film via doping the anti-reflection layer with silicon from the film of silicon nitride and/or silicon oxide. The precipitation of the silicon in the silicon-rich film is executed based on a mechanism of phase separation, thus forming silicon quantum dots of various sizes in the anti-reflection layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng Yang
  • Publication number: 20110027931
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for making solar cells with sensitized quantum dots in the form of nanometer metal crystals. Firstly, a first substrate is provided. Then, a silicon-based film is grown on a side of the first substrate. A pattern mask process is executed to etch areas of the silicon-based film. Nanometer metal particles are provided on areas of the first substrate exposed from the silicon-based film. A metal electrode is attached to an opposite side of the first substrate. A second substrate is provided. A transparent conductive film is grown on the second substrate. A metal catalytic film is grown on the transparent conductive film. The second substrate, the transparent conductive film and the metal catalytic film together form a laminate. The laminate is inverted and provided on the first substrate. Finally, electrolyte is provided between the first substrate and the metal catalytic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Meng-Chu Chen, Shan-Ming Lan, Tsun-Neng Yang, Zhen-Yu Li, Yu-Han Su, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20110003425
    Abstract: Dichlorosilane and diborane are deposited on the titanium-based alloy film to grow a p+ type back surface field film. The temperature is raised to grow a p? type light-soaking film on the p+ type back surface field film. Phosphine is deposited on the p? type light-soaking film to form an n+ type emitter. Thus, an n+-p?-p+ laminate is provided on the titanium-based alloy film. SiCNO:Ar plasma is used to passivate the n+-p?-p+ laminate, thus forming an anti-reflection film of SiCN/SiO2 on the n+ type emitter. The n+-p?-p+ laminate is etched in a patterned mask process. A p? type ohmic contact is formed on the titanium-based alloy film. The anti-reflection film is etched in a patterned mask process. The n+ type emitter is coated with a titanium/palladium/silver alloy film that is annealed in hydrogen. An n? type ohmic contact is formed on the n+ type emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7863078
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an anti-reflection film of a solar cell. The method includes the step of providing a laminate. The laminate includes a ceramic substrate, a titanium-based compound film, a p+ type poly-silicon back surface field, a p? type poly-silicon light-soaking film and an n+ type poly-silicon emitter. The laminate is passivated with SiCNO:Ar plasma in a plasma-enhanced vapor deposition device, thus filling the dangling bonds of the silicon atoms at the surface of the n+ type poly-silicon emitter, the dangling bonds of the silicon grains at the grain boundaries of the p? type poly-silicon light-soaking film and the dangling bonds of the silicon atoms in the p+ type poly-silicon back surface field. Finally, the n+ type poly-silicon emitter is coated with an anti-reflection film of SiCN/SiO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7863080
    Abstract: Dichlorosilane and diborane are deposited on the titanium-based alloy film to grow a p+ type back surface field film. The temperature is raised to grow a p? type light-soaking film on the p+ type back surface field film. Phosphine is deposited on the p? type light-soaking film to form an n+ type emitter. Thus, an n+-p?-p+ laminate is provided on the titanium-based alloy film. SiCNO:Ar plasma is used to passivate the n+-p?-p+ laminate, thus forming an anti-reflection film of SiCN/SiO2 on the n+ type emitter. The n+-p?-p+ laminate is etched in a patterned mask process. A p? type ohmic contact is formed on the titanium-based alloy film. The anti-reflection film is etched in a patterned mask process. The n+ type emitter is coated with a titanium/palladium/silver alloy film that is annealed in hydrogen. An n? type ohmic contact is formed on the n+ type emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council-Institute of Nuclear Energy
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Patent number: 7851249
    Abstract: A method for making a tandem solar cell includes the steps of providing a ceramic substrate, providing a titanium-based layer on the ceramic substrate, providing an n+-p?-p+ laminate on the titanium-based layer, passivating the n+-p?-p+ laminate, providing an n-i-p laminate on the n+-p?-p+ laminate, providing a p-type ohmic contact, providing an n-type ohmic contact providing an anti-reflection layer of SiCN/SiO2 on the n-i-p laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Atomic Energy Council - Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20100291322
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for making a titanium-based compound film of a poly-silicon solar cell. In the method, a ceramic substrate is made of aluminum oxide. The ceramic substrate is coated with a titanium film in an e-gun evaporation system. Dichlorosilane is provided on the titanium film by atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition. A titanium-based compound film is formed on the ceramic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL - INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Tsun-Neng Yang, Shan-Ming Lan, Chin-Chen Chiang, Wei-Yang Ma, Chien-Te Ku, Yu-Hsiang Huang
  • Publication number: 20100279492
    Abstract: Upgraded metallurgical grade silicon (UMG-Si) is fabricated by a ‘green’ (environmental protected) external gettering procedure. Impurities concentration of the fabricated UMG-Si is reduced for 100 times than its source material. The UMG-Si obtained has a purity ratio reaching 4N to 6N. Thus, substrates made of the UMG-Si can be used in solar cells and related photoelectrical applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: ATOMIC ENERGY COUNCIL-INSTITUTE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventor: Tsun-Neng YANG