University of Texas System

Atonometrics, Inc.

Other

Lawrence R Dunn

Sidlgata V Sreenivasan

Shrawan Singhal

Michael Gostein

Ovadia Abed

Stan Faullin

William Stueve

Paras Ajay

Michael Cullinan

Aseem Sayal

Mark McDermott

Vipul Goyal

Russell J Apfel

Ofodike A Ezekoye

Robert N Dunn

Jason Schneider

Naoum Gitnik

Various embodiments of the present technology generally relate to substrate planarization. More specifically, some embodiments of the present technology relate a versatile systems and methods for precision surface topography optimization known as planarization on nominally planar substrates. In some embodiments, a method for planarization of a patterned substrate using inkjets can determine the global and nanoscale topography and pattern information of the patterned substrate. Based upon the global and nanoscale topography and pattern information, a drop pattern can be determined and then dispensed on the patterned substrate. A gap between the patterned substrate and a superstrate causing the dispensed drops can be closed to form a substantially contiguous film. The substantially contiguous film can be cured and the superstrate can be separated from the patterned substrate with substantially contiguous film on the patterned substrate.

System and method for modification of substrates

A method for assembling heterogeneous components. The assembly process includes using a vacuum based pickup mechanism in conjunction with sub-nm precise moiré alignment techniques resulting in highly accurate, parallel assembly of feedstocks.

Heterogeneous integration of components onto compact devices using moiré based metrology and vacuum based pick-and-place

A method for fabricating patterns. An inverse optimization scheme is implemented to determine process parameters used to obtain a desired film thickness of a liquid resist formulation, where the liquid resist formulation includes a solvent and one or more non-solvent components. A substrate is covered with a substantially continuous film of the liquid resist formulation using one or more of the following techniques: dispensing discrete drops of a diluted monomer on the substrate using an inkjet and allowing the dispensed drops to spontaneously spread and merge, slot die coating and spin-coating. The liquid resist formulation is diluted in the solvent. The solvent is then substantially evaporated from the liquid resist formulation forming a film. A gap between a template and the substrate is then closed. The film is cured to polymerize the film and the substrate is separated from the template leaving the polymerized film on the substrate.

Wafer-scale programmable films for semiconductor planarization and for imprint lithography

A method for fabricating patterns on a flexible substrate in a roll-to-roll configuration. Drops of a monomer diluted in a solvent are dispensed on a substrate, where the drops spontaneously spread and merge with one another to form a liquid resist formulation. The solvent is evaporated (e.g., blanket evaporation) from the liquid resist formulation followed by selective multi-component resist film evaporation resulting in a non-uniform and substantially continuous film on the substrate. The gap between the film on the substrate and a template is closed such that the film fills the features of the template. After cross-linking the film to polymerize the film, the template is separated from the substrate thereby leaving the polymerized film on the substrate.

Roll-to-roll programmable film imprint lithography

A method for assembling heterogeneous components. The assembly process includes using a vacuum based pickup mechanism in conjunction with sub-nm precise more alignment techniques resulting in highly accurate, parallel assembly of feedstocks.

Heterogeneous integration of components onto compact devices using moire based metrology and vacuum based pick-and-place

A tandem wing aircraft having a fore wing, an aft wing, and a middle wing, attached relative to the aircraft and each other such that the middle wing provides a substantial portion of the total lift at landing speeds, and a minimal portion of the total lift at cruise speeds. At cruise speeds, induced drag is minimized, permitting higher speeds, greater fuel efficiency, and/or greater payload. Advantageously, the wing loading at cruise speeds is higher providing better passenger comfort while still providing controllability and safety at landing speeds.

Tandem wing aircraft with variable lift and enhanced safety

A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.

Soiling measurement system for photovoltaic arrays

An inkjet-based process for programmable deposition of thin films of a user-defined profile. Drops of a pre-cursor liquid organic material are dispensed at various locations on a substrate by a multi-jet. A superstrate is held in a roll-to-roll configuration such that a first contact of the drops is made by a front side of the superstrate thereby initiating a liquid front that spreads outward merging with the drops to form a contiguous film captured between the substrate and the superstrate. A non-equilibrium transient state of the superstrate, the contiguous film and the substrate then occurs after a duration of time. The contiguous film is then cured to crosslink it into a polymer. The superstrate is then separated from the polymer thereby leaving a polymer film on the substrate. In such a manner, non-uniform films can be formed without significant material wastage in an inexpensive manner.

Programmable deposition of thin films of a user-defined profile with nanometer scale accuracy

An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage ('I-V') relationships for both illuminated ('light I-V') and/or non-illuminated (&#x201c;dark I-V&#x201d;) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus. Finally, the apparatus may include a computer to provide a user interface, communicate with the controller to initiate measurements and record results, analyze resulting data to determine measured parameters, and/or store the measured data.

I-V measurement system for photovoltaic modules

A system for field measurement and calibration of photovoltaic reference devices, including a reference device electronics unit that measures the electrical output of a photovoltaic reference module and provides data to determine the solar irradiance received by the reference module as a function of its electrical output; and a calibrator unit that is used to routinely recalibrate the reference device electronics unit and the reference module, wherein the calibrator unit contains one or more calibrated photovoltaic reference cell(s).

System for field measurement and calibration of photovoltaic reference devices

An apparatus for exposing photovoltaic (PV) modules to simulated sunlight for testing purposes, comprising a chamber including a plurality of lamps disposed on a substantially vertical lamp plane, at least one substantially vertical target plane upon which are disposed one or more PV modules, at least one reflector for directing light from the lamps to the at least one target plane, and a cooling system to exhaust heat from the apparatus and maintain the temperature of the PV modules at a predetermined value.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Lawrence R Dunn