Re: printers for high resolution transparency photomasks

Hi Mikael --

Yes, it would be handy to have one of these -- though cost of ownership can be high compared to the low price and quick turnaround of ordering from a service.  They are usually described as film plotters or laser plotters for PCB's.  You'll want the kind that can print on mylar, probably at least 16,000 DPI to be able to define decent line edges for 10 micron structures.  One service listed on the SNF website provides up to 40,000 dpi, though 20,000 seems more common.  One more thing to consider is that the print drum size makes a difference -- your typical desktop laser printer has a small diameter drum that the paper/transparency is wrapped around which means that the image is slightly elongated along one axis.  So, you'd have to compensate or layout all your masks in one direction.  Or, as I learned recently from Bill Martin (our Compugraphics and Infinite Graphics contact and mask expert - Bill@Martinphotomask.com) there are fancy flat bed imagers which don't have this bias.  If you search on terms like laser photoplotter or film plotters for the PCB industry, there should be a lot of manufacturers.

M

On 4/30/2011 12:04 PM, Mikael Evander wrote:

Hi.

Does anyone know what kind of printers the companies that offer high resolution transparency photomasks use? I'm not talking about a really good office printer but the professional stuff. I've seen masks with features down to 10 um that looks really nice but I have no idea how expensive those printing systems are and if it is something that would be possible to acquire for a lab. 

thanks and best regards

Mikael

Re: printers for high resolution transparency photomasks

I used to use this company when working in Boston:

http://www.pageworks.com/transparencymasks.html

-Ed

Edward Barnard

Dept. of Mat. Sci. and Eng.

Stanford University

(650) 796-9301

http://brongersma.stanford.edu/

On Apr 30, 2011, at 12:04 PM, Mikael Evander wrote:

Hi.

Does anyone know what kind of printers the companies that offer high resolution transparency photomasks use? I'm not talking about a really good office printer but the professional stuff. I've seen masks with features down to 10 um that looks really nice but I have no idea how expensive those printing systems are and if it is something that would be possible to acquire for a lab. 

thanks and best regards

Mikael

printers for high resolution transparency photomasks

Hi.

Does anyone know what kind of printers the companies that offer high resolution transparency photomasks use? I'm not talking about a really good office printer but the professional stuff. I've seen masks with features down to 10 um that looks really nice but I have no idea how expensive those printing systems are and if it is something that would be possible to acquire for a lab. 

thanks and best regards

Mikael

Lost cell phone update ...

SNF Lab Members:

In case you have lost the cell phone near the ASML that Maureen just
described, I now have it. While I won't be available all weekend, I
will be in on and off over the weekend so there is a greater likelihood
of reuniting you and your phone before Monday.

I know how difficult it would be for you smart phone aficionados to do
without your device for any length of time ...

Describe the phone and the case and I'll do my best to reunite you with it.

Have a good weekend,

John

Cell Phone Found in the ASML Area

Dear Lab Members,

 

A concerned lab member found a phone by the ASML area.  It has a very distinct case.  Unfortunately, I am leaving in 4 minutes if it’s yours come by now.  If you are not here by five I will lock it up for the week-end.

 

Maureen

 

 

Maureen Baran

Stanford Nanofabrication Facility

Lab Services Administrator

mbaran@stanford.edu

650-725-3664

 

Anyone missing a Dell device?

Hello!

A concerned individual just turned in a Dell device which was left near
or on the couch outside my office (Allen 136). Please come and claim
it. Send me an email or call me at X3-9980.

Thanks,
Mary

--
Mary X. Tang, Ph.D.
Stanford Nanofabrication Facility
Paul G. Allen Room 136, Mail Code 4070
Stanford, CA 94305
(650)723-9980
mtang@stanford.edu
http://snf.stanford.edu

Vendor Presentation: Latest laser dicing technologies, Wed. 2 pm

Dear labmembers:

At the invitation of one of your fellow labmembers, representatives from Disco Hi-Tec will be here Wednesday, April 27 at 2 pm for a technical presentation about advances in laser dicing.  This will be in the Allen 101/Linvill conference room.  Here is a description of the presentation:

With recent advances in cutting, grinding, and polishing processes beyond abrasives, there is a great deal of enabling technologies suited to next generation products. Examples include Stealth Dicing, a completely dry, nearly particle free, high edge quality process using laser to singulate sensitive devices such as MEMS. Additionally, the drive for ultra thin wafers has produced several thinning and stress relief methods resulting in die thinner than 25um. This presentation will provide an overview of several new processes geared towards the unique requirements of cutting edge technologies.


All are welcome.

Your SNF Staff

Re: OK to re-enter the lab

labmembers,

the smell originated from a burned coil/circuit in the sts pecvd (just down the row from the savannah ald).  the savannah is being released for use, but the pump on the savannah will be sent out for cleaning in the near future.  please continue to be aware of any odors or out of the ordinary changes in the lab environment and alert your fellow labmembers when you feel something (anything) is amiss.  for safety, you should lean toward the side of caution always.  

thank you,

J and your snf staff

On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 1:29 PM, Mary Tang <mtang@stanford.edu> wrote:

Dear labmembers --

Thanks for your patience.  There was an odor reported in the lab around 12:20 pm today.  This appears to be isolated to the Savannah ALD area and is under investigation. It is OK to re-enter the lab, but please respect the area that is taped off.

Your SNF Staff and J

OK to re-enter the lab

Dear labmembers --

Thanks for your patience. There was an odor reported in the lab around 12:20 pm today. This appears to be isolated to the Savannah ALD area and is under investigation. It is OK to re-enter the lab, but please respect the area that is taped off.

Your SNF Staff and J

Re: Problem p5000etch SNF 2011-04-26 10:45:12: Ch.A helium leak rate errors

Vented chamber and changed the large lip seal.
Checked and verified backside he leak at .8sccm.

Problem p5000etch SNF 2011-04-26 10:45:12: Ch.A helium leak rate errors

Running process in Ch.A but getting helium leak rate errors over and over again even on blank wafers. Leak rate is hovering around 6sccm which appears to be the alarm limit. Restarting the recipe step usually gives a result just under 6sccm (sometimes after a few tries) so it is possible to get wafers through.

Special Seminar - Dr. Corsin Battaglia (EPFL), Tuesday May 03, 2:15PM, Astrophysics 102/103

Special Seminar Presented by the Stanford Optical Society

 

 Light trapping for high-efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells

Dr. Corsin Battaglia

Institute of Microengineering, EPFL

Tuesday, May 03, 2:15 PM, Astrophysics 102/103

Refreshments at 2PM

 

Thin-film silicon solar cells have been identified as one of the most promising technologies to render photovoltaics, the conversion of sunlight to electricity, economically competitive with fossil-fuel technologies, as they are based on abundant, non-toxic materials and low-temperature processes. Advanced light trapping concepts are crucial to realize high-efficiency thin-film silicon solar cells, as the absorption coefficient of silicon is small in the near-infrared region. With properly engineered photonic nanostructures, sunlight can be trapped within the thin absorbing silicon layers, thereby enhancing light absorption and thus conversion efficiencies.

We present here the latest research developments in single-junction amorphous and tandem micromorph (amorphous/microcrystalline) silicon solar cells in our laboratory. Recently developed nanocrystalline silicon oxide layers [1, 2], deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition, enable the integration of photonic nanostructures until now considered too aggressive to maintain acceptable electrical cell performance. In combination with the optimized random pyramidal morphology of transparent conductive zinc oxide films, grown by chemical vapor deposition, outstanding light trapping capabilities are demonstrated [3] which have lead to several certified world record conversion efficiencies [4, 5]. To implement arbitrarily designed surface morphologies directly into functional cells, we recently fabricated transparent nanotextured front electrodes by ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography [6] and demonstrated cell efficiencies as high as for state-of-the-art zinc oxide electrodes [7]. We further present an innovative new method [8] allowing one to impose an arbitrary surface morphology onto transparent conductive zinc oxide films providing a versatile experimental platform in the quest to find the most efficient light harvesting scheme.

About the speaker

Corsin BATTAGLIA obtained his PhD in physics from the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland in 2008 for his work on the structural and electronic properties of self-assembled nanostructures on silicon surfaces. He also worked at Hitachi, Japan and at the Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland. In 2009, he joined EPFL's PV-Lab, Switzerland as a postdoc and project leader where he works on advanced light management concepts for thin-film silicon solar cells ranging from the development of new substrates and electrode materials to the fabrication and characterization of complete cells.

 

[1] M. Despeisse et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. (2010)

[2] P. Cuony et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. (2010)

[3] M. Despeisse et al, Phys. Stat. Solidi a (2011)

[4] S. Benagli et al, Proc. 24th European Photovoltaic Energy Conference, Hamburg (2009)

[5] J. Bailat et al, Proc. 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, Valencia (2010)

[6] C. Battaglia et al, Appl. Phys. Lett. (2010)

[7] C. Battaglia et al, Nano Letters (2011)

[8] C. Battaglia et al, submitted (2011)

 

http://photons.stanford.edu

111 Si wafers

Hi Labmembers,

Does anyone have 111 Si wafers that can borrow?

I will be able to replace and compensate for the immediate use of 111 Si wafers the following week.  My current shipment is late and any available 111 Si wafers I could use next week would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

_________________________

Tracy Fung

PhD Oral Examination: Ching-Mei Hsu (Thursday, May 5th, 10:00am)

Photon Management for a-Si:H Solar Cells Using Periodic Nanostructures

Ching-Mei Hsu

 

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Advisor: Prof. Yi Cui

Thursday May 5^th 2011, 10:00 am (Refreshments at 9:45 am) 

Location: Paul G. Allen Auditorium (CIS-X 101)

http://cis.stanford.edu/misc/directions.html 

 

Solar technology is a leading candidate for clean energy production. Silicon is an excellent material for photovoltaic (PV) applications due to its low toxicity, abundance, long term stability, and well developed processing technologies. Crystalline Si solar cells currently dominate the photovoltaic market despite requiring more material and more energy-intensive manufacturing processes than their thin-film counterparts. Thin-film silicon, e.g. amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), provides the advantage of decreasing material costs over crystalline silicon. Because the material is amorphous, there are many defects, which results in a small minority carrier diffusion length. Thus, a thinner absorber is required. However, thinner absorber layers do not absorb light effectively, resulting in poor cell performance. If the active material could be made to absorb all of the light in a film with a thickness approximately equal to the minority carrier diffusion length, the open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor (FF) of the device would be greater than those of a thicker cell.

My research is comprised of three parts: (1) developing a nanostructure fabrication process, (2) designing device geometries for alternative light trapping strategies in both substrate and superstrate configurations, and (3) investigating the effects of nanostructures' morphologies on the optical and electrical properties of devices. In contrast to the use of randomized surface texturing to improve the coupling of light into the active material, we employed periodic nanostructures to couple incident light into guided modes that propagate in the plane of the absorber. This approach can significantly increase the optical path length inside a thin absorber layer. To achieve this goal, I first developed a nanostructure fabrication process by combining self-assembly and reactive ion etching. We then employ these as-made nanostructures in a-Si:H solar cells. The periodic-nanostructure devices show an enhanced absorption and photocurrent generation in comparison with planar cells. We used FTDT studies to confirm that the increased photocurrent was indeed caused by enhanced absorption.  We also systematically studied the effects of morphological parameters on light-trapping efficiency and electrical characteristics of the device. With my optical and electrical findings, we have achieved efficiencies up to 9.7% for devices with substrate configurations and 10.2 % for devices with superstrate configurations.      

-- 

Ching-Mei Hsu

PhD Candidate
Stanford University
Materials Science and Engineering
476 Lomita Mall, McCullough Bld. Rm 217
Stanford, CA 94305
email: chingmei@stanford.edu ;

          chingmei1219@gmail.com

 

Venture Clinic - Today, 4 pm, Allen 101

Hi all --

Just a reminder the Venture clinic is on in a few minutes --

***********************************************************

Dear labmembers --

Another Venture Clinic for anyone interested in learning about the
venture business. Gavin McCraley from Morrison& Foerster will review
"considerations in forming and organizing a new business venture, with a
view to founding an organization that plans to seek venture and other
invesment capital" while Shahin Farschi from Lux Capital will "spend a
few moments familiarizing the group with the process be which VC firms
evaluate new investments." And there will be opportunity for lots of Q&A.

The Venture clinic is this Thursday, 4/21 at 4 pm in the Allen 101
conference room and open to all.

Contact info for the discussion leaders are:

Shahin Farshchi, Ph.D.

http://www.luxcapital.com <http://www.luxcapital.com/>

C: 925.323.2784

and

Gavin McCraley
Morrison& Foerster LLP
Direct: 650-813-4105
gmccraley@mofo.com

Fwd: FW: Stanford Nanoprobes Workshop! - May 13, 2011

SNF Lab Members:

A second reminder about the Center for Probing the Nanoscale (CPN) 7th Annual Workshop ...

John

From: goldhabergordon@gmail.com [mailto:goldhabergordon@gmail.com] On Behalf Of David Goldhaber-Gordon
Sent: Monday, April 04, 2011 1:24 PM
To: labmembers@snf.stanford.edu
Subject: Stanford Nanoprobes Workshop! - May 13, 2011

 

April 4, 2011 – SECOND NOTICE - Please forward to others who might be interested. We have a great set of speakers lined up.

 
Stanford University’s Center for Probing the Nanoscale (CPN) 7th Annual Workshop
Friday, May 13, 2011
8:30-6, with continental breakfast and lunch included.
Poster session from 4-6, with hors d'oeuvres served.
Registration (Students and Postdocs are FREE)

Location:
Huang Engineering Center
McKenzie Room 300, 475 Via Ortega, Stanford University

-----------------------------------------------------------------
David Goldhaber-Gordon                            goldhaber-gordon@stanford.edu
Associate Professor of Physics                  davidg@post.harvard.edu
and Deputy Director,                                 (permanent forwarding)
Center for Probing the Nanoscale                             
Stanford University                                    www.stanford.edu/group/cpn/
(650) 725-2047 (lab) (650) 724-3709 (office)

Address for letters or packages:                      Administrative Associate:
David Goldhaber-Gordon                                 Roberta Edwards
Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials       McCullough, Rm. 338
McCullough Building, Room 346                      Phone: (650) 723-8028
476 Lomita Mall                                             Fax: (650) 724-3681
Stanford, CA 94305-4045                                email: redward@stanford.edu

Re: Shutdown p5000etch SNF 2011-04-20 14:34:09: Robot extention not known Error.

EE homed the robot

Shutdown p5000etch SNF 2011-04-20 14:34:09: Robot extention not known Error.

missing package containing processed wafers

Hello labmates,

On March 4th a package was delivered to Allen by UPS containing a few wafers concerning a collaboration between UT Austin and Stanford was left in the cubicles near the SNF process staff offices.  This package has disappeared, and I hope one of you might have seen it or perhaps even picked it up on accident or to safeguard it.  If there is any chance you know the whereabouts of this box and the contained wafers it is of the highest urgency that they be found and returned to Prof. Pease or myself as soon as possible.  Any information would be appreciated, I have already checked with David and Marie from receiving and am certain the package made it to the cubicles.

You can find me via email, in the lab, phone 650-644-9403, or in my office Allen 127x.

j

Venture Clinic, Thursday, 4/21 4 pm

Dear labmembers --

Another Venture Clinic for anyone interested in learning about the venture business.  Gavin McCraley from Morrison & Foerster will review "considerations in forming and organizing a new business venture, with a view to founding an organization that plans to seek venture and other invesment capital" while Shahin Farschi from Lux Capital will "spend a few moments familiarizing the group with the process be which VC firms evaluate new investments."  And there will be opportunity for lots of Q&A.

The Venture clinic is this Thursday, 4/21 at 4 pm in the Allen 101 conference room and open to all.

Contact info for the discussion leaders are:

Shahin Farshchi, Ph.D.

http://www.luxcapital.com

C: 925.323.2784

and

Gavin McCraley
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Direct:  650-813-4105
gmccraley@mofo.com

PhD Oral Exam, Joong Sun Park, Wed, April 20th, 2011, 2:00 pm, CIS auditorium

Stanford University Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Title: "Nano Electrochemistry in Energy Conversion Devices"

Joong Sun Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor:  Prof. Fritz B. Prinz

Date:  Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm (Refreshments at 1:45pm)
Location: CISX 101X (Auditorium)
http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-055

Abstract:

The overall efficiency of energy conversion devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and biological cells is often limited by charge transfer reactions at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Because interfaces are the site of nearly all chemical (and electrochemical) reactions, understanding and improving their characteristics and structures can lead to significant reductions in both catalytic and interfacial losses. To this end, nano electrochemistry may offer us ways to understand details of charge transfer reaction at nanoscale resolution and open opportunities to engineer the interface with better kinetics. This talk presents in three parts the results of three studies aimed at lowering the electrochemical reaction losses in both ceramic fuel cells and biological systems.

The first part of talk discusses a study of oxide ion incorporation and transport at the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). SOFCs are an attractive clean energy technology because of the low to zero emissions from their operation and their potentially high efficiency. For wider applications, it is desirable to lower the operation temperature of SOFCs, but this causes significant increase of interfacial loss due to sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode. In this study, I demonstrated both spectroscpic (AC impedance spectroscopy) and spectrometric (Nano secondary ion mass spectrometry) evidence that oxygen incorporation from the cathode into the electrolyte is significantly enhanced at grain boundaries of the electrolyte.

The second part of the talk discusses a study focused on proton transport in proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells. Acceptor-doped perovskites have attracted recent attention as potential electrolyte materials for the next generation protonic devices, including fuel cells, because of their high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures. The chemical instability of most of proton-conducting ceramics in acidic gas environments such as carbon dioxide, however, compromises their practical use. I discuss the evidence of proton conduction in nanoscale yttria-stabilized zirconia, well known oxide ion conductor; this points to its possible usage as a chemical barrier layer for proton-conducting ceramics.

The third part of the talk presents a study of the possibility of extracting electricity from plant cell and the economic feasibility. Plants have developed sophisticated solar energy capture mechanisms that may be adapted to be less expensive or to perform better than current photovoltaic solar energy collectors. I discuss direct extraction of photosynthetic electrons from a single plant cell done by inserting nanoscale electrodes into their chloroplasts in vivo; these results may represent an initial step in generating "high efficiency" bioelectricity. 

saran wrap box found in litho

hi labmembers,
during the litho help desk hours today i found a saran wrap box and roll near the asml.  the box is labeled in black marker "TRUE."  the box is cardboard and as such should not be in the cleanroom due to particulate generation.  i moved it out the gowning room near the lost and found in a baggie.  please claim this and find a different, cleaner solution for bringing saran wrap into the cleanroom.

j

Process Clinic TODAY (Monday) 2 pm

Greetings all --

Just a reminder of today's process clinic, from 2-3 pm, in the cubicle
area outside Maureen's office. Bring process questions and mask
layouts. Staff and senior labmembers will be on hand to brainstorm ideas.

Your SNF staff

--
Mary X. Tang, Ph.D.
Stanford Nanofabrication Facility
Paul G. Allen Room 136, Mail Code 4070
Stanford, CA 94305
(650)723-9980
mtang@stanford.edu
http://snf.stanford.edu

PhD Oral Exam, Neil Dasgupta, Tuesday, April 19th, 2011, 9:00 am, bldg 660-220

Stanford University Ph.D. Oral Examination

Title: "Quantum Confinement Structures for Efficient Energy Conversion"

Neil P. Dasgupta
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor: Prof. Fritz B. Prinz

Date: Tuesday, April 19th, 2011
Time: 9:00 am (Breakfast/refreshments at 8:45pm)
Location: Mechanical Engineering Research Lab (MERL, bldg. 660), Conference room (203)
http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=02-660

Abstract:

Quantum confinement (QC) structures present several opportunities for developing next-generation energy conversion devices, due to the ability to tune the electronic and optical properties of a material as a function of size and shape. In the case of solar cells, the ability to tune the bandgap and modify the kinetics of charge relaxation in QC structures suggests the ability to improve broadband solar absorption, and potentially develop devices in excess of the traditional ~32% efficiency limitation of single bandgap devices. However, the ability to fabricate QC solar cells presents several challenges due to the necessity to precisely control feature size and separation, as well as the inherent challenge to extract excited charge carriers from these features before significant recombination losses occur.

In this study, atomic layer deposition (ALD) was studied as an enabling technology for fabricating 3-D nanostructured QC solar cell architectures. In the first part, the ability to fabricate PbS quantum wells by ALD was developed, and QC effects on the bandgap were demonstrated as a function of film thickness. Additionally, a new technique to directly deposit quantum dots (QDs) was developed by utilizing nucleation-limited growth during the initial ALD cycles. The evolution of the size and shape of these dots was studied using plane view transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Dome shaped QDs which were formed by ALD with subsequent annealing were studied using the STEM-EELS technique, allowing for a measurement of nanoscale bandgap variations within an individual QD.

In the second part, 3-D QC solar cell architectures were developed by ALD. ALD of Al-doped ZnO (AZO) was studied as a transparent electrode material, and p-Si/n-ZnO diodes were fabricated by ALD to aid in charge extraction from QC layers. A fully integrated QD solar cell with PbS QDs integrated into a p-Si/n-ZnO diode with an AZO top electrode was demonstrated. Finally, the fabrication of 3-D nanostructured templates, including conducting nanowires and etched quartz substrates was studied in order to aid in light scattering and minimize the required thickness of the QD layer, thereby minimizing the diffusion length required for charge extraction. To demonstrate the power of the ALD technique, a single layer of PbS QDs was uniformly deposited on the surface of Si nanowires, and photoluminescence measurements were performed to demonstrate the ability to modify their optical properties through QC effects.

Re: [rplgroup1] PhD Dissertation Defense - Joong Sun Park (Wed, April 20, 2:00pm, CIS-X 101)

된장 하필이면 싱클레어 그룹미팅 시간이랑 완전히 겹치네...

어쨋든.. 굿럭 굿럭~~~ 뭐 당근 잘하겠쥐~~~ 교수들 좀 눌러주고 와... ㅋㅋ

 

희준

2011/4/18 Joong Sun Park <mrjpark@stanford.edu>

Stanford University Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Title: “Nano Electrochemistry in Energy Conversion Devices”

Joong Sun Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor:  Prof. Fritz B. Prinz

Date:  Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm (Refreshments at 1:45pm)
Location: CISX 101X (Auditorium)
http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-055

Abstract:

The overall efficiency of energy conversion devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and biological cells is often limited by charge transfer reactions at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Because interfaces are the site of nearly all chemical (and electrochemical) reactions, understanding and improving their characteristics and structures can lead to significant reductions in both catalytic and interfacial losses. To this end, nano electrochemistry may offer us ways to understand details of charge transfer reaction at nanoscale resolution and open opportunities to engineer the interface with better kinetics. This talk presents in three parts the results of three studies aimed at lowering the electrochemical reaction losses in both ceramic fuel cells and biological systems.

The first part of talk discusses a study of oxide ion incorporation and transport at the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). SOFCs are an attractive clean energy technology because of the low to zero emissions from their operation and their potentially high efficiency. For wider applications, it is desirable to lower the operation temperature of SOFCs, but this causes significant increase of interfacial loss due to sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode. In this study, I demonstrated both spectroscpic (AC impedance spectroscopy) and spectrometric (Nano secondary ion mass spectrometry) evidence that oxygen incorporation from the cathode into the electrolyte is significantly enhanced at grain boundaries of the electrolyte.

The second part of the talk discusses a study focused on proton transport in proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells. Acceptor-doped perovskites have attracted recent attention as potential electrolyte materials for the next generation protonic devices, including fuel cells, because of their high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures. The chemical instability of most of proton-conducting ceramics in acidic gas environments such as carbon dioxide, however, compromises their practical use. I discuss the evidence of proton conduction in nanoscale yttria-stabilized zirconia, well known oxide ion conductor; this points to its possible usage as a chemical barrier layer for proton-conducting ceramics.

The third part of the talk presents a study of the possibility of extracting electricity from plant cell and the economic feasibility. Plants have developed sophisticated solar energy capture mechanisms that may be adapted to be less expensive or to perform better than current photovoltaic solar energy collectors. I discuss direct extraction of photosynthetic electrons from a single plant cell done by inserting nanoscale electrodes into their chloroplasts in vivo; these results may represent an initial step in generating “high efficiency” bioelectricity. 

Joong Sun Park

Ph.D. Candidate

Mechanical Engineering

Stanford University

_______________________________________________
rplgroup1 mailing list
rplgroup1@lists.stanford.edu
https://mailman.stanford.edu/mailman/listinfo/rplgroup1

--

Hee Joon Jung

PhD Candidate

Robert Sinclair Group (MSE) / Fritz B. Prinz Group (ME/MSE)

Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Stanford University
Cell : 650-799-2183
Email : hjjung@stanford.edu / hjjung98@gmail.com

Office : Durand bldg. Rm.139, 496 Lomita Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

PhD Dissertation Defense - Joong Sun Park (Wed, April 20, 2:00pm, CIS-X 101)

Stanford University Ph.D. Dissertation Defense

Title: "Nano Electrochemistry in Energy Conversion Devices"

Joong Sun Park
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Advisor:  Prof. Fritz B. Prinz

Date:  Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm (Refreshments at 1:45pm)
Location: CISX 101X (Auditorium)
http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-055

Abstract:

The overall efficiency of energy conversion devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and biological cells is often limited by charge transfer reactions at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. Because interfaces are the site of nearly all chemical (and electrochemical) reactions, understanding and improving their characteristics and structures can lead to significant reductions in both catalytic and interfacial losses. To this end, nano electrochemistry may offer us ways to understand details of charge transfer reaction at nanoscale resolution and open opportunities to engineer the interface with better kinetics. This talk presents in three parts the results of three studies aimed at lowering the electrochemical reaction losses in both ceramic fuel cells and biological systems.

The first part of talk discusses a study of oxide ion incorporation and transport at the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). SOFCs are an attractive clean energy technology because of the low to zero emissions from their operation and their potentially high efficiency. For wider applications, it is desirable to lower the operation temperature of SOFCs, but this causes significant increase of interfacial loss due to sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode. In this study, I demonstrated both spectroscpic (AC impedance spectroscopy) and spectrometric (Nano secondary ion mass spectrometry) evidence that oxygen incorporation from the cathode into the electrolyte is significantly enhanced at grain boundaries of the electrolyte.

The second part of the talk discusses a study focused on proton transport in proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells. Acceptor-doped perovskites have attracted recent attention as potential electrolyte materials for the next generation protonic devices, including fuel cells, because of their high ionic conductivity at intermediate temperatures. The chemical instability of most of proton-conducting ceramics in acidic gas environments such as carbon dioxide, however, compromises their practical use. I discuss the evidence of proton conduction in nanoscale yttria-stabilized zirconia, well known oxide ion conductor; this points to its possible usage as a chemical barrier layer for proton-conducting ceramics.

The third part of the talk presents a study of the possibility of extracting electricity from plant cell and the economic feasibility. Plants have developed sophisticated solar energy capture mechanisms that may be adapted to be less expensive or to perform better than current photovoltaic solar energy collectors. I discuss direct extraction of photosynthetic electrons from a single plant cell done by inserting nanoscale electrodes into their chloroplasts in vivo; these results may represent an initial step in generating "high efficiency" bioelectricity. 

Joong Sun Park

Ph.D. Candidate

Mechanical Engineering

Stanford University

REMINDER: MSE PhD Dissertation Defense (Mon April 18, 10:00am, CIS-X 101)

University PhD Dissertation Defense

"Tunable Bio-Inorganic Interfaces for Intracellular Access"

Benjamin D. Almquist

Department of Materials Science & Engineering

Advisor: Prof. Nicholas A. Melosh

Monday, April 18th, 2011

10:00 am 

(Refreshments at 9:45am)

Location: Paul G. Allen Auditorium (CIS-X 101)

http://campus-map.stanford.edu/index.cfm?ID=04-055

The ability to specifically and nondestructively incorporate inorganic structures into or through biological membranes is a key step toward realizing full bioinorganic integration. However, molecular delivery and interfaces to inorganic objects generally rely upon destructive formation of membrane holes and serendipitous adhesion, rather than selective penetration and attachment into the bilayer itself. While penetrating nanomaterials have provided an improvement in cell viability, the structure of the lipid membrane-material interface is unknown and poorly controlled. 

         I will discuss how replicating the hydrophobic banding of transmembrane proteins enables the ability to rationally design penetrating bio-inorganic interfaces with tunable properties. These biomimetic 'stealth' probes consist of hydrophilic posts with 2-10 nm hydrophobic bands formed by layered metal deposition and molecular self-assembly. AFM measurements show spontaneous insertion into the hydrophobic membrane core, forming well-defined lateral junctions. Furthermore, the structure and strength of the bio-inorganic interface can be controlled by changing the thickness and molecular properties of the self-assembled monolayer. Surprisingly, it was found that monolayer hydrophobicity is a secondary factor in determining interfacial strength, and that other molecular properties dominate the behavior.

Fwd: Ginzton Demolition Underway

Dear labmembers --

More details and some changes in the demo schedule for Ginzton (see
below). Note that there will be weekend work after all. We've been
told that there will be more traffic as debris is hauled away, but that
street access should remain.

****************************************
Please Forward:

Dearest Faculty, Staff and Students,

The Ginzton demolition timeline has just been finalized in preparation for construction of the BioE/ChemE building (the fourth and final building in our quad). We are insistent about maintaining noise levels during class hours and have established a schedule with the construction crew to minimize disruption. This will not be entirely convenient, but we are asking from each of you, as much understanding and support as possible. If the noise levels become too uncomfortable, I encourage your feedback so we can hopefully make some scheduling adjustments that make the work more tolerable.

Beginning next week upon receipt of the demo permit by Santa Clara County, the demolition of Ginzton will begin. After the actual building is removed leaving only the masonry walls and foundation elements, the construction crew will do the noisiest and most "vibrative" concrete jackhammering work from 6am-8am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays due to classes scheduled on the North side of Y2E2, closest to the construction work. On Mondays and Fridays the noisy work will go from 6am-9am, and from 6am-3pm on the weekends of May 7-8 and May 14-15. There will be typical construction traffic to and from the site including trucks offhauling debris which may create intermittent congestion on Via Ortega and Via Pueblo. By July, these roads will be closed altogether and we will need to drive around the Panama drive side of the parking structure for entrance.

I will continue to share information with you as it becomes available, and I encourage any of you with concerns and/or feedback to share them. I will meet with the construction crew regularly throughout this process and will provide all important updates. As a reminder, best management practices will be employed throughout the duration of the demo work which will address dust control, erosion protection, street maintenance, etc.

Sincerely,
Jetta Tatom
Y2E2 Building Manager
Office 167
Phone: 650/464-6758

LOR resist

Dear labmembers,

Does anyone have LOR 10B resist that I can borrow ??
I just need one spin, and new bottle that I ordered has not come yet.. So I will return it as soon as I get a new one.
Please let me know.
Thanks,
Hyo-Seon

Found Cell Phone in the Lab

Dear Lab Members,

 

A concerned staff member found a blue AT&T flip phone in the lab.  If you have been missing your phone since Friday and it sounds like it’s yours, please come to my cubicle and claim it.  I’m in cubicle # 41.

 

Maureen

 

Maureen Baran

Stanford Nanofabrication Facility

Lab Services Administrator

mbaran@stanford.edu

650-725-3664

 

FWD: EIPBN 2011 Entrepreneurs Challenge at EIPBN

Hello Raith and SNF Lab Members:

The EIPBN Entrepreneur's Challenge for Students, Post-Docs, and Researchers is a new program at 'Three Beams', specifically the Electron Ion and Photon Beam Network conference to be held next in Las Vegas, NV during the first week of June 2011. This conference is the premier conference in the science and technology of nano-patterning.
I have recently mentioned this event to several Users in the Lab, but to be fair to everyone I now  bring this opportunity to everyone should you also desire to participate in either the Entrepreneur's Challenge or the conference itself.

Having attended this conference for many years I continue to find this a very high level technical conference and a great opportunity to network with the best people working in this field from around the world.

Thank you,

James Conway



-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Fwd: EIPBN 2011 Entrepreneurs Challenge
Date:	Wed, 6 Apr 2011 15:15:53 -0700 (PDT)
From:	Leili Baghaei Rad <leili@stanford.edu>
To:	jwc@snf.stanford.edu

Hi James,   would you please distribute this to SNF mailing list.   Thanks,  Leili   ----- Forwarded Message ----- From: "EIPBN" <eipbn.chair@gmail.com> To: "Leili" <leili@stanford.edu>  			 EIPBN 2011   Announcing The EIPBN Entrepreneur's Challenge for Students, Post-Docs and Researchers - 1st Call   1. Present business plan to leading venture capitalists, industry experts & angel investors  2. Explore entrepreneurial dreams in a supportive environment  3. Winners will receive $ cash $ prizes at EIPBN banquet dinner   Competition Time line and Requirements   The competition consists of two rounds:   First Round: Two Page Executive Summary   Last date of Submission: April 15, 2011  Announcement of Results: April 30th, 2011   Final Round: Business Plan Presentation   Last date of Submission: May 20, 2011  Final Round Presentation: June 2, 2011  Announcement of Results: June 2, 2011 at the Banquet   Details on the Website http://eipbn.org/entrepreneurs-challenge/  We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!   Alan D. Brodie  EIPBN 2011 Conference Chair   Richard Blaikie  EIPBN 2011 Program Chair       

Re: Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-04-09 14:52:40: machine is ok now

Archived

Re: Problem p5000etch SNF 2011-04-09 12:28:49: wafer stuck in loadlock chamber

Wafer has been removed..

Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-04-09 14:52:40: machine is ok now

Andrew helps me take out the wafer.
Machine works fine.

Problem p5000etch SNF 2011-04-09 12:28:49: wafer stuck in loadlock chamber

Wafer stuck in the chamber

Re: Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-03-08 19:09:02: had an error

No problem found.

Re: Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-03-08 20:38:11: No problems with loading

Archived

Re: Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-03-14 10:01:10: clamp

Archived

Re: Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-03-21 10:35:19: Pumped out O2 line

Archived

Comment p5000etch SNF 2011-04-06 11:21:03: Maintenance

Inspected Ch.B and C, wet cleaned Ch.A. Cycled wafers through all chambers.

STM vendors

Greetings,

We are looking for companies/labs that might have a used STM system that they wish to sell, or are willing to let use use their system (with small modifications) for a usage fee. I would appreciate anyone with relevant information contact me.


Thanks,
Arash

Note to Lab Members regarding Contamination

SNF Lab Members:

 

I have been following the issue related to contamination and the impacts it's having on the ASML stepper. I feel a need to express some concern. Although I'm sure many of you are aware of the risk in bringing contaminated wafers into the stepper, I just want to re-enforce some points. 

 

Exposing wafers with contamination on the wafers or on the e-table (exposure-table, which holds the wafer during exposure) will degrade the imaging performance of the tool. Areas of the wafer with a particle beneath it will be exposed out of focus. This is called a HotSpot and will diminish yield.

 

Wafers are transported through the Stepper in several steps within the Wafer Handler and Wafer Stage subsystems. The wafer is held in place by vacuum as it travels through the stepper. The presence of particles often cause a leak in the vacuum seal. This leak could potentially cause the wafer to fall off at unpredictable times. This alone could cause damage to the stepper if it hits something or if the wafer breaks and contaminates the system. In addition, depending on where the wafer is lost. it may require opening up the stage cavity. This procedure is intrusive and could also lead to damage.

 

Another concern of mine is the type of e-table installed on the ASML stepper at SNF. This e-table is a 3DAlign version. This means there are very expensive optics embedded in the e-table to allow Backside Alignment. Recently a table similar to this was sent back to our Vendor for repair and they found a great deal of contamination. This will cost ASML a huge sum of money to repair this, not to mention the downtime incurred.

 

I would like to say a quick thanks to the Lab Members who have told me how much they appreciate having the stepper available for their work. ASML also feels there is a great benefit to working along side with the Stanford staff and Lab Members. So in order for all of us to get the most benefit from having the stepper at Stanford, please take all necessary pre-cautions to avoid contaminating the system and use all defined protocols to ensure we all can realize the benefit of having an ASML advance Stepper for our use.

 

Best Regards,

Vinny Pici

US Demo Manager

ASML

-- The information contained in this communication and any attachments is confidential and may be privileged, and is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. Unless explicitly stated otherwise in the body of this communication or the attachment thereto (if any), the information is provided on an AS-IS basis without any express or implied warranties or liabilities. To the extent you are relying on this information, you are doing so at your own risk. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments. ASML is neither liable for the proper and complete transmission of the information contained in this communication, nor for any delay in its receipt.

Re: Zinc Oxide Nanopowder

Hi Yihong, and others,
My "go-to" company for high-quality specialty target material is Testbourne:

http://www.testbourne.com/

Sales person I have used a lot (although not for a year or so) is named Nelly.
The company is very good.
Good luck,
Betty Young

----- Original Message -----
From: "Yihong Chen" <yhngchen@stanford.edu>
To: "SNF Labmembers" <labmembers@snf.stanford.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 5, 2011 6:30:21 PM
Subject: Zinc Oxide Nanopowder

Hi All,

Does anyone know a source for Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) and Indium-doped Zinc Oxide (IZO) nano/micro-powder?

Thanks,

Yihong

--
Yihong Chen
PhD Candidate
Department of Chemistry
Stanford University
*************************************
Lokey Laboratories, RM 229
337 Campus DR
Stanford, CA 94305-5080
Phone: (650) 723-1610
Email: yhngchen@stanford.edu

Zinc Oxide Nanopowder

Hi All,

Does anyone know a source for Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide (AZO) and Indium-doped Zinc Oxide (IZO) nano/micro-powder?

Thanks,

Yihong

--
Yihong Chen

PhD Candidate
Department of Chemistry
Stanford University
*************************************
Lokey Laboratories, RM 229
337 Campus DR
Stanford, CA 94305-5080
Phone: (650) 723-1610
Email: yhngchen@stanford.edu

Vibration Alert - Ginzton Demo, 4/28-5/11

Hi all --

You may have noticed the fencing around Ginzton. We've been informed
that its demolition is being finalized. Some of the demolition
activities can result in vibrations that could have effect on
performance on sensitive equipment (namely, SEM's, Raith, and ASML.)
The heaviest demo activities are planned for 4/28 and 5/11, between the
hours of 7 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. The Project Managers
plan to inform us of any changes and we will update accordingly, but if
you have critical processing on these tools, please plan on scheduling
your work off-hours during this time.

Your SNF staff

--
Mary X. Tang, Ph.D.
Stanford Nanofabrication Facility
Paul G. Allen Room 136, Mail Code 4070
Stanford, CA 94305
(650)723-9980
mtang@stanford.edu
http://snf.stanford.edu