MicroTech has developed a wet process station for the etching of PSS (Patterned Sapphire Substrate) wafers used to increase light extraction and efficiency in high brightness LEDs. The wet station can improve manufacturing throughput, a major stumbling block to making LEDs price competitive with fluorescent lighting.
As LED manufacturers look to decrease costs, the use of PSS becomes more important. The average light output power is reported to be up to 37% larger on a PSS than a standard sapphire wafer. The use of patterned sapphire substrates reduces the dislocation density in the GaN (gallium nitride) layer and enhances the LEE (light extraction efficiency) from the LED chip.
Traditional dry etching on PSS produces highly efficient, very bright light but throughput is slow and scalability is impacted as wafer sizes increase. Typically, more dry etch tools are needed to keep throughput up as wafer size increases.
In the wet etch process in the MicroTech system, GaN or InGaN (indium gallium nitride) coated wafers are submerged in the etch tank with a mixture of etching and buffering agents. Prior to submersion, a silicon dioxide mask is patterned using PECVD (plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition). A lithography step exposes the desired pattern to etch. The sapphire etch process takes place between 260 degreesC and 300 degreesC. This ultra high temperature etches the wafers exponentially more quickly than the standard 150-180 degreesC process and therefore, speeds throughput.
Independent customer evaluations show a significant improvement in light extraction and efficiency in the substrates and a considerable cost savings, even if polishing work is performed on the wafers after etch to increase efficiencies. Development work is also being done to improve the dome shapes created on the wafers with a CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) process. New non-cone shapes are also under development.
Recently MicroTech announced the delivery of a similar concept process station to the solar industry that delivers high throughput and lower cost-of-ownership benefits by moving from a dry CVD process to an efficient, production-proven, environmentally friendly wet process.
About MicroTech Systems With over 25 years' experience in high technology equipment manufacturing, MicroTech Systems provides engineering, manufacturing and applications support for wet process and chemical distribution tools.
Their innovative "intelligent process station" to monitor, measure and control the process makes their tools more efficient with a lower cost-of-ownership. They supply the semiconductor, solar, MEMS, LED, Biotech and FPD industries from their Silicon Valley headquarters, which includes a state-of-the-art cleanroom and process development lab.
2011年11月29日 星期二
2011年11月13日 星期日
Retailers told to save energy to cut costs
SAVING energy is one practical way for retailers to cut costs, a representative from TUV Rheinland Phililippines Inc. said last week.
Speaking before the General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu Chapter last Wednesday, Jong Fernandez of TUV Rheinland Phils. said reducing energy consumption should be part of a company’s program as this would help businesses of any size become competitive and profitable.
He said retailers should use effective energy measures considering the hike of power prices as well as the power supply problem faced by the country today. He said power outages and rotation brownouts caused by the tightening of power supply has affected business operations.
“Saving energy can translate into big savings for the company,” Fernandez said.
According to PRA, power consumption accounts for 35 percent to 55 percent of a retailer’s operational costs.
Fernandez reported the global demand on energy usage is projected to increase by 57 percent in the next 25 years and while more economic activities are geared toward Asia, energy demand in Asia would likely increase by 40 percent in 2032.
Fernandez said that energy is a crucial requirement in any business operation and retailers should employ measures to help them keep track of their energy usage and do corrective actions. He encouraged organizations to look into ISO 50001, an energy management standard that provides organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve performance.
Fernandez said companies can use an incentive-driven approach where achievements on energy management are recognized.
He also shared “no-cost practices” in achieving energy management such as habit changes like turning off lights or equipment that are not in use; using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs; using CFL fixtures with reflective backing; and cleaning lamps every six months for efficient energy use.
Fernandez also encouraged Cebuano retailers to participate in the ConservePhil Project, a public-private partnership program on energy conservation.
During the event, PRA also named Casa Verde, Cafe Georg, Shamrock and Cebu Home Builders as outstanding retailers. The group also introduced new members, including Anita’s Bakeshop. KOC with Careen L. Malahay, USJ-R Mass Comm Intern.
Speaking before the General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Retailers Association (PRA)-Cebu Chapter last Wednesday, Jong Fernandez of TUV Rheinland Phils. said reducing energy consumption should be part of a company’s program as this would help businesses of any size become competitive and profitable.
He said retailers should use effective energy measures considering the hike of power prices as well as the power supply problem faced by the country today. He said power outages and rotation brownouts caused by the tightening of power supply has affected business operations.
“Saving energy can translate into big savings for the company,” Fernandez said.
According to PRA, power consumption accounts for 35 percent to 55 percent of a retailer’s operational costs.
Fernandez reported the global demand on energy usage is projected to increase by 57 percent in the next 25 years and while more economic activities are geared toward Asia, energy demand in Asia would likely increase by 40 percent in 2032.
Fernandez said that energy is a crucial requirement in any business operation and retailers should employ measures to help them keep track of their energy usage and do corrective actions. He encouraged organizations to look into ISO 50001, an energy management standard that provides organizations with management strategies to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve performance.
Fernandez said companies can use an incentive-driven approach where achievements on energy management are recognized.
He also shared “no-cost practices” in achieving energy management such as habit changes like turning off lights or equipment that are not in use; using compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) instead of incandescent bulbs; using CFL fixtures with reflective backing; and cleaning lamps every six months for efficient energy use.
Fernandez also encouraged Cebuano retailers to participate in the ConservePhil Project, a public-private partnership program on energy conservation.
During the event, PRA also named Casa Verde, Cafe Georg, Shamrock and Cebu Home Builders as outstanding retailers. The group also introduced new members, including Anita’s Bakeshop. KOC with Careen L. Malahay, USJ-R Mass Comm Intern.
2011年10月25日 星期二
KU Offers Simple Tips to Combat Energy ‘Vampires’
Halloween season is not the only time of year when vampires may be lurking in your home, and Kentucky Utilities Company is helping identify energy “vampires” on a mission to drain the life out of your wallet.
While these creatures aren’t of the “Twilight” variety, they can add about $125 to annual energy costs, according to Consumer Reports.
These energy “vampires” are electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, portable chargers, MP3 players and video game consoles that suck trickles of energy around the clock, even in the “off” mode. The average U.S. home has about 40 such devices that continuously draw power to enable remote control signals and digital clock displays.
Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
While these creatures aren’t of the “Twilight” variety, they can add about $125 to annual energy costs, according to Consumer Reports.
These energy “vampires” are electronic devices such as televisions, DVD players, portable chargers, MP3 players and video game consoles that suck trickles of energy around the clock, even in the “off” mode. The average U.S. home has about 40 such devices that continuously draw power to enable remote control signals and digital clock displays.
Perform an online energy audit to better pinpoint how your home uses energy and where potential savings exist. Simply register your KU account, then click on "Online Energy Audit." After keying in some basic information about your home, you'll receive a 19-page report with energy-saving recommendations based on your home and your actual energy use.
Request an on-site energy audit and for $25 a trained energy specialist will examine your home and use specialized equipment to help identify air leaks and other areas where you could improve your home’s energy efficiency. After the audit, you'll receive energy-saving products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and water restrictors to help get you started, as well as a customized report detailing suggested energy-saving measures and the estimated costs for making those improvements.
Use a programmable thermostat and gain better control over your energy usage. According to ENERGY STAR, if used properly, a programmable thermostat can save up to $180 a year.
Adjust your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer and save up to $45 a year.
Turn off all unnecessary lights and use compact fluorescent light bulbs, which use about 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs.
Seal and save. As much as 20 percent of air flow is lost through leaks in your ductwork. Sealing leaks around the house with caulk, spray foam, and weather-stripping can improve home comfort while reducing overall energy costs.
2011年9月29日 星期四
School District Proposes Capital Projects
As for Pierson's outdoor facilities, District Superintendent Dr. John Gratto spoke to the importance of refurbishing Pierson High School's field with synthetic turf and lights. Both measures, he said, would give Pierson athletes more ability to use the facilities for a longer period of time.
According to District Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Montgomery "Monty" Granger, the creation of a turf field would bring his department a significant savings. He currently budgets about $60,000 for field maintenance, he explained; but with a turf field the department would only have to spend about $5,000 a year to keep it intact.
Echoing some of the dissent heard back in 2009, community member Steven Reiner expressed some concerns. As far as the new field proposals go, Reiner said installing turf could be a far more complicated process than expected. However, he continued, "The light option is a far more problematic, and more vigorously opposed by the neighborhood."
"I would think that a very full environmental report would have to be conducted," he said, before the school district can bring this to the public for a vote He further explained that there are issues of traffic, access and public safety that need to be addressed.
"Once this becomes a decision that leaves the confines of the school and affects the community, police officers, garbage collectors I don't think it's a choice one can offer the public lightly, without due diligence."
"An awful lot of work needs to be done before lights can be considered for this area," he concluded.
Pierson teacher and girls' soccer coach Peter Solow suggested that perhaps the committee should consider separating the turf and the lights into two separate bonds, as the lights seem to be more controversial.
"If there was a field [and] a track, I guarantee you it will probably get more use than anything else in this community," he said. "This is not simply an issue of interscholastic sports. The field can be used by the community on a year-long basis."
While the school board has yet to tease out the finer details of the committee's proposal, school board member Sandi Kruel did address concerns she had with the current plans for the Pierson cafeteria expansion.
The new plan, at $166,920, is a fraction of the cost presented two years ago, which topped $500,000. However, though the plan will add 16 seats, expand the kitchen area to include prep space and double storage capabilities, Pierson will still not have a functioning commercial kitchen, meaning cafeteria staff will not be able to cook using a stovetop.
"Unfortunately, to build a code-compliant commercial kitchen, it was an additional $350,000 for all the changes that need to be put in place," Russo explained.
According to District Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Montgomery "Monty" Granger, the creation of a turf field would bring his department a significant savings. He currently budgets about $60,000 for field maintenance, he explained; but with a turf field the department would only have to spend about $5,000 a year to keep it intact.
Echoing some of the dissent heard back in 2009, community member Steven Reiner expressed some concerns. As far as the new field proposals go, Reiner said installing turf could be a far more complicated process than expected. However, he continued, "The light option is a far more problematic, and more vigorously opposed by the neighborhood."
"I would think that a very full environmental report would have to be conducted," he said, before the school district can bring this to the public for a vote He further explained that there are issues of traffic, access and public safety that need to be addressed.
"Once this becomes a decision that leaves the confines of the school and affects the community, police officers, garbage collectors I don't think it's a choice one can offer the public lightly, without due diligence."
"An awful lot of work needs to be done before lights can be considered for this area," he concluded.
Pierson teacher and girls' soccer coach Peter Solow suggested that perhaps the committee should consider separating the turf and the lights into two separate bonds, as the lights seem to be more controversial.
"If there was a field [and] a track, I guarantee you it will probably get more use than anything else in this community," he said. "This is not simply an issue of interscholastic sports. The field can be used by the community on a year-long basis."
While the school board has yet to tease out the finer details of the committee's proposal, school board member Sandi Kruel did address concerns she had with the current plans for the Pierson cafeteria expansion.
The new plan, at $166,920, is a fraction of the cost presented two years ago, which topped $500,000. However, though the plan will add 16 seats, expand the kitchen area to include prep space and double storage capabilities, Pierson will still not have a functioning commercial kitchen, meaning cafeteria staff will not be able to cook using a stovetop.
"Unfortunately, to build a code-compliant commercial kitchen, it was an additional $350,000 for all the changes that need to be put in place," Russo explained.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)