Zinc Oxide Breakthrough Creates High Performing LEDs

[social_buttons]German scientists have discovered a method of hydrogen doping that allows the production of higher-performing LEDs and other semiconductors.

Check out this HOT story: Los Angeles Installing 140,000 New LED Streelights Starting June ’09

The scientists provided evidence that hydrogen disturbs the process of doping with zinc oxide (ZnO). But a controlled concentration of hydrogen atoms might be the key to making use of ZnO in semiconductor production.

Doping is necessary to activate semiconductors. It involves inserting foreign atoms into the crystal lattice of a solid. These foreign atoms either release an electron (n-doping), or absorb an electron, thus creating a “hole” in the solid (p-doping).

Scientists have really struggled with p-doping and hydrogen. hydrogen atoms always result in n-doping. And according to ScienceDaily, this disturbs the process greatly. Stupid hydrogen!

P-doping is necessary to create LEDs and transistors.

By the way, zinc oxide is everywhere – thousands of tons are produced all over the world every year! It is used in everything from food to sunscreen. Okay, that’s kinda gross.

Support CleanTechnica: Double our ad revenue by clicking here.

Jerry James Stone (32 Posts)

Jerry is a web developer, part-time blogger and a full-time environmentalist. His crusade for all things eco started twenty years ago when he ditched his meat-and-potatoes upbringing for something more vegetarian-shaped. He currently works at Care2 and also blogs over at Treehugger. His passions include green tech, eco politics and smart green design. And while he doesn't own a car anymore, he loves to write about those too. Jerry studied at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, CA. During his time there he was a DJ at the campus station KCPR and he also wrote for the campus paper. Jerry currently resides in San Francisco, CA with his cat Lola. You can stalk him on Twitter @jerryjamesstone.

Uncle B

“A £2 energy-saving lightbulb that lasts for 60 years has been developed by scientists at Cambridge University. The researchers have designed a bulb that is three times more energy efficient than today’s best offer and can cut lighting bills by 75 per cent.The bulbs are 12 times more efficient that conventional tungsten bulbs and three times more efficient than compact fluorescent “energy efficient” bulbs. They can burn for 100,000 hours and they illuminate instantly and can be dimmed, unlike energy efficient bulbs.”

http://theinfochief.com/

Does this new development enhance the first great advance? We need these lights in production now! so we can grow greenhouse gardens in the darker part of the year, using the heat now wasted “a La American” from nuclear power plants in cooling towers – we are so goddamn dumb we deserve the hard times that have fallen on us – we waste where others profit, all in the name of the impossible to sustain American Dream – it has become a night-mare for most of us!
Uncle B

“A £2 energy-saving lightbulb that lasts for 60 years has been developed by scientists at Cambridge University. The researchers have designed a bulb that is three times more energy efficient than today’s best offer and can cut lighting bills by 75 per cent.The bulbs are 12 times more efficient that conventional tungsten bulbs and three times more efficient than compact fluorescent “energy efficient” bulbs. They can burn for 100,000 hours and they illuminate instantly and can be dimmed, unlike energy efficient bulbs.”

http://theinfochief.com/

Does this new development enhance the first great advance? We need these lights in production now! so we can grow greenhouse gardens in the darker part of the year, using the heat now wasted “a La American” from nuclear power plants in cooling towers – we are so goddamn dumb we deserve the hard times that have fallen on us – we waste where others profit, all in the name of the impossible to sustain American Dream – it has become a night-mare for most of us!
http://www.ntopics.com/ ntopics

Does this mean we will be seeing brighter

LEDs and faster computers?

thanks from tony
http://www.ntopics.com/ ntopics

Does this mean we will be seeing brighter

LEDs and faster computers?

thanks from tony
Richard Schulte

Jerry, does this indicate that LEDs will become

a: cheaper, and more efficient to make?

b: easier to make with more simple equipment? or the opposite?
Richard Schulte

Jerry, does this indicate that LEDs will become

a: cheaper, and more efficient to make?

b: easier to make with more simple equipment? or the opposite?
Richard Schulte

Dan, there are high levels of zinc in wheat, fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and other foods… so why does it needed to be added to our diet in mineral form when it already occurs in abundance? I think it would better be conserved from use in food products and applied to LEDs and other, non food purposes!
Richard Schulte

Dan, there are high levels of zinc in wheat, fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and other foods… so why does it needed to be added to our diet in mineral form when it already occurs in abundance? I think it would better be conserved from use in food products and applied to LEDs and other, non food purposes!
Artificial

thanks Capt. Obvious!
Artificial

thanks Capt. Obvious!
http://www.lamegame.name Dan

Why ZnO gross? Zinc is a dietary requirement. Zinc promotes cell reproduction and tissue growth, promotes blood clotting (necessary to stop bleeding in case of a laceration) and assists white blood cells in fighting infection…

Oxide just means it’s carrying an oxygen molecule. 90% of the fuel your body burns is straight oxygen (healthy people anyhow).

So I find your consideration of zinc oxide as gross quite curious.

Definitely a good pic as far as interesting news items go…
http://www.lamegame.name Dan

Why ZnO gross? Zinc is a dietary requirement. Zinc promotes cell reproduction and tissue growth, promotes blood clotting (necessary to stop bleeding in case of a laceration) and assists white blood cells in fighting infection…

Oxide just means it’s carrying an oxygen molecule. 90% of the fuel your body burns is straight oxygen (healthy people anyhow).

So I find your consideration of zinc oxide as gross quite curious.

Definitely a good pic as far as interesting news items go…
Peter Mu

omg this is like college all over again. I cant believe i spend years studying device physics, still.

so…when does it go on sale at fry’s?
Peter Mu

omg this is like college all over again. I cant believe i spend years studying device physics, still.

so…when does it go on sale at fry’s?