Patents Assigned to Semprius, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9660008
    Abstract: A large-format substrate with distributed control elements is formed by providing a substrate and a wafer, the wafer having a plurality of separate, independent chiplets formed thereon; imaging the wafer and analyzing the wafer image to determine which of the chiplets are defective; removing the defective chiplet(s) from the wafer leaving remaining chiplets in place on the wafer; printing the remaining chiplet(s) onto the substrate forming empty chiplet location(s); and printing additional chiplet(s) from the same or a different wafer into the empty chiplet location(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, John Hamer, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 9601671
    Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rogers, Ralph Nuzzo, Matthew Meitl, Etienne Menard, Alfred Baca, Michael Motala, Jong-Hyun Ahn, Sang-Il Park, Chang-Jae Yu, Heung Cho Ko, Mark Stoykovich, Jongseung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9603259
    Abstract: An active substrate includes a plurality of active components distributed over a surface of a destination substrate, each active component including a component substrate different from the destination substrate, and each active component having a circuit and connection posts on a process side of the component substrate. The connection posts may have a height that is greater than a base width thereof, and may be in electrical contact with the circuit and destination substrate contacts. The connection posts may extend through the surface of the destination substrate contacts into the destination substrate connection pads to electrically connect the connection posts to the destination substrate contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Bower
  • Patent number: 9496155
    Abstract: A method for selectively transferring active components (22) from a source substrate (20) to a destination substrate (10) includes providing a source substrate with one or more active components located on the source substrate, providing a destination substrate, locating a selectively curable adhesive layer (30) between and adjacent to the destination substrate and the source substrate, selecting one or more active components (22A), selectively curing area(s) (32A) of the adhesive layer corresponding to the selected active components to adhere the selected active components to the destination substrate, and removing the source substrate from the destination substrate leaving the selected active components adhered to the destination substrate in the selected areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, Joseph Carr
  • Patent number: 9443883
    Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a sacrificial layer on a handling substrate and forming a semiconductor active layer on the sacrificial layer. The semiconductor active layer and the sacrificial layer may be selectively etched in sequence to define an semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which includes a first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be formed on the SOI substrate. This multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be encapsulated by an inorganic capping layer that contacts an upper surface of the first portion of the semiconductor active layer. The capping layer and the first portion of the semiconductor active layer may be selectively etched to thereby expose the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl, Joseph Carr
  • Patent number: 9412727
    Abstract: In a method of printing a transferable component, a stamp including an elastomeric post having three-dimensional relief features protruding from a surface thereof is pressed against a component on a donor substrate with a first pressure that is sufficient to mechanically deform the relief features and a region of the post between the relief features to contact the component over a first contact area. The stamp is retracted from the donor substrate such that the component is adhered to the stamp. The stamp including the component adhered thereto is pressed against a receiving substrate with a second pressure that is less than the first pressure to contact the component over a second contact area that is smaller than the first contact area. The stamp is then retracted from the receiving substrate to delaminate the component from the stamp and print the component onto the receiving substrate. Related apparatus and stamps are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: Semprius, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, John A. Rogers, Seok Kim, Andrew Carlson
  • Patent number: 9401344
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a substrate having transferable chiplets includes forming a photo-sensitive adhesive layer on a process side of a source substrate including active components or on a patterned side of a transparent intermediate substrate. The transparent intermediate substrate is brought into contact with the source substrate to adhere the active components on the process side to the patterned side of the transparent intermediate substrate via the photo-sensitive adhesive layer therebetween. Portions of the source substrate opposite the process side thereof are removed to singulate the active components. Portions of the photo-sensitive adhesive layer are selectively exposed to electromagnetic radiation through the transparent intermediate substrate to alter an adhesive strength thereof. Portions of the photo-sensitive adhesive layer having a weaker adhesive strength are selectively removed to define breakable tethers comprising portions of the adhesive layer having a stronger adhesive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Joseph Carr
  • Patent number: 9362113
    Abstract: In a method for fabricating an engineered substrate for semiconductor epitaxy, an array of seed structures is assembled on a surface of the substrate. The seed structures in the array have substantially similar directional orientations of their crystal lattices, and are spatially separated from each other. Semiconductor materials are selectively epitaxially grown on the seed structures, such that a rate of growth of the semiconductor materials on the seed structures is substantially higher than a rate of growth of the semiconductor materials on regions of the surface. The semiconductor materials assume a lattice constant and directional orientation of crystal lattice that are substantially similar or identical to those of the seed structures. Related devices and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Scott Burroughs
  • Patent number: 9355854
    Abstract: A method of fabricating transferable semiconductor devices includes providing a release layer including indium aluminum phosphide on a substrate, and providing a support layer on the release layer. The support layer and the substrate include respective materials, such as arsenide-based materials, such that the release layer has an etching selectivity relative to the support layer and the substrate. At least one device layer is provided on the support layer. The release layer is selectively etched without substantially etching the support layer and the substrate. Related structures and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, James Carter, Allen Gray, Salvatore Bonafede
  • Patent number: 9343363
    Abstract: Provided are methods for making a through-silicon via feature in a silicon substrate and related systems, such as by forming a noble metal structure on a silicon substrate support surface to generate silicon substrate contact regions that are in contact with or proximate to the noble metal structure; exposing at least a portion of the silicon substrate support surface and noble metal structure to an etchant to preferentially etch the silicon substrate contact regions compared to silicon substrate non-contact regions until the etch front reaches the silicon substrate bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Meitl, Christopher Bower
  • Patent number: 9307652
    Abstract: A method for selectively transferring active components from a source substrate to a destination substrate includes providing a source substrate having a process side including active components and a back side opposite the process side, the active components having respective primary surfaces including electrical connections thereon adjacent the process side and respective secondary surfaces opposite the primary surfaces and facing the back side; pressing a first stamp having first pillars protruding therefrom against the active components on the process side of the source substrate to adhere the respective primary surfaces of the active components including the electrical connections thereon to respective transfer surfaces of the first pillars; pressing a second stamp having second pillars protruding therefrom against the active components on the first pillars of the first stamp to adhere the respective secondary surfaces of the active components to respective transfer surfaces of the second pillars, wherei
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Bower
  • Patent number: 9165989
    Abstract: A large-format substrate with distributed control elements is formed by providing a substrate and a wafer, the wafer having a plurality of separate, independent chiplets formed thereon; imaging the wafer and analyzing the wafer image to determine which of the chiplets are defective; removing the defective chiplet(s) from the wafer leaving remaining chiplets in place on the wafer; printing the remaining chiplet(s) onto the substrate forming empty chiplet location(s); and printing additional chiplet(s) from the same or a different wafer into the empty chiplet location(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, John Hamer, Ronald S. Cok
  • Patent number: 9161448
    Abstract: A method of printing transferable components includes pressing a stamp including at least one transferable semiconductor component thereon on a target substrate such that the at least one transferable component and a surface of the target substrate contact opposite surfaces of a conductive eutectic layer. During pressing of the stamp on the target substrate, the at least one transferable component is exposed to electromagnetic radiation that is directed through the transfer stamp to reflow the eutectic layer. The stamp is then separated from the target substrate to delaminate the at least one transferable component from the stamp and print the at least one transferable component onto the surface of the target substrate. Related systems and methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl, John A. Rogers
  • Patent number: 9142468
    Abstract: A substrate includes an anchor area (30) physically secured to a surface of the substrate (10) and at least one printable electronic component (20). The at least one printable electronic component includes an active layer (14) having one or more active elements thereon, and is suspended over the surface of the substrate by electrically conductive breakable tethers (40). The electrically conductive breakable tethers include an insulating layer and a conductive layer thereon that physically secure and electrically connect the at least one printable electronic component to the anchor area, and are configured to be preferentially fractured responsive to pressure applied thereto. Related methods of fabrication and testing are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl
  • Patent number: 9117940
    Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: John Rogers, Ralph Nuzzo, Matthew Meitl, Etienne Menard, Alfred Baca, Michael Motala, Jong-Hyun Ahn, Sang-Il Park, Chang-Jae Yu, Heung Cho Ko, Mark Stoykovich, Jongseung Yoon
  • Patent number: 9049797
    Abstract: An active component array includes a target substrate having one or more contacts formed on a side of the target substrate, and one or more printable active components distributed over the target substrate. Each active component includes an active layer having a top side and an opposing bottom side and one or more active element(s) formed on or in the top side of the active layer. The active element(s) are electrically connected to the contact(s), and the bottom side is adhered to the target substrate. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, Christopher Bower, Matthew Meitl, Philip Garrou
  • Patent number: 9040425
    Abstract: Methods of forming integrated circuit devices include forming a sacrificial layer on a handling substrate and forming a semiconductor active layer on the sacrificial layer. A step is performed to selectively etch through the semiconductor active layer and the sacrificial layer in sequence to define an semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, which includes a first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be formed on the SOI substrate. This multi-layer electrical interconnect network may be encapsulated by an inorganic capping layer that contacts an upper surface of the first portion of the semiconductor active layer. A step can be performed to selectively etch through the capping layer and the first portion of the semiconductor active layer to thereby expose the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Etienne Menard, Matthew Meitl, Joseph Carr
  • Patent number: 8934259
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a substrate having transferable chiplets includes forming a photo-sensitive adhesive layer on a process side of a source substrate including active components or on a patterned side of a transparent intermediate substrate. The intermediate substrate is brought into contact with the source substrate to adhere the active components on the process side to the patterned side of the intermediate substrate via the photo-sensitive adhesive layer therebetween. Portions of the source substrate opposite the process side thereof are removed to singulate the active components. Portions of the photo-sensitive adhesive layer are selectively exposed to electromagnetic radiation through the intermediate substrate to alter an adhesive strength thereof. Portions of the photo-sensitive adhesive layer having a weaker adhesive strength are selectively removed to define breakable tethers comprising portions of the adhesive layer having a stronger adhesive strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Bower, Joseph Carr
  • Publication number: 20140373898
    Abstract: Provided are optical devices and systems fabricated, at least in part, via printing-based assembly and integration of device components. In specific embodiments the present invention provides light emitting systems, light collecting systems, light sensing systems and photovoltaic systems comprising printable semiconductor elements, including large area, high performance macroelectronic devices. Optical systems of the present invention comprise semiconductor elements assembled, organized and/or integrated with other device components via printing techniques that exhibit performance characteristics and functionality comparable to single crystalline semiconductor based devices fabricated using conventional high temperature processing methods. Optical systems of the present invention have device geometries and configurations, such as form factors, component densities, and component positions, accessed by printing that provide a range of useful device functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicants: Semprius, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: John ROGERS, Ralph NUZZO, Matthew MEITL, Etienne MENARD, Alfred BACA, Michael MOTALA, Jong-Hyun AHN, Sang-Il PARK, Chang-Jae YU, Heung Cho KO, Mark STOYKOVICH, Jongseung YOON
  • Patent number: 8894754
    Abstract: A concentrator photovoltaic apparatus for controlling internal condensation includes a light receiving module including one or more photovoltaic cells in a waterproof enclosure, at least one primary lens sealed to the waterproof enclosure for concentrating sunlight, a waterproof breather membrane regulating the pressure of the air located inside the enclosure, and a regenerative desiccant in a thermally decoupled dryer tube or thermally coupled to an internal surface of the enclosure. Smaller breather membrane vents and/or positive time delays between the temperature of the desiccant and the temperature of the enclosure may prolong an adsorption phase of the desiccant, which may substantially contribute to efficiency, reliability, and autonomous control of condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Semprius, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Menard, Scott Burroughs