Patents by Inventor Sywert Brongersma

Sywert Brongersma has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9213013
    Abstract: An electrochemical ethylene sensor and method for ethylene sensing are disclosed. In one aspect, an electrochemical ethylene sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode on an electrically insulating substrate. An ionic liquid layer covers the working electrode and counter electrode. In one method, a voltage is applied to the working electrode which is equal to or lower than the voltage required for the onset of oxidation of the material of the working electrode, for example, in the range spanning 700 mV before the onset of oxidation of the material of the working electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Marcel Zevenbergen, Sywert Brongersma, Mercedes Crego Calama, Daan Wouters
  • Patent number: 9207203
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a sensor and methods for making and using the same, and more particularly relates to a sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one fluidum. In one aspect, a sensor for sensing a fluidum in a space adjoining the sensor comprises a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer stack. The sensor additionally comprises a gate lying adjacent to at least part of the 2DEG layer stack and configured to electrostatically control the electron density of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the 2DEG layer stack. The sensor further comprises a source electrode contacting the 2DEG layer stack for electrically contacting the 2DEG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Peter Offermans, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 9038437
    Abstract: The application describes methods and apparatus for chemical sensing, e.g. gas sensing, which have high sensitivity but low power operation. A sensor is described having a flexible membrane comprising a III/N heterojunction structure configured so as to form a two dimensional electron gas within said structure. A sensing material is disposed on at least part of the flexible membrane, the sensing material being sensitive to one or more target chemicals so as to undergo a change in physical properties in the presence of said one or more target chemicals. The sensing material is coupled to said heterojunction structure such that said change in physical properties of the sensing material imparts a change in stress within the heterojunction structure which modulates the resistivity of the two dimensional electron gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Peter Offermans, Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 9035362
    Abstract: A Sensor for sensing the presence of at least one fluidum in a space adjoining the sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, the sensor has a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer stack, a gate electrode overlaying at least part of the 2DEG layer stack for electrostatically controlling electron density of a 2DEG in the 2DEG layer stack and a source and a drain electrode contacting the 2DEG layer stack for electrically contacting the 2DEG, wherein a detection opening is provided in between the gate electrode and the 2DEG layer stack and wherein the detection opening communicates with the space through a detection opening inlet such that molecules of the fluidum can move from the adjoining space through the detection opening inlet into the detection opening where they can measurably alter a electric characteristic of the 2DEG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Peter Offermans, Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 8795511
    Abstract: A configuration is disclosed. In one aspect, the configuration includes a substantially planar electrode layer, in a first plane. The configuration further includes a substantially planar two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer electrically connected in series with the electrode layer. The 2DEG layer is provided in a second plane substantially parallel with the first plane and located at a predetermined distance, in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, from the first plane. The 2DEG layer and the electrode layer are patterned such that the electrode layer overlays a part of the 2DEG layer, wherein the predetermined distance between the first plane and the second plane is selected to be sufficiently small for allowing electrostatic interaction between the electrode layer and the 2DEG layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20140175516
    Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to a sensor and methods for making and using the same, and more particularly relates to a sensor configured to sense the presence of at least one fluidum. In one aspect, a sensor for sensing a fluidum in a space adjoining the sensor comprises a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer stack. The sensor additionally comprises a gate lying adjacent to at least part of the 2DEG layer stack and configured to electrostatically control the electron density of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in the 2DEG layer stack. The sensor further comprises a source electrode contacting the 2DEG layer stack for electrically contacting the 2DEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Peter Offermans, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 8634078
    Abstract: Methods and sensors for detecting the presence and/or concentration of an analyte are disclosed. In one aspect, a sensing element for use in a sensor is disclosed. The sensing element comprises a resonant cavity device configured to emit optical radiation at an initial power level, a sensing layer exhibiting an initial refractive index, and a detector. The sensing layer is configured to absorb or adsorb an analyte and, in response to absorbing or adsorbing the analyte, exhibit a modified refractive index that differs from the initial refractive index. The resonant cavity device is further configured to, in response to the sensing layer absorbing or adsorbing the analyte, emit optical radiation at a modified power level based on the modified refractive index. The detector is configured to detect the modified power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Ling Sieben-Xu, Peter Offermans, Devrez Mehmet Karabacak, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20130334061
    Abstract: A Sensor for sensing the presence of at least one fluidum in a space adjoining the sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, the sensor has a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer stack, a gate electrode overlaying at least part of the 2DEG layer stack for electrostatically controlling electron density of a 2DEG in the 2DEG layer stack and a source and a drain electrode contacting the 2DEG layer stack for electrically contacting the 2DEG, wherein a detection opening is provided in between the gate electrode and the 2DEG layer stack and wherein the detection opening communicates with the space through a detection opening inlet such that molecules of the fluidum can move from the adjoining space through the detection opening inlet into the detection opening where they can measurably alter a electric characteristic of the 2DEG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Peter Offermans, Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20120272721
    Abstract: A device including a gas sensor sensitive to the presence of a specific gas is disclosed. In one aspect, the gas sensor includes a first segment made of a dielectric material and a second segment made of a semiconducting material. The first segment has a first surface exposed to an environment of the gas sensor and is located between the environment and the second segment. The first segment has a first thickness and the second segment has a second thickness. The first thickness is selected such that upon diffusion of a gas molecule of the specific gas into the first segment, a dipole of the molecule of the specific gas detectably influences a bending of an energy-band structure of the semiconducting material of the second segment. The second thickness is in the order of, or smaller than, the Debye length of the semiconducting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Jinesh Kochupurackal, Peter Offermans, Michiel Blauw, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20120247978
    Abstract: An electrochemical ethylene sensor and method for ethylene sensing are disclosed. In one aspect, an electrochemical ethylene sensor includes a working electrode and a counter electrode on an electrically insulating substrate. An ionic liquid layer covers the working electrode and counter electrode. In one method, a voltage is applied to the working electrode which is equal to or lower than the voltage required for the onset of oxidation of the material of the working electrode, for example, in the range spanning 700 mV before the onset of oxidation of the material of the working electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Marcel Zevenbergen, Sywert Brongersma, Mercedes Crego Calama, Daan Wouters
  • Publication number: 20120181185
    Abstract: A configuration is disclosed. In one aspect, the configuration includes a substantially planar electrode layer, in a first plane. The configuration further includes a substantially planar two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer electrically connected in series with the electrode layer. The 2DEG layer is provided in a second plane substantially parallel with the first plane and located at a predetermined distance, in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, from the first plane. The 2DEG layer and the electrode layer are patterned such that the electrode layer overlays a part of the 2DEG layer, wherein the predetermined distance between the first plane and the second plane is selected to be sufficiently small for allowing electrostatic interaction between the electrode layer and the 2DEG layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20120151997
    Abstract: A method of making an electrically conductive structure in a surface portion of a dielectric material is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes creating vacancies at at least part of an exposed surface of the dielectric material by removing atoms from a plurality of molecules of the dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Jinesh Kochupurackal, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20120077019
    Abstract: A humidity barrier comprises a mixed matrix membrane, wherein the mixed matrix membrane comprises a polymer matrix with at least a hydrophobic surface, in which polymer matrix porous hydrophilic filler particles are dispersed. The hydrophobic surface may be formed either by hydrophobic polymer material itself or a hydrophobic coating may be provided on top of non-hydrophobic polymer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Wout Knoben, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20120075634
    Abstract: Methods and sensors for detecting the presence and/or concentration of an analyte are disclosed. In one aspect, a sensing element for use in a sensor is disclosed. The sensing element comprises a resonant cavity device configured to emit optical radiation at an initial power level, a sensing layer exhibiting an initial refractive index, and a detector. The sensing layer is configured to absorb or adsorb an analyte and, in response to absorbing or adsorbing the analyte, exhibit a modified refractive index that differs from the initial refractive index. The resonant cavity device is further configured to, in response to the sensing layer absorbing or adsorbing the analyte, emit optical radiation at a modified power level based on the modified refractive index. The detector is configured to detect the modified power level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Ling Sieben-Xu, Peter Offermans, Devrez Mehmet Karabacak, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20070238294
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining enlarged Cu grains in small trenches. More specifically it related to a method for creating enlarged copper grains or inducing super secondary grain growth in electrochemically deposited copper in narrow trenches and/or vias to be used in semiconductor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)
    Inventors: Gerald Beyer, Sywert Brongersma