Patents Assigned to IMEC vzw
  • Patent number: 12004943
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for controlling an artificial iris may include receiving a measurement of light intensity detected by a sensor on or adjacent to the artificial iris. The method may include accessing a user-specific profile based on user calibration for determining one or more user-specific thresholds of light intensity of the user-specific profile. The one or more user-specific thresholds are associated with light intensities for triggering a change of light transmittance through the artificial iris. The method may include comparing the received measurement of light intensity to the one or more thresholds in the user-specific profile. The method may include determining, based on the comparing, whether to turn on or turn off one or more concentric rings of liquid crystals of the artificial iris for controlling an amount of light transmitted through the artificial iris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: Andres Felipe Vasquez Quintero
  • Patent number: 12000785
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for detecting photoluminescent light emitted from a sample, said apparatus (200; 300) comprising at least one light source (210; 310, 318), which is configured to emit light of a first and a second wavelength towards a sample comprising photoluminescent particles, wherein said first wavelength is an excitation wavelength for inducing photoluminescent light from said photoluminescent particles, and wherein said second wavelength is longer than said first wavelength and for gathering background noise information from said sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Finub James Shirley, Pol Van Dorpe
  • Patent number: 12002680
    Abstract: A method includes providing a semiconductor structure including: a substrate; a layer stack with each layer of the layer stack including a Group III-nitride material; and a p-type doped GaN layer on the layer stack. The method also includes providing, on the GaN layer, a metal bi-layer including a first metal layer in contact with GaN layer and a second metal layer on the first metal layer and having a lower sheet resistance than the first metal layer. The method also includes performing a patterning process upon the metal bi-layer and the p-type doped GaN layer such that a first periphery of the first metal layer is aligned to a second periphery of the second metal layer and such that a first cross section of the metal bi-layer is smaller than a second cross section of the GaN layer parallel to the first cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Niels Posthuma, Stefaan Decoutere
  • Patent number: 11992597
    Abstract: According to an aspect there is provided a method for automatic maintenance of a dialysis system. The dialysis system includes a plurality of filter sections where each filter section includes a blood flow channel, a dialysate flow channel, and a membrane separating the blood flow channel from the dialysate flow channel and having a plurality of pores through which substances are exchanged between a blood flow in the blood flow channel and a dialysate flow in the dialysate flow channel. The method includes determining, for each filter section of the plurality of filter sections, whether a maintenance criterion is fulfilled. The method also includes triggering a maintenance event for a filter section of the plurality of filter sections for which the maintenance criterion is fulfilled. The method also includes executing the maintenance event and optionally administering a thrombolytic agent to the blood flow channel of the filter section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignees: Imec vzw, Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Fokko Wieringa, Willem Van Roy, Patrick van Deursen, Lucas Lindeboom
  • Patent number: 11996459
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to counteracting semiconductor material loss during semiconductor structure formation. One embodiment includes a method for forming a semiconductor structure. The method includes providing a structure. The structure includes a substrate. The structure also includes a layer stack on the substrate. The layer stack includes at least one semiconductor layer of a semiconductor material and at least one sacrificial layer under the semiconductor layer. Further, the structure includes a trench through the layer stack. The further also includes forming a recess in the layer stack by etching a portion of the sacrificial layer exposed by the trench. The etching includes a preferential etch of the sacrificial layer with respect to the semiconductor layer. Additionally, the method includes epitaxially growing a liner of the semiconductor material onto surfaces of the semiconductor layer exposed by the trench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Imec vzw
    Inventors: Kurt Wostyn, Yusuke Oniki, Hans Mertens
  • Patent number: 11971385
    Abstract: A cyclic capillary electrophoresis device includes a capillary channel that forms a closed loop. The capillary channel comprises an inner half facing toward a space enclosed by the loop, where the inner half having an inner wall of first charge density, and an outer half facing away from the space enclosed by the loop, where the outer half having an inner wall surface of second charge density. A difference between the first and the second charge densities exists or can be turned on. The difference is configured to create a smaller average electroosmotic flow velocity in the inner half than in the outer half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignees: Imec vzw, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Koen Martens, Chengxun Liu, Camila Dalben Madeira Campos, Rita Vos
  • Publication number: 20240133016
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for etching a molybdenum feature, comprising the steps of: a) oxidizing a thickness portion of the molybdenum feature using a thermal oxidation process to form a thermal molybdenum oxide layer, and b) dissolving the thermal molybdenum oxide layer using a wet chemistry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: IMEC VZW, SCREEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Antoine Pacco, Nakano Teppei
  • Patent number: 11968596
    Abstract: A method for estimating movements of a crowd between a first and second subregion in an area are monitored by a wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor network includes nodes configured to exchange a radio frequency signal through a first respective second link. The first respective second link crosses the first respective second subregion. The method includes the steps of exchanging radio frequency signals over the first and second link; and measuring respective first and second attenuations of the exchanged radio frequency signals over the first respective second link; and estimating based on a change in the attenuations a flow of the crowd between the first and second subregion. The estimating further includes estimating based on the first and second attenuations a density of the crowd in the first respective second subregion; and estimating based thereon a flux of the crowd between the first and second subregion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
    Inventors: Ben Bellekens, Rafael Berkvens, Stijn Denis, Maarten Weyn
  • Patent number: 11968841
    Abstract: A ferroelectric device, for instance, a metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) capacitor, a ferroelectric random access memory (Fe-RAM), or a ferroelectric field effect transistor (FeFET), is provided. In one aspect, the ferroelectric device is based on hafnium zirconate (HZO). The ferroelectric device can include a first electrode and a second electrode, and a doped HZO layer, which is arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode. The doped HZO layer can include a ferroelectric layer and at least two non-zero remnant polarization charge states. The doped HZO layer can be doped with at least two different elements selected from the lanthanide series, or with a combination of at least one element selected from the lanthanide series and at least one rare earth element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Mihaela Ioana Popovici, Amey Mahadev Walke, Jan Van Houdt
  • Patent number: 11953451
    Abstract: A method is provided for inspection of an item comprising acquiring a projection image of the item using a radiation imaging system and obtaining a plurality of simulated projection images of the item or a component thereof, based on a simulation of a numerical three-dimensional model. A relative orientation of the item with respect to the imaging system is determined by comparing the projection image to the plurality of simulated images, and at least one angle of rotation is determined by taking into account a viewing angle and the relative orientation. The method further comprises moving the item and/or the imaging system in accordance with the at least one angle of rotation and acquiring a further projection image of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN, IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Jan De Beenhouwer, Jan Sijbers
  • Patent number: 11955368
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a reconditioning wafer can include a carrier substrate that supports at least one array of regularly spaced protrusions configured to form indentations in a support surface of a wafer holding stage. The protrusions within the same array can have substantially the same shape and dimensions, thereby enabling a more reliable reconditioning process compared to prior art solutions. The protrusions may have the form of pyramids or pillars or other similar shapes with at least the tip of the protrusions formed of a material suitable to make the indentations. The reconditioning wafer can be obtainable by a molding technique wherein an array of molds can be created in a mold substrate. The molds can be filled with an indentation material such as diamond, and can be bonded to the carrier substrate. The mold substrate can be removed by thinning and wet etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: Thomas Hantschel
  • Patent number: 11946849
    Abstract: A differentiation system for differentiating cells includes an input device configured to receive holographic image data of a microscopic particle in suspension, holographic image data processing logic for converting the holographic image data to the frequency domain by performing a Fourier transform of the holographic image data, and a recognizer configured to determine characterization features of the holographic image data of the microscopic particle in the frequency domain for characterization of the microscopic particle, the characterization features comprising rotationally invariant features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
    Inventors: Bruno Cornelis, David Blinder, Peter Schelkens, Bart Jansen
  • Patent number: 11946850
    Abstract: A device for detecting particles in air; said device comprising: a receiver for receiving a flow of air comprising particles; a particle capturing arrangement configured to transfer the particles from the flow of air to a liquid for collection of a set of particles in the liquid; a flow channel configured to pass a flow of the liquid comprising the set of particles through the flow channel; a light source configured to illuminate the set of particles in the flow channel, such that an interference pattern is formed by interference between light being scattered by the set of particles and non-scattered light from the light source; and an image sensor comprising a plurality of photo-sensitive elements configured to detect incident light, the image sensor being configured to detect the interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Ziduo Lin, Abdulkadir Yurt, Richard Stahl, Andy Lambrechts
  • Patent number: 11944965
    Abstract: A microfluidic device, a diagnostic device including the microfluidic device and a method for making the microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device includes: (i) a transparent substrate comprising a cavity, the cavity opening up to a top of the transparent substrate; (ii) a transparent layer covering the cavity, and (iii) a semiconductor substrate over the transparent layer and the transparent substrate, wherein the semiconductor substrate comprises a through hole overlaying the cavity and exposing the transparent layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Imec vzw
    Inventors: Giuseppe Fiorentino, Simone Severi, Aurelie Humbert
  • Patent number: 11931160
    Abstract: A brain interaction apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of filaments; and a brain invasive launcher having a plurality of launching channels extending in a longitudinal direction between a proximal end and a distal end thereof. Each launching channel is configured for holding one of the plurality of filaments moveably arranged therein. At least one of the plurality of filaments is provided with a steering tip affixed to a distal end thereof. The steering tip comprises a portion tapering in a longitudinal direction of the at least one of the plurality of filaments thereby narrowing toward a distal end of the steering tip. The tapered portion is rotationally asymmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the at least one of the plurality of filaments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: Imec vzw, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, VIB
    Inventors: Sebastian Haesler, Luis Diego Leon Hoffman
  • Patent number: 11927479
    Abstract: A smart contact lens (400) for detecting a ratiometric change in an incident light (126) intensity is provided, including one or more, preferably concentric, rings (410-1, 410-2, . . . , 410-N) of a liquid crystal display, LCD, type, each ring being operable between a state having a lower attenuation of light and a state having a higher attenuation of light; a circuit (420, 100, 101) for detecting a ratiometric change in an incident light intensity; and a controller (430) configured to operate the one or more rings based on an intensity of an incident light and to, as a response to the circuit (420, 100, 10 101) detecting a ratiometric change in the intensity of the incident light from a higher intensity state to a lower intensity state indicating that at least a beginning of a blinking of an eye of a user has occurred, initiate a re-polarization of the one or more rings. A method of operating the smart contact lens and various uses of the circuit are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Chris Van Liempd, Andres Felipe Vasquez Quintero, Herbert De Smet
  • Patent number: 11927586
    Abstract: A method and system for inspection of an item, and a use thereof, are presented. The method comprises acquiring a plurality of projection images of an item at a plurality of projection angles for performing a tomographic reconstruction of the item. A plurality of objects are detected in the tomographic reconstruction and each object has a generic shape described by a parametric three-dimensional numerical model. Said detection comprises determining initial estimates of position and/or orientation of each object and at least one geometrical parameter of the three-dimensional model for each object. The initial estimates are iteratively refining by using a projection-matching approach, in which forward projection images are simulated for the objects according to operating parameters of the radiation imaging device and a difference metric between acquired projection images and simulated forward projection images is reduced at each iteration step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignees: UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN, IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Jan De Beenhouwer, Jan Sijbers
  • Patent number: 11929385
    Abstract: A method for forming a pixelated optoelectronic stack comprises forming a stacked layer structure that comprises a bottom electrode layer, an optoelectronic layer over the bottom electrode layer, and a patterned hard-mask comprising a pattern over the optoelectronic layer. The method comprises replicating the pattern into the optoelectronic layer and the bottom electrode layer, thereby forming a first intermediate pixelated stack comprising at least two islands of stack separated from one another by stack-free areas; providing an electrically insulating layer on the first intermediate pixelated stack; removing a top portion of the electrically insulating layer and removing any remaining hard-mask so that a top surface of the electrically insulating layer is coplanar with an exposed top surface of the first intermediate pixelated stack, yielding a second intermediate pixelated stack; and forming a top transparent electrode layer over the second intermediate pixelated stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Imec vzw
    Inventors: Yunlong Li, Stefano Guerrieri, Ming Mao, Luis Moreno Hagelsieb
  • Patent number: 11923198
    Abstract: In a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for forming a patterning mask over a layer to be patterned, the method comprising: (a) providing a first layer over a substrate, the substrate comprising the layer to be patterned, the first layer being capable to bond with a monolayer comprising a compound comprising a functional group for bonding to the first layer and a removable organic group, (b) bonding the monolayer to the first layer, (c) exposing the monolayer to an energy beam, thereby forming a pattern comprising a first area comprising the compound with the removable organic group and a second area comprising the compound not having the removable organic group, and (d) selectively depositing an amorphous carbon layer on top of the first area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, KU LEUVEN R&D
    Inventors: Mikhail Krishtab, Silvia Armini
  • Patent number: 11910725
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to magnetic devices. In particular, the disclosure relates to magnetic memory and logic devices that employ the voltage control of magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) effect for magnetization switching. The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a magnetic structure for such a magnetic device. The method comprising the following steps: providing a bottom electrode layer, forming a SrTiO3 (STO) stack on the bottom electrode layer by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of at least two different STO nanolaminates, forming a magnetic layer on the STO stack, and forming a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) promoting layer on the magnetic layer, the PMA promoting layer being configured to promote PMA in the magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Bart Vermeulen, Mihaela Ioana Popovici, Koen Martens, Gouri Sankar Kar