Patents Assigned to IMEC vzw
  • Patent number: 11637554
    Abstract: A device for buffering a reference signal comprises a regulator circuit configured to generate at least two replicas of the reference signal as regulated output signals. The device further comprises a receiving circuit configured to receive the regulated output signals in a switchable manner. In this context, the regulated output signals are configured to have different performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Nereo Markulic, Benjamin Hershberg, Jorge Luis Lagos Benites, Ewout Martens, Jan Craninckx
  • Patent number: 11619785
    Abstract: An optical device including a waveguide grating is disclosed. The optical device may be used as an optical cavity for a laser device, for instance, of an integrated laser device for light detection and ranging (Lidar) applications. In one aspect, the optical device includes a waveguide grating for guiding light, a heating layer provided beneath or above the waveguide grating, and two or more contacts for passing a current through the heating layer, to generate heat in the heating layer. The heating layer is thermally coupled to the waveguide grating and is optically decoupled from the waveguide grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Charles Caer, Sarvagya Paavan Dwivedi
  • Patent number: 11619574
    Abstract: The inventive concept relates to a device for detecting particles in air, said device comprising a receiver for receiving a flow of air comprising particles, a sample carrier, and a particle capturing arrangement. The particle capturing arrangement is configured to separate the particles from the flow of air for and to collect a set of particles on a surface of the sample carrier. The device further comprises a light source configured to illuminate the particles on the sample carrier, such that an interference pattern is formed by interference between light being scattered by the particles and non-scattered light from the light source. The device further comprises an image sensor configured to detect the interference pattern. The device further comprises a cleaner configured for cleaning the surface of the sample carrier for enabling re-use of the surface for collection of a subsequent set of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Ziduo Lin, Abdulkadir Yurt, Richard Stahl
  • Patent number: 11621685
    Abstract: A digitally controlled variable gain amplifier (VGA) for generating amplification output levels is disclosed. In one aspect, the digitally controlled VGA includes a positive amplification stage including at least two positive amplifiers, and a corresponding negative amplification stage coupled to the positive amplification stage. The negative amplification stage includes at least two negative amplifiers. The positive amplification stage and the corresponding negative amplification stage are digitally controlled by one or more digital codes. The corresponding negative amplification stage is coupled in parallel with the positive amplification stage and is equally weighted as the positive amplification stage, and both the positive amplification stage and the corresponding negative amplification stage selectively contribute to the generation of the amplification output levels for the digitally controlled VGA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Khaled Khalaf, Steven Brebels
  • Patent number: 11618966
    Abstract: Porous solid materials are provided. The porous solid materials include a plurality of interconnected wires forming an ordered network. The porous solid materials may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 2 m2/cm3 and 90 m2/cm3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 3% and 90% and an electrical conductivity higher than 100 S/cm. The porous solid materials may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 3 m2/cm3 and 72 m2/cm3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 80% and 95% and an electrical conductivity higher than 100 S/cm. The porous solid materials (100) may have a predetermined volumetric surface area ranging between 3 m2/cm3 and 85 m2/cm3, a predetermined porosity ranging between 65% and 90% and an electrical conductivity higher than 2000 S/cm. Methods for the fabrication of such porous solid materials and devices including such porous solid material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, KU Leuven R&D
    Inventors: Stanislaw Piotr Zankowski, Philippe M. Vereecken
  • Patent number: 11621295
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates to the field of memory devices including memory arrays, and more particularly, to magnetic memory devices. In one aspect, the disclosed technology provides a method of fabricating a memory device, and the memory device. The method comprises: processing a plurality of selector devices in a semiconductor layer of a first substrate, processing an interconnect layer on a front-side of the semiconductor layer, the interconnect layer comprising an interconnect structure electrically connected to the plurality of selector devices, processing a plurality of memory elements in an oxide layer of the first substrate arranged on a back-side of the semiconductor layer, each memory element being electrically connected to one of the selector devices, and processing one or more vias through the semiconductor layer to electrically connect the memory elements to the interconnect structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Gaspard Hiblot, Shamin Houshmand Sharifi, Geert Van der Plas
  • Patent number: 11615288
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to secure broker-mediated data analysis and prediction. One example embodiment includes a method. The method includes receiving, by a managing computing device, a plurality of datasets from client computing devices. The method also includes computing, by the managing computing device, a shared representation based on a shared function having one or more shared parameters. Further, the method includes transmitting, by the managing computing device, the shared representation and other data to the client computing devices. In addition, the method includes, based on the shared representation and the other data, the client computing devices update partial representations and individual functions with one or more individual parameters. Still further, the method includes determining, by the client computing devices, feedback values to provide to the managing computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA NV, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Hugo Ceulemans, Roel Wuyts, Wilfried Verachtert, Jaak Simm, Adam Arany, Yves Moreau, Charlotte Herzeel
  • Patent number: 11609172
    Abstract: A device for detecting particles in air; said device comprising: a flow channel configured to allow a flow of air comprising particles through the flow channel; a light source configured to illuminate the particles, such that an interference pattern is formed by interference between light being scattered by the particles and non-scattered light from the light source; an image sensor configured to detect incident light, detect the interference pattern, and to acquire a time-sequence of image frames, each image frame comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel representing a detected intensity of light; and a frame processor configured to filter information in the time-sequence of image frames, wherein said filtering comprises: identifying pixels of interest in the time-sequence of image frames, said pixels of interest picturing an interference pattern potentially representing a particle in the flow of air, and outputting said identified pixels of interest for performing digital holographic reconstruction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Richard Stahl, Abdulkadir Yurt, Ziduo Lin, Geert Vanmeerbeeck, Andy Lambrechts
  • Patent number: 11610980
    Abstract: A method for processing a forksheet device includes providing a substrate and forming a trench in the substrate, extending along a first direction, in the substrate. The formation of the trench includes forming a grating structure on the substrate that includes a pair of maskings, arranged at a distance from each other, and etching the trench into the substrate in a region between the pair of maskings. The method also includes filling the trench with a filling material and partially recessing the substrate to form a fin structure. This fin structure includes the filled trench, a first section of the substrate at a first side of the filled trench and a second section of the substrate at a second side of the filled trench, and forming a gate structure on and around the fin structure. The method additionally includes forming a gate structure on and around the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Boon Teik Chan, Changyong Xiao, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 11609223
    Abstract: A device for analysis of cells comprises: an active sensor area (104) presenting a surface for cell growth; a microelectrode array (102) comprising a plurality of pixels (110) in the active sensor area (104), wherein each pixel (110) comprises at least one electrode (120) at the surface, wherein each pixel (110) is configured to control the configuration of the pixel circuitry and set a measurement modality of the pixel; recording circuitry having a plurality of recording channels (130), wherein each pixel (110) is connected to a recording channel (130), wherein each recording channel (130) comprises a reconfigurable component (131), which is selectively controlled between being set to a first mode, in which the reconfigurable component (131) is configured to amplify a received pixel signal, and being set to a second mode, in which the reconfigurable component (131) is configured to selectively pass a frequency band of the received pixel signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: Carolina Mora Lopez
  • Patent number: 11600735
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating an avalanche photodiode (APD) device, in particular, a separate absorption charge multiplication (SACM) APD device. The method includes forming a first contact region and a second contact region in a semiconductor layer. Further, the method includes forming a first mask layer above at least a first contact region of the semiconductor layer adjacent to the first contact region, and forming a second mask layer above and laterally overlapping the first mask layer. Thereby, a mask window is defined by the first mask layer and the second mask layer, and the first mask layer and/or the second mask layer are formed above a second contact region of the semiconductor layer adjacent to the second contact region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Ashwyn Srinivasan, Peter Verheyen, Philippe Absil, Joris Van Campenhout
  • Patent number: 11600734
    Abstract: An avalanche photodiode (APD) device, in particular, a lateral separate absorption charge multiplication (SACM) APD device, and a method for its fabrication is provided. The APD device comprises a first contact region and a second contact region formed in a semiconductor layer. Further, the APD device comprises an absorption region formed on the semiconductor layer, wherein the absorption region is at least partly formed on a first region of the semiconductor layer, wherein the first region is arranged between the first contact region and the second contact region. The APD device further includes a charge region formed in the semiconductor layer between the first region and the second contact region, and an amplification region formed in the semiconductor layer between the charge region and the second contact region. At least the absorption region is curved on the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Ashwyn Srinivasan, Maria Ioanna Pantouvaki, Joris Van Campenhout
  • Patent number: 11599138
    Abstract: An arrangement for use in a matrix-vector-multiplier, comprising a stack of material layers arranged on a substrate, and a waveguide element formed in at least one material layer in the stack is disclosed. In one aspect, the arrangement further comprises a transducer arrangement which is coupled to the waveguide element. The transducer arrangement is configured to generate and detect spin wave(s) in the waveguide element, and wherein the waveguide element is configured to confine and to provide interference of the at spin wave(s) propagating therein. The arrangement further comprises a control mechanism comprising at least one control element coupled to the waveguide element, and a direct current electric source coupled to the at least one control element. The control mechanism, via the at least one control element, is configured to modify the phase velocity of the spin wave(s) propagating in the waveguide element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Hanns Christoph Adelmann, Jose Diogo Costa, Florin Ciubotaru
  • Patent number: 11599019
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method for forming an EUVL pellicle, the method comprising: coating a carbon nanotube, CNT, membrane, and mounting the CNT membrane to a pellicle frame, wherein coating the CNT membrane comprises: pre-coating CNTs of the membrane with a seed material, and forming an outer coating on the pre-coated CNTs, the outer coating covering the pre-coated CNTs, the forming of the outer coating comprising depositing a coating material on the pre-coated CNTs by atomic layer deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Marina Timmermans, Cedric Huyghebaert, Ivan Pollentier, Elie Schapmans, Emily Gallagher
  • Patent number: 11590497
    Abstract: A capillary driven microfluidic system and a biosensing device including the capillary driven microfluidic system are provided. The capillary driven microfluidic system includes: a first substrate comprising at least one microfluidic channel ending in an opening, and having, adjacent to the opening, a protruding element; and a second substrate comprising at least one open cavity. The at least one protruding element and the at least one cavity include at least one hydrophilic surface. In addition, the at least one protruding element and the at least one cavity may be adapted for engaging with one another for providing transfer of a fluid between the first substrate and the second substrate. A space between the at least one hydrophilic surface of the at least one protruding element and the at least one hydrophilic surface of the at least one cavity is provided, where the separation between said surfaces is such that capillary forces are generated on the fluid upon entering inside the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventor: David Mikaelian
  • Patent number: 11587708
    Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosed technology relates to a magnetic device, which may be a magnetic memory and/or logic device. The magnetic device can comprise a seed layer; a first free magnetic layer provided on the seed layer; an interlayer provided on the first free magnetic layer; a second free magnetic layer provided on the interlayer; a tunnel barrier provided on the second free magnetic layer; and a fixed magnetic layer. The first free magnetic layer and the second free magnetic layer can be ferromagnetically coupled across the interlayer through exchange interaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC vzw, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
    Inventors: Van Dai Nguyen, Sebastien Couet, Olivier Bultynck, Danny Wan, Eline Raymenants
  • Patent number: 11585874
    Abstract: The disclosed technology relates generally to semiconductor devices and more particularly to magnetic tunnel junction devices. According to an aspect, an MTJ device comprises a spin-orbit-torque (SOT)-layer. The MTJ device additionally comprises a first free layer, a second free layer, a reference layer and a tunnel barrier layer arranged between the second free layer and the reference layer. The MTJ device further comprises a spacer layer arranged as an interfacial layer between the first free layer and the second free layer. The SOT-layer is adapted to switch a magnetization direction of the first free layer through SOT. The first free layer is adapted to generate a magnetic stray field acting on the second free layer such that a magnetization direction of the second free layer is responsive to a magnetization direction of the first free layer. According to another aspect, a circuit comprises the MTJ device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC vzw
    Inventors: Johan Swerts, Kevin Garello
  • Patent number: 11583679
    Abstract: An electrode arrangement for stimulating and recording electrical signals in biological matter comprises: an array (110) of electrodes (112), wherein electrodes (112) are configured to be switchable between stimulating and recording of electrical signals; a control unit (120), wherein the control unit (120) is configured to select a plurality of electrodes (112) to form a combined macroelectrode site (114) for providing a stimulating signal, wherein the control unit (120) is further configured to determine a perimeter electrode (112b) and a central electrode (112a), wherein the perimeter electrode (112b) is arranged at a perimeter of the combined macroelectrode site (114) and the central electrode (112a) is arranged centrally within the combined macroelectrode site (114), and wherein the control unit (120) is further configured to provide a stimulation signal to the perimeter electrode (112b) that has a lower magnitude than a stimulation signal provided to the central electrode (112a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: IMEC VZW
    Inventors: Carolina Mora Lopez, Marco Ballini, Didac Gomez Salinas
  • Patent number: 11576623
    Abstract: A method of generating a model for generating a synthetic electrocardiography (ECG) signal comprises: receiving subject-specific training data for machine learning, said training data comprising a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal acquired from the subject and an ECG signal acquired from the subject, wherein the ECG signal provides a ground truth of the subject for associating the ECG signal with the PPG signal; using associated pairs of a time-series of the PPG signal and a corresponding time-series of the ECG signal as input to a deep neural network, DNN; and determining, through the DNN, a subject-specific model relating the PPG signal of the subject to the ECG signal of the subject for converting the PPG signal to a synthetic ECG signal using the subject-specific model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
    Inventors: Dwaipayan Biswas, Luke Everson, Mario Konijnenburg, Christiaan Van Hoof, Nick Van Helleputte
  • Patent number: 11559220
    Abstract: A measurement unit for measuring a bio-impedance of a body, the measurement unit comprising a current generator circuit, a readout circuit, and a baseline cancellation current circuit, wherein the current generator circuit is configured to amplify a reference current to form a measurement current to be driven through a body to generate a measurement voltage representing the bio-impedance; wherein the readout circuit comprises a Instrumentation amplifier (IA) which has a transconductance stage and a transimpedance stage, wherein the IA is configured to: produce a first current in the transconductance stage, the first current being proportional to the measurement voltage, receive a second current from the baseline cancellation current circuit, produce an output voltage in the transimpedance stage, the output voltage being proportional to a difference between the first current and the second current and representative of the measured bio-impedance; wherein the baseline cancellation current circuit is confi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: IMEC VZW, STICHTING IMEC NEDERLAND
    Inventors: Hyunsoo Ha, Nick Van Helleputte