Patents by Inventor C. Grant Willson

C. Grant Willson 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: 10139724
    Abstract: The concepts described herein involve the use of random copolymer top coats that can be spin coated onto block copolymer thin films and used to control the interfacial energy of the top coat-block copolymer interface. The top coats are soluble in aqueous weak base and can change surface energy once they are deposited onto the block copolymer thin film. The use of self-assembled block copolymers to produce advanced lithographic patterns relies on their orientation control in thin films. Top coats potentially allow for the facile orientation control of block copolymers which would otherwise be quite challenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher John Ellison, Takehiro Sleshimo, Julia Cushen, Christopher M. Bates, Leon Dean, Logan J. Santos, Erica L. Rausch
  • Patent number: 9823568
    Abstract: A method for ordering block copolymers including forming a first layer having a first preference mode; and providing a reactive agent in selected regions of the first layer that modifies the selected regions to a second preference mode, wherein the selected regions define other regions of the first layer retaining the first preference mode thereby forming an alignment layer for block copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher Ellison, Michael Maher, Christopher Bates, Dustin Janes
  • Patent number: 9802968
    Abstract: The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithogaphy, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael B Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20170139326
    Abstract: A method for ordering block copolymers including forming a first layer having a first preference mode; and providing a reactive agent in selected regions of the first layer that modifies the selected regions to a second preference mode, wherein the selected regions define other regions of the first layer retaining the first preference mode thereby forming an alignment layer for block copolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher Ellison, Michael Maher, Christopher Bates, Dustin Janes
  • Publication number: 20170037065
    Abstract: The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithogaphy, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael B. Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 9557640
    Abstract: A method for ordering block copolymers including forming a first layer having a first preference mode; and providing a reactive agent in selected regions of the first layer that modifies the selected regions to a second preference mode, wherein the selected regions define other regions of the first layer retaining the first preference mode thereby forming an alignment layer for block copolymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents, University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher Ellison, Michael Maher, Christopher Bates, Dustin Janes
  • Patent number: 9434750
    Abstract: The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithography, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael B. Jacobsson
  • Patent number: 9317922
    Abstract: A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jason E. Meiring, Timothy B. Michaelson, C. Grant Willson
  • Patent number: 9156863
    Abstract: The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithography, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, B. Michael Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20150274757
    Abstract: The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithography, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Tsuyoshi Ogawa, Michael B. Jacobsson
  • Publication number: 20150261090
    Abstract: A method for ordering block copolymers including forming a first layer having a first preference mode; and providing a reactive agent in selected regions of the first layer that modifies the selected regions to a second preference mode, wherein the selected regions define other regions of the first layer retaining the first preference mode thereby forming an alignment layer for block copolymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher Ellison, Michael Maher, Christopher Bates, Dustin Janes
  • Patent number: 9120947
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method the synthesis and utilization of random, cross-linked, substituted polystyrene copolymers as polymeric cross-linked surface treatments (PXSTs) to control the orientation of physical features of a block copolymer deposited over the first copolymer. Such methods have many uses including multiple applications in the semiconductor industry including production of templates for nanoimprint lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: BOARD OF REGENTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffrey Strahan, Christopher John Ellison
  • Patent number: 9040121
    Abstract: Vacuum deposited thin films of material are described to create an interface that non-preferentially interacts with different domains of an underlying block copolymer film. The non-preferential interface prevents formation of a wetting layer and influences the orientation of domains in the block copolymer. The purpose of the deposited polymer is to produce nanostructured features in a block copolymer film that can serve as lithographic patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, William Durand, Christopher John Ellison, Christopher Bates, Takehiro Seshimo, Julia Cushen, Logan Santos, Leon Dean, Erica Rausch
  • Publication number: 20140342291
    Abstract: Dual tone photoresist formulations comprising a photoacid generator are described and employed in fabrication techniques, including methods of making structures on substrates, and more particularly, methods of making electronic devices (e.g. transistors and the like) on flexible substrates wherein two patterns are formed simultaneously in one layer of photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Wei-Lun Kane Jen, Brandon Mark Rawlings, Jeffrey Ryan Strahan
  • Publication number: 20130196019
    Abstract: The present invention describes the synthesis of silicon-containing monomers and copolymers. The synthesis of a monomer, trimethyl-(2-methylenebut-3-enyl)silane (TMSI) and subsequent synthesis of diblock copolymer with styrene, forming polystyrene-block-polytrimethylsilyl isoprene, and synthesis of diblock copolymer Polystyrene-block-polymethacryloxymethyltrimethylsilane or PS-b-P(MTMSMA). These silicon containing diblock copolymers have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel imprint template material with sub-100 nm features for lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: National University of Sinapore
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffrey Strahan, Christopher John Ellison, Brennen Mueller
  • Publication number: 20130045361
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method the synthesis and utilization of random, cross-linked, substituted polystyrene copolymers as polymeric cross-linked surface treatments (PXSTs) to control the orientation of physical features of a block copolymer deposited over the first copolymer. Such methods have many uses including multiple applications in the semi-conductor industry including production of templates for nanoimprint lithography.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffrey Strahan, Christopher John Ellison
  • Publication number: 20130022785
    Abstract: The present invention discloses diblock copolymer systems that self-assemble to produce very small structures. These co-polymers consist of one block that contains silicon and another block comprised of an oligosaccharide that are coupled by azide-alkyne cycloaddition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher John Ellison, Julia Cushen, Issei Otsuka, C. Grant Willson, Christopher M. Bates, Jeffery Alan Easley, Redouane Borsali, Sebastien Fort, Sami Halila
  • Publication number: 20120194671
    Abstract: A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jason E. Meiring, Timothy B. Michaelson, C. Grant Willson
  • Publication number: 20110262860
    Abstract: Dual tone photoresist formulations comprising a photoacid generator are described and employed in fabrication techniques, including methods of making structures on substrates, and more particularly, methods of making electronic devices (e.g. transistors and the like) on flexible substrates wherein two patterns are formed simultaneously in one layer of photoresist.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: C. Grant Willson, Wei-Lun Kane Jen, Brandon Mark Rawlings, Jeffrey Ryan Strahan
  • Patent number: 8017174
    Abstract: A system and method for recognition of images may include the use of alignment markers. The image recognized may be a pattern from an array, a character, a number, a shape, and/or irregular shapes. The pattern may be formed by elements in an array such as an identification marking and/or a sensor array. More particularly, the system and method relate to discriminating between images by accounting for the orientation of the image. The size and/or location of alignment markers may provide information about the orientation of an image. Information about the orientation of an image may reduce false recognitions. The system and method of image recognition may be used with identification markings, biosensors, micro-fluidic arrays, and/or optical character recognition systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jason E. Meiring, Timothy B. Michaelson, C. Grant Willson