Patents by Inventor Flavio Francesco Villa

Flavio Francesco Villa 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).

  • Publication number: 20200136342
    Abstract: An integrated optical device, including: a semiconductor body delimited by a top surface; and at least one buried cavity, which extends in the semiconductor body, at a distance from the top surface, so as to delimit at the bottom a front semiconductor region, which functions as an optical guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco VILLA, Guido CHIARETTI, Gabriele BARLOCCHI
  • Patent number: 10626008
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Patent number: 10576500
    Abstract: A piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) comprising: a semiconductor body having a first cavity and a membrane, which is suspended over the first cavity and faces a front side of the semiconductor body; and a piezoelectric transducer assembly extending at least in part on the membrane, which may be actuated for generating a deflection of the membrane. A second cavity extends buried in a peripheral region of the membrane and delimits a central region of the membrane. Moreover, the peripheral portion has a stiffness lower than the stiffness of the central portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Francesco Foncellino, Flavio Francesco Villa, Andrea Di Matteo
  • Publication number: 20200024132
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20190375629
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a microelectromechanical device envisages: providing a wafer of semiconductor material; forming a buried cavity, completely contained within the wafer, and a structural layer formed by a surface portion of the wafer and suspended over the buried cavity; forming first trenches through the structural layer as far as the buried cavity, which define the suspended structure in the structural layer; filling the first trenches and the buried cavity with sacrificial material; forming a closing structure above the structural layer; removing the sacrificial material from the first trenches and from the buried cavity to release the suspended structure, the suspended structure being isolated and buried within the wafer in a buried environment formed by the first trenches and by the buried cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Enri DUQI, Lorenzo BALDO, Flavio Francesco VILLA, Gabriele BARLOCCHI
  • Publication number: 20190221678
    Abstract: A semiconductor body includes a front side and a back side and is configured to support an electronic circuit. A buried region is provided in the semiconductor body at a location between the electronic circuit and the back side. The buried region includes a layer of conductive material and a dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer is arranged between the layer of conductive material and the semiconductor body. A conductive path extends between the buried region and the front side to form a path for electrical access to the layer of conductive material. A capacitor is thus formed with the layer of conductive material providing a capacitor plate and the dielectric layer providing the capacitor dielectric. A further capacitor plate is provided by the semiconductor body, or by a further layer of conductive material in the buried region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco VILLA, Marco MORELLI, Marco MARCHESI, Simone Dario MARIANI, Fabrizio Fausto Renzo TOIA
  • Patent number: 10315196
    Abstract: A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20190115524
    Abstract: A MEMS piezoelectric device includes a monolithic semiconductor body having first and second main surfaces extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes. A housing cavity is arranged within the monolithic semiconductor body. A membrane is suspended above the housing cavity at the first main surface. A piezoelectric material layer is arranged above a first surface of the membrane with a proof mass coupled to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, along the vertical axis. An electrode arrangement is provided in contact with the piezoelectric material layer. The proof mass causes deformation of the piezoelectric material layer in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. The proof mass is coupled to the membrane by a connection element arranged, in a central position, between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Fortuna BEVILACQUA, Flavio Francesco VILLA, Rossana SCALDAFERRI, Valeria CASUSCELLI, Andrea DI MATTEO, Dino FARALLI
  • Patent number: 10186654
    Abstract: A MEMS piezoelectric device includes a monolithic semiconductor body having first and second main surfaces extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes. A housing cavity is arranged within the monolithic semiconductor body. A membrane is suspended above the housing cavity at the first main surface. A piezoelectric material layer is arranged above a first surface of the membrane with a proof mass coupled to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, along the vertical axis. An electrode arrangement is provided in contact with the piezoelectric material layer. The proof mass causes deformation of the piezoelectric material layer in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. The proof mass is coupled to the membrane by a connection element arranged, in a central position, between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Flavio Francesco Villa, Rossana Scaldaferri, Valeria Casuscelli, Andrea Di Matteo, Dino Faralli
  • Patent number: 10150666
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20180304259
    Abstract: A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Patent number: 10029254
    Abstract: A device for detecting the concentration of biological materials is formed in a body having a plurality of fluidic paths connectable to a multi-microbalance structure carrying a plurality of microbalances, each microbalance having a sensitive portion facing a reaction chamber. The body and the multi-microbalance structure are configured to be mechanically coupled together and each microbalance is configured to be coupled to a respective fluidic path. Each fluidic path includes an inlet, a duct and a liquid waste, each duct being configured to be coupled with a respective reaction chamber. The plurality of fluidic paths and microbalances form at least one first and one second reference cells and one first sample cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Ubaldo Mastromatteo, Gabriele Barlocchi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20180178251
    Abstract: A piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) comprising: a semiconductor body having a first cavity and a membrane, which is suspended over the first cavity and faces a front side of the semiconductor body; and a piezoelectric transducer assembly extending at least in part on the membrane, which may be actuated for generating a deflection of the membrane. A second cavity extends buried in a peripheral region of the membrane and delimits a central region of the membrane. Moreover, the peripheral portion has a stiffness lower than the stiffness of the central portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Francesco FONCELLINO, Flavio Francesco VILLA, Andrea DI MATTEO
  • Patent number: 9975756
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical pressure sensor device, formed by a cap region and by a sensor region of semiconductor material. An air gap extends between the sensor region and the cap region; a buried cavity extends underneath the air gap, in the sensor region, and delimits a membrane at the bottom. A through trench extends within the sensor region and laterally delimits a sensitive portion housing the membrane, a supporting portion, and a spring portion, the spring portion connecting the sensitive portion to the supporting portion. A channel extends within the spring portion and connects the buried cavity to a face of the second region. The first air gap is fluidically connected to the outside of the device, and the buried cavity is isolated from the outside via a sealing region arranged between the sensor region and the cap region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Enri Duqi, Sebastiano Conti, Lorenzo Baldo, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20180031822
    Abstract: A buried cavity is formed in a monolithic body to delimit a suspended membrane. A peripheral insulating region defines a supporting frame in the suspended membrane. Trenches extending through the suspended membrane define a rotatable mobile mass carried by the supporting frame. The mobile mass forms an oscillating mass, supporting arms, spring portions, and mobile electrodes that are combfingered to fixed electrodes of the supporting frame. A reflecting region is formed on top of the oscillating mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Enri Duqi, Lorenzo Baldo, Roberto Carminati, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20170253477
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Lorenzo BALDO, Enri DUQI, Flavio Francesco VILLA
  • Publication number: 20170247249
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical pressure sensor device, formed by a cap region and by a sensor region of semiconductor material. An air gap extends between the sensor region and the cap region; a buried cavity extends underneath the air gap, in the sensor region, and delimits a membrane at the bottom. A through trench extends within the sensor region and laterally delimits a sensitive portion housing the membrane, a supporting portion, and a spring portion, the spring portion connecting the sensitive portion to the supporting portion. A channel extends within the spring portion and connects the buried cavity to a face of the second region. The first air gap is fluidically connected to the outside of the device, and the buried cavity is isolated from the outside via a sealing region arranged between the sensor region and the cap region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Enri DUQI, Sebastiano CONTI, Lorenzo BALDO, Flavio Francesco VILLA
  • Publication number: 20170186940
    Abstract: A MEMS piezoelectric device includes a monolithic semiconductor body having first and second main surfaces extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes. A housing cavity is arranged within the monolithic semiconductor body. A membrane is suspended above the housing cavity at the first main surface. A piezoelectric material layer is arranged above a first surface of the membrane with a proof mass coupled to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, along the vertical axis. An electrode arrangement is provided in contact with the piezoelectric material layer. The proof mass causes deformation of the piezoelectric material layer in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. The proof mass is coupled to the membrane by a connection element arranged, in a central position, between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Maria Fortuna Bevilacqua, Flavio Francesco Villa, Rossana Scaldaferri, Valeria Casuscelli, Andrea Di Matteo, Dino Faralli
  • Patent number: 9688531
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa
  • Publication number: 20170144881
    Abstract: A micro-electro-mechanical device formed in a monolithic body of semiconductor material accommodating a first buried cavity; a sensitive region above the first buried cavity; and a second buried cavity extending in the sensitive region. A decoupling trench extends from a first face of the monolithic body as far as the first buried cavity and laterally surrounds the second buried cavity. The decoupling trench separates the sensitive region from a peripheral portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Enri Duqi, Flavio Francesco Villa