Patents by Inventor Lorenzo Baldo

Lorenzo Baldo 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: 8193550
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical device, which has supporting parts and operative parts, includes providing a first semiconductor wafer, having a first layer of semiconductor material and a second layer of semiconductor material arranged on top of the first layer, forming first supporting parts and first operative parts of the device in the second layer, forming temporary anchors in the first layer, and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, with the second layer facing the second wafer. After bonding the first wafer and the second wafer together, second supporting parts and second operative parts of said device are formed in the first layer. The temporary anchors are removed from the first layer to free the operative parts formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Simone Sassolini, Mauro Marchi, Marco Del Sarto, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 8173513
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a semiconductor pressure sensor, wherein, in a silicon substrate, trenches are dug and delimit walls; a closing layer is epitaxially grown, that closes the trenches at the top and forms a suspended membrane; a heat treatment is performed so as to cause migration of the silicon of the walls and to form a closed cavity underneath the suspended membrane; and structures are formed for transducing the deflection of the suspended membrane into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Benedetto Vigna, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 8134214
    Abstract: Electronic device which comprises a substrate provided with at least one passing opening, a MEMS device with function of differential sensor provided with a first and a second surface and of the type comprising at least one portion sensitive to chemical and/or physical variations of fluids present in correspondence with a first and a second opposed active surface thereof, the first surface of the MEMS device leaving the first active surface exposed and the second surface being provided with a further opening which exposes said second opposed active surface, the electronic device being characterized in that the first surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance, the sensitive portion being aligned to the passing opening of the substrate, and in that it also comprises a protective package, which incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate so as to leave the first and second opposed active surfaces exposed respectively through the passin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Chantal Combi, Mario Francesco Cortese
  • Publication number: 20120032285
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicants: STMICROELECTRONICS (MALTA) LTD., STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Mario CORTESE, Mark Anthony AZZOPARDI, Edward MYERS, Chantal COMBI, Lorenzo BALDO
  • Patent number: 8049287
    Abstract: A substrate-level assembly having a device substrate of semiconductor material with a top face and housing a first integrated device, including a buried cavity formed within the device substrate, and with a membrane suspended over the buried cavity in the proximity of the top face. A capping substrate is coupled to the device substrate above the top face so as to cover the first integrated device in such a manner that a first empty space is provided above the membrane. Electrical-contact elements electrically connect the integrated device with the outside of the substrate-level assembly. In one embodiment, the device substrate integrates at least a further integrated device provided with a respective membrane, and a further empty space, fluidly isolated from the first empty space, is provided over the respective membrane of the further integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Chantal Combi, Benedetto Vigna, Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Lorenzo Baldo, Manuela Magugliani, Ernesto Lasalandra, Caterina Riva
  • Patent number: 8043881
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Malta) Ltd.
    Inventors: Mario Cortese, Mark Anthony Azzopardi, Edward Myers, Chantal Combi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 8044929
    Abstract: In a data-input device an actuator element that can be manually actuated, and a sensor mechanically coupled to the actuator element. The sensor is formed in a body of semiconductor material housing a first sensitive element, which detects the actuation of the actuator element and generates electrical control signals. The first sensitive element is a microelectromechanical pressure sensor, formed by: a cavity made within the body; a diaphragm made in a surface portion of the body and suspended above the cavity; and piezoresistive transducer elements integrated in peripheral surface portions of the diaphragm in order to detect its deformations upon actuation of the actuator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Chantal Combi, Simone Sassolini, Marco Del Sarto
  • Patent number: 8008738
    Abstract: An integrated differential pressure sensor includes, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material, a first face and a second face, a cavity extending at a distance from the first face and delimited therewith by a flexible membrane formed in part by epitaxial material from the monolithic body and in part by annealed epitaxial material from the monolithic body, an access passage in fluid communication with the cavity, and in the flexible membrane at least one transduction element configured so as to convert a deformation of the flexible membrane into electrical signals. The cavity is formed in a position set at a distance from the second face and is delimited at the second face with a portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Pietro Corona, Gabriele Barlocchi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Publication number: 20110140693
    Abstract: Two suspended masses are configured so as to be flowed by respective currents flowing in the magnetometer plane in mutually transversal directions and are capacitively coupled to lower electrodes. Mobile sensing electrodes are carried by the first suspended mass and are capacitively coupled to respective fixed sensing electrodes. The first suspended mass is configured so as to be mobile in a direction transversal to the plane in presence of a magnetic field having a component in a first horizontal direction. The second suspended mass is configured so as to be mobile in a direction transversal to the plane in presence of a magnetic field having a component in a second horizontal direction, and the first suspended mass is configured so as to be mobile in a direction parallel to the plane and transversal to the current flowing in the first suspended mass in presence of a magnetic field having a component in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Francesco Procopio, Sarah Zerbini
  • Patent number: 7928960
    Abstract: In an input device, a control element is operated by a user; a pressure sensor is mechanically coupled to the control element and is provided with a monolithic body of semiconductor material housing a first sensitive element, which detects an actuation of the control element; a supporting element is connected to the pressure sensor; and connection elements electrically connect the monolithic body to the supporting element without interposition of a package. In particular, the monolithic body has electrical-contact areas carried by one main surface thereof, and the printed circuit board has conductive regions carried by a main face thereof; the connection elements are conductive bumps and electrically connect the electrical-contact areas to the conductive regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Baldo, Chantal Combi, Dino Faralli
  • Publication number: 20110081739
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicants: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Malta) Ltd.
    Inventors: Mario CORTESE, Mark Anthony Azzopardi, Edward Myers, Chantal Combi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 7875942
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, S.r.l., STMicroelectronics (Malta) Ltd.
    Inventors: Mario Cortese, Mark Anthony Azzopardi, Edward Myers, Chantal Combi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Publication number: 20100327864
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive element formed by a strip of magnetoresistive material which extends on a substrate of semiconductor material having an upper surface. The strip comprises at least one planar portion which extends parallel to the upper surface, and at least one transverse portion which extends in a direction transverse to the upper surface. The transverse portion is formed on a transverse wall of a dig. By providing a number of magnetoresistive elements perpendicular to one another it is possible to obtain an electronic compass that is insensitive to oscillations with respect to the horizontal plane parallel to the surface of the Earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Benedetto Vigna, Simone Sassolini, Lorenzo Baldo, Francesco Procopio
  • Publication number: 20100269595
    Abstract: An integrated differential pressure sensor includes, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material, a first face and a second face, a cavity extending at a distance from the first face and delimited therewith by a flexible membrane formed in part by epitaxial material from the monolithic body and in part by annealed epitaxial material from the monolithic body, an access passage in fluid communication with the cavity, and in the flexible membrane at least one transduction element configured so as to convert a deformation of the flexible membrane into electrical signals. The cavity is formed in a position set at a distance from the second face and is delimited at the second face with a portion of the monolithic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Pietro Corona, Gabriele Barlocchi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 7763487
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an integrated differential pressure sensor includes forming, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material having a first face and a second face, a cavity extending at a distance from the first face and delimiting therewith a flexible membrane, forming an access passage in fluid communication with the cavity, and forming, in the flexible membrane, at least one transduction element configured so as to convert a deformation of the flexible membrane into electrical signals. The cavity is formed in a position set at a distance from the second face and delimits, together with the second face, a portion of the monolithic body. In order to form the access passage, the monolithic body is etched so as to form an access trench extending through it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Pietro Corona, Gabriele Barlocchi, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Patent number: 7678600
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing an integrated membrane made of semiconductor material includes the step of forming, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material having a front face, a buried cavity, extending at a distance from the front face and delimiting with the front face a surface region of the monolithic body, the surface region forming a membrane that is suspended above the buried cavity. The process further envisages the step of forming an insulation structure in a surface portion of the monolithic body to electrically insulate the membrane from the monolithic body; and the further and distinct step of setting the insulation structure at a distance from the membrane so that it will be positioned outside the membrane at a non-zero distance of separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Pietro Corona, Chantal Combi, Lorenzo Baldo, Gabriele Barlocchi
  • Publication number: 20090278215
    Abstract: Electronic device which comprises a substrate provided with at least one passing opening, a MEMS device with function of differential sensor provided with a first and a second surface and of the type comprising at least one portion sensitive to chemical and/or physical variations of fluids present in correspondence with a first and a second opposed active surface thereof, the first surface of the MEMS device leaving the first active surface exposed and the second surface being provided with a further opening which exposes said second opposed active surface, the electronic device being characterized in that the first surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom by a predetermined distance, the sensitive portion being aligned to the passing opening of the substrate, and in that it also comprises a protective package, which incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate so as to leave the first and second opposed active surfaces exposed respectively through the passin
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Lorenzo BALDO, Chantal COMBI, Mario Francesco CORTESE
  • Publication number: 20080315333
    Abstract: A substrate-level assembly having a device substrate of semiconductor material with a top face and housing a first integrated device, including a buried cavity formed within the device substrate, and with a membrane suspended over the buried cavity in the proximity of the top face. A capping substrate is coupled to the device substrate above the top face so as to cover the first integrated device in such a manner that a first empty space is provided above the membrane. Electrical-contact elements electrically connect the integrated device with the outside of the substrate-level assembly. In one embodiment, the device substrate integrates at least a further integrated device provided with a respective membrane, and a further empty space, fluidically isolated from the first empty space, is provided over the respective membrane of the further integrated device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Chantal Combi, Benedetto Vigna, Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Lorenzo Baldo, Manuela Magugliani, Ernesto Lasalandra, Caterina Riva
  • Publication number: 20080272447
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical device, which has supporting parts and operative parts, includes providing a first semiconductor wafer, having a first layer of semiconductor material and a second layer of semiconductor material arranged on top of the first layer, forming first supporting parts and first operative parts of the device in the second layer, forming temporary anchors in the first layer, and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer, with the second layer facing the second wafer. After bonding the first wafer and the second wafer together, second supporting parts and second operative parts of said device are formed in the first layer. The temporary anchors are removed from the first layer to free the operative parts formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Simone Sassolini, Mauro Marchi, Marco Del Sarto, Lorenzo Baldo
  • Publication number: 20080261345
    Abstract: Method for manufacturing a semiconductor pressure sensor, wherein, in a silicon substrate, trenches are dug and delimit walls; a closing layer is epitaxially grown, that closes the trenches at the top and forms a suspended membrane; a heat treatment is performed so as to cause migration of the silicon of the walls and to form a closed cavity underneath the suspended membrane; and structures are formed for transducing the deflection of the suspended membrane into electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventors: Flavio Francesco Villa, Gabriele Barlocchi, Pietro Corona, Benedetto Vigna, Lorenzo Baldo