Patents by Inventor Marco Ferrera
Marco Ferrera 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).
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Patent number: 11891298Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Fabio Quaglia, Marco Ferrera, Marco Del Sarto
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Publication number: 20230381816Abstract: Micromachined pressure transducer including: a fixed body of semiconductor material, which laterally delimits a main cavity; a transduction structure, which is suspended on the main cavity and includes at least a pair of deformable structures and a movable region, which is formed by semiconductor material and is mechanically coupled to the fixed body through the deformable structures. Each deformable structure includes: a support structure of semiconductor material, which includes a first and a second beam, each of which has ends fixed respectively to the fixed body and to the movable region, the first beam being superimposed, at a distance, on the second beam; and at least one piezoelectric transduction structure, mechanically coupled to the first beam. The piezoelectric transduction structures are electrically controllable so that they cause corresponding deformations of the respective support structures and a consequent translation of the movable region along a translation direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Fabio QUAGLIA, Marco FERRERA
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Patent number: 11810604Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a read/write device for a hard-disk memory system. The read/write device includes a fixed structure; a membrane region including a first and a second membrane, which are constrained to the fixed structure, and a central portion, interposed between the first and second membranes; a first and a second piezoelectric actuator, mechanically coupled, respectively, to the first and second membranes; and a read/write head, which is fixed to the central portion of the membrane region. The first and second piezoelectric actuators can be controlled so as to cause corresponding deformations of the first and second membranes, said deformations of the first and second membranes causing corresponding movements of the read/write head with respect to the fixed structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Marco Ferrera
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Publication number: 20230166293Abstract: MEMS ultrasonic transducer, MUT, device, comprising a semiconductor body with a first and a second main surface and including: a first chamber extending into the semiconductor body at a distance from the first main surface; a membrane formed by the semiconductor body between the first main surface and the first chamber; a piezoelectric element on the membrane; a second chamber extending into the semiconductor body between the first chamber and the second main surface; a central fluidic passage extending into the semiconductor body from the second main surface to the first chamber and traversing the second chamber; and one or more lateral fluidic passages extending into the semiconductor body from the second main surface to the second chamber. The one or more lateral fluidic passages, the central fluidic passage and the second chamber define a fluidic recirculation path that fluidically connects the first chamber with the outside of the semiconductor body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA, Lorenzo TENTORI
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Publication number: 20230160024Abstract: A substrate has a plurality of microdots positioned thereon. Each microdot contains one or more primers for gene amplification for a particular target gene. The microdots are placed on the substrate and the substrate is positioned in a housing. The housing has a sample fluid to be tested introduced therein covering the microdot array. While the sample fluid is overlying the substrate, the amplification of the target gene is carried out if it is present within the sample. If the target gene that matches the primers is not present, then amplification will not take place. The fluid also contains fluorophores which will be fixed into the gene as it increases in size as it clearly detects if gene amplification has occurred by detecting the amount of light detected for a particular microdot. In a preferred embodiment, the sample fluid is placed on top of a sealing layer that is less dense then water, such as wax or mineral oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: May 25, 2023Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Massimiliano PESATURO, Lillo RAIA, Salvatore PETRALIA, Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA
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Patent number: 11600765Abstract: The MEMS actuator is formed by a substrate, which surrounds a cavity; by a deformable structure suspended on the cavity; by an actuation structure formed by a first piezoelectric region of a first piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to cause a deformation of the deformable structure; and by a detection structure formed by a second piezoelectric region of a second piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to detect the deformation of the deformable structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Carlo Luigi Prelini, Marco Ferrera, Carla Maria Lazzari, Luca Seghizzi, Nicolo′ Boni, Roberto Carminati, Fabio Quaglia
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Publication number: 20230019422Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a read/write device for a hard-disk memory system. The read/write device includes a fixed structure; a membrane region including a first and a second membrane, which are constrained to the fixed structure, and a central portion, interposed between the first and second membranes; a first and a second piezoelectric actuator, mechanically coupled, respectively, to the first and second membranes; and a read/write head, which is fixed to the central portion of the membrane region. The first and second piezoelectric actuators can be controlled so as to cause corresponding deformations of the first and second membranes, said deformations of the first and second membranes causing corresponding movements of the read/write head with respect to the fixed structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA
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Patent number: 11498335Abstract: A method for manufacturing a device for ejecting a fluid, including the steps of: forming, in a first semiconductor wafer that houses a nozzle of the ejection device, a first structural layer; removing selective portions of the first structural layer to form a first portion of a chamber for containing the fluid; removing, in a second semiconductor wafer that houses an actuator of the ejection device, selective portions of a second structural layer to form a second portion of the chamber; and coupling together the first and second semiconductor wafers so that the first portion directly faces the second portion, thus forming the chamber. The first portion defines a part of volume of the chamber that is larger than a respective part of volume of the chamber defined by the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Marco Ferrera, Carlo Luigi Prelini, Mauro Cattaneo, Andrea Nomellini
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Patent number: 11482248Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a read/write device for a hard-disk memory system. The read/write device includes a fixed structure; a membrane region including a first and a second membrane, which are constrained to the fixed structure, and a central portion, interposed between the first and second membranes; a first and a second piezoelectric actuator, mechanically coupled, respectively, to the first and second membranes; and a read/write head, which is fixed to the central portion of the membrane region. The first and second piezoelectric actuators can be controlled so as to cause corresponding deformations of the first and second membranes, said deformations of the first and second membranes causing corresponding movements of the read/write head with respect to the fixed structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Marco Ferrera
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Publication number: 20220306456Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Fabio QUAGLIA, Marco FERRERA, Marco DEL SARTO
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Patent number: 11427463Abstract: A MEMS device comprising a body, having a first surface and a second surface; a diaphragm cavity in the body extending from the second surface of the body; a deformable portion in the body between the first surface and the diaphragm cavity; and a piezoelectric actuator, extending on the first surface of the body, over the deformable portion. The MEMS device is characterized in that it comprises a recess structure extending in the body and delimiting a stopper portion for the deformable portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Dario Paci, Marco Ferrera, Andrea Picco
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Patent number: 11383971Abstract: A process for manufacturing MEMS devices, includes forming a first assembly, which comprises: a dielectric region; a redistribution region; and a plurality of unit portions. Each unit portion of the first assembly includes: a die arranged in the dielectric region; and a plurality of first and second connection elements, which extend to opposite faces of the redistribution region and are connected together by paths that extend in the redistribution region, the first connection elements being coupled to the die. The process further includes: forming a second assembly which comprises a plurality of respective unit portions, each of which includes a semiconductor portion and third connection elements; mechanically coupling the first and second assemblies so as to connect the third connection elements to corresponding second connection elements; and then removing at least part of the semiconductor portion of each unit portion of the second assembly, thus forming corresponding membranes.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Fabio Quaglia, Marco Ferrera, Marco Del Sarto
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Publication number: 20220169497Abstract: A micromechanical device for transducing acoustic waves in a propagation medium, comprising: a body; a first electrode structure superimposed to the body and electrically insulated from the body, the first electrode structure and the body defining between them a first buried cavity; and a first piezoelectric element superimposed to the first electrode structure, wherein the body, the first electrode structure, and the buried cavity form a first capacitive ultrasonic transducer, and the first electrode structure and the first piezoelectric element form a first piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Alessandro Stuart SAVOIA, Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA, Fabio QUAGLIA
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Publication number: 20220119246Abstract: A PMUT device includes a membrane element adapted to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating, about an equilibrium position, at a corresponding resonance frequency. A piezoelectric element is located over the membrane element along a first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. A damper is configured to reduce free oscillations of the membrane element, and the damper includes a damper cavity surrounding the membrane element, and a polymeric member having at least a portion over the damper cavity along the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA, Fabio QUAGLIA
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Publication number: 20220118480Abstract: A PMUT device includes a membrane element extending perpendicularly to a first direction and configured to generate and receive ultrasonic waves by oscillating about an equilibrium position. At least two piezoelectric elements are included, with each one located over the membrane element along the first direction and configured to cause the membrane element to oscillate when electric signals are applied to the piezoelectric element, and generate electric signals in response to oscillations of the membrane element. The membrane element has a lobed shape along a plane perpendicular to the first direction, with the lobed shape including at least two lobes. The membrane element includes for each piezoelectric member a corresponding membrane portion including a corresponding lobe, with each piezoelectric member being located over its corresponding membrane portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Fabio QUAGLIA, Marco FERRERA
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Publication number: 20210347634Abstract: The MEMS actuator is formed by a body, which surrounds a cavity and by a deformable structure, which is suspended on the cavity and is formed by a movable portion and by a plurality of deformable elements. The deformable elements are arranged consecutively to each other, connect the movable portion to the body and are each subject to a deformation. The MEMS actuator further comprises at least one plurality of actuation structures, which are supported by the deformable elements and are configured to cause a translation of the movable portion greater than the deformation of each deformable element. The actuation structures each have a respective first piezoelectric region.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA, Carlo Luigi PRELINI
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Publication number: 20210351338Abstract: The MEMS actuator is formed by a substrate, which surrounds a cavity; by a deformable structure suspended on the cavity; by an actuation structure formed by a first piezoelectric region of a first piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to cause a deformation of the deformable structure; and by a detection structure formed by a second piezoelectric region of a second piezoelectric material, supported by the deformable structure and configured to detect the deformation of the deformable structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.r.l.Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Carlo Luigi PRELINI, Marco FERRERA, Carla Maria LAZZARI, Luca SEGHIZZI, Nicolo' BONI, Roberto CARMINATI, Fabio QUAGLIA
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Patent number: 11084283Abstract: Ejection device for fluid, comprising a solid body including: first semiconductor body including a chamber for containing the fluid, an ejection nozzle in fluid connection with the chamber, and an actuator operatively connected to the chamber to generate, in use, one or more pressure waves in the fluid such as to cause ejection of the fluid from the ejection nozzle; and a second semiconductor body including a channel for feeding the fluid to the chamber, coupled to the first semiconductor body, in such a way that the channel is in fluid connection with the chamber. The second semiconductor body integrates a damping cavity over which extends a damping membrane, the damping cavity and the damping membrane extending laterally to the channel for feeding the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: August 10, 2021Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L., STMICROELECTRONICS, INC.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Marco Ferrera, Carlo Luigi Prelini, Simon Dodd
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Publication number: 20210166726Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a read/write device for a hard-disk memory system. The read/write device includes a fixed structure; a membrane region including a first and a second membrane, which are constrained to the fixed structure, and a central portion, interposed between the first and second membranes; a first and a second piezoelectric actuator, mechanically coupled, respectively, to the first and second membranes; and a read/write head, which is fixed to the central portion of the membrane region. The first and second piezoelectric actuators can be controlled so as to cause corresponding deformations of the first and second membranes, said deformations of the first and second membranes causing corresponding movements of the read/write head with respect to the fixed structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Domenico GIUSTI, Marco FERRERA
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Patent number: 10974508Abstract: A fluid ejection device, comprising: a chamber; a membrane, with a first side and a second side opposite to one another, where the first side faces the chamber; an actuator, of a piezoelectric type, which extends on the second side of the membrane and is operatively coupled to the membrane for causing, in use, a vibration of the membrane; a passivation layer, which extends only alongside, or partially on, the actuator; and a protection layer, which extends on the actuator at least in surface portions of the latter that are free from the passivation layer, and has a Young's modulus lower than the Young's modulus of the passivation layer.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.Inventors: Domenico Giusti, Marco Ferrera, Carlo Luigi Prelini