Patents by Inventor Mihai Adrian Ionescu

Mihai Adrian Ionescu 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: 11467123
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a source element; a drain element; a semiconductor channel element between the source element and the drain element for forming an electrically conductive channel with adjustable conductivity between the source and drain elements; a first gate element configured to be electrically biased to set a given operational regime of the sensor with given electrical conductivity of the channel; and a second gate element, physically separate from the first gate element, configured to contact a solution comprising analytes allowed to interact with a gate contact surface of the second gate element to generate a surface potential change dependent on the concentration of the analytes in the solution. The channel element is substantially fully depleted allowing the first and second gate elements to be electrostatically coupled such that the surface potential change at the second gate element is configured to modify the electrical conductivity of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Hoël Guerin
  • Patent number: 11389096
    Abstract: An on-body wearable bio-fluid collection and sensing device including an interface or interface surface comprising at least one biocompatible material for contacting a bodily part; at least one inlet for receiving the bio-fluid, at least one outlet for evacuating the bio-fluid, a plurality of semiconductor sensors configured to analyze the received bio-fluid, at least one reference electrode for biasing a bio-fluid gate of at least one of the semiconductor sensors, and at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, the at least one outlet and the at least one reference electrode; the at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel includes the plurality of semiconductor sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Hoël Guerin, Erick García Cordero, Francesco Bellando
  • Publication number: 20220170920
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention concerns a biosensor for sensing stress hormone cortisol concentration in a biofluid. The biosensor comprises: an electrical transistor transducer comprising a transistor gate electrode; a sensing electrode element comprising a metal element having a biofluid facing surface, and a graphene layer on the biofluid facing surface of the metal element, the sensing electrode element being connected to the transistor gate electrode by an electrical connector to form an extended gate configuration with the transistor gate electrode; and a reference electrode configured to be in contact with the biofluid, and configured to electrically bias the transistor gate electrode through the biofluid. The sensing electrode element is functionalised by at least a layer of aptamers placed indirectly or directly on the graphene layer, and configured to catch cortisol hormones in the biofluid to thereby change a surface potential of the sensing electrode element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Sheibani SHOKOOFEH
  • Patent number: 11331009
    Abstract: Presented herein are devices for collecting and/or channeling a biofluid (e.g., sweat, tears, saliva) and detecting and/or quantifying one or more biomarkers in the biofluid. The one or more biomarkers may include, for example, ions, salts thereof, hormones and/or steroids, proteins, metabolites and organic compounds. In certain embodiments, the devices described herein include a specially designed interface and a zero-energy micro pump that allow the device to be comfortably affixed directly to the skin of a user while biofluid is efficiently and non-invasively collected from the skin of the user. In certain embodiments, the biofluid collection and sensing device is housed on or in another wearable device, such as a wrist band or a smart watch. In certain embodiments, the devices described herein are disposable (e.g., after a certain period of use and/or wear the device can be disposed and replaced with a low-cost replacement).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignees: Xsensio SA, ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Johan Frédéric Longo, Fabien Patrick Wildhaber, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Francesco Bellando, Erick García Cordero
  • Patent number: 11289601
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensor includes a source element; a drain element; and a semiconductor channel element between the source element and the drain element, forming an electrically conductive channel. An insulator is positioned between the semiconductor channel element and a solution to be sensed. A reference contacts the solution and sets an electric potential of the solution. A bias voltage source generates an external sensor bias voltage for electrically biasing the reference electrode. A sensing surface interacts with the solution comprising analytes for generating a surface potential change at the sensing surface dependent on the concentration of analytes. The sensor further includes a ferroelectric capacitance element between the insulator and the bias voltage source for generating a negative capacitance for a differential gain between the external sensor bias voltage and an internal sensor bias voltage sensed at a surface of the channel element facing the insulator or ferroelectric capacitance element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: ECOLE POLY TECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Francesco Bellando, Ali Saeidi
  • Publication number: 20210270770
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a Field-Effect Transistor device or sensor comprising at least one drain region, at least one source region, at least a channel region, at least a first gate connected to the channel region, at least one stack comprising at least one metal layer or metal extension and at least one via layer or via extension; or a plurality of alternating (i) metal layers or metal extensions and (ii) via layers or via extensions, at least one second gate or second layer connected to the at least one first gate by the Sat least one stack, the at least one second gate or second layer permitting sensing of ions, and/or molecules and/or biomarkers, and at least one microfluidic channel or structure connected to or provided on the at least one second gate or second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Junrui ZHANG, Francesco BELLANDO, Erick GARCIA CORDERO, Mihai Adrian IONESCU
  • Patent number: 10818785
    Abstract: A charge sensing device for sensing charge variations in a charge storage area includes: a TFET having at least one sense gate; and a capacitive coupling for coupling the charge storage area with the sense gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Cem Alper, Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Teodor Rosca
  • Publication number: 20200284753
    Abstract: A biosensor includes a source element; a drain element; a semiconductor channel element between the source element and the drain element for forming an electrically conductive channel with adjustable conductivity between the source and drain elements; a first gate element configured to be electrically biased to set a given operational regime of the sensor with given electrical conductivity of the channel; and a second gate element, physically separate from the first gate element, configured to contact a solution comprising analytes allowed to interact with a gate contact surface of the second gate element to generate a surface potential change dependent on the concentration of the analytes in the solution. The channel element is substantially fully depleted allowing the first and second gate elements to be electrostatically coupled such that the surface potential change at the second gate element is configured to modify the electrical conductivity of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Hoël GUERIN
  • Publication number: 20200194592
    Abstract: A semiconductor sensor includes a source element; a drain element; and a semiconductor channel element between the source element and the drain element, forming an electrically conductive channel. An insulator is positioned between the semiconductor channel element and a solution to be sensed. A reference contacts the solution and sets an electric potential of the solution. A bias voltage source generates an external sensor bias voltage for electrically biasing the reference electrode. A sensing surface interacts with the solution comprising analytes for generating a surface potential change at the sensing surface dependent on the concentration of analytes. The sensor further includes a ferroelectric capacitance element between the insulator and the bias voltage source for generating a negative capacitance for a differential gain between the external sensor bias voltage and an internal sensor bias voltage sensed at a surface of the channel element facing the insulator or ferroelectric capacitance element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Francesco BELLANDO, Ali SAEIDI
  • Publication number: 20190246959
    Abstract: An on-body wearable bio-fluid collection and sensing device including an interface or interface surface comprising at least one biocompatible material for contacting a bodily part; at least one inlet for receiving the bio-fluid, at least one outlet for evacuating the bio-fluid, a plurality of semiconductor sensors configured to analyze the received bio-fluid, at least one reference electrode for biasing a bio-fluid gate of at least one of the semiconductor sensors, and at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, the at least one outlet and the at least one reference electrode; the at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel includes the plurality of semiconductor sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Hoël GUERIN, Erick GARCIA CORDERO, Francesco BELLANDO
  • Patent number: 10368794
    Abstract: System for monitoring the hydration status of a living being by exploiting the modulation of backscattered RF electromagnetic waves from a wearable patched placed on the skin, said system comprising: a RF-tag adapted to be directly or indirectly fixed to the skin and containing at least one passive integrated circuit coupled to an antenna; an electromagnetic RF power source for supplying different signal frequencies to said RF-tag; a reader adapted to receive and to process the backscattered electromagnetic waves generated by said electromagnetic power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Hoël Guerin
  • Publication number: 20190172937
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a charge sensing device for sensing charge variations in a charge storage area including: a TFET having at least one sense gate; a capacitive coupling for coupling the charge storage area with the sense gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Cem ALPER, Mihai Adrian IONESCU, Teodor ROSCA
  • Publication number: 20190110722
    Abstract: Presented herein are devices for collecting and/or channeling a biofluid (e.g., sweat, tears, saliva) and detecting and/or quantifying one or more biomarkers in the biofluid. The one or more biomarkers may include, for example, ions, salts thereof, hormones and/or steroids, proteins, metabolites and organic compounds. In certain embodiments, the devices described herein include a specially designed interface and a zero-energy micro pump that allow the device to be comfortably affixed directly to the skin of a user while biofluid is efficiently and non-invasively collected from the skin of the user. In certain embodiments, the biofluid collection and sensing device is housed on or in another wearable device, such as a wrist band or a smart watch. In certain embodiments, the devices described herein are disposable (e.g., after a certain period of use and/or wear the device can be disposed and replaced with a low-cost replacement).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Johan Frédéric Longo, Fabien Patrick Wildhaber, Hoël Maxime Guérin, Francesco Bellando, Erick García Cordero
  • Patent number: 10217781
    Abstract: A tunneling field effect transistor for light detection, including a p-type region connected to a source terminal, a n-type region connected to a drain terminal, an intrinsic region located between the p-type region and the n-type region to form a P-I junction or an N-I junction with the n-type region or the p-type region, respectively, a first insulating layer and a first gate electrode, the first gate electrode covering a portion of the intrinsic region on one side, and a second insulating layer and a second gate electrode, the second insulating layer and the second gate electrode covering an entire other side of the intrinsic region opposite to the one side, wherein an area of the intrinsic region that is not covered by the first gate electrode forms a non-gated intrinsic area configured for light absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Nilay Dagtekin
  • Publication number: 20180070869
    Abstract: An on-body wearable bio-fluid collection and sensing device including an interface or interface surface comprising at least one biocompatible material for contacting a bodily part; at least one inlet for receiving the bio-fluid, at least one outlet for evacuating the bio-fluid, a plurality of semiconductor sensors configured to analyze the received bio-fluid, at least one reference electrode for biasing a bio-fluid gate of at least one of the semiconductor sensors, and at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel in fluid communication with the at least one inlet, the at least one outlet and the at least one reference electrode; the at least one micro-fluidic or nano-fluidic channel includes the plurality of semiconductor sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Hoël Guerin, Erick García Cordero, Francesco Bellando
  • Publication number: 20170345858
    Abstract: A tunneling field effect transistor for light detection, including a p-type region connected to a source terminal, a n-type region connected to a drain terminal, an intrinsic region located between the p-type region and the n-type region to form a P-I junction or an N-I junction with the n-type region or the p-type region, respectively, a first insulating layer and a first gate electrode, the first gate electrode covering a portion of the intrinsic region on one side, and a second insulating layer and a second gate electrode, the second insulating layer and the second gate electrode covering an entire other side of the intrinsic region opposite to the one side, wherein an area of the intrinsic region that is not covered by the first gate electrode forms a non-gated intrinsic area configured for light absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Nilay Dagtekin
  • Patent number: 9768311
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a semiconductor tunneling Field-Effect device including a source, a drain, at least one elongated semiconductor structure extending in an elongated direction, a first gate, and a second gate. The first gate has a length extending in said elongated direction and is positioned on a first side of the at least one elongated semiconductor structure, and the second gate has a length extending in said elongated direction and is positioned on a second opposing side of the at least one elongated semiconductor structure. The first and second gates extend along the first and second sides of the at least one elongated semiconductor structure to define an overlap zone sandwiched between the first gate and the second gate, said overlap zone extending the full length of the first and/or second gate along the at least one elongated semiconductor structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Cem Alper, Livio Lattanzio, Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Luca De Michielis, Nilay Dagtekin
  • Patent number: 9721982
    Abstract: A tunneling field effect transistor for light detection, including a p-type region connected to a source terminal, a n-type region connected to a drain terminal, an intrinsic region located between the p-type region and the n-type region to form a P-I junction or an N-I junction with the n-type region or the p-type region, respectively, a first insulating layer and a first gate electrode, the first gate electrode covering a portion of the intrinsic region on one side, and a second insulating layer and a second gate electrode, the second insulating layer and the second gate electrode covering an entire other side of the intrinsic region opposite to the one side, wherein an area of the intrinsic region that is not covered by the first gate electrode forms a non-gated intrinsic area configured for light absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Nilay Dagtekin
  • Patent number: 9508854
    Abstract: A single field effect transistor capacitor-less memory device, and method of operating the same, including a drain region, a source region, an intrinsic channel region between the drain region and the source region forming the single field effect transistor and a base. The device further includes a fin structure comprising the source region, the intrinsic channel and the drain region, the fin structure extending outwardly from the base, and a double gate comprising a first gate connected to a first exposed lateral face of the intrinsic channel region for transistor control, and a second gate connected to a second exposed lateral face of the intrinsic channel region to generate a potential well for storing mobile charge carriers permitting memory operation, the first gate and the second gate being asymmetric for asymmetric electrostatic control of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FEDERALE DE LAUSANNE (EPFL)
    Inventors: Arnab Biswas, Nilay Dagtekin, Mihai Adrian Ionescu
  • Publication number: 20160284750
    Abstract: A tunneling field effect transistor for light detection, including a p-type region connected to a source terminal, a n-type region connected to a drain terminal, an intrinsic region located between the p-type region and the n-type region to form a P-I junction or an N-I junction with the n-type region or the p-type region, respectively, a first insulating layer and a first gate electrode, the first gate electrode covering a portion of the intrinsic region on one side, and a second insulating layer and a second gate electrode, the second insulating layer and the second gate electrode covering an entire other side of the intrinsic region opposite to the one side, wherein an area of the intrinsic region that is not covered by the first gate electrode forms a non-gated intrinsic area configured for light absorption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mihai Adrian Ionescu, Nilay Dagtekin