Patents by Inventor Paul M. Zavracky

Paul M. Zavracky 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: 6153839
    Abstract: A micromechanical switch or relay in accordance with the invention includes a substrate, a source electrode, a gate electrode, a drain electrode, and various style beams. In one embodiment the beam is relatively long and includes flexures on at least one end, and has a small activation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Nicol E. McGruer
  • Patent number: 6147756
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfabricated spectrometers including methods of making and using same. Microspectrometers can be formed in a single chip in which detectors and light sources can be monolithically integrated. The microspectrometer can be integrated into a sensor system to measure the optical and physical properties of solids and fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, John R. Martin
  • Patent number: 6091125
    Abstract: The present invention is an active micromechanical electronic device of extremely small physical size, such that the device can take advantage of the quantum-mechanical phenomenon of electron tunneling. The device is produced using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) electron beam lithography. In operation, the gap between the tip of the beam and the drain contact is small enough (typically tens of angstroms) that electron tunneling occurs across the gap between the tip of the beam and the drain contact occurs, with the amount of resulting electron flow dependent on the width of the gap between the tip and the drain contact. The device acts as a controlled current source whose output is dependent on the mechanical position of the beam tip with respect to the drain contact. The tip to drain spacing varies due to the electrostatic force presented between the beam and the gate contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2000
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Paul M. Zavracky
  • Patent number: 5976953
    Abstract: A multi-layered structure is fabricated in which a microprocessor is configured in different layers and interconnected vertically through insulating layers which separate each circuit layer of the structure. Each circuit layer can be fabricated in a separate wafer or thin film material and then transferred onto the layered structure and interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Matthew Zavracky, Duy-Phach Vu, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5909280
    Abstract: The present invention relates to microfabricated spectrometers including methods of making and using same. Microspectrometers can be formed in a single chip in which detectors and light sources can be monolithically integrated. The microspectrometer can be integrated into a sensor system to measure the optical and physical properties of solids and fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Maxam, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Zavracky
  • Patent number: 5872010
    Abstract: A microscale fluid handling system that permits the efficient transfer of nanoliter to picoliter quantities of a fluid sample from the spatially concentrated environment of a microfabricated chip to "off-chip" analytical or collection devices for further off-chip sample manipulation and analysis is disclosed. The fluid handling system is fabricated in the form of one or more channels, in any suitable format, provided in a microchip body or substrate of silica, polymer or other suitable non-conductive material, or of stainless steel, noble metal, silicon or other suitable conductive or semi-conductive material. The microchip fluid handling system includes one or more exit ports integral with the end of one or more of the channels for consecutive or simultaneous off-chip analysis or collection of the sample. The exit port or ports may be configured, for example, as an electrospray interface for transfer of a fluid sample to a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Barry L. Karger, Frantisek Foret, Paul M. Zavracky, E. Nicol McGruer, Qifeng Xue, Yuriy M. Dunayevskiy
  • Patent number: 5793115
    Abstract: A multi-layered structure is fabricated in which a microprocessor is configured in different layers and interconnected vertically through insulating layers which separate each circuit layer of the structure. Each circuit layer can be fabricated in a separate wafer or thin film material and then transferred onto the layered structure and interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Matthew Zavracky, Duy-Phach Vu, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5736768
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is than incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, John C. C. Fan, Robert McClelland, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5705424
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating pixel electrodes for active matrix displays including the formation of arrays of transistor circuits in thin film silicon on an insulating substrate and transfer of this active matrix circuit onto an optically transmissive substrate. An array of color filter elements can be formed prior to transfer of the active matrix circuit that are aligned between a light source for the display and the array of pixel electrodes to provide a color display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1998
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Duy-Phach Vu, Brenda Dingle, Matthew Zavracky, Mark B. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 5656548
    Abstract: A multi-layered structure is fabricated in which a microprocessor is configured in different layers and interconnected vertically through insulating layers which separate each circuit layer of the structure. Each circuit layer can be fabricated in a separate wafer or thin film material and then transferred onto the layered structure and interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Matthew Zavracky, Duy-Phach Vu, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5638946
    Abstract: A micromechanical switch and a method of making the switch. The micromechanical switch of the invention is made by surface micromachining techniques and include an isolated contact located on the beam and separated from the main body of the beam by an insulated connector. The isolated contact provides the advantage that the current flow caused by the circuit being switched does not alter the fields or currents used to actuate the switch. Thus, the present invention allows the actuation functions to be unaffected by the signals that are being switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventor: Paul M. Zavracky
  • Patent number: 5581385
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using a single crystal thin-film transistors that are transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is then incorporated into a projection display system with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired light valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Spitzer, Jack P. Salerno, Paul M. Zavracky
  • Patent number: 5539550
    Abstract: Circuit modules including complex multi-function circuitry on common module substrates using circuit tiles of silicon thin-films which are transferred, interconnected and packaged. The modules include integrated transfer/interconnects with extremely high density and complexity with large-area active-matrix liquid crystal displays and on-board drivers and logic in glass-based modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Mark B. Spitzer, Jack P. Salerno, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Brenda Dingle, Duy-Phach Vu, Paul M. Zavracky
  • Patent number: 5528397
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is then incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, John C. C. Fan, Robert McClelland, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5493470
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of diaphragm pressure sensors utilizing silicon-on-insulator technology where recrystallized silicon forms a diaphragm which incorporates electronic devices used in monitoring pressure. The diaphragm is alternatively comprised of a silicon nitride having the necessary mechanical properties with a recrystallized silicon layer positioned thereon to provide sensor electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Richard H. Morrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5490034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the fabrication of diaphragm pressure sensors utilizing silicon-on-insulator technology where recrystallized silicon forms a diaphragm which may incorporate electronic devices used in monitoring pressure. The diaphragm is alternatively comprised of a silicon nitride having the necessary mechanical properties with a recrystallized silicon layer positioned thereon to provide sensor electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, Richard H. Morrison, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5475514
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using a single crystal thin-film transistors that are transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is then incorporated into a projection display system with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired light valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Jack P. Salerno, Paul M. Zavracky, Mark B. Spitzer, Brenda Dingle
  • Patent number: 5453153
    Abstract: An improved method of zone-melting recrystallizing of a silicon film on an insulator in which the film is implanted and annealed to achieve a reduction of the density of defects within the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: John C. C. Fan, Paul M. Zavracky, Jagdish Narayan, Lisa P. Allen, Duy-Phach Vu, Ngwe K. Cheong
  • Patent number: 5438241
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using a single crystal thin-film material that may be transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is then incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1995
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, John C. C. Fan, Robert McClelland, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Brenda Dingle, Mark B. Spitzer
  • Patent number: 5362671
    Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is than incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Kopin Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Zavracky, John C. C. Fan, Robert McClelland, Jeffrey Jacobsen, Brenda Dingle