Patents by Inventor Robert D Miller
Robert D Miller 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: 8470706Abstract: Methods of minimizing or eliminating plasma damage to low k and ultra low k organosilicate intermetal dielectric layers are provided. The reduction of the plasma damage is effected by interrupting the etch and strip process flow at a suitable point to add an inventive treatment which protects the intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during the plasma strip process. Reduction or elimination of a plasma damaged region in this manner also enables reduction of the line bias between a line pattern in a photoresist and a metal line formed therefrom, and changes in the line width of the line trench due to a wet clean after the reactive ion etch employed for formation of the line trench and a via cavity. The reduced line bias has a beneficial effect on electrical yields of a metal interconnect structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.Inventors: John C. Arnold, Griselda Bonilla, William J. Cote, Geraud Dubois, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Elbert Huang, Robert D. Miller, Satya V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman, E. Todd Ryan, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Terry A. Spooner, Willi Volksen
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Patent number: 8461678Abstract: A structure is provided with a self-aligned resist layer on a surface of metal interconnects for use in forming air gaps in an insulator material and method of fabricating the same. The non-lithographic method includes applying a resist on a structure comprising at least one metal interconnect formed in an insulator material. The method further includes blanket-exposing the resist to energy and developing the resist to expose surfaces of the insulator material while protecting the metal interconnects. The method further includes forming air gaps in the insulator material by an etching process, while the metal interconnects remain protected by the resist.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Elbert E. Huang, Robert D. Miller
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Publication number: 20130110467Abstract: A device, including sample and reference channels through which first and second solutions flow, respectively, the first solution including an analyte, the channels having a metal film in contact with the first and second solutions, the metal film configured with a linker to selectively bind the analyte; a light source whose output is modulated by an optical system, so that light is directed from the optical system alternately towards the sample and reference channels, surface plasmons within the metal film being created; a first photodetector that monitors the strength of the output from the light source; a second photodetector that collects optical signals reflected from the metal film; electronics that monitors output from the first and the second photodetectors, thereby detecting a noise-compensated difference in signals from the two channels; and a computer processor that determines, from analysis of the noise-compensated difference, presence of the analyte in the first solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2011Publication date: May 2, 2013Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Robert E. Feller, Andre Knoesen, Robert D. Miller
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Patent number: 8394224Abstract: Layered nanostructures are constructed by imprinting material with a mold, while selectively modifying and removing a portion of the mold. The mold, which includes a pattern of features, is modified so that the portion of the mold that includes the features is made chemically and/or physically distinct from the rest of the mold. That portion of the mold that includes the features is retained while the rest of the mold is removed. The retained portion of the mold provides mechanical support for any adjoining layer or layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignees: International Business Machines Corporation, King Abdulaziz City for Science and TechnologyInventors: Fahhad H. Alharbi, John D. Bass, Ho-Cheol Kim, Robert D. Miller
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Publication number: 20130059372Abstract: Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: IBIS BIOSCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Steven A. Hofstadler, Jared J. Drader, Jose R. Gutierrez, Paul J. Gleason, Rex O. Bare, Robert D. Miller, Jeffrey C. Smith
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Patent number: 8389205Abstract: The invention concerns a method for patterning a surface of a material. A substrate having a polymer film thereon is provided. The polymer is a selectively reactive polymer (e.g. thermodynamically unstable): it is able to unzip upon suitable stimulation. A probe is used to create patterns on the film. During the patterning, the film is locally stimulated for unzipping polymer chains. Hence, a basic idea is to provide a stimulus to the polymeric material, which in turn spontaneously decomposes e.g. into volatile constituents. For example, the film is thermally stimulated in order to break a single bond in a polymer chain, which is sufficient to trigger the decomposition of the entire polymer chain.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Urs T. Duerig, Jane E. Frommer, Bernd W. Gotsmann, James L. Hedrick, Armin W. Knoll, Robert D. Miller, David Pires, Charles G. Wade
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Publication number: 20130052353Abstract: A method of forming CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. The method includes, in the presence of one or more ligands, reacting an iron-containing compound, a copper-containing compound and a sulfur-containing compound to form CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles; and wherein at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with copper, and at least one of the ligands forms a coordination complex with iron. Also a method of forming metal-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles such as Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate. Also, a composition of matter including Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticles. Also, a Zn-doped CuFeS2 chalcopyrite nanoparticle layer on a substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicants: KING ABDULAZIZ CITY FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Xin Ai, Abdulaziz Bagabas, Mohammed Bahattab, John D. Bass, Robert D. Miller, Campbell J. Scott, Qing Song
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Patent number: 8387160Abstract: A resist medium in which features are lithographically produced by scanning a surface of the medium with an AFM probe positioned in contact therewith. The resist medium comprises a substrate; and a polymer resist layer within which features are produced by mechanical action of the probe. The polymer contains thermally reversible crosslinkages. Also disclosed are methods that generally includes scanning a surface of the polymer resist layer with an AFM probe positioned in contact with the resist layer, wherein heating the probe and a squashing-type mechanical action of the probe produces features in the layer by thermally reversing the crosslinkages.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Michel Despont, Urs T. Duerig, Jane E. Frommer, Bernd W. Gotsmann, James L. Hedrick, Craig Jon Hawker, Robert D. Miller
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Publication number: 20120329269Abstract: Methods of minimizing or eliminating plasma damage to low k and ultra low k organosilicate intermetal dielectric layers are provided. The reduction of the plasma damage is effected by interrupting the etch and strip process flow at a suitable point to add an inventive treatment which protects the intermetal dielectric layer from plasma damage during the plasma strip process. Reduction or elimination of a plasma damaged region in this manner also enables reduction of the line bias between a line pattern in a photoresist and a metal line formed therefrom, and changes in the line width of the line trench due to a wet clean after the reactive ion etch employed for formation of the line trench and a via cavity. The reduced line bias has a beneficial effect on electrical yields of a metal interconnect structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: John C. Arnold, Griselda Bonilla, William J. Cote, Geraud Dubois, Daniel C. Edelstein, Alfred Grill, Elbert Huang, Robert D. Miller, Satya V. Nitta, Sampath Purushothaman, E. Todd Ryan, Muthumanickam Sankarapandian, Terry A. Spooner, Willi Volksen
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Publication number: 20120308476Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide nanostructure comprises disposing a chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor on a solvent-soluble template to form a first structure comprising a deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer; setting the deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer to form a second structure comprising a set metal oxide precursor layer; dissolving the solvent-soluble template with a solvent to form a third structure comprising the set metal oxide precursor layer; and thermally treating the third structure to form the metal oxide nanostructure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2012Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Ho-Cheol Kim, Robert D. Miller, Oun Ho Park
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Patent number: 8273413Abstract: A method of forming a metal oxide nanostructure comprises disposing a chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor on a solvent-soluble template to form a first structure comprising a deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer; setting the deformable chelated oligomeric metal oxide precursor layer to form a second structure comprising a set metal oxide precursor layer; dissolving the solvent-soluble template with a solvent to form a third structure comprising the set metal oxide precursor layer; and thermally treating the third structure to form the metal oxide nanostructure.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Ho-Cheol Kim, Robert D. Miller, Oun Ho Park
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Patent number: 8252599Abstract: Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Ibis Biosciences, Inc.Inventors: Steven A. Hofstadler, Jared J. Drader, Jose R. Gutierrez, Paul J. Gleason, Rex O. Bare, Robert D. Miller, Jeffrey C. Smith
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Patent number: 8227336Abstract: A structure is provided with a self-aligned resist layer on a surface of metal interconnects for use in forming air gaps in an insulator material and method of fabricating the same. The non-lithographic method includes applying a resist on a structure comprising at least one metal interconnect formed in an insulator material. The method further includes blanket-exposing the resist to energy and developing the resist to expose surfaces of the insulator material while protecting the metal interconnects. The method further includes forming air gaps in the insulator material by an etching process, while the metal interconnects remain protected by the resist.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel C. Edelstein, Elbert E. Huang, Robert D. Miller
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Publication number: 20120168953Abstract: A structure is provided with a self-aligned resist layer on a surface of metal interconnects for use in forming air gaps in an insulator material and method of fabricating the same. The non-lithographic method includes applying a resist on a structure comprising at least one metal interconnect formed in an insulator material. The method further includes blanket-exposing the resist to energy and developing the resist to expose surfaces of the insulator material while protecting the metal interconnects. The method further includes forming air gaps in the insulator material by an etching process, while the metal interconnects remain protected by the resist.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2012Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel C. EDELSTEIN, Elbert E. HUANG, Robert D. MILLER
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Publication number: 20120152448Abstract: Layered nanostructures are constructed by imprinting material with a mold, while selectively modifying and removing a portion of the mold. The mold, which includes a pattern of features, is modified so that the portion of the mold that includes the features is made chemically and/or physically distinct from the rest of the mold. That portion of the mold that includes the features is retained while the rest of the mold is removed. The retained portion of the mold provides mechanical support for any adjoining layer or layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: FAHHAD H. ALHARBI, JOHN D. BASS, HO-CHEOL KIM, ROBERT D. MILLER
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Publication number: 20120115213Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for analysis of samples, particularly biological and environmental sample to detect biomolecules of interest contained therein. A variety of system components are described herein, including, but not limited to, components for sample handling, mixing of materials, sample processing, transfer of materials, and analysis of materials. The invention further provides mechanisms for combining and integrating the different components and for housing, moving, and storing system components or the system as a whole. The systems may include any one or more or all of these components. The system finds particular use when employed for analysis of nucleic acid molecule using mass spectrometry, however, the invention is not limited such specific uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: IBIS BIOSCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Steven A. Hofstadler, Jose R. Gutierrez, James C. Hannis, Jared J. Drader, Rex O. Bare, Jeffrey C. Smith, Paul J. Gleason, Jared H. Nathanson, Ronald K. Bergold, Robert D. Miller, Kevin S. Oberkramer
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Patent number: 8148163Abstract: Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Ibis Biosciences, Inc.Inventors: Steven A. Hofstadler, Jared J. Drader, Jose R. Gutierrez, Paul J. Gleason, Rex O. Bare, Robert D. Miller, Jeffrey C. Smith
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Publication number: 20120058552Abstract: Sample processing units useful for mixing and purifying materials, such as fluidic materials are provided. A sample processing unit typically includes a container configured to contain a sample comprising magnetically responsive particles, and one or more magnets that are in substantially fixed positions relative to the container. A sample processing unit also generally includes a conveyance mechanism configured to convey the container to and from a position that is within magnetic communication with the magnet, e.g., such that magnetically responsive particles with captured analytes can be retained within the container when other materials are added to and/or removed from the container. Further, a sample processing unit also typically includes a rotational mechanism that is configured to rotate the container, e.g., to effect mixing of sample materials disposed within the container. Related carrier mechanisms, sample processing stations, systems, and methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: IBIS BIOSCIENCES, INC.Inventors: Steven A. Hofstadler, Jared J. Drader, Jose R. Gutierrez, Paul J. Gleason, Rex O. Bare, Robert D. Miller, Jeffrey C. Smith
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Patent number: 8130096Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatus and methods for tracking or locating an asset along with providing emergency and non-emergency messaging services. An asset tracker is disposed on an asset. The asset tracker has a motion sensor, a GPS receiver and a simplex satellite transmitter for communicating with a remote location (back office processing center). The asset tracker also has a short-range transceiver for communicating with a fob device carried by a user. If an authorized fob device is not in range of the asset tracker device and the asset tracker device moves, as determined by the motion sensor and/or GPS location data, GPS data are transmitted via a satellite to the back office. The office sends the information to a desired recipient (asset owner, law enforcement, etc.). The fob device communicates with the asset tracker device when it is in proximity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Globalstar, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Monte, Michael Santiago, Robert D. Miller
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Patent number: D654687Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: RMSBS, Inc.Inventors: Robert D. Miller, Kelly L. Miller, Shelly L. Miller