Patents by Inventor Stephen John Pearton

Stephen John Pearton 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: 10312358
    Abstract: III-nitride based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), such as AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on Silicon substrates, with improved heat dissipation are described herein. A semiconductor device having improved heat dissipation may include a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a nucleation layer on the top surface of the substrate, a transition layer on the nucleation layer, a buffer layer on the transition layer, a barrier layer on the buffer layer, and a metal layer filling a via hole that extends from the bottom surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the transition layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Mark E. Law, Ya-Hsi Hwang
  • Patent number: 10067129
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present Invention provide antibody functionalized high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices for marine or freshwater pathogen sensing. In one embodiment, the marine pathogen can be Perkinsus marinus. A sensing unit can include a wireless transmitter fabricated on the HEMT. The sensing unit allows testing in areas without direct access to electrical outlets and can send the testing results to a central location using the wireless transmitter. According to embodiments, results of testing can be achieved within seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Barbara Jane Sheppard, Yu-Lin Wang, Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Publication number: 20170294528
    Abstract: III-nitride based high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), such as AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on Silicon substrates, with improved heat dissipation are described herein. A semiconductor device having improved heat dissipation may include a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a nucleation layer on the top surface of the substrate, a transition layer on the nucleation layer, a buffer layer on the transition layer, a barrier layer on the buffer layer, and a metal layer filling a via hole that extends from the bottom surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the transition layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Mark E. Law, Ya-Hsi Hwang
  • Patent number: 9429573
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide antibody functionalized high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices for marine or freshwater pathogen sensing. In one embodiment, the marine pathogen can be Perkinsus marinus. A sensing unit can include a wireless transmitter fabricated on the HEMT. The sensing unit allows testing in areas without direct access to electrical outlets and can send the testing results to a central location using the wireless transmitter. According to embodiments, results of testing can be achieved within seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Barbara Jane Sheppard, Yu-Lin Wang, Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Patent number: 9366645
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide binding molecule-functionalized high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) that can be used to detect toxins, pathogens and other biological materials. In a specific embodiment, an antibody-functionalized HEMT can be used to detect botulinum toxin. The antibody can be anchored to a gold-layered gate area of the HEMT through immobilized thioglycolic acid. Embodiments of the subject detectors can be used in field-deployable electronic biological applications based on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Tanmay P. Lele
  • Patent number: 9316637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Tanmay Lele, Hung-Ta Wang, Byoung-Sam Kang
  • Patent number: 9236443
    Abstract: High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) having improved I-V characteristics and reliability are provided. According to one embodiment, a selective implantation is performed to form a damage region in a gate-to-drain region of, for example, an I?A?N/GaN HEMT. The selective implantation can be performed by irradiating some or all of a gate-to-drain region of an InAlN/GaN HEMT on a substrate with protons or other ions such as Ge ions, He ions, N ions, or O ions. The damage region can extend in a region below a 2DEG interface of the HEMT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Jihyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20150236122
    Abstract: High electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) having improved I-V characteristics and reliability are provided. According to one embodiment, a selective implantation is performed to form a damage region in a gate-to-drain region of, for example, an I?Al?N/GaN HEMT. The selective implantation can be performed by irradiating some or all of a gate-to-drain region of an InAlN/GaN HEMT on a substrate with protons or other ions such as Ge ions, He ions, N ions, or O ions. The damage region can extend in a region below a 2 DEG interface of the HEMT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Jihyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20140339700
    Abstract: Contacts for semiconductor devices are formed where a barrier layer comprising graphene is situated between a first layer comprising a conductor, and a second layer comprising a second conductor or a semiconductor. For example, a metal layer can be formed on a graphene layer residing on a semiconductor. The barrier layer can be directly formed on some second layers, for example, graphene can be transferred from an organic polymer/graphene bilayer structure and the organic polymer removed and replaced with a metal or other conductor that comprises the first layer of the contact. The bilayer can be formed by CVD deposition on a metallic second layer, or the graphene can be formed on a template layer, for example, a metal layer, and bound by a binding layer comprising an organic polymer to form an organic polymer/graphene/metal trilayer structure. The template layer can be removed to yield the bilayer structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Jihyun Kim, Hong-Yeol Kim
  • Publication number: 20140329302
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide antibody functionalized high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices for marine or freshwater pathogen sensing. In one embodiment, the marine pathogen can be Perkinsus marinus. A sensing unit can include a wireless transmitter fabricated on the HEMT. The sensing unit allows testing in areas without direct access to electrical outlets and can send the testing results to a central location using the wireless transmitter. According to embodiments, results of testing can be achieved within seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Barbara Jane SHEPPARD, Yu-Lin WANG, Fan REN, Stephen John PEARTON
  • Patent number: 8835984
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), inGaP/GaAs HEMTs. InAlAs/InGaAs HEMTs, AlGaAs/InGaAs PHEMTs, InAlAs/InGaAs PHEMTs, Sb based HEMTs, or InAs based HEMTs, the HEMTs having functionalization at a gate surface with target receptors. The target receptors allow sensitivity to targets (or substrates) for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, chloride, glucose, metals or pEI where a signal is generated by the HEMI when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Tanmay Lele, Hung-Ta Wang, Byoung-Sam Kang
  • Patent number: 8836351
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) capable of performing as a chlorine sensor is disclosed. In one implementation, a silver chloride layer can be provided on a gate region of the HEMT. In one application, the HEMTs can be used for the measurement and detection of chloride in bio-sensing applications. In another application, the HEMTs can be used for the detection of chloride in water for environmental and health applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Patent number: 8828713
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton, Tanmay Lele
  • Publication number: 20140127675
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide binding molecule-functionalized high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) that can be used to detect toxins, pathogens and other biological materials. In a specific embodiment, an antibody-functionalized HEMT can be used to detect botulinum toxin. The antibody can be anchored to a gold-layered gate area of the HEMT through immobilized thioglycolic acid. Embodiments of the subject detectors can be used in field-deployable electronic biological applications based on AlGaN/GaN HEMTs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: FAN REN, STEPHEN JOHN PEARTON, TANMAY P. LELE
  • Publication number: 20140120630
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include sensors comprising high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with capture reagents on a gate region of the HEMTs. Example sensors include HEMTs with a thin gold layer on the gate region and bound antibodies; a thin gold layer on the gate region and chelating agents; a non-native gate dielectric on the gate region; and nanorods of a non-native dielectric with an immobilized enzyme on the gate region. Embodiments including antibodies or enzymes can have the antibodies or enzymes bound to the Au-gate via a binding group. Other embodiments of the invention are methods of using the sensors for detecting breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney injury, glucose, metals or pH where a signal is generated by the HEMT when a solution is contacted with the sensor. The solution can be blood, saliva, urine, breath condensate, or any solution suspected of containing any specific analyte for the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: FAN REN, STEPHEN JOHN PEARTON, TANMAY LELE, HUNG-TA WANG, BYOUNG-SAM KANG
  • Patent number: 8578757
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide a self-powered wireless gas sensor system and a method for gas sensing using the system. The system can be used to detect and constantly track a presence of various gases including hydrogen, ozone and/or any hydrocarbon gas, and remotely transmit the sensing signal. The system can include a low power gas sensor that consumes less than about 30 nano-watts of power. As a result, the system can detect the presence of hydrogen at about 10 ppm. The sensor can also provide a fast response time of about 1-2 seconds. In various embodiments, the system can be physically small and packaged with all components assembled as a single compact unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Jenshan Lin, David Paul Norton, Stephen John Pearton
  • Patent number: 8222041
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) capable of performing as a CO2 or O2 sensor is disclosed, hi one implementation, a polymer solar cell can be connected to the HEMT for use in an infrared detection system. In a second implementation, a selective recognition layer can be provided on a gate region of the HEMT. For carbon dioxide sensing, the selective recognition layer can be, in one example, PEI/starch. For oxygen sensing, the selective recognition layer can be, in one example, indium zinc oxide (IZO). In one application, the HEMTs can be used for the detection of carbon dioxide and oxygen in exhaled breath or blood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Publication number: 20120098599
    Abstract: An enhancement mode (E-mode) HEMT is provided that can be used for analog and digital applications. In a specific embodiment, the HEMT can be an AlN/GaN HEMT. The subject E-mode device can be applied to high power, high voltage, high temperature applications, including but not limited to telecommunications, switches, hybrid electric vehicles, power flow control and remote sensing. According to an embodiment of the present invention, E-mode devices can be fabricated by performing an oxygen plasma treatment with respect to the gate area of the HEMT. The oxygen plasma treatment can be, for example, an O2 plasma treatment. In addition, the threshold voltage of the E-mode HEMT can be controlled by adjusting the oxygen plasma exposure time. By using a masking layer protecting regions for depletion mode (D-mode) devices, D-mode and E-mode devices can be fabricated on a same chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Univeristy of Florida Research Foundation Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Yang Chang, Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Publication number: 20120058488
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present Invention provide antibody functionalized high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) devices for marine or freshwater pathogen sensing. In one embodiment, the marine pathogen can be Perkinsus marinus. A sensing unit can include a wireless transmitter fabricated on the HEMT. The sensing unit allows testing in areas without direct access to electrical outlets and can send the testing results to a central location using the wireless transmitter. According to embodiments, results of testing can be achieved within seconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: University of Florida Research Foundation Inc.
    Inventors: Barbara Jane Sheppard, Yu-Lin Wang, Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton
  • Publication number: 20110137184
    Abstract: A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) is disclosed capable of performing as a pressure sensor. In one embodiment, the subject pressure sensor can be used for the detection of body fluid pressure. A piezoelectric, biocompatible film can be used to provide a pressure sensing functionalized gate surface for the HEMT. Embodiments of the disclosed sensor can be integrated with a wireless transmitter for constant pressure monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Fan Ren, Stephen John Pearton