Patents by Inventor Steven J. Koester

Steven J. Koester 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: 10712302
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Publication number: 20200191737
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include a kinetic response system for measuring analyte presence on a chemical sensor element. The chemical sensor element includes one or more discrete binding detectors, each discrete binding detector including a graphene varactor. The kinetic response system includes a measurement circuit having an excitation voltage generator for generating a series of excitation cycles over a time period. Each excitation cycle includes delivering a DC bias voltage to the discrete binding detectors at multiple discrete DC bias voltages across a range of DC bias voltages. The kinetic response system includes a capacitance sensor to measure capacitance of the discrete binding detectors resulting from the excitation cycles. The kinetic response system includes a controller circuit to determine the kinetics of change in at least one of a measured capacitance value and a calculated value based on the measured capacitance over the time period. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory J. Sherwood, Justin Theodore Nelson, Steven J. Koester
  • Publication number: 20190331661
    Abstract: Embodiments include chemical sensors, devices and systems including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a medical device is provided. The medical device can include a graphene varactor, including a graphene layer and a self-assembled monolayer disposed on an outer surface of the graphene layer through electrostatic interactions between a partial positive charge on hydrogen atoms of one or more hydrocarbons of the self-assembled monolayer and a it-electron system of graphene. The self-assembled monolayer can include one or more substituted porphyrins or substituted metalloporphyrins, or derivatives thereof. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Xue Zhen, Philippe Pierre Joseph Buhlmann, Steven J. Koester, Justin Theodore Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190257825
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to chemical sensors, devices and systems including the same, and related methods. In an embodiment, a medical device is included. The medical device can include a graphene varactor. The graphene varactor can include a graphene layer and a self-assembled monolayer disposed on an outer surface of the graphene layer through ?-? stacking interactions. The self-assembled monolayer can provide a Langmuir theta value of at least 0.9. The self-assembled monolayer can include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tetraphenylporphyrins or derivatives thereof, metallotetraphenylporphyrins, or aromatic cyclodextrins. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Xue V. Zhen, Philippe Pierre Joseph Buhlmann, Steven J. Koester, Yao Zhang, Justin Theodore Nelson
  • Publication number: 20190137430
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 10191005
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 9805949
    Abstract: A method of forming a high k gate stack on a surface of a III-V compound semiconductor, such GaAs, is provided. The method includes subjecting a III-V compound semiconductor material to a precleaning process which removes native oxides from a surface of the III-V compound semiconductor material; forming a semiconductor, e.g., amorphous Si, layer in-situ on the cleaned surface of the III-V compound semiconductor material; and forming a dielectric material having a dielectric constant that is greater than silicon dioxide on the semiconducting layer. In some embodiments, the semiconducting layer is partially or completely converted into a layer including at least a surface layer that is comprised of AOxNy prior to forming the dielectric material. In accordance with the present invention, A is a semiconducting material, preferably Si, x is 0 to 1, y is 0 to 1 and x and y are both not zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Jean Fompeyrine, Edward W. Kiewra, Steven J. Koester, Devendra K. Sadana, David J. Webb
  • Publication number: 20170082566
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 9513244
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 9178061
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. According to the method, a semiconductor layer is formed over a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate, and a gate is formed on the semiconductor layer. Source and drain extension regions and a deep drain region are formed in the semiconductor layer. A deep source region is formed in the semiconductor layer. A drain metal-semiconductor alloy contact is located on the upper portion of the deep drain region and abutting the drain extension region. A source metal-semiconductor alloy contact abuts the source extension region. The deep source region is located below and contacts a first portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact. The deep source region is not located below and does not contact a second portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact. The second portion of the source metal-semiconductor alloy contact is an internal body contact that directly contacts the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC
    Inventors: Jin Cai, Steven J. Koester, Amlan Majumdar
  • Patent number: 8969992
    Abstract: An autonomous integrated circuit (IC) includes a solar cell formed on a bottom substrate of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate as a handle substrate; an insulating layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the solar cell; and a device layer formed on a top semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the insulating layer, wherein a top contact of the device layer is electrically connected to a bottom contact of the solar cell such that the solar cell is enabled to power the device layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Wilfried E. Haensch, Steven J. Koester, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Ghavam Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8962448
    Abstract: A computer readable medium is provided that is encoded with a program comprising instructions for performing a method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. Provided are an interface wafer including a first wiring layer and through-silicon vias, and a first active circuitry layer wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to the interface wafer. Then, a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion remains attached to the interface wafer. A stack structure including the interface wafer and the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to a base wafer. Next, the interface wafer is thinned so as to form an interface layer, and metallizations coupled through the through-silicon vias in the interface layer to the first wiring layer are formed on the interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Robert Hannon, Subramanian S. Iyer, Steven J. Koester, Fei Liu, Sampath Purushothaman, Albert M. Young, Roy R. Yu
  • Publication number: 20150024548
    Abstract: A computer readable medium is provided that is encoded with a program comprising instructions for performing a method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. Provided are an interface wafer including a first wiring layer and through-silicon vias, and a first active circuitry layer wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to the interface wafer. Then, a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion remains attached to the interface wafer. A stack structure including the interface wafer and the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to a base wafer. Next, the interface wafer is thinned so as to form an interface layer, and metallizations coupled through the through-silicon vias in the interface layer to the first wiring layer are formed on the interface layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Robert Hannon, Subramanian S. Iyer, Steven J. Koester, Fei Liu, Sampath Purushothaman, Albert M. Young, Roy R. Yu
  • Patent number: 8796735
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a method for fabricating a heterojunction tunnel field-effect-transistor (FET), the method including forming a gate region on a silicon layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, forming a drain region on the silicon layer adjacent the gate region and forming a vertical heterojunction source region adjacent the gate region, wherein the vertical heterojunction source region generates a tunnel path inline with a gate field associated with the gate region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Lauer, Amlan Majumdar, Paul M. Solomon, Steven J. Koester
  • Publication number: 20140183686
    Abstract: An autonomous integrated circuit (IC) includes a solar cell formed on a bottom substrate of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate as a handle substrate; an insulating layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the solar cell; and a device layer formed on a top semiconductor layer of the SOI substrate located on top of the insulating layer, wherein a top contact of the device layer is electrically connected to a bottom contact of the solar cell such that the solar cell is enabled to power the device layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Norma E. Sosa Cortes, Wilfried E. Haensch, Steven J. Koester, Devendra K. Sadana, Katherine L. Saenger, Ghavam Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Publication number: 20140145735
    Abstract: An electrical device includes at least one graphene quantum capacitance varactor. In some examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a graphene layer disposed on the insulator layer, a dielectric layer disposed on the graphene layer, a gate electrode formed on the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode disposed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer. In other examples, the graphene quantum capacitance varactor includes an insulator layer, a gate electrode recessed in the insulator layer, a dielectric layer formed on the gate electrode, a graphene layer formed on the dielectric layer, wherein the graphene layer comprises an exposed surface opposite the dielectric layer, and at least one contact electrode formed on the graphene layer and making electrical contact with the graphene layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventor: Steven J. Koester
  • Patent number: 8738167
    Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P? layer, and the P? layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P? layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P? layer. Also provided are a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Robert Hannon, Subramanian S. Iyer, Steven J. Koester, Sampath Purushothaman, Roy R. Yu
  • Patent number: 8722492
    Abstract: A method for forming a nanowire tunnel device includes forming a nanowire suspended by a first pad region and a second pad region over a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate structure around a channel region of the nanowire, implanting a first type of ions at a first oblique angle in a first portion of the nanowire and the first pad region, and implanting a second type of ions at a second oblique angle in a second portion of the nanowire and the second pad region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sarunya Bangsaruntip, Steven J. Koester, Amlan Majumdar, Jeffrey W. Sleights
  • Patent number: 8716810
    Abstract: A memory cell has N?6 transistors, in which two are access transistors, at least one pair [say (N?2)/2] are pull-up transistors, and at least another pair [say (N?2)/2] are pull-down transistors. The pull-up and pull-down transistors are all coupled between the two access transistors. Each of the access transistors and the pull-up transistors are the same type, p-type or n-type. Each of the pull-down transistors is the other type, p-type or n-type. The access transistors are floating body devices. The pull-down transistors are non-floating body devices. The pull-up transistors may be floating or non-floating body devices. Various specific implementations and methods of making the memory cell are also detailed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Josephine B. Chang, Leland Chang, Steven J. Koester, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8674515
    Abstract: A structure of connecting at least two integrated circuits in a 3D arrangement by a metal-filled through silicon via which simultaneously connects a connection pad in a first integrated circuit and a connection pad in a second integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Mukta G. Farooq, Subramanian S. Iyer, Steven J. Koester, Huilong Zhu