Patents by Inventor Steven L. Konsek

Steven L. Konsek 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: 7948054
    Abstract: A two terminal memory device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes stimulus circuitry in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Mitchell Meinhold, Steven L. Konsek, Thomas Rueckes, Max Strasburg, Frank Guo, X. M. Henry Huang, Ramesh Sivarajan
  • Publication number: 20110044091
    Abstract: A two terminal memory device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes stimulus circuitry in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Mitchell MEINHOLD, Steven L. KONSEK, Thomas RUECKES, Max STRASBURG, Frank GUO, X. M. Henry HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN
  • Patent number: 7858979
    Abstract: A method of forming an aligned connection between a nanotube layer and a raised feature is disclosed. A substrate having a raised feature has spacers formed next to the side of the raised feature. The spacers are etched until the sidewalls of the raised feature are exposed forming a notched feature at the top of the spacers. A patterned nanotube layer is formed such that the nanotube layer overlies the top of the spacer and contacts a side portion of the raised feature in the notched feature. The nanotube layer is then covered with an insulating layer. Then a top portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose a top portion of the etched feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin D. Yates, Christopher L. Neville, Thomas Rueckes, Steven L. Konsek, Mitchell Meinhold, Claude L. Bertin
  • Patent number: 7855403
    Abstract: Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET), static ram (SRAM) and method of making same. A static ram memory cell has two cross-coupled semiconductor-type field effect transistors (FETs) and two nanotube FETs (NTFETs), each having a channel region made of at least one semiconductive nanotube, a first NTFET connected to the drain or source of the first semiconductor-type FET and the second NTFET connected to the drain or source of the second semiconductor-type FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Mitchell Meinhold, Steven L. Konsek, Thomas Rueckes, Frank Guo
  • Publication number: 20100283064
    Abstract: The present invention relates to nanostructured light emitting diodes, LEDs. The nanostructured LED device according to the invention comprises an array of a plurality of individual nanostructured LEDs. Each of the nanostructured LEDs has an active region wherein light is produced. The nanostructured device further comprise a plurality of reflectors, each associated to one individual nanostructured LED (or a group of nanostructured LEDs. The individual reflectors has a concave surface facing the active region of the respective individual nanostructured LED or active regions of group of nanostructured LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Lars Ivar Samuelson, Bo Pedersen, Bjorn Jonas Ohlsson, Yourii Martynov, Steven L. Konsek, Peter Jesper Hanberg
  • Patent number: 7781862
    Abstract: A two terminal switching device includes first and second conductive terminals and a nanotube article. The article has at least one nanotube, and overlaps at least a portion of each of the first and second terminals. The device also includes a stimulus circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the first and second terminals. The circuit is capable of applying first and second electrical stimuli to at least one of the first and second terminal(s) to change the relative resistance of the device between the first and second terminals between a relatively high resistance and a relatively low resistance. The relatively high resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a first state of the device, and the relatively low resistance between the first and second terminals corresponds to a second state of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Mitchell Meinhold, Steven L. Konsek, Thomas Ruckes, Max Strasburg, Frank Guo, X. M. Henry Huang, Ramesh Sivarajan
  • Patent number: 7782650
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a memory array includes word lines; bit lines; memory cells; and a memory operation circuit. Each memory cell responds to electrical stimulus on a word line and on a bit line and includes: a two-terminal non-volatile nanotube switching device having first and second terminals, a semiconductor diode element, and a nanotube fabric article capable of multiple resistance states. The semiconductor diode and nanotube article are between and in electrical communication with the first and second terminals, which are coupled to the word line bit line respectively. The operation circuit selects cells by activating bit and/or word lines, detects a resistance state of the nanotube fabric article of a selected memory cell, and adjusts electrical stimulus applied to the cell to controllably induce a selected resistance state in the nanotube fabric article. The selected resistance state corresponds to an informational state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Thomas Rueckes, X. M. Henry Huang, Ramesh Sivarajan, Eliodor G. Ghenciu, Steven L. Konsek, Mitchell Meinhold, Jonathan W. Ward, Darren K. Brock
  • Publication number: 20100012925
    Abstract: Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET), static ram (SRAM) and method of making same. A static ram memory cell has two cross-coupled semiconductor-type field effect transistors (FETs) and two nanotube FETs (NTFETs), each having a channel region made of at least one semiconductive nanotube, a first NTFET connected to the drain or source of the first semiconductor-type FET and the second NTFET connected to the drain or source of the second semiconductor-type FET.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Mitchell MEINHOLD, Steven L. KONSEK, Thomas RUECKES, Frank GUO
  • Patent number: 7598544
    Abstract: Hybrid carbon nanotube FET (CNFET), static ram (SRAM) and method of making same. A static ram memory cell has two cross-coupled semiconductor-type field effect transistors (FETs) and two nanotube FETs (NTFETs), each having a channel region made of at least one semiconductive nanotube, a first NTFET connected to the drain or source of the first semiconductor-type FET and the second NTFET connected to the drain or source of the second semiconductor-type FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Nanotero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Mitchell Meinhold, Steven L. Konsek, Thomas Rueckes, Frank Guo
  • Publication number: 20090243102
    Abstract: A method of forming an aligned connection between a nanotube layer and a raised feature is disclosed. A substrate having a raised feature has spacers formed next to the side of the raised feature. The spacers are etched until the sidewalls of the raised feature are exposed forming a notched feature at the top of the spacers. A patterned nanotube layer is formed such that the nanotube layer overlies the top of the spacer and contacts a side portion of the raised feature in the notched feature. The nanotube layer is then covered with an insulating layer. Then a top portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose a top portion of the etched feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin D. Yates, Christopher L. Neville, Thomas Rueckes, Steven L. Konsek, Mitchell Meinhold, Claude L. Bertin
  • Patent number: 7575693
    Abstract: A method of forming an aligned connection between a nanotube layer and an etched feature is disclosed. An etched feature is formed having a top and a side and optionally a notched feature at the top. A patterned nanotube layer is formed such that the nanotube layer contacts portions of the side and overlaps a portion of the top of the etched feature. The nanotube layer is then covered with an insulating layer. Then a top portion of the insulating layer is removed to expose a top portion of the etched feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Colin D. Yates, Thomas Rueckes, Steven L. Konsek, Mitchell Meinhold, Claude L. Bertin
  • Publication number: 20090154218
    Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, each of which receives a bit line, a first word line, and a second word line. Each memory cell includes a cell selection circuit, which allows the memory cell to be selected. Each memory cell also includes a two-terminal switching device, which includes first and second conductive terminals in electrical communication with a nanotube article. The memory array also includes a memory operation circuit, which is operably coupled to the bit line, the first word line, and the second word line of each cell. The circuit can select the cell by activating an appropriate line, and can apply appropriate electrical stimuli to an appropriate line to reprogrammably change the relative resistance of the nanotube article between the first and second terminals. The relative resistance corresponds to an informational state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Frank GUO, Thomas RUECKES, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD, Max STRASBURG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, X. M. Henry HUANG
  • Publication number: 20090052246
    Abstract: A non-volatile memory cell includes a volatile storage device that stores a corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus; and a shadow memory device coupled to the volatile storage device. The shadow memory device receives and stores the corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus. The shadow memory device includes a non-volatile nanotube switch that stores the corresponding state of the shadow device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Frank GUO, Thomas RUECKES, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD, Max STRASBURG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, X. M. HUANG
  • Patent number: 7479654
    Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of memory cells, each of which receives a bit line, a first word line, and a second word line. Each memory cell includes a cell selection circuit, which allows the memory cell to be selected. Each memory cell also includes a two-terminal switching device, which includes first and second conductive terminals in electrical communication with a nanotube article. The memory array also includes a memory operation circuit, which is operably coupled to the bit line, the first word line, and the second word line of each cell. The circuit can select the cell by activating an appropriate line, and can apply appropriate electrical stimuli to an appropriate line to reprogrammably change the relative resistance of the nanotube article between the first and second terminals. The relative resistance corresponds to an informational state of the memory cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nantero, Inc.
    Inventors: Claude L. Bertin, Frank Guo, Thomas Rueckes, Steven L. Konsek, Mitchell Meinhold, Max Strasburg, Ramesh Sivarajan, X. M. Henry Huang
  • Publication number: 20080212361
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a memory array includes word lines; bit lines; memory cells; and a memory operation circuit. Each memory cell responds to electrical stimulus on a word line and on a bit line and includes: a two-terminal non-volatile nanotube switching device having first and second terminals, a semiconductor diode element, and a nanotube fabric article capable of multiple resistance states. The semiconductor diode and nanotube article are between and in electrical communication with the first and second terminals, which are coupled to the word line bit line respectively. The operation circuit selects cells by activating bit and/or word lines, detects a resistance state of the nanotube fabric article of a selected memory cell, and adjusts electrical stimulus applied to the cell to controllably induce a selected resistance state in the nanotube fabric article. The selected resistance state corresponds to an informational state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, X. M.H. HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, Eliodor G. GHENCIU, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20080170429
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a non-volatile nanotube switch includes a first terminal; a nanotube block including a multilayer nanotube fabric, at least a portion of which is positioned over and in contact with at least a portion of the first terminal; a second terminal, at least a portion of which is positioned over and in contact with at least a portion of the nanotube block, wherein the nanotube block is constructed and arranged to prevent direct physical and electrical contact between the first and second terminals; and control circuitry capable of applying electrical stimulus to the first and second terminals. The nanotube block can switch between a plurality of electronic states in response to a plurality of electrical stimuli applied by the control circuitry to the first and second terminals. For each different electronic state, the nanotube block provides an electrical pathway of different resistance between the first and second terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, X. M. H. HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, Eliodor G. GHENCIU, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20080158936
    Abstract: A non-volatile resistive memory is provided. The memory includes at least one non-volatile memory cell and selection circuitry. Each memory cell has a two-terminal nanotube switching device having and a nanotube fabric article disposed between and in electrical communication with two conductive terminals. Selection circuitry is operable to select the two-terminal nanotube switching device for read and write operations. Write control circuitry, responsive to a control signal, supplies write signals to a selected memory cell to induce a change in the resistance of the nanotube fabric article, the resistance corresponding to an informational state of the memory cell. Resistance sensing circuitry in communication with a selected nonvolatile memory cell, senses the resistance of the nanotube fabric article and provides the control signal to the write control circuitry. Read circuitry reads the corresponding informational state of the memory cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, Jonathan W. WARD, Frank GUO, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20080157257
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a nanotube diode includes: a cathode formed of a semiconductor material; and an anode formed of nanotubes. The cathode and anode are in fixed and direct physical contact, and are constructed and arranged such that sufficient electrical stimulus applied to the cathode and the anode creates a conductive pathway between the cathode and the anode. In some embodiments, the anode includes a non-woven nanotube fabric having a plurality of unaligned nanotubes. The non-woven nanotube fabric may have a thickness, e.g., of 0.5 to 20 nm. Or, the non-woven nanotube fabric may include a block of nanotubes. The nanotubes may include metallic nanotubes and semiconducting nanotubes, and the cathode may include an n-type semiconductor material. A Schottky barrier can form between the n-type semiconductor material and the metallic nanotubes and/or a PN junction can form between the n-type semiconductor material and the semiconducting nanotubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, X. M. H. HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, Eliodor G. GHENCIU, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20080160734
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a method of making a nanotube switch includes: providing a substrate having a first conductive terminal; depositing a multilayer nanotube fabric over the first conductive terminal; and depositing a second conductive terminal over the multilayer nanotube fabric, the nanotube fabric having a thickness, density, and composition selected to prevent direct physical and electrical contact between the first and second conductive terminals. In some embodiments, the first and second conductive terminals and the multilayer nanotube fabric are lithographically patterned so as to each have substantially the same lateral dimensions, e.g., to each have a substantially circular or rectangular lateral shape. In some embodiments, the multilayer nanotube fabric has a thickness from 10 nm to 200 nm, e.g., 10 nm to 50 nm. The structure may include an addressable diode provided under the first conductive terminal or deposited over the second terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, X. M. H. HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, Eliodor G. GHENCIU, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD
  • Publication number: 20080157126
    Abstract: Under one aspect, a non-volatile nanotube diode device includes first and second terminals; a semiconductor element including a cathode and an anode, and capable of forming a conductive pathway between the cathode and anode in response to electrical stimulus applied to the first conductive terminal; and a nanotube switching element including a nanotube fabric article in electrical communication with the semiconductive element, the nanotube fabric article disposed between and capable of forming a conductive pathway between the semiconductor element and the second terminal, wherein electrical stimuli on the first and second terminals causes a plurality of logic states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: NANTERO, INC.
    Inventors: Claude L. BERTIN, Thomas RUECKES, X. M. H. HUANG, Ramesh SIVARAJAN, Eliodor G. GHENCIU, Steven L. KONSEK, Mitchell MEINHOLD