Patents by Inventor Steven L. Wright

Steven L. Wright 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).

  • Publication number: 20230367272
    Abstract: Provided are methods and related devices for predicting the presence or level of one or more characteristics of a plant or plant population based on spectral, multi-spectral, or hyper-spectral data obtained by, e.g., remote sensing. The predictions and estimates furnished by the inventive methods and devices are useful in crop management, crop strategy, and optimization of agricultural production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jonathan E. Lightner, Steven L. Wright, Federico Valverde
  • Publication number: 20230071285
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: YANG LIU, STEVEN L. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 11534585
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 11000474
    Abstract: Electromechanical substance delivery devices are provided which implement low-power electromechanical release mechanisms for controlled delivery of substances such as drugs and medication. For example, an electromechanical device includes a substrate having a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate, a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity, and a seal disposed between the membrane and the surface of the substrate. The seal surrounds the opening of the cavity, and the seal and membrane are configured to enclose the cavity and retain a substance within the cavity. An electrode structure is configured to locally heat a portion of the membrane in response to a control voltage applied to the electrode structure, and create a stress that causes a rupture in the locally heated portion of the membrane to release the substance from within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: S. Jay Chey, Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Kenneth F. Latzko, Joana Sofia Branquinho Teresa Maria, Lavanya Turlapati, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10940265
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Joana S. B. T. Maria, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10881788
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a cavity, a seal formed around the cavity, a lid coupled to the substrate by the seal, a reactive metal structure comprising a plurality of metal layers, wherein the reactive metal structure is a component of at least one of the substrate and the lid, a metal trace configured to initiate a self-propagating reaction between the plurality of metal layers of the reactive metal structure and release contents of the cavity, and a power supply configured to apply an electric current to the metal trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, Gregory M Fritz, Eric P Lewandowski, Joana S. B. T. Maria, Bucknell C Webb, Steven L Wright
  • Patent number: 10638945
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a substrate mechanically and electrically connected on one side of the substrate to multiple metallic probes in one or more arrays and includes the multiple metallic probes in the one or more arrays. In a method, multiple pits may be formed in an array on a first substrate. The pits have a pyramidal shape. A release layer is formed on the first substrate and covers surfaces of the pits. Probe tips are formed in the pits on the first substrate. The probe tips are formed from rigid conductive material. Multiple pillars are formed from rigid conductive material. The pillars are electrically and mechanically connected to a second substrate and to the probe tips. Release is caused of the probe tips from the first substrate, wherein the pillars and probe tips are connected to the second substrate and together form an array of rigid and conductive probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10585119
    Abstract: A probe head that contains a coining surface and a plurality of probe tips integrated on a same side of the probe head is provided. The probe head has a first portion and a laterally adjacent second portion, wherein the first portion of the probe head contains the coining surface, and the second portion of the probe head contains the plurality of the probe tips. Each probe tip may, in some embodiments, extend outwards from a probe pedestal that is in contact with the second portion of the probe head. The probe head is traversed across the surface of a semiconductor wafer containing a plurality of solder bump arrays such that the coining surface contacts a specific array of solder bumps prior to contacting of the same specific array of solder bumps with the probe tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20200032925
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: YANG LIU, STEVEN L. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 10508755
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20190290840
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: BING DANG, JOHN U. KNICKERBOCKER, JOANA S.B.T. MARIA, BUCKNELL C. WEBB, STEVEN L. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 10330701
    Abstract: A test probe head for probe testing multiple chips on a wafer in a single probing. A probe head substrate includes an array of probe tip attach pads on one surface. The array includes a subarray for each probe head chip test site. Probe tips attached to each probe tip attach pad have an across the head tip height variation less than one micrometer (1 ?m). The subarray probe tips may be on a pitch at or less than fifty microns (50 ?m). The test probe head may be capable of test probing all chips in a quadrant and even up to all chips on a single wafer in a single probing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, Yu Luo, John Knickerbocker, Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10314970
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Joana S. B. T. Maria, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20190024823
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a liquid delivery apparatus. A non-limiting example of the apparatus includes a substrate including a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate. The apparatus can also include a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include a hydrophobic layer disposed on the membrane. The apparatus can also include a seal disposed between the membrane and the substrate, wherein the seal surrounds the opening of the cavity. The apparatus can also include an electrode layer coupled to the membrane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: YANG LIU, STEVEN L. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20180252747
    Abstract: A probe head that contains a coining surface and a plurality of probe tips integrated on a same side of the probe head is provided. The probe head has a first portion and a laterally adjacent second portion, wherein the first portion of the probe head contains the coining surface, and the second portion of the probe head contains the plurality of the probe tips. Each probe tip may, in some embodiments, extend outwards from a probe pedestal that is in contact with the second portion of the probe head. The probe head is traversed across the surface of a semiconductor wafer containing a plurality of solder bump arrays such that the coining surface contacts a specific array of solder bumps prior to contacting of the same specific array of solder bumps with the probe tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 10001508
    Abstract: A probe head that contains a coining surface and a plurality of probe tips integrated on a same side of the probe head is provided. The probe head has a first portion and a laterally adjacent second portion, wherein the first portion of the probe head contains the coining surface, and the second portion of the probe head contains the plurality of the probe tips. Each probe tip may, in some embodiments, extend outwards from a probe pedestal that is in contact with the second portion of the probe head. The probe head is traversed across the surface of a semiconductor wafer containing a plurality of solder bump arrays such that the coining surface contacts a specific array of solder bumps prior to contacting of the same specific array of solder bumps with the probe tips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20180133152
    Abstract: Electromechanical substance delivery devices are provided which implement low-power electromechanical release mechanisms for controlled delivery of substances such as drugs and medication. For example, an electromechanical device includes a substrate having a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate, a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity, and a seal disposed between the membrane and the surface of the substrate. The seal surrounds the opening of the cavity, and the seal and membrane are configured to enclose the cavity and retain a substance within the cavity. An electrode structure is configured to locally heat a portion of the membrane in response to a control voltage applied to the electrode structure, and create a stress that causes a rupture in the locally heated portion of the membrane to release the substance from within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: S. Jay Chey, Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Kenneth F. Latzko, Joana Sofia Branquinho Teresa Maria, Lavanya Turlapati, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20180117245
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: BING DANG, JOHN U. KNICKERBOCKER, JOANA S.B.T. MARIA, BUCKNELL C. WEBB, STEVEN L. WRIGHT
  • Patent number: 9937124
    Abstract: Electromechanical substance delivery devices are provided which implement low-power electromechanical release mechanisms for controlled delivery of substances such as drugs and medication. For example, an electromechanical device includes a substrate having a cavity formed in a surface of the substrate, a membrane disposed on the surface of the substrate covering an opening of the cavity, and a seal disposed between the membrane and the surface of the substrate. The seal surrounds the opening of the cavity, and the seal and membrane are configured to enclose the cavity and retain a substance within the cavity. An electrode structure is configured to locally heat a portion of the membrane in response to a control voltage applied to the electrode structure, and create a stress that causes a rupture in the locally heated portion of the membrane to release the substance from within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: S. Jay Chey, Bing Dang, John U. Knickerbocker, Kenneth F. Latzko, Joana Sofia Branquinho Teresa Maria, Lavanya Turlapati, Bucknell C. Webb, Steven L. Wright
  • Patent number: 9867932
    Abstract: A digital biomedical device includes a substrate forming a reservoir, a membrane comprising a first layer and a second layer having a strain therebetween, the membrane sealing the reservoir, and a controller configured to activate the membrane and release at least a portion of the strain causing the membrane curl and open the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bing Dang, John U Knickerbocker, Joana S. B. T. Maria, Bucknell C Webb, Steven L Wright