Patents by Inventor Thomas Franco

Thomas Franco 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: 11798804
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 11069523
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, Jr., Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 11062879
    Abstract: Method for preparing site-specific, plan-view lamellae from multilayered microelectronic devices. A focused ion beam that is directed, with an etch-assisting gas, toward an uppermost layer of a device removes at least that uppermost layer and thereby exposes an underlying layer over, or comprising, a target area from which the site-specific, plan-view lamella is to be prepared, wherein the focused ion beam is in a face-on orientation in removing the uppermost layer to expose the underlying layer. In a preferred embodiment, the etch-assisting gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the etch-assisting gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Noel Thomas Franco, Kenny Mani, Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Jeffrey Blackwood
  • Publication number: 20210118678
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Publication number: 20200126756
    Abstract: Method for preparing site-specific, plan-view lamellae from multilayered microelectronic devices. A focused ion beam that is directed, with an etch-assisting gas, toward an uppermost layer of a device removes at least that uppermost layer and thereby exposes an underlying layer over, or comprising, a target area from which the site-specific, plan-view lamella is to be prepared, wherein the focused ion beam is in a face-on orientation in removing the uppermost layer to expose the underlying layer. In a preferred embodiment, the etch-assisting gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the etch-assisting gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Noel Thomas Franco, Kenny Mani, Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Jeffrey Blackwood
  • Patent number: 10546719
    Abstract: Method for preparing site-specific, plan-view lamellae from multilayered microelectronic devices. A focused ion beam that is directed, with an etch-assisting gas, toward an uppermost layer of a device removes at least that uppermost layer and thereby exposes an underlying layer over, or comprising, a target area from which the site-specific, plan-view lamella is to be prepared, wherein the focused ion beam is in a face-on orientation in removing the uppermost layer to expose the underlying layer. In a preferred embodiment, the etch-assisting gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the etch-assisting gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Noel Thomas Franco, Kenny Mani, Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Jeffrey Blackwood
  • Patent number: 10347463
    Abstract: Method and system for enhanced charged particle beam processes for carbon removal. With the method and system for enhancing carbon removal, associated method and system for decreasing levels of carbon impurity in depositions, also using a precursor gas in charged particle beam processes (and particularly focused ion beam methodologies), are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the precursor gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the precursor gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Kenny Mani, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 10312540
    Abstract: A cathode-electrolyte-anode unit for an electrochemical functional device, in particular a high-temperature fuel cell. The unit has a multi-layer solid-state electrolyte arranged between a porous anode and a porous cathode. The solid-state electrolyte is produced by a vapor deposition process and has a sandwich-type structure consisting of at least one first layer with a lower oxygen content, and at least one second layer with a higher oxygen content. The individual layers have substantially the same composition, with the exception of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: Plansee Composite Materials GmbH, Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Markus Haydn, Matthias Ruettinger, Thomas Franco, Sven Uhlenbruck, Thomas Jung, Kai Ortner
  • Publication number: 20180350558
    Abstract: Method for preparing site-specific, plan-view lamellae from multilayered microelectronic devices. A focused ion beam that is directed, with an etch-assisting gas, toward an uppermost layer of a device removes at least that uppermost layer and thereby exposes an underlying layer over, or comprising, a target area from which the site-specific, plan-view lamella is to be prepared, wherein the focused ion beam is in a face-on orientation in removing the uppermost layer to expose the underlying layer. In a preferred embodiment, the etch-assisting gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the etch-assisting gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Noel Thomas Franco, Kenny Mani, Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Jeffrey Blackwood
  • Publication number: 20180277361
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, JR., Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Publication number: 20180166272
    Abstract: Method and system for enhanced charged particle beam processes for carbon removal. With the method and system for enhancing carbon removal, associated method and system for decreasing levels of carbon impurity in depositions, also using a precursor gas in charged particle beam processes (and particularly focused ion beam methodologies), are provided. In a preferred embodiment, the precursor gas comprises methyl nitroacetate. In alternative embodiments, the precursor gas is methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, ethyl nitroacetate, propyl acetate, propyl nitroacetate, nitro ethyl acetate, methyl methoxyacetate, or methoxy acetylchloride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Chad Rue, Joe Christian, Kenny Mani, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 9978586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, Jr., Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Patent number: 9680163
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) has a plate (2) produced by powder metallurgy which comprises in one piece a porous substrate area (4) to which the electrochemically active cell layers (6) are applied, and a gastight edge area (5) which is provided with gas passages (17, 18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: PLANSEE SE
    Inventors: Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Georg Kunschert, Reinhold Zach, Gebhard Zobl
  • Publication number: 20170133220
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for material deposition onto a sample to form a protective layer composed of at least two materials that have been formulated and arranged according to the material properties of the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: FEI Company
    Inventors: Brian Roberts Routh, JR., Thomas G. Miller, Chad Rue, Noel Thomas Franco
  • Publication number: 20160118680
    Abstract: A cathode-electrolyte-anode unit for an electrochemical functional device, in particular a high-temperature fuel cell. The unit has a multi-layer solid-state electrolyte arranged between a porous anode and a porous cathode. The solid-state electrolyte is produced by a vapor deposition process and has a sandwich-type structure consisting of at least one first layer with a lower oxygen content, and at least one second layer with a higher oxygen content. The individual layers have substantially the same composition, with the exception of oxygen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: MARKUS HAYDN, MATTHIAS RUETTINGER, THOMAS FRANCO, SVEN UHLENBRUCK, THOMAS JUNG, KAI ORTNER
  • Publication number: 20160111732
    Abstract: A plate-shaped, porous, carrier substrate produced by powder metallurgy for a metal-supported electrochemical functional device, includes a marginal region and a central region with a surface configured to receive a layer stack with electrochemically active layers on a cell-facing side of the carrier substrate. A surface section of the marginal region has a melt phase of the carrier substrate material on the cell-facing side of the carrier substrate. At least sections of a region located beneath the surface section having the melt phase have a higher porosity than the surface section disposed above them and having the melt phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas Franco, Markus Haydn, Markus Koegl, Matthias Ruettinger, Gebhard Zobl
  • Publication number: 20160093900
    Abstract: A fuel cell (1) has a plate (2) produced by powder metallurgy which comprises in one piece a porous substrate area (4) to which the electrochemically active cell layers (6) are applied, and a gastight edge area (5) which is provided with gas passages (17, 18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Inventors: Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Georg Kunschert, Reinhold Zach, Gebhard Zobl
  • Patent number: 9048498
    Abstract: The substrate-supported anode for a high-temperature fuel cell comprises an at least three-layer anode laminate on a metallic substrate. Each of the layers of the anode laminate comprises yttria-stabilized zirconia and nickel, wherein the mean particle size of the nickel decreases from one layer to the next as the distance from the substrate increases. The last layer of the anode laminate, which is provided for contact with the electrolyte, has a root mean square roughness of less than 4 ?m. The overall mean pore size of this layer is typically between 0.3 and 1.5 ?m. Starting powders having a bimodal particle size distribution of yttria-stabilized zirconia and nickel-containing powder are used at least for the first and second layers of the anode laminate. The mean particle size of the nickel-containing powder is reduced from one layer to the next, whereby it is advantageously no more than 0.5 ?m in the last layer of the anode laminate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Muecke, Norbert H. Menzler, Hans Peter Buchkremer, Matthias Ruettinger, Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Andreas Venskutonis
  • Publication number: 20130189606
    Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly comprising an electrode, an electrolyte, and a carrier substrate. The assembly is suitable for a fuel cell. An adaptation layer for adapting the electrolyte to the electrode is disposed between the electrode and the electrolyte, wherein the mean pore size of the adaptation layer is smaller than the mean pore size of the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Matthias Ruettinger, Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Andreas Venskutonis, Robert Muecke, Norbert Menzler, Hans Peter Buchkremer
  • Publication number: 20120244456
    Abstract: The substrate-supported anode for a high-temperature fuel cell comprises an at least three-layer anode laminate on a metallic substrate. Each of the layers of the anode laminate comprises yttria-stabilized zirconia and nickel, wherein the mean particle size of the nickel decreases from one layer to the next as the distance from the substrate increases. The last layer of the anode laminate, which is provided for contact with the electrolyte, has a root mean square roughness of less than 4 ?m. The overall mean pore size of this layer is typically between 0.3 and 1.5 ?m. Starting powders having a bimodal particle size distribution of yttria-stabilized zirconia and nickel-containing powder are used at least for the first and second layers of the anode laminate. The mean particle size of the nickel-containing powder is reduced from one layer to the next, whereby it is advantageously no more than 0.5 ?m in the last layer of the anode laminate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Muecke, Norbert H. Menzler, Hans Peter Buchkremer, Matthias Ruettinger, Marco Brandner, Thomas Franco, Andreas Venskutonis