Patents by Inventor Thomas J. McKinnon

Thomas J. McKinnon 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: 9449979
    Abstract: A new form of a solid-state non-volatile memory cell is presented. The solid-state memory cell comprises a series of different layers of ferroelectric materials, semiconductors, ferroelectric semiconductors, metals, and ceramics, and oxides. The memory device stores information in the direction and magnitude of polarization of the ferroelectric layers. Additionally, a method is presented for storing multiple bits of information in a single memory cell by allowing partial polarization of a single ferroelectric layer and stacking of multiple ferroelectric functional units on top of each other. Additionally, a technique for reading and writing said memory cell is presented. Additionally, the memory cell design allows for the formation of Schottky barriers which act to improve functionality and increase resistance. Additionally, a method is presented for depositing textured lithium niobate thin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J McKinnon, Erol Girt
  • Publication number: 20160172365
    Abstract: A new form of a solid-state non-volatile memory cell is presented. The solid-state memory cell comprises a series of different layers of ferroelectric materials, semiconductors, ferroelectric semiconductors, metals, and ceramics, and oxides. The memory device stores information in the direction and magnitude of polarization of the ferroelectric layers. Additionally, a method is presented for storing multiple bits of information in a single memory cell by allowing partial polarization of a single ferroelectric layer and stacking of multiple ferroelectric functional units on top of each other. Additionally, a technique for reading and writing said memory cell is presented. Additionally, the memory cell design allows for the formation of Schottky barriers which act to improve functionality and increase resistance. Additionally, a method is presented for depositing textured lithium niobate thin films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas J. McKinnon, Erol Girt