Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Drabik

Timothy J. Drabik 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: 6469761
    Abstract: The present invention enables efficient microfabrication of a fully integrated liquid crystal display device. Initially, a sacrificial layer is formed on a substrate that has conductive pads connected thereto. The sacrificial layer is patterned, and portions of the sacrificial layer are removed to expose portions of the underlying layer supporting the sacrificial layer. Then, a permeable layer is formed on the sacrificial layer, thereby filling in the space vacated by the removed potions of the sacrificial layer. The structure is heated and the material of the sacrificial layer is allowed to dissolve into and dissipate through the permeable layer in order to leave a cavity. Once the sacrificial layer is removed, the permeable layer is supported by the portion of the permeable layer filling in the space vacated by the removed portions of the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drabik, Paul A. Kohl
  • Patent number: 6141072
    Abstract: The present invention enables efficient microfabrication of a fully integrated liquid crystal display device. Initially, a sacrificial layer is formed on a substrate that has conductive pads connected thereto. The sacrificial layer is patterned, and portions of the sacrificial layer are removed to expose portions of the underlying layer supporting the sacrificial layer. Then, a permeable layer is formed on the sacrificial layer, thereby filling in the space vacated by the removed potions of the sacrificial layer. The structure is heated and the material of the sacrificial layer is allowed to dissolve into and dissipate through the permeable layer in order to leave a cavity. Once the sacrificial layer is removed, the permeable layer is supported by the portion of the permeable layer filling in the space vacated by the removed portions of the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drabik, Paul A. Kohl
  • Patent number: 5465009
    Abstract: Novel processes and apparatus permit lift-off, alignment, and bonding of materials and devices. The processes involve first depositing a device layer on a sacrifical layer situated on a growth substrate. A device may be defined in the device layer. The device layer or the device is coated with a carrier layer. The sacrificial layer and/or the growth substrate are then etched away to release the combination of the device layer and the carrier layer from the growth substrate. The device layer or device can then be aligned and selectively bonded to a host substrate. Other processes and apparatus are set forth for facilitating lift-off, bonding, handling, and patterning of he device layer or device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drabik, Kevin P. Martin, John Callahan
  • Patent number: 5286335
    Abstract: Novel processes permit integrating thin film semiconductor materials and devices using epitaxial lift off, alignment, and deposition onto a host substrate. One process involves the following steps. An epitaxial layer(s) is deposited on a sacrificial layer situated on a growth substrate. Device layers may be defined in the epitaxial layer. All exposed sides of the epitaxial layer is coated with a transparent carrier layer. The sacrificial layer is then etched away to release the combination of the epitaxial layer and the transparent carrier layer from the growth substrate. The epitaxial layer can then be aligned and selectively deposited onto a host substrate. Finally, the transparent carrier layer is removed, thereby leaving the epitaxial layer on the host substrate. An alternative process involves substantially the same methodology as the foregoing process except that the growth substrate is etched away before the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Drabik, Nan M. Jokerst, Mark G. Allen, Martin A. Brooke