Patents Issued in January 6, 2015
  • Patent number: 8927296
    Abstract: The invention provides droplet actuators and droplet actuator techniques. Among other things, the droplet actuators and methods are useful for manipulating beads on a droplet actuator, such as conducting droplet operations using bead-containing droplets on a droplet actuator. For example, beads may be manipulated on a droplet actuator in the context of executing a sample preparation protocol and/or an assay protocol. An output of the methods of the invention may be beads prepared for execution of an assay protocol. Another output of the methods of the invention may be results of an assay protocol executed using beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramakrishna Sista, Vamsee Pamula, Arjun Sudarsan, Vijay Srinivasan, Prasanna Thwar
  • Patent number: 8927297
    Abstract: The crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of ERR-? in complex with a ligand that forms a reversible thioether bond to Cys325 of ERR-?, methods to measure dissociation rates for ligands that form reversible covalent bonds, and methods to design ligands that form reversible covalent bonds for use as modulators of ERR-? activity are disclosed. The crystal structure and methods provide a novel molecular mechanism for modulation of the activity of ERR-? and provide the basis for rational drug design to obtain potent specific ligands for use as modulators of the activity of this new drug target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V.
    Inventors: Dionisios Rentzeperis, Marta Cristina Abad, Ludmila A. Barnakova, Frank A. Lewandowski, Cynthia M. Milligan
  • Patent number: 8927298
    Abstract: Management of the health status of an animal colony using a plurality of blood collection cards and the analysis of dried blood from members of the colony that has been collected on the cards. Members of the colony may be removed from the colony as a result of the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew H. Myles
  • Patent number: 8927299
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and a system for effecting testing on a sample, such as for medical testing. The apparatus includes a sample chip (30) provided with at least two chambers (48, 50) within which analyte and a sample to be tested can be located, one chamber being a mixing chamber (48) and the other a detection chamber (50), the latter being provided with a sensor or means to enable sensing of one or more parameters pertaining to the sample. A detector unit (70, 170) includes a slot (76) for holding a sample carrier (30), drive means (94) for moving parts of a sample from the mixing chamber (48) to the detection chamber (50), such as by electromagnetic force, sensing means (60) for sensing the one or more parameters, a diagnostic unit (84) for analyzing the sensed parameters and a display unit (72) for displaying the results of the test to a user. The test unit (70, 170) is preferably handheld, which the sample carrier (30) is preferably in the form of a disposable chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills of Her Majesty's Britannic Government
    Inventor: Robert Andrew Porter
  • Patent number: 8927300
    Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the rapid and sensitive detection of post-translationally modified proteins, and particularly of those with posttranslational glycosylations. The methods can be used to detect O-GlcNAc posttranslational modifications on proteins on which such modifications were undetectable using other techniques. In one embodiment, the method exploits the ability of an engine˜red mutant of ?-1,4-galactosyltransferase to selectively transfer an unnatural ketone functionality onto O-GlcNAc glycosylated proteins. Once transferred, the ketone moiety serves as a versatile handle for the attachment of biotin, thereby enabling detection of the modified protein. The approach permits the rapid visualization of proteins that are at the limits of detection using traditional methods. Further, the preferred embodiments can be used for detection of certain disease states, such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Linda Hsieh-Wilson, Nelly Khidekel, Hwan-Ching Tai, Sabine Arndt
  • Patent number: 8927301
    Abstract: A fabrication method includes forming a spin-polarizing layer, a spin transport layer on the spin polarizing layer on a substrate, a free layer magnet on the spin transport layer, a non-magnetic layer on the spin polarizing layer, a reference layer on the non-magnetic layer, and a hard mask layer on the reference layer, etching the hard mask layer and forming a read portion including the reference layer, the nonmagnetic layer and the free layer magnet, forming a nonlinear resistor layer on surfaces of the spin transport layer, the spacers, and the hard mask layer, etching the nonlinear resistor layer, the spin transport layer, and the spin polarizing layer and forming a write portion including the spin transport layer and the spin polarizing layer, forming an interlevel dielectric layer, forming a trench, exposing an upper surface of the reference layer of the read and write portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Gaidis, Janusz J. Nowak, Jonathan Z. Sun
  • Patent number: 8927302
    Abstract: Provided are a CVD apparatus and a method of manufacturing a light emitting device using the same. The CVD apparatus includes a chamber body including a susceptor having at least one pocket part having a wafer stably mounted therein; a chamber cover provided with the chamber body to open or close the chamber body and having a reaction space between the susceptor and the chamber cover; a reactive gas supplier supplying the reactive gas into the reaction space to allow the reactive gas to flow across a surface of the susceptor; and a non-reactive gas supplier supplying a non-reactive gas into the reaction space to allow the non-reactive gas to flow across a surface of the chamber cover between the susceptor and the chamber cover so as to prevent the reactive gas from contacting the surface of the chamber cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Woo Kim, Takeya Motonobu, In Hoe Hur, Choo Ho Kim, Jae Bong Lee
  • Patent number: 8927303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) and a method for manufacturing the same. The LED comprises an LED die, one or more metal pads, and a fluorescent layer. The characteristics of the present invention include that the metals pads are left exposed for the convenience of subsequent wiring and packaging processes. In addition, the LED provided by the present invention is a single light-mixing chip, which can be packaged directly without the need of coating fluorescent powders on the packaging glue. Because the fluorescent layer and the packaging glue are not processed simultaneously and are of different materials, the stress problem in the packaged LED can be reduced effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Formosa Epitaxy Incorporation
    Inventors: Wei-Kang Cheng, Jia-Lin Li, Shyi-Ming Pan, Kuo-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 8927304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to light emitting diode (LED) packages and methods of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an LED package and a method of manufacturing the same that can reduce a variation of color coordinates of mass-produced LED packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Il Kweon Joung
  • Patent number: 8927305
    Abstract: There is provided a method of manufacturing a light emitting device, the method including: mounting a plurality of light emitting devices on an adhesive layer; arranging upper surfaces of the plurality of light emitting devices to be disposed horizontally using a pressing member; forming a wavelength conversion part covering the plurality of light emitting devices on the adhesive layer by applying a resin including at least one phosphor material; planarizing an upper surface of the wavelength conversion part using the pressing member; and separating the adhesive layer from the plurality of light emitting devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Sup Song, Jae Sung You, Tae Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 8927306
    Abstract: An edge-emitting etched-facet optical semiconductor structure has a substrate, an active multiple quantum well (MQW) region formed on the substrate, and a ridge waveguide formed over the MQW region extending in substantially a longitudinal direction between a waveguide first etched end facet and a waveguide second etched end facet. A mask layer used to form windows in which the etched end facets are disposed consists of a single dielectric material disposed directly on the ridge waveguide. An optical coating consisting of no more than one layer of the same dielectric material of which the second mask is made is disposed directly on the second mask and disposed directly on the windows to coat the etched end facets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ruiyu Fang, Giuliana Morello, Giammarco Rossi, Roberto Paoletti, Alessandro Stano, Giancarlo Meneghini
  • Patent number: 8927307
    Abstract: To improve light extraction efficiency of light emitting elements such as electroluminescent elements. A first electrode 101, a light emitting layer 102, and a second electrode 103 are formed over a substrate 100, which partially constitute a light emitting element. Light produced in the light emitting layer 102 is emitted out through the second electrode 103. A plurality of three-dimensional bodies 104 are provided in contact with a surface of the second electrode 103. With the provision of the bodies 104, light totally reflected between the second electrode 103 and the air enters the bodies 104 and can be emitted through faces of the bodies 104 that are not parallel to the interface between the bodies and the second electrode 103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8927308
    Abstract: Systems, and methods for the design and fabrication of OLEDs, including large-area OLEDs with metal bus lines, are provided. For a given panel area dimension, target luminous emittance, OLED device structure and efficiency (as given by the JVL characteristics of an equivalent small area pixel), and electrical resistivity and thickness of the bus line material and electrode onto which the bus lines are disposed, a bus line pattern may be designed such that Fill Factor (FF), Luminance Uniformity (U) and Power Loss (PL) may be optimized. One general design objective may be to maximize FF, maximize U and minimize PL. Another approach may be, for example, to define minimum criteria for U and a maximum criteria for PL, and then to optimize the bus line layout to maximize FF. OLED panels including bus lines with different resistances (R1) along a length of the bus line are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Display Corporation
    Inventors: Huiqing Pang, Peter Levermore, Emory Krall, Kamala Rajan, Ruiqing (Ray) Ma, Paul E. Burrows
  • Patent number: 8927309
    Abstract: A method for producing an OLED illuminating device includes steps of: (a) forming metal lines and power transmission lines on a substrate; (b) forming a patterned insulating layer to cover the metal lines and the power transmission lines; (c) forming a patterned first electrode layer on the insulating layer; (d) forming an organic light-emitting membrane structure on the first electrode layer; (e) forming a second electrode layer on the organic light-emitting membrane structure so that a plurality of luminescent pixels are formed; and (f) when one of the luminescent pixels is defective, cutting one of the power transmission lines that is connected to the defective one of the luminescent pixels using an energy beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Ultimate Image Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Feng Sung
  • Patent number: 8927310
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a patterned substrate, with which the optical performance of a photovoltaic cell including an organic solar cell and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) can be improved. The method includes generating electrostatic force on a surface of a substrate by treating the substrate with electrolytes, causing nano-particles to be adsorbed on the surface of the substrate, etching the surface of the substrate using the nano-particles as an etching mask, and removing the nano-particles residing on the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeong Woo Park, Yoon Young Kwon, Kyungwook Park, Young Zo Yoo
  • Patent number: 8927311
    Abstract: A MEMS device (40) includes a base structure (42) and a microstructure (44) suspended above the structure (42). The base structure (42) includes an oxide layer (50) formed on a substrate (48), a structural layer (54) formed on the oxide layer (50), and an insulating layer (56) formed over the structural layer (54). A sacrificial layer (112) is formed overlying the base structure (42), and the microstructure (44) is formed in another structural layer (116) over the sacrificial layer (112). Methodology (90) entails removing the sacrificial layer (112) and a portion of the oxide layer (50) to release the microstructure (44) and to expose a top surface (52) of the substrate (48). Following removal, a width (86) of a gap (80) produced between the microstructure (44) and the top surface (52) is greater than a width (88) of a gap (84) produced between the microstructure (44) and the structural layer (54).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew C. McNeil, Yizhen Lin, Lisa Z. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8927312
    Abstract: A MEMS transistor for a FBEOL level of a CMOS integrated circuit is disclosed. The MEMS transistor includes a cavity within the integrated circuit. A MEMS cantilever switch having two ends is disposed within the cavity and anchored at least at one of the two ends. A gate and a drain are in a sidewall of the cavity, and are separated from the MEMS cantilever switch by a gap. In response to a voltage applied to the gate, the MEMS cantilever switch moves across the gap in a direction parallel to the plane of the FBEOL level of the CMOS integrated circuit into electrical contact with the drain to permit a current to flow between the source and the drain. Methods for fabricating the MEMS transistor are also disclosed. In accordance with the methods, a MEMS cantilever switch, a gate, and a drain are constructed on a far back end of line (FBEOL) level of a CMOS integrated circuit in a plane parallel to the FBEOL level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Leland Chang, Guy Cohen, Michael A. Guillorn, Effendi Leobandung, Fei Liu, Ghavam G. Shahidi
  • Patent number: 8927313
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a solar cell where the solar cell includes a dopant layer having a first portion of a first resistance and a second portion of a second resistance lower than the first resistance, the method includes ion-implanting a dopant into the semiconductor substrate to form the dopant layer; firstly activating by heating the second portion and activating the dopant at the second portion; and secondly activating by heating the first portion and the second portion and activating the dopant at the first portion and the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyoungsoo Lee, Seongeun Lee
  • Patent number: 8927314
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a front side, a back side and a doped region; forming a conductor layer on the front side; firing the conductor layer at a temperature such that the conductor layer is formed with a first portion embedded into the doped region and a second portion other than the first portion; forming an anti-reflection coating (ARC) layer on the front side and the second portion, wherein the ARC layer covers the conductor layer so that the second portion of the conductor layer is disposed in the ARC layer; and removing the ARC layer on the conductor layer so that the conductor layer has an exposed surface exposed out of the ARC layer, wherein the exposed surface of the conductor layer is substantially flush with a first exposed surface of the ARC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Big Sun Energy Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Sheng Yung Liu, Chin-Tien Yang, Chun-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 8927315
    Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for high-efficiency solar cells. In one embodiment, an assembly is provided comprising of a plurality of solar cells each having at least one transparent conductor, a photovoltaic layer, at least one bottom electrode, a plurality of emitter wrap through (EWT) vias containing a conductive material, and a plurality of series interconnect vias containing a conductive material. The assembly may also include a backside support coupled to the solar cells, wherein the backside support is patterned to have electrically conductive areas and electrically nonconductive areas that create a series interconnect between solar cells electrically coupled by the support and prevents parallel connections between the solar cells. The cells may have a via insulating layer in each via separating the conductive material in each via from any side walls of the bottom electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: aeris CAPITAL Sustainable IP Ltd.
    Inventors: James R. Sheats, Werner Dumanski
  • Patent number: 8927316
    Abstract: A camera module includes an image sensor chip including a substrate having first and second opposite surfaces and a ground pad on the first surface, a housing surrounding the sides of the image sensor chip but which leaves the second surface of the image sensor chip exposed, an electromagnetic wave-shielding film united with the housing, and an electrical conductor electrically connected to the ground pad. The camera module also has an optical unit disposed on the first surface of the image sensor chip in the housing to guide light from an object to the image sensor chip. The electrical conductor extends through a side of the housing. The conductor also contacts the electromagnetic wave-shielding film to electrically connect the ground pad and the electromagnetic wave-shielding film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Hoe Cho, Byoung-Rim Seo, Yung-Cheol Kong, Han-Sung Ryu
  • Patent number: 8927317
    Abstract: A method for producing a selective doping structure in a semiconductor substrate in order produce a photovoltaic solar cell. The method includes the following steps: A) applying a doping layer (2) to the emitter side of the semiconductor substrate, B) locally heating a melting region of the doping layer (2) and a melting region of the semiconductor substrate lying under the doping layer (2) in such a way that dopant diffuses from the doping layer (2) into the melted semiconductor substrate via liquid-liquid diffusion, so that a high doping region (3) is produced after the melt mixture solidifies, C) producing the planar low doping region by globally heating the semiconductor substrate, D) removing the doping layer (2) and E) removing or converting a layer of the semiconductor substrate on the doping side in such a way that part of the low doping region and of the high doping region close to the surface is removed or is converted into an electrically non-conducting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignees: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V., Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
    Inventors: Ulrich Jager, Daniel Biro, Anne-Kristin Volk, Johannes Seiffe, Sebastian Mack, Andreas Wolf, Ralf Preu
  • Patent number: 8927318
    Abstract: A method cleaving a semiconductor material that includes providing a germanium substrate having a germanium and tin alloy layer is present therein. A stressor layer is deposited on a surface of the germanium substrate. A stress from the stressor layer is applied to the germanium substrate, in which the stress cleaves the germanium substrate to provide a cleaved surface. The cleaved surface of the germanium substrate is then selective to the germanium and tin alloy layer of the germanium substrate. In another embodiment, the germanium and tin alloy layer may function as a fracture plane during a spalling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Devendra K. Sadana, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8927319
    Abstract: There is disclosed methods of making photosensitive devices, such as flexible photovoltaic (PV) devices, through the use of epitaxial liftoff. Also described herein are methods of preparing flexible PV devices comprising a structure having a growth substrate, wherein the selective etching of protective layers yields a smooth growth substrate that us suitable for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Jeramy Zimmerman, Kyusang Lee, Kuen-Ting Shiu
  • Patent number: 8927320
    Abstract: A method of bonding by molecular bonding between at least one lower wafer and an upper wafer comprises positioning the upper wafer on the lower wafer. In accordance with the invention, a contact force is applied to a peripheral side of at least one of the two wafers in order to initiate a bonding wave between the two wafers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Soitec
    Inventors: Chrystelle Lagahe Blanchard, Marcel Broekaart, Arnaud Castex
  • Patent number: 8927321
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging device in which pixel electrodes, a photoelectric conversion portion having an organic film generating electric charge in response to incident light, a transparent counter electrode, and a sealing layer are formed on a substrate is produced by the method including causing a metal mask to come into close contact with a substrate surface, on which the pixel electrodes are disposed, by magnetic force; forming the organic film by vapor-depositing an organic substance to the substrate surface on which the pixel electrodes are disposed; removing the metal mask after the organic film is formed; forming the counter electrode on the organic film; and forming the sealing layer covering the counter electrode, wherein the metal mask has undergone half etching to have a half etching portion and comes into close contact with the substrate surface such that a lower surface of the half etching portion faces the pixel electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Toshihiro Nakatani
  • Patent number: 8927322
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of forming different types of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) solar cells and Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide (CIGS) solar cells that can be combinatorially varied and evaluated. These methodologies all incorporate the formation of site-isolated regions using a combinatorial processing tool and the use of these site-isolated regions to form the solar cell area. Therefore, multiple solar cells may be rapidly formed on a single substrate for use in combinatorial methodologies. Any of the individual processes of the methods described may be varied combinatorially to test varied process conditions or materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Upendra Avachat, Tony Chiang, Craig Hunter, Jian Li, Guizhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 8927323
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes a crystalline substrate having a first dopant conductivity, an interdigitated back contact and a front surface field structure. The front surface field structure includes a crystalline layer formed on the substrate and a noncrystalline layer formed on the crystalline layer. The crystalline layer and the noncrystalline layer are doped with dopants having a same dopant conductivity as the substrate. Methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tze-Chiang Chen, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Devendra K. Sadana, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8927324
    Abstract: A method for the production of a wafer-based, back-contacted heterojunction solar cell includes providing at least one absorber wafer. Metallic contacts are deposited as at least one of point contacts and strip contacts in a predetermined distribution on a back side of the at least one absorber wafer. The contacts have steep flanks that are higher than a cumulative layer thickness of an emitter layer and an emitter contact layer and are sheathed with an insulating sheath. The emitter layer is deposited over an entire surface of the back side of the at least one absorber wafer. The emitter contact layer is deposited over an entire surface of the emitter layer so as to form an emitter contact system. At least one of the emitter layer and the emitter contact layer is selectively removed so as to expose the steep flanks of the contacts that are covered with the insulating sheath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Fuer Materialien und Energie GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Stangl
  • Patent number: 8927325
    Abstract: A method for producing an organic radiation-emitting component is specified, which comprises, in particular, the following method steps: A) providing a first electrode layer (2) on a substrate (1), B) applying a structured electrically conductive layer (3) on the first electrode layer (2), wherein the electrically conductive layer (3) comprises a metal, C) producing an electrically insulating layer (4) comprising an oxide of the metal of the electrically conductive layer (3) on surfaces (31) of the electrically conductive layer (3) which are remote from the first electrode layer (2) by oxidation of the metal, D) applying at least one organic functional layer (5) on the first electrode layer (2) and the electrically insulating layer (4), and E) applying a second electrode layer (9) on the at least one organic functional layer (5). An organic radiation-emitting component is furthermore specified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: OSRAM Opto Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Gaerditz, Ralph Paetzold
  • Patent number: 8927326
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an organic electroluminescence element, comprising an organic layer between an anode and a cathode of the organic electroluminescence element by a wet film-forming method by using a composition containing an organic electroluminescence element material and a solvent in any one environment of the following film formation environments 1 to 3, and drying the formed film: film formation environment 1: a carbon dioxide concentration of 0.7 g/m3 or less and an oxygen concentration of 18 to 22 vol %, film formation environment 2: a sulfur oxide concentration of 2.2 ?g/m3 or less and an oxygen concentration of 18 to 22 vol %, and film formation environment 3: a nitrogen oxide concentration of 3.1 ?g/m3 or less and an oxygen concentration of 18 to 22 vol %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Nakatsuka, Yoshimasa Bando, Kiyoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8927327
    Abstract: There is provided an organic light emitting display device including a first substrate; an organic light emitting unit formed on the first substrate; a second substrate disposed on the organic light emitting unit; and an adhesive unit for adhering the first substrate and the second substrate to each other, wherein the adhesive unit includes a sealant, and particles that are arranged in the sealant so as to block penetration of external impurities. There is further provided a method of manufacturing the organic light emitting display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min-Ho Oh, Yoon-Hyeong Cho, Byoung-Duk Lee, So-Young Lee, Sun-Young Lee, Jong-Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 8927328
    Abstract: A 3D semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes forming a first semiconductor layer including a common source node on a semiconductor substrate, forming a transistor region on the first semiconductor layer, wherein the transistor region includes a horizontal channel region substantially parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, and source and drain regions branched from the horizontal channel region to a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, processing the first semiconductor layer to locate the common source node corresponding to the source region, forming a gate in a space between the source region and the drain region, forming heating electrodes on the source region and the drain region, and forming resistance variable material layers on the exposed heating electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Suk Ki Kim
  • Patent number: 8927329
    Abstract: The amount of water and hydrogen contained in an oxide semiconductor film is reduced, and oxygen is supplied sufficiently from a base film to the oxide semiconductor film in order to reduce oxygen deficiencies. A stacked base film is formed, a first heat treatment is performed, an oxide semiconductor film is formed over and in contact with the stacked base film, and a second heat treatment is performed. In the stacked base film, a first base film and a second base film are stacked in this order. The first base film is an insulating oxide film from which oxygen is released by heating. The second base film is an insulating metal oxide film. An oxygen diffusion coefficient of the second base film is smaller than that of the first base film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuki Imoto, Yuhei Sato
  • Patent number: 8927330
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a metal-oxide thin film transistor. The method includes the steps of: (a1) forming a gate electrode on a substrate; (a2) forming a gate insulating layer over the gate electrode; (a3) forming a metal-oxide semiconductor layer having a channel region on the gate insulating layer; (a4) forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on the metal-oxide semiconductor layer, wherein the source electrode is spaced apart from the drain electrode by a gap exposing the channel region; (a5) forming a mobility-enhancing layer on the channel region, wherein the mobility-enhancing layer is not in contact with the source electrode and the drain electrode; and (a6) annealing the metal-oxide semiconductor layer and the mobility-enhancing layer in an environment at a temperature of about 200° C. to 350° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: E Ink Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Hsiao-Wen Zan, Chuang-Chuang Tsai, Chun-Cheng Yeh, Liang-Hao Chen
  • Patent number: 8927331
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile memory device includes: forming a tantalum oxide material layer including an oxygen-deficient transition metal oxide; forming a tantalum oxide material layer including a transition metal oxide and having a degree of oxygen deficiency lower than a degree of oxygen deficiency of the tantalum oxide material layer; and exposing, after the forming of a tantalum oxide material layer, the tantalum oxide material layer to plasma generated from a noble gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ichirou Takahashi, Takumi Mikawa
  • Patent number: 8927332
    Abstract: Methods of manufacturing semiconductor device assemblies include attaching a back side of a first semiconductor die to a substrate and structurally and electrically coupling a first end of laterally extending conductive elements to conductive terminals on or in a surface of the substrate. Second ends of the laterally extending conductive elements are structurally and electrically coupled to bond pads on or in an active surface of the first semiconductor die. Conductive structures are structurally and electrically coupled to bond pads of a second semiconductor die. At least some of the conductive structures are aligned with at least some of the bond pads of the first semiconductor die. An active surface of the second semiconductor die faces an active surface of the first semiconductor die. At least some of the conductive structures are structurally and electrically coupled to at least some of the bond pads of the first semiconductor die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Swee Seng Eric Tan, Choon Kuan Lee
  • Patent number: 8927333
    Abstract: A package-on-package arrangement for maintaining die alignment during a reflow operation is provided. A first top die has a first arrangement of solder bumps. A bottom package has a first electrical arrangement to electrically connect to the first arrangement of solder bumps. A die carrier has a plurality of mounting regions defined on its bottom surface, wherein the first top die is adhered to the die carrier at a first of the plurality of mounting regions. One of a second top die and a dummy die having a second arrangement of solder bumps is also fixed to the die carrier at a second of the plurality of mounting regions of the die carrier. The first and second arrangements of solder bumps are symmetric to one another, therein balancing a surface tension during a reflow operation, and generally fixing an orientation of the die carrier with respect to the bottom package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsung-Shu Lin, Yu-Ling Tsai, Han-Ping Pu
  • Patent number: 8927334
    Abstract: Structures and methods for forming good electrical connections between an integrated circuit (IC) chip and a chip carrier of a flip chip package include forming one of: a tensile layer on a front side of the IC chip, which faces a tops surface of the chip carrier, and a compressive layer on the backside of the IC chip. Addition of one of: a tensile layer to the front side of the IC chip and a compressive layer the backside of the IC chip, may reduce or modulate warpage of the IC chip and enhance wetting of opposing solder surfaces of solder bumps on the IC chip and solder formed on flip chip (FC) attaches of a chip carrier during making of the flip chip package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy H. Daubenspeck, Jeffrey P. Gambino, Christopher D. Muzzy, Nathalie Normand, David L. Questad, Wolfgang Sauter, Timothy D. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 8927335
    Abstract: Method for bonding of a plurality of chips onto a base wafer which contains chips on the front, the chips being stacked in at least one layer on the back of the base wafer and electrically conductive connections are established between the vertically adjacent chips, with the following steps: a) fixing of the front of the base wafer on a carrier, b) placing at least one layer of chips in defined positions on the back of the base wafer, and c) heat treatment of the chips on the base wafer fixed on the carrier, characterized in that prior to step c) at least partial separation of the chips of the base wafer into separated chip stack sections of the base after takes place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: EV Group E. Thallner GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Wimplinger
  • Patent number: 8927336
    Abstract: A method of assembling a packaging structure is provided and includes directly electrically interconnecting respective active surfaces of first and second chips in a face-to-face arrangement, electrically interconnecting at least one of the respective sidewalls of the first and second chips to a common chip and orienting the respective active surfaces of the first and second chips transversely with respect to the common chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Evan G. Colgan, Paul W. Coteus, Robert L. Wisnieff
  • Patent number: 8927337
    Abstract: A plurality of microelectronic assemblies (60) are made by severing an in-process unit including an upper substrate (40) and lower substrate (20) with microelectronic elements (36) disposed between the substrates. In a further embodiment, a lead frame (452) is joined to a substrate (440) so that the leads project from this substrate. Lead frame (452) is joined to a further substrate (470) with one or more microelectronic elements (436, 404, 406) disposed between the substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tessera, Inc.
    Inventors: Belgacem Haba, Craig S. Mitchell, Masud Beroz
  • Patent number: 8927338
    Abstract: Fabrication methods are disclosed that facilitate the production of electronic structures that are both flexible and stretchable to conform to non-planar (e.g. curved) surfaces without suffering functional damage due to excessive strain. Electronic structures including CMOS devices are provided that can be stretched or squeezed within acceptable limits without failing or breaking. The methods disclosed herein further facilitate the production of flexible, stretchable electronic structures having multiple levels of intra-chip connectors. Such connectors are formed through deposition and photolithographic patterning (back end of the line processing) and can be released following transfer of the electronic structures to flexible substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen W. Bedell, Wilfried E. Haensch, Bahman Hekmatshoartabari, Ghavam G. Shahidi, Davood Shahrjerdi
  • Patent number: 8927339
    Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor assembly that includes a semiconductor device, a heat spreader, an adhesive and a build-up circuitry is disclosed. The heat spreader includes a bump, a base and a flange. The bump defines a cavity. The semiconductor device is mounted on the bump at the cavity, electrically connected to the build-up circuitry and thermally connected to the bump. The bump extends from the base into an opening in the adhesive, the base extends vertically from the bump opposite the cavity and the flange extends laterally from the bump at the cavity entrance. The build-up circuitry includes a dielectric layer and conductive traces on the semiconductor device and the flange. The conductive traces provide signal routing for the semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Bridge Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Charles W. C. Lin, Chia-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 8927340
    Abstract: Provided are a double-sided adhesive tape, semiconductor packages, and methods of fabricating the packages. A method of fabricating semiconductor packages includes providing a double-sided adhesive tape on a top surface of a carrier, the double-sided adhesive tape including a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer stacked on the first adhesive layer, the first adhesive layer of the double-sided adhesive tape being in contact with the top surface of the carrier, adhering active surfaces of a plurality of semiconductor chips onto the second adhesive layer of the double-sided adhesive tape, separating the first adhesive layer from the second adhesive layer such that the second adhesive layer remains on the active surfaces of the semiconductor chips, patterning the second adhesive layer to form first openings that selectively expose the active surfaces of the semiconductor chips, and forming first conductive components on the second adhesive layer to fill the first openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Woo Park, Seok-Hyun Lee, Ho-Geon Song
  • Patent number: 8927341
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a method for producing a conductive member having low electrical resistance, and the conductive member is obtained using a low-cost stable conductive material composition that does not contain an adhesive. A method for producing a semiconductor device in which silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of a base and silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of a semiconductor element are bonded, includes the steps of arranging a semiconductor element on a base such that silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the semiconductor element is in contact with silver or silver oxide provided on a surface of the base, and bonding the semiconductor element and the base by applying heat having a temperature of 200 to 900° C. to the semiconductor device and the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Nichia Corporation
    Inventors: Masafumi Kuramoto, Satoru Ogawa, Miki Niwa
  • Patent number: 8927342
    Abstract: The present invention specifies a leadframe for electronic components and a corresponding manufacturing process, in which the bonding islands are formed by welding individual, prefabricated segments of a bonding-capable material onto a stamped leadframe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics AMP GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Goesele, Friedrich Seger, Josef Sinder, Joachim Stifter, Oliver Werner
  • Patent number: 8927343
    Abstract: A package structure and a package process are provided. The package structure comprises a carrier having a carrying portion and a plurality of supporting bar remnants disposed around and extending outward from the carrying portion, a chip mounted to the carrying portion, and an encapsulant disposed on the carrier and covering the chip, wherein the supporting bar remnants are encapsulated by the encapsulant, and each of the supporting bar remnants has a distal end shrank from an outer surface of the encapsulant. A package process for fabricating the package structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aptos Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chi-Jang Lo
  • Patent number: 8927344
    Abstract: Various semiconductor chip package substrates with reinforcement and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a package substrate that has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first side has a central area adapted to receive a semiconductor chip. A solder reinforcement structure is formed on the first side of the package substrate outside of the central area to resist bending of the package substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Roden Topacio, Adam Zbrzezny
  • Patent number: 8927345
    Abstract: A method comprises fabricating an interconnect structure comprising a plurality of conductive interconnects encased in a dielectric structure and coupling each of the conductive interconnects to a corresponding bond pad of a package substrate and bond pad of a die. A device package comprises a substrate having a first plurality of bond pads disposed at a first surface of the substrate and a die having a first surface facing the first surface of the substrate and a second surface opposite the first surface, the die comprising a second plurality of bond pads disposed at the second surface. The device package further comprises an interconnect structure comprising a plurality of conductive interconnects encased in a dielectric structure, each of the conductive interconnects coupled to a corresponding bond pad of the first plurality of bond pads and to a corresponding bond pad of the second plurality of bond pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Weng Foong Yap, Lai Cheng Law, Boh Kid Wong