Strain Sensors Patents (Class 257/417)
  • Patent number: 8921165
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a MEMS device in which silicon residues from the adhesion promoter material are reduced or even eliminated from the cavity floor. The adhesion promoter is typically used to adhere sacrificial material to material above the substrate. The adhesion promoter is the removed along with then sacrificial material. However, the adhesion promoter leaves silicon based residues within the cavity upon removal. The inventors have discovered that the adhesion promoter can be removed from the cavity area prior to depositing the sacrificial material. The adhesion promoter which remains over the remainder of the substrate is sufficient to adhere the sacrificial material to the substrate without fear of the sacrificial material delaminating. Because no adhesion promoter is used in the cavity area of the device, no silicon residues will be present within the cavity after the switching element of the MEMS device is freed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cavendish Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian I. Troy, Mickael Renault, Thomas L. Maguire, Joseph Damian Gordon Lacey, James F. Bobey
  • Patent number: 8921958
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a MEMS element comprises a first electrode that is fixed on a substrate and has plate shape, a second electrode that is disposed above the first electrode while facing the first electrode, the second electrode being movable in a vertical direction and having plate shape, and a first film that includes a first cavity in which the second electrode is accommodated on the substrate. The second electrode is connected to an anchor portion connected to the substrate via a spring portion. An upper surface of the second electrode is connected to the first film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tamio Ikehashi
  • Patent number: 8921953
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to methods for producing MEMS or NEMS devices and the devices themselves. A thin layer of a material having a lower recombination coefficient as compared to the cantilever structure may be deposited over the cantilever structure, the RF electrode and the pull-off electrode. The thin layer permits the etching gas introduced to the cavity to decrease the overall etchant recombination rate within the cavity and thus, increase the etching rate of the sacrificial material within the cavity. The etchant itself may be introduced through an opening in the encapsulating layer that is linearly aligned with the anchor portion of the cantilever structure so that the topmost layer of sacrificial material is etched first. Thereafter, sealing material may seal the cavity and extend into the cavity all the way to the anchor portion to provide additional strength to the anchor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Cavendish Kinetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mickael Renault, Joseph Damian Gordon Lacey, Vikram Joshi, Thomas L. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20140374855
    Abstract: A method of packaging a pressure sensor die begins with patterning and etching a metal strip and forming metal traces on the strip. Further build-up is performed to transform the metal strip into a layered substrate. Cavity walls are formed on one side of the strip with a molding process and then the metal on the back side of the strip is removed. Next semiconductor dies are attached to the strip within the cavities and electrically connected to pads formed on the surface of the strip and/or to pads on other ones of the dies. A gel coating is deposited over the dies and then a metal lid is secured over the cavity. The strip is then singulated along ones of the cavity walls to form multiple sensor devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Wai Yew Lo
  • Patent number: 8916943
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first layer comprising at least two partial cavities, an intermediate layer bonded to the first layer, the intermediate layer formed to support at least two Micro-electromechanical System (MEMS) devices, and a second layer bonded to the intermediate layer, the second layer comprising at least two partial cavities to complete the at least two partial cavities of the first layer through the intermediate layer to form at least two sealed full cavities. The at least two full cavities have different pressures within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shyh-Wei Cheng, Jui-Chun Weng, Hsi-Cheng Hsu, Chih-Yu Wang, Jung-Kuo Tu, Che-Jung Chu, Yu-Ting Hsu
  • Patent number: 8912613
    Abstract: Provided are a dual-side micro gas sensor and a method of fabricating the same. The sensor may include an elastic layer, a heat-generating resistor layer on the elastic layer, an interlayered insulating layer on the heat-generating resistor layer, an upper sensing layer on the interlayered insulating layer, and a lower sensing layer provided below the elastic layer to face the heat-generating resistor layer, thereby reducing heat loss of the heat-generating resistor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyung-Kun Lee, Seungeon Moon, Nak Jin Choi, Jaewoo Lee
  • Patent number: 8907434
    Abstract: A MEMS inertial sensor and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The method includes: depositing a first carbon layer on a semiconductor substrate; patterning the first carbon layer to form a fixed anchor bolt, an inertial anchor bolt and a bottom sealing ring; forming a contact plug in the fixed anchor bolt and a contact plug in the inertial anchor bolt; forming a first fixed electrode, an inertial electrode and a connection electrode on the first carbon layer, where the first fixed electrode and the inertial electrode constitute a capacitor; forming a second carbon layer on the first fixed electrode and the inertial electrode; and forming a sealing cap layer on the second carbon layer and the top sealing ring. Under an inertial force, only the inertial electrode may move, the fixed electrode will almost not move or vibrate, which improves the accuracy of the MEMS inertial sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Lexvu Opto Microelectronics Technology (Shanghai) Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiwei Wang, Deming Tang, Lei Zhang, Jianhong Mao, Fengqin Han
  • Patent number: 8901680
    Abstract: Semiconductor nano pressure sensor devices having graphene membrane suspended over cavities formed in a semiconductor substrate. A suspended graphene membrane serves as an active electro-mechanical membrane for sensing pressure, which can be made very thin, from about one atomic layer to about 10 atomic layers in thickness, to improve the sensitivity and reliability of a semiconductor pressure sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Cai, Yanqing Wu, Wenjuan Zhu
  • Patent number: 8901683
    Abstract: Provided is a structure for improving performance of a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) microphone by preventing deformation from occurring due to a residual stress and a package stress of a membrane and by decreasing membrane rigidity. A MEMS microphone according to the present disclosure includes a backplate formed on a substrate; an insulating layer formed on the substrate to surround the backplate; a membrane formed to be separate from above the backplate by a predetermined interval; a membrane supporting portion configured to connect the membrane to the substrate; and a buffering portion formed in a double spring structure between the membrane and the membrane supporting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventor: Chang Han Je
  • Publication number: 20140346623
    Abstract: Techniques for covering open-cavity integrated-circuit packages in a batch process are disclosed. In an example method, a plurality of open-cavity packages are molded on a single batch leadframe or substrate, each open-cavity package comprising a floor and a plurality of walls arranged around the floor to form a cavity, each of said the walls having a bottom end adjoining said floor and having a top side opposite the bottom end. At least one semiconductor device is attached to the floor and within the cavity of each of the open-cavity packages, and a single flexible membrane is affixed to the top sides of the walls of the plurality of open-cavity packages, so as to substantially cover all of the cavities. The flexible membrane is then severed, between the packages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventors: Klaus Elian, Helmut Wietschorke
  • Patent number: 8884384
    Abstract: A semiconductor element of the electric circuit includes a semiconductor layer over a gate electrode. The semiconductor layer of the semiconductor element is formed of a layer including polycrystalline silicon which is obtained by crystallizing amorphous silicon by heat treatment or laser irradiation, over a substrate. The obtained layer including polycrystalline silicon is also used for a structure layer such as a movable electrode of a structure body. Therefore, the structure body and the electric circuit for controlling the structure body can be formed over one substrate. As a result, a micromachine can be miniaturized. Further, assembly and packaging are unnecessary, so that manufacturing cost can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mayumi Yamaguchi, Konami Izumi
  • Patent number: 8883535
    Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of a Microelectromechanical Systems (“MEMS”) device are provided. In one embodiment, the MEMS device fabrication method includes forming a via opening extending through a sacrificial layer and into a substrate over which the sacrificial layer has been formed. A body of electrically-conductive material is deposited over the sacrificial layer and into the via opening to produce an unpatterned transducer layer and a filled via in ohmic contact with the unpatterned transducer layer. The unpatterned transducer layer is then patterned to define, at least in part, a primary transducer structure. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to release at least one movable component of the primary transducer structure. A backside conductor, such as a bond pad, is then produced over a bottom surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the filled via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Lianjun Liu
  • Patent number: 8884383
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip with a gate electrode, and a stress detecting element placed on a surface of the semiconductor chip, and which detects stress applied to the surface. The semiconductor device controls a control signal to be applied to the gate electrode in response to stress detected by the stress detecting element. The stress detecting element is preferably provided as a first stress detecting element which detects stress applied to a central portion of the semiconductor chip in plan view. The stress detecting element is preferably provided as a second stress detecting element which detects stress applied to a circumferential portion of the semiconductor chip in plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Narazaki
  • Patent number: 8878313
    Abstract: A pressure sensor has a sensor body at least partly formed with an electrically insulating material, particularly a ceramic material, defining a cavity facing on which is a diaphragm provided with an electric detector element, configured for detecting a bending of the diaphragm. The sensor body supports a circuit arrangement, including, a plurality of circuit components, among which is an integrated circuit, for treating a signal generated by the detection element. The circuit arrangement includes tracks made of electrically conductive material directly deposited on a surface of the sensor body made of electrically insulating material. The integrated circuit is made up of a die made of semiconductor material directly bonded onto the surface of the sensor body and the die is connected to respective tracks by means of wire bonding, i.e. by means of thin connecting wires made of electrically conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Metallux SA
    Inventor: Luca Salmaso
  • Publication number: 20140319631
    Abstract: A method embodiment includes providing a MEMS wafer comprising an oxide layer, a MEMS substrate, a polysilicon layer. A carrier wafer comprising a first cavity formed using isotropic etching is bonded to the MEMS, wherein the first cavity is aligned with an exposed first portion of the polysilicon layer. The MEMS substrate is patterned, and portions of the sacrificial oxide layer are removed to form a first and second MEMS structure. A cap wafer including a second cavity is bonded to the MEMS wafer, wherein the bonding creates a first sealed cavity including the second cavity aligned to the first MEMS structure, and wherein the second MEMS structure is disposed between a second portion of the polysilicon layer and the cap wafer. Portions of the carrier wafer are removed so that first cavity acts as a channel to ambient pressure for the first MEMS structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Chia-Hua Chu, Chun-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 8872289
    Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes layering metal and insulator materials on a sacrificial material formed on a substrate. The method further includes masking the layered metal and insulator materials. The method further includes forming an opening in the masking which overlaps with the sacrificial material. The method further includes etching the layered metal and insulator materials in a single etching process to form the beam structure, such that edges of the layered metal and insulator material are aligned. The method further includes forming a cavity about the beam structure through a venting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Czabaj, David A. DeMuynck, Anthony K. Stamper
  • Publication number: 20140312440
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to suppress an error in the value detected by a pressure sensor, which may be caused when environmental temperature varies. A semiconductor substrate has a first conductivity type. A semiconductor layer is formed over a first surface of the semiconductor substrate. Each of resistance parts has a second conductivity type, and is formed in the semiconductor layer. The resistance parts are spaced apart from each other. A separation region is a region of the first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer, and electrically separates the resistance parts from each other. A depressed portion is formed in a second surface of the semiconductor substrate, and overlaps the resistance parts, when viewed planarly. The semiconductor layer is an epitaxial layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Akiyama, Yasutaka Nakashiba
  • Patent number: 8866241
    Abstract: Pressure sensors that may be used in harsh or corrosive environments. One example may provide a pressure sensor having membrane with a top surface that may be free of components or electrical connections. Instead, components and electrical connections may be located under the membrane. By providing a top surface free of components and electrical connections, the top surface of the pressure sensor may be placed in harsh or corrosive environments, while components and electrical connections under the membrane may remain protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Microstructures, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Gaynor
  • Patent number: 8866239
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an integrated circuit having a substrate comprising a plurality of components and a metallization stack over the components, the metallization stack comprising a first sensing element and a second sensing element adjacent to the first sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcus Van Dal, Aurelie Humbert, Matthias Merz, Youri Victorovitch Ponomarev
  • Patent number: 8866238
    Abstract: Hybrid integrated components including an MEMS element and an ASIC element are described, whose capacitor system allows both signal detection with comparatively high sensitivity and sensitive activation of the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element. The hybrid integrated component includes an MEMS element having a micromechanical structure which extends over the entire thickness of the MEMS substrate. At least one structural element of this micromechanical structure is deflectable and is operationally linked to at least one capacitor system, which includes at least one movable electrode and at least one stationary electrode. Furthermore, the component includes an ASIC element having at least one electrode of the capacitor system. The MEMS element is mounted on the ASIC element, so that there is a gap between the micromechanical structure and the surface of the ASIC element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Classen
  • Publication number: 20140306300
    Abstract: A micromechanical component formed from, a substrate (100) having a first cavity (112) and a second cavity (113), a first micromechanical structure (117) arranged in the first cavity (112), and a second micromechanical structure (118) arranged in the second cavity (113). The first cavity (112) and the second cavities having respective first and second gas pressures having different values. The first gas pressure is provided by a closed configuration of the first cavity (112) and a first channel (115) opens into the second cavity (113), and the second gas pressure is adjustable via the first channel (115).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Günthner, Bernhard Schmid
  • Patent number: 8860154
    Abstract: The present invention provides a CMOS compatible silicon differential condenser microphone and a method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Goertek Inc.
    Inventor: Zhe Wang
  • Patent number: 8853805
    Abstract: A test structure for measuring strain in the channel of transistors. A method of correlating transistor performance with channel strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jayhoon Chung, Catherine Beth Vartuli, Guoda Lian
  • Patent number: 8853797
    Abstract: A MEMS device and method, comprising: a substrate; a beam; and a cavity located therebetween; the beam comprising a first beam layer and a second beam layer, the first beam layer being directly adjacent to the cavity, the second beam layer being directly adjacent to the first beam layer; the first beam layer comprising a metal or a metal alloy containing silicon; and the second beam layer comprising a metal or a metal alloy substantially not containing silicon. Preferably the second beam layer is thicker than the first beam layer e.g. at least five times thicker, and the first beam layer comprises a metal or alloy containing between 1% and 2% of silicon. The second beam layer provides desired mechanical and/or optical properties while the first beam layer prevents spiking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: NXP, B.V
    Inventor: Robertus T. F. van Schaijk
  • Patent number: 8853800
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to a device integrated on a semiconductor substrate of a type comprising at least one first portion for the integration of at least one microfluidic system, and a second portion for the integration of an additional circuitry. The microfluidic system comprises at least one cavity realized in a containment layer of the integrated device closed on top by at least one portion of a polysilicon layer, this polysilicon layer being a thin layer shared by the additional circuitry and the closing portion of the cavity realizing a piezoresistive membrane for the microfluidic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Claudia Caligiore, Salvatore Leonardi, Salvatore Baglio, Bruno Ando′
  • Patent number: 8852985
    Abstract: Semiconductor nano pressure sensor devices having graphene membrane suspended over open cavities formed in a semiconductor substrate. A suspended graphene membrane serves as an active electro-mechanical membrane for sensing pressure, which can be made very thin, from about one atomic layer to about 10 atomic layers in thickness, to improve the sensitivity and reliability of a semiconductor pressure sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Cai, Yanqing Wu, Wenjuan Zhu
  • Patent number: 8847339
    Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit comprising a substrate (10) including semiconductor devices and a metallization stack (20) over said substrate for interconnecting said devices, the metallization stack comprising a cavity (36), and a thermal conductivity sensor comprising at least one conductive portion (16, 18) of said metallization stack suspended in said cavity. A method of manufacturing such an IC is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Matthias Merz, Aurelie Humbert, David Tio Castro
  • Patent number: 8841734
    Abstract: A sensor element includes: a first substrate in which a diaphragm is configured on a main surface; a second substrate which is provided on the side opposite to the diaphragm of the first substrate; a cavity which is provided just below the diaphragm of the first substrate; a bonding position which is provided at a bonding position between the first substrate and the second substrate for airtight sealing of the cavity; and a bump portion which is provided at the fitting portion, and protects a fitted state between the first substrate and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromoto Inoue
  • Publication number: 20140264661
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include MEMS devices and methods for forming MEMS devices. An embodiment is a method for forming a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device, the method including forming a MEMS wafer having a first cavity, the first cavity having a first pressure, and bonding a carrier wafer to a first side of the MEMS wafer, the bonding forming a second cavity, the second cavity having a second pressure, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The method further includes bonding a cap wafer to a second side of the MEMS wafer, the second side being opposite the first side, the bonding forming a third cavity, the third cavity having a third pressure, the third pressure being greater than the first pressure and less than the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8836053
    Abstract: A component system includes at least one MEMS element, a cap for a micromechanical structure of the MEMS element, and at least one ASIC substrate. The micromechanical structure of the MEMS element is implemented in the functional layer of an SOI wafer. The MEMS element is mounted face down, with the structured functional layer on the ASIC substrate, and the cap is implemented in the substrate of the SOI wafer. The ASIC substrate includes a starting substrate provided with a layered structure on both sides. At least one circuit level is implemented in each case both in the MEMS-side layered structure and in the rear-side layered structure of the ASIC substrate. In the ASIC substrate, at least one ASIC through contact is implemented which electrically contacts at least one circuit level of the rear-side layered structure and/or at least one circuit level of the MEMS-side layered structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Heribert Weber, Frank Fischer, Mirko Hattass, Yvonne Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8835191
    Abstract: Methods for sensing a mechanical stress and methods of making stress sensor integrated circuits. The sensing methods include transferring the mechanical stress from the object to one or more nanowires in a stress sensor or stress sensor circuit and permitting the nanowires to change in length in response to the mechanical stress. An electrical characteristic of the stress sensor or stress sensor circuit, which has a variation correlated with changes in the magnitude of the mechanical stress, is measured and then assessed to determine the stress magnitude. The manufacture methods include electrically connecting nanowire field effect transistors having, as channel regions, one or more nanowires of either a different crystalline orientation or a different body width for the individual nanowires so that an offset output voltage results when mechanical strain is applied to the nanowires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Andres Bryant, Oki Gunawan, Shih-Hsien Lo, Jeffrey W. Sleight
  • Patent number: 8836054
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor chip body having a first surface and a second surface that faces away from the first surface, and including a plurality of bonding pads disposed on the first surface. Also, the semiconductor chip includes a distance maintaining member attached to the first surface of the semiconductor chip body and electrically connected with a circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Kwon Whan Han
  • Patent number: 8836052
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer includes multiple elements each having multiple cells, with each cell including a first electrode formed from a conductive substrate, and a second electrode opposed to a first face of the conductive substrate and across a gap. The multiple cells of each of the elements are electrically connected, and the conductive substrate is divided for each of the elements by grooves extending from the first face to a second face which is opposite from the first face. In addition, insulating films are formed on opposing side walls of the conductive substrate and define each of the grooves, wherein a gap width of each of the grooves is narrower on the second face side of the conductive substrate than on the first face side of the conductive substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Itoh, Takahiro Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8829626
    Abstract: MEMS switches and methods of fabricating MEMS switches. The switch has a vertically oriented deflection electrode having a conductive layer supported by a supporting layer, at least one drive electrode, and a stationary electrode. An actuation voltage applied to the drive electrode causes the deflection electrode to deflect laterally and contact the stationary electrode, which closes the switch. The deflection electrode is restored to a vertical position when the actuation voltage is removed, thereby opening the switch. The method of fabricating the MEMS switch includes depositing a conductive layer on mandrels to define vertical electrodes and then releasing the deflection electrode by removing the mandrel and layer end sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Gambino, Stephen A. Mongeon
  • Patent number: 8823114
    Abstract: Provided is a technique for packaging a sensor structure having a contact sensing surface and a signal processing LSI that processes a sensor signal. The sensor structure has the contact sensing surface and sensor electrodes. The signal processing integrated circuit is embedded in a semiconductor substrate. The sensor structure and the semiconductor substrate are bonded by a bonding layer, forming a sensor device as a single chip. The sensor electrodes and the integrated circuit are sealed inside the sensor device, and the sensor electrodes and external terminals of the integrated circuit are led out to the back surface of the semiconductor substrate through a side surface of the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignees: Tohoku University, Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho, Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Tanaka, Masayoshi Esashi, Masanori Muroyama, Sakae Matsuzaki, Mitsutoshi Makihata, Yutaka Nonomura, Motohiro Fujiyoshi, Takahiro Nakayama, Ui Yamaguchi, Hitoshi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20140239423
    Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of a Microelectromechanical Systems (“MEMS”) devices are provided. In one embodiment, the MEMS device fabrication method forming a via opening extending through a sacrificial layer and into a substrate over which the sacrificial layer has been formed. A body of electrically-conductive material is deposited over the sacrificial layer and into the via opening to produce an unpatterned transducer layer and a filled via in ohmic contact with the unpatterned transducer layer. The unpatterned transducer layer is then patterned to define, at least in part, a primary transducer structure. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to release at least one movable component of the primary transducer structure. A backside conductor, such as a bond pad, is then produced over a bottom surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the filled via.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Inventor: Lianjun Liu
  • Patent number: 8816451
    Abstract: In a MEMS structure, a first trench which penetrates the first layer, the second layer and the third layer is formed, and a second trench which penetrates the fifth layer, the forth layer and the third layer is formed. The first trench forms a first part of an outline of the movable portion in a view along the stacked direction. The second trench forms a second part of the outline of the movable portion in the view along the stacked direction. At least a part of the first trench overlaps with the first extending portion in the view along the stacked direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Hirofumi Funabashi, Yutaka Nonomura, Yoshiyuki Hata, Motohiro Fujiyoshi, Teruhisa Akashi, Yoshiteru Omura
  • Patent number: 8816717
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to integrated circuits having tamper detection and response devices and methods for manufacturing such integrated circuits. One integrated circuit having a tamper detection and response device includes at least one reactive material and at least one memory cell coupled to the at least one reactive material. An exothermic reaction in the at least one reactive material causes an alteration to a memory state of the at least one memory cell. Another integrated circuit having a tamper detection and response device includes a substrate, at least one gate on the substrate, and a reactive material between a first well and a second well of the at least one gate. A reaction in the reactive material causes a short in the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory M. Fritz, Chung H. Lam, Dirk Pfeiffer, Kenneth P. Rodbell, Robert L. Wisnieff
  • Publication number: 20140225206
    Abstract: A semiconductor die (20) includes a substrate (30) and microelectronic devices (22, 26) located at a surface (32) of the substrate (30). A cap (34) is coupled to the substrate (30), and the microelectronic device (22) is positioned in the cavity (24). An outgassing material structure (36) is located within a cavity (24) between the cap (34) and the substrate (30). The outgassing material structure (36) releases trapped gas (37) to increase the pressure within the cavity (24) from an initial pressure level (96) to a second pressure level (94). The cap (34) may include another cavity (28) containing another microelectronic device (26). A getter material (42) may be located within the cavity (28). The getter material (42) is activated to absorb residual gas (46) in the cavity (28) and decrease the pressure within the cavity (28) from the initial pressure level (96) to a third pressure level (92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventors: Yizhen Lin, Chad S. Dawson, Hemant D. Desai, Lisa H. Karlin, Keith L. Kraver, Mark E. Schlarmann
  • Patent number: 8803257
    Abstract: A hollow part is formed in a silicon substrate through the front and the back. A vibration electrode plate is arranged on an upper surface of the silicon substrate to cover the opening on the upper surface. A fixed electrode plate covers the upper side of the vibration electrode plate while maintaining a microscopic gap with the vibration electrode plate, where the peripheral part is fixed to the upper surface of the silicon substrate. The fixed electrode plate has the portion facing the upper surface of the silicon substrate through a space supported by a side wall portion arranged on an inner edge of the portion fixed to the upper surface of the silicon substrate without interposing a space. The outer surface of the side wall portion of the fixed electrode plate is covered by a reinforcement film made of metal such as Au, Cr, and Pt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kasai, Nobuyuki Iida, Hidetoshi Nishio
  • Patent number: 8803262
    Abstract: A microstructure device package includes a package housing configured and adapted to house a microstructure device. A bracket is housed in the package housing. The bracket includes a bracket base with a first bracket arm and a second bracket arm each extending from the bracket base. A channel is defined between the first and second bracket arms. The first bracket aim defines a first mounting surface facing inward with respect to the channel. The second bracket aim defines a second mounting surface facing outward with respect to the channel. The second mounting surface of the bracket is mounted to the package housing. A microstructure device is mounted to the first mounting surface in the channel. The bracket is configured and adapted to isolate the microstructure device from packaging stress imparted from the package housing on the second mounting surface of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Rosemount Aerospace Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus A. Childress, Nghia T. Dinh, James C. Golden
  • Patent number: 8796791
    Abstract: Measures are proposed by which the design freedom is significantly increased in the case of the implementation of the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element of a component, which includes a carrier for the MEMS element and a cap for the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element, the MEMS element being mounted on the carrier via a standoff structure. The MEMS element is implemented in a layered structure, and the micromechanical structure of the MEMS element extends over at least two functional layers of this layered structure, which are separated from one another by at least one intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Franke, Patrick Wellner, Lars Tebje
  • Patent number: 8791531
    Abstract: A package is provided. The package has a substrate and a cover. A MEMS die is provided having a diaphragm. A CMOS die is provided wherein at least a portion of the CMOS die is positioned between the diaphragm and the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventors: Peter V. Loeppert, David Giesecke, Anthony Minervini, Jeffrey Niew, Lawrence Grunert
  • Patent number: 8786034
    Abstract: Hot-melt sealing glass compositions that include one or more glass frits dispersed in a polymeric binder system. The polymeric binder system is a solid at room temperature, but melts at a temperature of from about 35° C. to about 90° C., thereby forming a flowable liquid dispersion that can be applied to a substrate (e.g., a cap wafer and/or a device wafer of a MEMS device) by screen printing. Hot-melt sealing glass compositions according to the invention rapidly re-solidify and adhere to the substrate after being deposited by screen printing. Thus, they do not tend to spread out as much as conventional solvent-based glass frit bonding pastes after screen printing. And, because hot-melt sealing glass compositions according to the invention are not solvent-based systems, they do not need to be force dried after deposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ferro Corporation
    Inventors: Robert D. Gardner, Keith M. Mason, Srinivasan Sridharan, Aziz S. Shaikh
  • Patent number: 8778741
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device package that comprises a device having a top substrate that is disposed on a supporting surface of a package substrate. A package frame contacts the top surface of the top substrate and top surface of the package substrate, and hermetically seals the device between the top surfaces of the top substrate and package substrate. The device can be a semiconductor device, a microstructure such as a microelectromechanical device, or other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert M. Duboc, Terry Tarn
  • Patent number: 8779536
    Abstract: A pressure sensor component includes a MEMS component having at least one pattern element that is able to be deflected perpendicular to the component plane, which is equipped with at least one electrode of a measuring capacitor device, and an ASIC component having integrated circuit elements and at least one back end stack, at least one counter-electrode of the measuring capacitor device being developed in a metallization plane of the back end stack. The MEMS component is mounted on the back end pile of the ASIC component. The MEMS component includes at least one pressure-sensitive diaphragm pattern and is mounted on the ASIC component in such a way that the pressure-sensitive diaphragm pattern spans a cavity between the MEMS component and the back end stack of the ASIC component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heribert Weber
  • Publication number: 20140191221
    Abstract: A pressure sensor including a lower substrate having two electrodes partially covered with a semiconductor layer and a piezoelectric layer made of a piezoelectric material, and in contact with the semiconductor layer in such a way that semiconductor material is in contact with the piezoelectric material and with the two electrodes, deposited thereon. The electrodes are intended to be connected to a voltage source or to a device for measuring the intensity of a current generated by the displacement of the electric charges in the semiconductor layer between the electrodes, said electric charges being created when a pressure is exerted on the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique Et Aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Mohammed BENWADIH, Abdelkader ALIANE
  • Patent number: 8770035
    Abstract: A semiconductor pressure sensor (720) includes a thin film piezoelectric element (701) which applies strain to a portion of a semiconductor substrate that corresponds to a thin region (402). The thin film piezoelectric element (701) is formed at a distance away from diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) functioning as strain gauges and is extended to the proximity of a bonding pad (716A) connected to an upper electrode layer of the thin film piezoelectric element and a bonding pad (716F) connected to a lower electrode thereof. The diffusion resistors (406, 408, 410, and 412) constitute a bridge circuit by metal wiring (722) and diffusion wiring (724). During self-diagnosis, a prescribed voltage is applied to a thin film piezoelectric element (701). If the output difference of the bridge circuit between before and after the voltage application falls outside a prescribed range, it is determined that a breakage occurs in the semiconductor pressure sensor (720).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Yamada, Masahiro Sakuragi, Takeshi Yoshida, Kei Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20140182390
    Abstract: The integrated electronic device is for detecting a local parameter related to a force observed in a given direction, within a solid structure. The device includes at least one sensor configured to detect the above-mentioned local parameter at least in the given direction through piezo-resistive effect. At least one damping element, integrated in the device, is arranged within a frame-shaped region that is disposed around the at least one sensor and belongs to a substantially planar region comprising a plane passing through the sensor and perpendicular to the given direction. Such at least one damping element is configured to damp forces acting in the planar region and substantially perpendicular to the given direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Alberto PAGANI, Federico Giovanni Ziglioli, Bruno Murari
  • Patent number: 8766381
    Abstract: The integrated circuit comprises a support substrate having opposite first and second main surfaces. A cavity passes through the support substrate and connects the first and second main surfaces. The integrated circuit comprises a device with a mobile element, the mobile element and a pair of associated electrodes of which are included in a cavity. An anchoring node of the mobile element is located at the level of the first main surface. The integrated circuit comprises a first elementary chip arranged at the level of the first main surface and electrically connected to the device with a mobile element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Fabrice Casset, Lionel Cadix, Perceval Coudrain, Alexis Farcy, Laurent-Luc Chapelon, Yacine Felk, Pascal Ancey