Semiconductor Patents (Class 73/31.06)
  • Patent number: 12259307
    Abstract: A method for testing the hydrogen permeability of a test object 1 includes the steps of provision of a sensor device 110 on a first side 3 of the test object 1, application of a test gas 5 including hydrogen 2 to a second side 4 of the test object 1, and detection of permeating hydrogen 2 passing through the test object 1 from the second side 4 to the first side 3 with the sensor device 110, wherein the sensor device 110 includes at least one hydrogen absorbing sensor layer 111 and the detection of the permeating hydrogen 2 including a detection of a change of state of the at least one sensor layer 111. A measuring apparatus 100 for testing the hydrogen permeability of a test object 1 is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Armin Manhard, Malte Stienecker, Udo Von Toussaint
  • Patent number: 12228543
    Abstract: A handheld portable oxygen monitor for monitoring oxygen includes one or more of (1) a replaceable dust filter element removably disposed in a gas inlet pathway extending from an gas inlet port to an oxygen sensor, (2) an oxygen sensor module including the oxygen sensor and a circuit board on which the oxygen sensor is mounted, the oxygen sensor module being removably mounted to a circuit board holder, (3) configurable gas pathway components within the oxygen monitor housing, and (4) a controller operable to enable a remote device to (a) control one or more operations of the oxygen monitor, (b) receive real-time oxygen monitoring data from the oxygen monitor for display on the remote device, (c) upload logging event data from the oxygen monitor storage, (d) obtain system information from the oxygen monitor storage, and (e) perform firmware updates on the oxygen monitor to modify its programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: AQUASOL CORPORATION, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hacikyan, Vamshi Krishna Eranki, Srinivas Reddy Adulla
  • Patent number: 12209982
    Abstract: A gas detection system includes a sensor unit that outputs a voltage corresponding to a concentration of a specific gas, a supply unit, and a control unit. The supply unit is capable of supplying a sample gas and a purge gas to the sensor unit. The control unit controls the supply unit to alternately supply the sample gas and the purge gas to the sensor unit. The control unit acquires a voltage waveform output by the sensor unit and detects a type and concentration of a gas contained in the sample gas, using a multiple regression analysis using characteristics of the voltage waveform as explanatory variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichi Abe, Daisuke Ueyama, Etsuro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 12188914
    Abstract: Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the molecular-level detection of target analytes are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other-known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Trace Sensing Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Peter P. Ricci, Otto J. Gregory
  • Patent number: 12158459
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor includes: a first electrode which is planar; a second electrode which is planar, faces the first electrode, and includes an exposed portion; a metal oxide layer which is sandwiched between a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode, and has a resistance that changes due to hydrogen; and two terminals, i.e., a first terminal and a second terminal, that are connected to the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Kazunari Homma, Koji Katayama, Ken Kawai
  • Patent number: 12140555
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a substrate; a first conductor and a second conductor that are disposed on the substrate; an insulating layer; and an adsorbent layer. The insulating layer covers the first conductor and the second conductor, and has a first opening that allows a part of a surface of the first conductor to be exposed therethrough and a second opening that allows a part of a surface of the second conductor to be exposed therethrough. The adsorbent layer contains a conductive material and an organic adsorbent that can adsorb a gas. The adsorbent layer is in contact with the first conductor and the second conductor respectively through the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuo Nakao, Masaya Nakatani, Kiyoshi Toko, Rui Yatabe, Bartosz Wyszynski
  • Patent number: 12117411
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a gas mixture, in which a layer which is configured for the adsorption and/or absorption of components of the gas mixture is exposed to the gas mixture. The method includes cooling the layer from a first to a second temperature and heating the layer from the second to a third temperature. While the layer has the first, second, and third temperature, at least one electrical resistance value of the layer is measured. A method is described in which a first and second layer are exposed to the gas mixture. The first layer is cooled from a first to a second temperature and the second layer is cooled from a third to a fourth temperature. While the first layer has the first and second temperature and the second layer has the third and fourth temperature, at least one electrical resistance value of the respective layer is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Philipp Nolte, Katrin Luckert, Maria Martinez Prada
  • Patent number: 12055605
    Abstract: A hydrogen gas sensor utilizing electrically isolated tunneling magnetoresistive sensing elements is provided. The hydrogen gas sensor comprises: a substrate in an X-Y plane, tunneling magnetoresistive sensors located on the substrate, and a hydrogen sensing layer located on the tunnel magnetoresistive sensors. The hydrogen sensing layer and the tunneling magnetoresistive sensor are electrically isolated from each other. The hydrogen sensing layer includes a multi-layer thin film structure formed from palladium layers and ferromagnetic layers, wherein the palladium layers are used for absorbing hydrogen in the air that causes a change in the orientation angle of a magnetic anisotropy field in each of the ferromagnetic layers in the X-Z plane into an X-axis direction. The tunnel magnetoresistive sensors are used for detecting a magnetic field signal of the hydrogen sensing layer, wherein the magnetic signal determines the hydrogen gas concentration. This hydrogen gas sensor ensures measurement safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: MultiDimension Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: James Geza Deak, Zhimin Zhou
  • Patent number: 12048893
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to the design of a preconcentrator system for preconcentrating air samples. This preconcentrator system includes a plurality of preconcentrators that preconcentrate the air samples prior to chemical analysis, and a delivery structure comprising a manifold that selectively routes a sample airflow to the plurality of concentrators so that the plurality of preconcentrators receive a sample airflow concurrently or individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Cristina E. Davis, Michael K. LeVasseur, Raquel Cumeras, Yuriy Zrodnikov, Mitchell M. McCartney, Alexander G. Fung, Daniel J. Peirano
  • Patent number: 11997849
    Abstract: A memory device comprises: a stack of alternating silicon oxide layers and wordline layers; each of the wordline layers comprising dipole regions adjacent to the silicon oxide layers, the dipole regions comprising a nitride, a carbide, an oxide, a carbonitride, or combinations thereof of a dipole metal. The dipole regions are formed by driving a dipole film into a gate oxide layer of the wordline layers, and any residual dipole film is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Yang, Jacqueline S. Wrench, Yixiong Yang, Pradeep K. Subrahmanyan, Srinivas Gandikota
  • Patent number: 11988624
    Abstract: A method for detecting a gas quantity of a predetermined gas by a sensor having a sensitive layer configured to measure a plurality of gases, having an impedance Zs and a heating layer, the method include a step of supplying the heating layer with a voltage ramp defining a linear change in the supply voltage between a low voltage value and a high voltage value to modify the temperature of the sensitive layer during a variation period, a step of measuring variations in the impedance of the sensitive layer at a plurality of temperatures of the sensitive layer during the variation period, so as to detect a plurality of gas quantities, and a step of comparing a variation of the impedance at a given temperature of the sensitive layer to associate the gas quantity measured with a predetermined gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: ELLONA
    Inventors: Franck Ben Hamouda, Jean-Christophe Mifsud
  • Patent number: 11977043
    Abstract: The MEMS type semiconductor gas detection element of the invention is a MEMS type semiconductor gas detection element 1 having a MEMS structure, for detecting hydrogen gas, comprising: a substrate 2; a gas sensitive portion 3 mainly made of a metal oxide semiconductor and provided to the substrate 2; a heating portion 4 for heating the gas sensitive portion 3; an inactive film 5 having hydrogen-permselective and formed outside the gas sensitive portion 3; a protective film 6 formed outside the inactive film 5, for suppressing deterioration of the gas sensitive portion 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: NEW COSMOS ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Mitsuhashi, Naganori Dogami
  • Patent number: 11944420
    Abstract: The measurement of electrodermal activity (EDA) can be facilitated by a sensing surface. The sensing surface can have a plurality of electrode pairs. An electrode pair can include a first electrode and a second electrode that are electrically isolated from each other. The plurality of electrode pairs can be electrically isolated from each other. A distance between neighboring electrode pairs can be larger than a distance between the first electrode and a second electrode of each electrode pair. One or more sensors can be configured to detect contact with the sensing surface. In response to the one or more sensors detecting contact with the sensing surface, one or more electrode pairs can be selected to be activated. In response to the one or more electrode pairs being selected to be activated, the selected one or more electrode pairs can be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederico Marcolino Quintao Severgnini, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 11906456
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor element capable of detecting a target substance contained in an atmosphere is disclosed. The sensor includes a graphene, a drain electrode provided on the graphene, a source electrode adhered to the graphene, and a first substance provided on the graphene and having a charge condition. The charge condition is changed when irradiation of light and stopping of the irradiation of the light are performed. The target substance is detectable by measuring current that flows between the source electrode and the drain electrode. The measuring of the current is performed in a period during which the irradiation of the light and the stopping of the irradiation of the light are repeated above the sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Sugizaki
  • Patent number: 11905867
    Abstract: An exhaust gas aftertreatment system includes: a first sensor configured to measure a parameter in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system; a second sensor configured to measure the parameter in the exhaust gas aftertreatment system, the second sensor disposed proximate the first sensor; and at least one controller configured to alternately receive sensor values from the first sensor for a first target period of time, and receive sensor values from the second sensor for a second target period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Emission Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Ottinger, M. Yusuf Khan, Z. Gerald Liu, Shirish Ambadas Shimpi
  • Patent number: 11892436
    Abstract: The odor exploration method explores an odor based on odor information generated using a plurality of sensor elements each outputting a detection signal according to the state of adsorption by indicating an adsorption reaction unique to each odor substance, and an arithmetic unit generating the odor information by quantifying each detection signal from the sensor elements. The method includes a detection step detecting a first gas containing odor substances, a generation step generating a first odor information group generated based on a detection result of the first gas, a preparation step preparing a second odor information group generated based on a detection of a second gas, and a calculation step calculating a sum of or a difference between the second odor information group and the first odor information group based on a sum of or difference between the odor information generated for the first gas and for the second gas using the same sensor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: AROMA BIT, INC.
    Inventors: Shunichiro Kuroki, Kenichi Hashizume, Erika Terada, Megumi Takahashi, Shingo Aizawa
  • Patent number: 11879862
    Abstract: A sensor and a method of using the sensor are disclosed. The sensor includes a conductive region in electrical communication with two electrodes, the conductive region including a MXene material combined with a mercaptoimidazolyl metal-ligand complex, wherein the MXene has the formula Mn+1Xn and M is at least one of a Group 3 transition metal, Group 4 transition metal, Group 5 transition metal, and Group 6 transition metal, X is carbon, nitrogen or a combination thereof, and n has a value of 1 to 3. The sensor can be used to detect volatile compounds that have a double or triple bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Winston Yen-Yu Chen, Lia Antoaneta Stanciu, Alexander Wei, Aiganym Yermembetova
  • Patent number: 11867675
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosure, a gold (Au)-embedded triple-layer SnO2 nanocomposite comprises three layers of SnO2—Au—SnO2?x (0<x<2), wherein the Au is buried between the SnO2 and SnO2-x (0<x<2) layers. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the AU-embedded SnO2 nanocomposite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventors: Kyu Hyoung Lee, Changhyun Jin, Myung Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 11852603
    Abstract: A gas sensing method and a gas sensing system are provided. The gas sensing method includes using a gas sensing device to sense a target gas, the gas sensing device having a self-heating region capable of producing a change in resistance in response to the target gas being sensed by the gas sensing device, and controlling a change in supply of current or voltage to the gas sensing device according to the change in resistance, so that the gas sensing device is substantially maintained operating at a predetermined temperature for sensing the target gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL YANG MING CHIAO TUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jeng-Tzong Sheu, Hao-Hsuan Hsu, Chih-Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11794173
    Abstract: A composite photocatalyst, a photocatalytic filter for air purification, and an air purification device that includes the photocatalytic filter. The composite photocatalyst includes: a first metal oxide particle; and second metal oxide particles arranged on a surface of the first metal oxide particle, wherein specific surface area of the second metal oxide particles is greater than specific surface area of the first metal oxide particle, and bandgap energy of the second metal oxide particles is greater than bandgap energy of the first metal oxide particle. The composite photocatalyst structure may degrade and remove gaseous pollutants under room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions. The composite photocatalyst may be applied to various indoor and outdoor air purification systems in the form of a photocatalytic filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., MYONGJI UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA COOPERATION
    Inventors: Sangmin Ji, Hyukjae Kwon, Minseok Koo, Sukeun Kuk, Dongsik Yang, Hyun Chul Lee, Joeng Gil Seo, Namjun So
  • Patent number: 11781233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper oxide solid for use in plating of a substrate using an insoluble anode. Further the present invention relates to a method of producing the copper oxide solid. Further the present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a plating solution in which the copper oxide solid is dissolved into a plating tank. A copper oxide solid (CS) to be supplied into a plating solution for plating a substrate (W) includes a copper oxide powder and a liquid as a binder to solidify the copper oxide powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junitsu Yamakawa, Chunhui Dou, Risa Kimura, Toshio Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11767606
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a copper oxide solid for use in plating of a substrate using an insoluble anode. Further the present invention relates to a method of producing the copper oxide solid. Further the present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a plating solution in which the copper oxide solid is dissolved into a plating tank. A copper oxide solid (CS) to be supplied into a plating solution for plating a substrate (W) includes a copper oxide powder and a liquid as a binder to solidify the copper oxide powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junitsu Yamakawa, Chunhui Dou, Risa Kimura, Toshio Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 11766000
    Abstract: An indoor gardening appliance includes a liner defining a grow chamber and a grow module rotatably mounted within the grow chamber for receiving a plurality of plant pods. A recirculation duct is in fluid communication with the grow chamber and a fan assembly circulates a flow of air through the recirculation duct and the grow chamber. A gas sensing assembly includes a gas sensor positioned within the recirculation duct for detecting the concentration of a gas within the flow of air and a flow stabilization device at least partially surrounding the gas sensor for reducing pressure fluctuations in the flow of air and improving gas sensor accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Vineeth Vijayan
  • Patent number: 11761939
    Abstract: A health exposure sensor system includes a housing, a monitoring platform in the housing, and a power source. The monitoring platform includes at least one modular gas sensor, a circuit board having a microcontroller, and data ports for connecting the modular gas sensor to the circuit board. The housing includes manifolds to direct atmospheric air to the modular gas sensor. The modular gas sensor includes a gas detector and a gas sensor circuit board having a gas sensor microcontroller. The gas sensor microcontroller includes at least one on-chip universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter peripheral and at least one on-chip USB peripheral, where both peripherals include input/output functionality and are connected to a single data port interface for external communication. An associated method of operating the same includes selectively enabling individually either the UART peripheral or the USB peripheral via digital I/O configuration of the microcontroller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark C. Cridge, Trang T. Young, Matthew S. Benefiel, Eric A. Nees, Brian E. Henslee
  • Patent number: 11754521
    Abstract: Systems and methods of applying a prediction model to metal oxide sensors that change their electric resistances in response to surrounding gas concentrations for predicting equilibrium state resistance values of the sensors. The method includes heating a metal oxide sensor to for a predetermined period of time for the metal oxide sensor to interact with a surrounding gas; sampling transient resistance values of the metal oxide sensor to obtain sampled transient resistance values; determining an electrical resistance of the metal oxide sensor in a chemical equilibrium state of the interaction of the metal oxide sensor and the surrounding gas via applying a neural network; and determining a concentration level of the surrounding gas at the chemical equilibrium state by mapping the determined electrical resistance to a corresponding concentration level of the surrounding gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
    Inventors: Richard Martin, Richard Howard, Yanyong Zhang, Zhenhua Jia
  • Patent number: 11740197
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a substrate; a first conductor and a second conductor that are disposed on the substrate; an insulating layer; and an adsorbent layer. The insulating layer covers the first conductor and the second conductor, and has a first opening that allows a part of a surface of the first conductor to be exposed therethrough and a second opening that allows a part of a surface of the second conductor to be exposed therethrough. The adsorbent layer contains a conductive material and an organic adsorbent that can adsorb a gas. The adsorbent layer is in contact with the first conductor and the second conductor respectively through the first opening and the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Atsuo Nakao, Masaya Nakatani, Kiyoshi Toko, Rui Yatabe, Bartosz Wyszynski
  • Patent number: 11733223
    Abstract: A gas sensor array comprises a plurality of metal decorated metal oxide film based on three-dimensional nanostructured templates, each including a porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) template and a plurality of metal decorated metal oxide films. The porous AAO substrate has a top surface with top gold electrodes, a bottom surface with bottom gold electrodes and a plurality of pores. Each pore has an interior wall and two openings located on the top surface and the bottom surface respectively for allowing air to enter into the pore. Each metal-decorated metal oxide film comprises a metal oxide film and metal decoration particles. The metal oxide film has an internal surface attaching on a respective interior wall and an external surf-ace being decorated with the metal particles. Each decoration metal is different to provide different sensitivities in response to an environmental gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Zhiyong Fan, Zhilong Song
  • Patent number: 11674940
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of operating a gas sensor includes setting power to a heater in contact with a MOx sensor to provide a temperature that is below a threshold temperature; holding the temperature below the threshold temperature for a period of time to reduce ozone concentration in a gas sample in contact with the MOx sensor; increasing power to the heater to increase the temperature of the MOx sensor to an operating temperature; acquiring resistance data from the MOx sensor at the operating temperature; and processing the resistance data to provide a result related the gas sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Meyer, Debra Deininger, Clayton Kostelecky, Ronald Schreiber, Holger Saalbach, Ravi Kanth Reddy Chilumula
  • Patent number: 11656269
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a load resistance connectable in series with the electronic sensor to form a series resistance of the load resistance and the internal impedance of the electronic sensor; an excitation circuit configured to apply a predetermined voltage to a circuit element; and a measurement circuit configured to: initiate applying the predetermined voltage to the series resistance and determining the series resistance; initiate applying the predetermined voltage to the load resistance and determining the load resistance; and calculate the internal impedance of the sensor using the determined series resistance and the load resistance, and provide the calculated internal impedance to a user or process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventors: GuangYang Qu, Yincai Tony Liu, Baotian Hao, Hanqing Wang, Hengfang Mei, Rengui Luo, Yimiao Zhao, Junbiao Ding
  • Patent number: 11651942
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure plasma system includes an atmospheric pressure plasma source that generates a glow discharge-type plasma. The atmospheric pressure plasma source comprises a plasma head and a gas sensor system. The plasma head includes a gas inlet, a gas passage surrounded by a dielectric liner, a radio frequency (RF) electrode and a ground electrode. The RF electrode and the ground electrode are arranged at opposite sides of an outer surface of a segment of the gas passage. The gas sensor system comprises a first pellistor that is exposed to a process gas entering the gas inlet and provides real-time monitoring of the presence and concentration of helium in the process gas entering the gas inlet during plasma operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Ontos Equipment Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Emmett Hughlett, Daniel Pascual, David Meyer, Michael Dow Stead
  • Patent number: 11609201
    Abstract: The embodiments provide a method making it possible to safely and inexpensively measure concentrations of combustible gases, such as methanol, at room temperature even in high concentration atmospheres, and also provide a sensor making it possible to carry out the above measurement method. The measurement method comprises: arranging a film containing nanoparticles of tungsten oxide and a pair of electrodes which are separated from each other and which individually keep in contact with said film in said atmosphere, exposing said film to light, measuring electric resistance change of said film before and after exposing said film to light, and determining said concentration based on said change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Naito, Naomi Shida
  • Patent number: 11567035
    Abstract: A ratiometric vapor sensor is described that includes a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor includes a first semiconductor component comprising a vapor-sensitive semiconducting organic compound, while the second sensor includes a second semiconductor component comprising a modified vapor-sensitive semiconducting organic compound including a modifying organic group. The ratiometric vapor sensor can be used to detect the presence of a vapor such as nitrogen dioxide, and determine the concentration of the vapor by comparing the outputs of electrodes connected to the first and second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Howard E. Katz, Hui Li
  • Patent number: 11531016
    Abstract: A method includes applying heat to a metal oxide sensing element of a gas sensor, varying the heat applied to the metal oxide sensing element for at least a time interval, and measuring an electrical resistance of the metal oxide sensing element versus variation of the heat for a time interval. The measurement of electrical resistance of the metal oxide sensing element versus variation of the heat applied to the metal oxide sensing element is compared to a set of corresponding reference measurements associated with a plurality of different target gases. A further sensor parameter versus the variation of electrical resistance and variation of the heat applied is measured to obtain a three-dimensional trajectory corresponding to variation of the sensor resistance, the variation of said heat and the variation of the further sensor parameter. This comparing includes comparing the trajectory in three dimensions to a set of reference three-dimensional objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Fabio Passaniti, Enrico Rosario Alessi
  • Patent number: 11513091
    Abstract: A gas detection device is provided. The device includes a substrate and a dielectric material applied to the substrate. A sensor material is applied to the dielectric film. The sensor material has a bottom, a side, and a top surface. An electrode material is at least partially applied to the dielectric film and at least partially applied to a portion of the side of the sensor material and a portion of the top surface of the sensor material to pin a portion of the sensor material to the dielectric material. The electrode material forms a vapor barrier upon the sensor material to facilitate preventing delamination between the sensor material and the electrode material over portions of the sensor material where the sensor material is not pinned to the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: David P. Potasek, John Carl Christenson, Roger Alan Backman
  • Patent number: 11506628
    Abstract: In a sensor element for a limiting-current type gas sensor measuring concentration of NOx in a measurement gas, an inner pump electrode located to face a first internal space communicating, under predetermined diffusion resistance, with a gas inlet through which a measurement gas is introduced from an external space is made of a cermet of a Pt—Au alloy and zirconia, and includes a first portion located on a surface farther from a heater part and a second portion located on a surface closer to the heater part from among surfaces opposing each other in the first internal space, an Au content with respect to the Pt—Au alloy as a whole of the second portion is 0.3 wt % or more smaller than that of the first portion, and a total area of the first portion and the second portion is 10 mm2 to 25 mm2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Watanabe, Shiho Iwai
  • Patent number: 11493492
    Abstract: Methods of the disclosed subject matter provide compensation for sensor drift in a hazard detection device having a plurality of sensors coupled to a processor to determine that a carbon monoxide sensor is drifting and to compensate for the drift by calculating a corrected carbon monoxide measurement value based on the ambient environmental conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Aditya Ghadiali, Kunal Kishore Bajaj
  • Patent number: 11467138
    Abstract: A sensor structure is disclosed comprising at least four planar layers subsuming at least one cavity housed but not contained by overlapping apertures through at least two of the planar layers, wherein the at least one cavity comprises a plurality of chambers, and wherein at least one chamber of the plurality of chambers is configured to be in fluid coupling with at least one other chamber. The plurality of chambers may be defined by overlapping apertures through a plurality of the planar layers. The plurality of chambers may include a Gas Chromatograph (GC) column. The planar layers may be flexible flat glass. The planar layers may be fused together. The layers may be made with apertures through the layers disposed in a desired pattern to define complex structures by the apertures overlapping between abutting layers when the layers are stacked. The planar layers may be configured to admit ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: VAON, LLC
    Inventors: Henry Steen, Vladimir Dobrokhotov, Quentin Lineberry, Jon Paschal
  • Patent number: 11456201
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate according to an embodiment includes a substrate having a first substrate surface, the substrate having a first outer diameter; a metal layer provided on the first substrate surface, the metal layer having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter; a first adhesive tape having a ring shape, the ring shape having a third outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter and larger than the second outer diameter, the ring shape having a third inner diameter smaller than the second outer diameter, the first adhesive tape having a first base material, the first base material having a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, the first adhesive tape having a first adhesive layer provided on the first surface, the first adhesive tape being attached to the first substrate surface and the metal layer through the first adhesive layer; and a second adhesive tape having a fourth outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter and larger than the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshiharu Takada
  • Patent number: 11333648
    Abstract: Ultrasensitive, decoupled thermodynamic sensing platforms for the detection of chemical compounds in the vapor phase at trace levels are disclosed, wherein the sensors have a heating resistor decoupled from a sensing resistor. Embodiments of the decoupled sensor comprise a metallic microheater resistor on one side of substrate, and a sensor resistor coupled to a catalyst on the other side of the substrate. A sensor array may be provided including a plurality of sensors each having a different catalyst that, when exposed to an analyte, each experience an endothermic reaction, an exothermic reaction, or no reaction. A comparison of the reaction results to data comprising previously obtained reaction results may be used to determine the presence and the identity of the analyte. Advantageously, the decoupled sensors utilize less power and provide greater sensitivity than other known systems, and may be used to detect and identify a single molecule of an analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: PGR Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Peter P. Ricci, Otto J. Gregory
  • Patent number: 11275077
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for cancer detection and screening, based on analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds emitted by certain cancerous tumors. The device and method provide high sensitivity and specificity analyses. The sample to be analysed may be e.g. blood or blood plasma. In one aspect, the invention is directed towards detection of or screening for gynaecological cancers, e.g. ovarian cancer. Particularly, the device comprises the following parts: a sample holder for a fluid or solid body sample; an air inlet; a detector tube comprising 4×4-16×4 sensors; optionally an individual potentiometer connected to each sensor of the detector tube; an analogue to digital signal converter; four control cards; a computer-based program for the registration and statistical calculation of results; and an electricity source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: VOC DIAGNOSTICS
    Inventor: Gyorgy Horvath
  • Patent number: 11175259
    Abstract: A sensing device including a transistor, at least one response electrode, and a selective membrane is provided. The transistor includes a gate end, a source end, a drain end, and a semiconductor layer, wherein the source end and the drain end are located on the semiconductor layer, and the gate end is located between the source end and the drain end. The at least one response electrode is disposed opposite to the gate end of the transistor and spaced apart from the transistor. The selective membrane is located on the at least one response electrode or on the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Yu-Lin Wang, Yi-Ting Chen, Revathi Sukesan
  • Patent number: 11156576
    Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a semiconductor layer; a graphene film provided above the semiconductor layer and having at least a portion in contact with gas; and a barrier film between the semiconductor layer and the graphene film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Naoki Harada, Shintaro Sato, Kenjiro Hayashi, Junichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 11105760
    Abstract: A fluid sensor comprises a sensor material configured to come into contact at a surface region of same with a fluid and to obtain a first temporal change of a resistance value of the sensor material on the basis of the contact in a first sensor configuration and to obtain a second temporal change of the resistance value of the sensor material on the basis of the contact in a second sensor configuration. The fluid sensor comprises an output element configured to provide a sensor signal on the basis of the first and second temporal change of the resistance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Matthias Koenig, Guenther Ruhl
  • Patent number: 10928355
    Abstract: A gas sensor device has a crystalline film of copper(I) bromide, wherein a crystal surface of the copper(I) bromide is formed of a stepped terrace having a flat face and a steep slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoru Momose, Michio Ushigome, Osamu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 10830722
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a gas sensor comprising a gas-sensing material including a metal-organic framework with fcu topology and a substrate with a pair of electrodes proximate to the gas-sensing material, wherein the gas sensor is configured to detect toxic gas. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of detecting gas comprising contacting a gas sensor including a metal-organic framework with fcu topology with a gas/vapour composition including at least one toxic gas, capturing the at least one toxic gas from the fluid composition, and measuring an electrical property to detect a presence of the at least one toxic gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNVIERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Omar Yassine, Osama Shekhah, Youssef Belmabkhout, Mohamed Eddaoudi, Khaled N. Salama
  • Patent number: 10768135
    Abstract: An oxidizing gas detection method and an apparatus thereof are provided for trace oxidizing gas detection. The detection method includes the following steps. First, perform an electroreduction reaction and a photoreduction reaction simultaneously to a metal oxide in which nanoconductors are distributed. Next, stop the electroreduction reaction and the photoreduction reaction, and read a resistance of the reduced metal oxide by applying a first pulse-width modulation signal. Next, provide an oxidizing gas to the reduced metal oxide, and photo-catalyze a redox reaction between the oxidizing gas and the reduced metal oxide. Next, read a resistance of the oxidized metal oxide by applying a second pulse-width modulation signal. Next, converse a concentration of the oxidizing gas according to a ratio of the resistance of the oxidized metal oxide and the resistance of the reduced metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: I-Cherng Chen, Pi-Guey Su, Hong-Ci Syu, Hui-Yu Cho, Pin-Chou Li, Jian-Hong Wu, Ren-Der Jean
  • Patent number: 10712337
    Abstract: A method of and system for detecting a gas or vapor includes providing a sensor comprising an electrode pair in electrical contact with a layer of porous material, the porous material layer having water adsorbed on its surface; contacting the sensor with a gas or vapor sample to be analysed; applying a voltage across the electrode pair of the sensor; and measuring a response, the response correlating to the presence of a target gas or vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: President and Fellows of Harvard College
    Inventors: Firat Güder, Bobak Mosadegh, Alar Ainla, George M. Whitesides
  • Patent number: 10697925
    Abstract: A gas sensor device has a crystalline film of copper(I) bromide, wherein a crystal surface of the copper(I) bromide is formed of a stepped terrace having a flat face and a steep slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Satoru Momose, Michio Ushigome, Osamu Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 10656114
    Abstract: A gas sensor device includes gas sensors and switches. The switches are connected to the respective gas sensors in series. The gas sensors each include: a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; a metal oxide layer disposed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and an insulation layer covering the first conductive layer, the second conductive layer, and the metal oxide layer and having an opening from which a portion of the second conductive layer is exposed. The resistance of the gas sensor is decreased when a gas containing a hydrogen atom comes into contact with the second conductive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Wei, Kazunari Homma, Koji Katayama, Satoru Fujii
  • Patent number: 10570006
    Abstract: A MEMS IR sensor, with a cavity in a substrate underlapping an overlying layer and a temperature sensing component disposed in the overlying layer over the cavity, may be formed by forming an IR-absorbing sealing layer on the overlying layer so as to cover access holes to the cavity. The sealing layer is may include a photosensitive material, and the sealing layer may be patterned using a photolithographic process to form an IR-absorbing seal. Alternately, the sealing layer may be patterned using a mask and etch process to form the IR-absorbing seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ricky Alan Jackson, Walter Baker Meinel, Kalin Valeriev Lazarov, Brian E. Goodlin