Semiconductor Patents (Class 73/31.06)
  • Patent number: 10101291
    Abstract: A mobile device having a gas-sensing function including a case body, a backlight module and a gas sensor is provided. The case body has at least one through hole. The backlight module is disposed in the case body. The gas sensor is disposed in the case body. The gas sensor includes a gas-sensing material layer for sensing a gas. The gas-sensing material layer receives a visible light emitted from the backlight module and is activated by the visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Yu-Hsuan Ho
  • Patent number: 10024831
    Abstract: A gas sensor for measuring a concentration of carbon dioxide in a gas environment (GE) is provided. The gas sensor includes a graphene layer having a side facing towards the gas environment (GE), an electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the graphene layer, and a chalcogenide layer covering at least a part of the side of the graphene layer facing towards the gas environment (GE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Guenther Ruhl, Thomas Hirsch, Alexander Zoepfl
  • Patent number: 10002863
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is capable of accurately sensing a temperature of a semiconductor element incorporated in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device includes a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor includes a first nitride semiconductor layer of p-type, a first sense electrode, and a second sense electrode. The first sense electrode and the second sense electrode are located to be capable of passing an electric current between the first sense electrode and the second sense electrode through the first nitride semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidemoto Tomita, Yoshitaka Nagasato, Takashi Okawa, Masakazu Kanechika, Hiroyuki Ueda
  • Patent number: 9976952
    Abstract: In general, this disclosure is directed to a flexible or stretchable sensor and a method of detecting a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation using said sensor. The sensor comprises a flexible or stretchable substrate, a pair of terminal electrodes disposed on the flexible or stretchable substrate in mutually spaced apart and opposing relation, and a sensing element applied to the flexible or stretchable substrate, between and in electrical contact with the pair of terminal electrodes, wherein the sensing element is responsive to a substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging thereon, and wherein when a voltage is applied across the sensor, an electrical signal is generated that is proportional to a resistance value corresponding to a sensing of the substance and/or electromagnetic radiation impinging on the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: RMIT University
    Inventors: Sharath Sriram, Madhu Bhaskaran, Philipp Gutruf
  • Patent number: 9863901
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor device includes a substrate, a conductive layer supported by the substrate, a non-suitable seed layer, and a porous gas sensing layer portion. The non-suitable seed layer is formed from a first material and includes a first support portion supported by the conductive layer, a second support portion supported by the conductive layer, and a suspended seed portion extending from the first support portion to the second support portion and suspended above the conductive layer. The porous gas sensing layer portion is formed from a second material and is supported directly by the non-suitable seed layer in electrical communication with the conductive layer. The first material and the second material form a non-suitable pair of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ando Feyh, Gary O'Brien, Ashwin K. Samarao, Fabian Purkl, Gary Yama
  • Patent number: 9828696
    Abstract: Analyte filter arrays and methods for making an analyte filter array are provided. The arrays are formed using a dispersion of filter particles having selected moieties attached to the surface of the particles and a microarray having complementary moieties formed in an array on a substrate, such that each filter particle is attached to a selected region of the microarray. The moiety on the substrate may be RNA or DNA or other molecule. The substrate may be a surface of a detector array, a membrane that may be placed in registration with the detector array or a stamp used to transfer the filter array to a detector array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: NANOHMICS, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve M. Savoy, Daniel R. Mitchell, Jeremy J. John, George L. Murphy
  • Patent number: 9683967
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for implementing molecular sensors. In one aspect, an ion-gas sensor device includes a pre-concentration module to collect and concentrate a gas-phase chemical for analysis; a piezoelectric fan to produce an air-flow through acoustic streaming to drive the gas-phase chemical released by the pre-concentration module to one or more downstream modules; an ionizer downstream from the piezoelectric fan to ionize the gas-phase chemical; and a gas sensor downstream from the piezoelectric fan and the ionizer to detect the ionized gas-phase chemical driven by the piezoelectric fan. The piezoelectric fan can include a stack of thin-film layers that includes a thin-film piezoelectric layer. The ion-gas sensor device is made into an ultra-portable package capable of integration with mobile communication devices, such as PDA devices or smart phones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Amit Lal, Ved Gund
  • Patent number: 9664674
    Abstract: A processing and detection system for detecting presence of at least one gluten protein in a food sample comprises a food processor including: a reservoir containing a process liquid for processing the food sample; a body that comprises a chamber configured to receive the food sample; and a pressing surface configured to press on the reservoir to cause the process liquid to exit the reservoir and mix with the food sample, thereby generating a processed food liquid; and an exit port configured to conduct the processed food liquid out of the food processor; and a cartridge including: at least one sensor configured to receive the processed food liquid and to generate an electrical signal in response to interaction with the at least one gluten protein in the processed food liquid, and an analyzer in electrical communication with the at least one sensor for detecting the electrical signal and determining the presence of the at least one gluten protein in the food sample based on the detected electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Rite Taste, LLC
    Inventors: Mohammad E. Taslim, Mohammed Fotouhi, Mehdi Abedi, Reza Mollaaghababa, Bahram Fotouhi, Kashayar Javaherian, Edward Alvin Greenfield
  • Patent number: 9606078
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing gaseous chemicals includes a substrate, a variable resistance nanocrystalline ITO thin film formed on the substrate, and electrodes electrically coupled to the thin film. A sensor array assembly includes a sensor slide and a perforated interface circuit. The interface circuit abuts and electrically couples the sensor slide. The sensor slide includes several spaced apart ITO film strips formed on a slide substrate. A common electrode is electrically coupled to a common portion of each ITO film strip providing an electrically conductive path across the common portions of each of the plurality of spaced apart ITO film strips. A discrete electrode is electrically coupled to a discrete portion of each ITO film strip. The interface circuit is configured to abut and electrically couple to the sensor slide. A conductive discrete electrode pad electrically couples each of the plurality of discrete electrodes of the sensor slide to discrete terminals on the interface circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: University of North Florida Board of Trustees
    Inventor: Nirmalkumar G. Patel
  • Patent number: 9545594
    Abstract: A gas cleaning system for removing gaseous pollutants from a hot process gas comprises a vessel for bringing the hot process gas into contact with an absorbent material, and a separating device for separating at least a portion of the absorbent material from the hot process gas to form a separated dust material. The gas cleaning system further comprises a measuring device for measuring, directly or indirectly, a dust parameter such as a density, and/or a friction, and/or a hygroscopicity, and/or an electrical property of the separated dust material, to obtain a measurement, and a control system for controlling at least one operating parameter of the gas cleaning system based on the measurement of the measured dust parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Conni Svensson, Peter Hans Odenmo
  • Patent number: 9410912
    Abstract: A biological gas detection apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes: a sensor unit including plural types of gas sensors; a control unit of the sensor unit; a data recording unit; and a data analyzing unit, wherein the data recording unit includes a database on properties of sensitivities of the gas sensors for a single body of a desired gas component, a single body of an interference gas component, and a mixed gas of these that are included in the biological gas, and the data analyzing unit calculates concentration of the desired gas component based on sensitivities of the gas sensors output when detecting the biological gas and the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: NTT DOCOMO, INC., FIS Inc.
    Inventors: Yuuki Yamada, Satoshi Hiyama, Yuki Moritani, Mariko Sugimura, Kazuo Onaga, Katsuyuki Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9201035
    Abstract: A gas detecting system, device and method use a variable pulse voltage waveform to increase the temperature of a detecting unit of the gas detecting system so it reacts with gas molecules from a particular space, and outputs a sensing signal. A processing unit of the gas detecting system then performs calculations on the sensing signal, such that an analysis unit may determine the presence of a target gas in the particular space, and further the composition and concentration of the target gas within the particular space, thus providing a detection that is accurate, rapid and convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chun-Te Chuang, Chun-Hsun Chu, I-Cherng Chen, Nai-Hao Kuo
  • Patent number: 9109994
    Abstract: Technologies are generally described for an air monitoring device, a method for forming an air monitoring device, and methods and systems for monitoring air using an air monitoring device. A method of forming an air monitor device may include placing a sorbent membrane on a material of n type conductivity. The method may further include placing an electrode on the membrane and placing a thermoelectric heater in thermal communication with the membrane. The method may further include placing the membrane, material, and electrode in a sealed container including a valve to form the air monitor device. The valve may be effective to selectively expose the membrane to an environment outside of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Vincenzo Casasanta, III
  • Patent number: 9103705
    Abstract: A combination sensor and corresponding method of measuring a plurality of environmental parameters uses a pressure sensor disposed on an integrated circuit die; a humidity sensor disposed on the integrated circuit die; and a circuit coupled to and shared by the pressure sensor and the humidity sensor to facilitate pressure and humidity sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Dubravka Bilic, Andrew C. McNeil
  • Publication number: 20150143874
    Abstract: A sensor device comprises a sensitive element (1) and a support (2) for the sensitive element, the support having a surface (3) with an access opening (4) to the sensitive element (1). A layer of adhesive material (5) covers at least parts of the surface (3). A venting medium (6) extends over the entire surface (3) of the support (2) and the access opening (4) and is attached to the support (2) by the layer of adhesive material (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Werner HUNZIKER, Stephan Braun
  • Patent number: 9038437
    Abstract: The application describes methods and apparatus for chemical sensing, e.g. gas sensing, which have high sensitivity but low power operation. A sensor is described having a flexible membrane comprising a III/N heterojunction structure configured so as to form a two dimensional electron gas within said structure. A sensing material is disposed on at least part of the flexible membrane, the sensing material being sensitive to one or more target chemicals so as to undergo a change in physical properties in the presence of said one or more target chemicals. The sensing material is coupled to said heterojunction structure such that said change in physical properties of the sensing material imparts a change in stress within the heterojunction structure which modulates the resistivity of the two dimensional electron gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Peter Offermans, Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Patent number: 9030328
    Abstract: An integrated circuit, in particular a microcontroller, for operation in an area with ionizing radiation, has at least one part of a temperature control circuit. The temperature control circuit performs a regulated increase in the circuit temperature to a predefined, essentially constant operating temperature, by increasing the electrical power consumption of the circuit by an adjustable additional electrical power. The circuit has an output facility for information about damage to the integrated circuit caused by the ionizing radiation impacting thereon, it being possible to determine the information about damage from a radiation-dose-dependent decrease in the adjustable additional electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengsellschaft
    Inventor: Hans Aebersold
  • Patent number: 9027387
    Abstract: Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a gas sensor and method for sensing one or more gases. An embodiment incorporates an array of sensing electrodes maintained at similar or different temperatures, such that the sensitivity and species selectivity of the device can be fine tuned between different pairs of sensing electrodes. A specific embodiment pertains to a gas sensor array for monitoring combustion exhausts and/or chemical reaction byproducts. An embodiment of the subject device related to this invention operates at high temperatures and can withstand harsh chemical environments. Embodiments of the device are made on a single substrate. The devices can also be made on individual substrates and monitored individually as if they were part of an array on a single substrate. The device can incorporate sensing electrodes in the same environment, which allows the electrodes to be coplanar and, thus, keep manufacturing costs low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Blackburn, Eric D. Wachsman
  • Publication number: 20150121995
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Alan J. O'Donnell, Santiago Iriarte, Mark J. Murphy, Colin G. Lyden, Gary Casey, Eoin Edward English
  • Patent number: 9016108
    Abstract: A nanostructure device is provided and performs dual functions as a nano-switching/sensing device. The nanostructure device includes a doped semiconducting substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the doped semiconducting substrate, an electrode formed on the insulating layer, and at least one layer of graphene formed on the electrode. The at least one layer of graphene provides an electrical connection between the electrode and the substrate and is the electroactive element in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Felix A Miranda, Onoufrios Theofylaktos, Nicholas J Pinto, Carl H Mueller, Javier Santos, Michael A Meador
  • Patent number: 9011778
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensitive composite sensing material based on cerium oxide with or without additives to enhance sensitivity to hydrogen, reduce cross-sensitivities to interfering gases, or lower the operating temperature of the sensor, and a device incorporating these hydrogen sensitive composite materials including a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a coating of hydrogen sensitive composite material applied over the electroded surface. The sensor may have in integral heater. The sensor may have a tubular geometry with the heater being inserted within the tube. A gas sensor device may include a support, electrodes applied to the support, and a dual sensor element to cancel unwanted effects on baseline resistance such as those resulting from atmospheric temperature changes. The hydrogen sensitive composite material or other gas sensitive materials may be used in the dual element gas sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: NexTech Materials, Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher T. Holt, Stephen R. Cummings, Scott L. Swartz, Lora B. Thrun
  • Patent number: 9011779
    Abstract: Described is a personal device and methods for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample of gas. The device and method may utilize a chemically selective sensor element with low power consumption integrated with circuitry that enables wireless communication between the sensor and any suitable electronic readout such as a smartphone, tablet, or computer. In preferred form, the sensor circuitry relies upon the quantum capacitance effect of graphene as a transduction mechanism. Also in preferred form, the device and method employ the functionalization of the graphene-based sensor to determine the concentration of ethanol in exhaled breath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Andas Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Clay Anglin, Jr., Timothy D. Bemer, Joseph C. Jensen
  • Patent number: 9006796
    Abstract: A method manufactures a sensor device for sensing a gaseous substance and includes a thin film transistor, which includes a source electrode, a drain electrode and a gate electrode; and an element sensitive to the gaseous substance. In particular, the method includes: forming a first metallic layer on a substrate; defining and patterning the first metallic layer for realizing the gate electrode; depositing a dielectric layer above the gate electrode; depositing a second metallic layer above the layer of dielectric material, defining and patterning the second metallic layer for realizing the source electrode and the drain electrode, and forming the sensitive element by filling a channel region of the thin film transistor with an active layer sensitive to the gaseous substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Luigi Giuseppe Occhipinti
  • Publication number: 20150096353
    Abstract: A layer system having a layer region whereby the layer region has a single-crystal silicon substrate with a front side and a back side, and whereby a textured surface is formed on the front side and the textured surface has a topography with different heights and a thin film layer of a metal oxide and/or an oxide ceramic is formed on the textured surface, whereby the thin film layer covers the textured surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph WILBERTZ, Dominik ZIMMERMANN
  • Publication number: 20150096354
    Abstract: A layer system having a layer region, whereby the layer region has a single-crystal silicon substrate with a front side and a back side, and whereby a textured surface is formed on the front side and the textured surface has a topography with different heights and a thin film layer of a metal oxide and/or an oxide ceramic is formed on the textured surface, whereby the thin film layer covers the textured surface only partially.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Christoph WILBERTZ, Dominik ZIMMERMANN
  • Publication number: 20150090002
    Abstract: Provided is a gas sensor package, including: a first substrate including a gas inflow hole; and a gas sensing element mounted to the first substrate and including a gas sensing portion disposed to correspond to the gas inflow hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Jee Heum PAIK, Yun Mi BAE, Go Eun HWANG
  • Publication number: 20150075258
    Abstract: A gas sensor package is configured such that an output change part is provided in the gas sensor package including a gas sensor so that a resistance output mode can be changed to a voltage output mode, thereby enabling the gas sensor to have a regular initial voltage value by compensating a resistance change value to an initial gas sensing material. According to embodiments of the present application, a gas sensor package is configured such that a gas moving separation part is formed between a gas sensing element and a substrate with regard to a structure in which a gas sensing element is mounted to the substrate in a flip chip bonding method so that gas can be smoothly moved and thus gas sensing efficiency can be maximized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jee Heum PAIK, Ji Hun Hwang
  • Patent number: 8972204
    Abstract: Sensing particular gases in a mixture uses precise modulated heating. Sensor relative responses are compared at different temperatures and compared with known relative responses to identify gases and concentrations. Heater current sensors provide feedback control and microprocessor inputs. A processor controls complex impedances and varied frequencies in the sensors. Sensor responses at varied complex impedances and at varied frequencies are compared with known responses at those impedances and frequencies to determine existence and concentration of particular gases. Heater and sensor buses are separate or combined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Atmospheric Sensors Ltd.
    Inventors: Mike Kellaway, John Andrew Johnston
  • Publication number: 20150047417
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a core-shell nanoparticle, a method of fabricating the same and a gas sensor using the same, more particularly to a core-shell nanoparticle which includes a core including a first metal oxide and a shell including a second metal oxide, the first metal oxide and the second metal oxide being oxides of the same metal having different oxidation states, a method of fabricating the same and a gas sensor using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicants: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Pusan National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Hyung Ju PARK, Nak Jin CHOI, Moon Youn JUNG, Dae Sik LEE, Hyuntae KANG, Kang Hyun PARK
  • Patent number: 8950240
    Abstract: An acetone gas sensor apparatus, including: a chamber, used for containing a gas sample taken from a breath of a person; and an acetone gas sensor, placed in the chamber for generating an output current in response to an acetone concentration of the gas sample, the acetone gas sensor including: a substrate; a buffer layer, deposited on the substrate; an InN epilayer, deposited on the buffer layer for providing a current path for the output current; a first conductive contact, deposited on the InN epilayer for providing a drain contact; and a second conductive contact, deposited on the InN epilayer for providing a source contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: National Tsing Hua University
    Inventors: Jer-Liang Andrew Yeh, Shang-Jr Gwo
  • Publication number: 20150033827
    Abstract: A chemical sensor (10) is described with at least one layer of a metal oxide (11) arranged between two current injecting electrodes (16,16) with the length (L) of the layer of a metal oxide between the current injecting electrodes being less than 50 microns and one or a pair of voltage sensing electrodes (17) connected to the layer of a metal oxide (11) with the electrodes (16,16?,17) forming a 3- or 4-terminal arrangement for determining the resistance changes of layer material (11) excluding series resistances such as contact resistances close to or at at least one of the current injecting electrodes (16) from the resistance measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Lukas BURGI, Marc Von Waldkirch, Felix Mayer
  • Publication number: 20150020577
    Abstract: A gas sensor using a metal organic framework material can be fully integrated with related circuitry on a single substrate. In an on-chip application, the gas sensor can result in an area-efficient fully integrated gas sensor solution. In one aspect, a gas sensor can include a first gas sensing region including a first pair of electrodes, and a first gas sensitive material proximate to the first pair of electrodes, wherein the first gas sensitive material includes a first metal organic framework material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Luebke, Mohamed Eddaoudi, Hesham Omran, Youssef Belmabkhout, Osama Shekhah, Khaled N. Salama
  • Patent number: 8932871
    Abstract: A system for a vehicle includes a first ozone sensor that generates a first sensor signal indicating a first amount of ozone in air flowing into a radiator. A second ozone sensor generates a second sensor signal indicating a second amount of ozone in air flowing out of the radiator. A control module receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and determines an ozone conversion rate based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Inventors: Scott H. Wittkopp, Chang H. Kim, Brian T. Heil
  • Publication number: 20150000376
    Abstract: A sensor component is described for a gas and/or liquid sensor having a substrate having at least one first printed conductor and a second printed conductor, which are fashioned such that a voltage can be applied, and having at least one sensitive semiconductor material, additionally including at least one trench a contact segment of the first printed conductor and a contact segment of the second printed conductor being situated on two inner side surfaces at a distance from one another, and the at least one sensitive semiconductor material being filled into the at least one trench in the form of at least one particle, grain, and/or crystal, at least between the first contact segment of the first printed conductor and the first contact segment of the second printed conductor. Also described is a production method for a sensor component for a gas and/or liquid sensor. In addition, also described is a method for detecting at least one material in a gaseous and/or liquid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Richard FIX, Bernd SCHUMANN
  • Publication number: 20140373600
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include sensors, arrays of conductometric sensors, devices including conductometric sensors, methods of making conductometric sensors, methods of using conductometric gas sensors, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: James Gole, William Ivey Laminack
  • Patent number: 8899098
    Abstract: A semiconductor gas sensor is provided that has a gas-sensitive gate electrode separated by a gap from a channel region and is embodied as a suspended gate field effect transistor or the gate electrode is arranged as a first plate of a capacitor with gap and a second plate of the capacitor is connected to a gate of the field effect transistor embodied as capacitively controlled and the gate electrode has a conductive carrier layer with a bearing adhesion promoter layer and a gas-sensitive layer bearing on the adhesion promoter layer, wherein the gate electrode as a gas-sensitive layer has a platinum/gold alloy with a gold proportion in a range of 1% to 20% and a polymer layer with a thickness of less than 100 nm is embodied on the surface of the platinum/gold alloy and the gap is filled with an oxygen-free gas mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Senft, Stefan Simon, Walter Hansch
  • Publication number: 20140336952
    Abstract: Sensing particular gases in a mixture uses precise modulated heating. Sensor relative responses are compared at different temperatures and compared with known relative responses to identify gases and concentrations. Heater current sensors provide feedback control and microprocessor inputs. A processor controls complex impedances and varied frequencies in the sensors. Sensor responses at varied complex impedances and at varied frequencies are compared with known responses at those impedances and frequencies to determine existence and concentration of particular gases. Heater and sensor buses are separate or combined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Mike Kellaway, John Andrew Johnston
  • Publication number: 20140326049
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for real-time, in situ measurement of gas compositions and heating values. The apparatus includes a near infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide, a mid infrared sensor for measuring concentrations of carbon monoxide and a semiconductor based sensor for measuring concentrations of hydrogen gas. A data processor having a computer program for reducing the effects of cross-sensitivities of the sensors to components other than target components of the sensors is also included. Also provided are corresponding or associated methods for real-time, in situ determination of a composition and heating value of a fuel gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Serguei ZELEPOUGA, John M. Pratapas, Alexei V. Saveliev, Vilas V. Jangale
  • Patent number: 8869591
    Abstract: A method for sensing analyte. The method includes the steps of sensing one or more parameters in reaction to the presence of one or more analytes and outputting a current therefrom in accordance with level of the sensed parameter by each of a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors being provided in one or more sensor array columns, selectively heating one or more of the sensor array columns by a heating element, and receiving an output current from one of the plurality of sensors from each of the plurality of sensor arrays by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) arranged in a VCO array. The method further includes the steps of generating an output oscillation frequency by each VCO in accordance with the level of the received output current, and counting a number of oscillations over a predetermined time received from each of the plurality of VCOs in the VCO array by a plurality of counters arranged in a counter array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Sensorbit Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Klaus Dimmler, Thomas Moss, III
  • Publication number: 20140311221
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include sensors, arrays of conductometric sensors, devices including conductometric sensors, methods of making conductometric sensors, methods of using conductometric gas sensors, methods of enhancing sensor response with light, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: James Gole, William Ivey Laminack
  • Publication number: 20140290338
    Abstract: A hydrogen sensor and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The hydrogen sensor includes i) a substrate, ii) a first metal oxide semiconductor that is formed in the substrate, and iii) a second metal oxide semiconductor that is separated from the first metal oxide semiconductor and that is formed in the substrate. The first metal oxide semiconductor includes i) a source electrode that is positioned on the substrate, ii) a drain electrode that is positioned on the substrate, iii) a channel layer that connects the source electrode and the drain electrode, iv) a gate insulating layer that is positioned on the channel layer, v) a gate electrode that is positioned on the gate insulating layer, and vi) a plurality of nano metal catalyst protrusions that are formed at an outside surface of the gate electrode to be applied to contact with hydrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung-Sik KIM, Beom-Jun KIM
  • Publication number: 20140290339
    Abstract: A sensor element for the qualitative and/or quantitative detection of a gas includes a front electrode configured to be exposed to the gas to be measured, a back electrode, and an electrically insulating layer positioned between front electrode and back electrode. The front electrode and the back electrode can be electrically contact connected to an AC voltage source for a qualitative and/or quantitative detection of a gas. The electrically insulating layer is at least locally polarizable in such a way that in a polarized state the electrically insulating layer has a relative permittivity which is lower than in a non-polarized state by a factor in a range of greater than or equal to 1.1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Denis Kunz, Wolfgang Menesklou, Martin Schreivogel
  • Patent number: 8839659
    Abstract: A network of nanowires may be used for a sensor. The nanowires are metallic, each nanowire has a thickness of at most 20 nm, and each nanowire has a width of at most 20 nm. The sensor may include nanowires comprising Pd, and the sensor may sense a change in hydrogen concentration from 0 to 100%. A device may include the hydrogen sensor, such as a vehicle, a fuel cell, a hydrogen storage tank, a facility for manufacturing steel, or a facility for refining petroleum products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University
    Inventor: Zhili Xiao
  • Publication number: 20140260547
    Abstract: A graphene sensor and method for selective sensing of vapors, gases and biological agents are disclosed. The graphene sensor can include a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate; a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate; and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene. The method for detection of vapors, gases and biological objects with low frequency input as a sensing parameter can include exposing a graphene device to at least one vapor, gas, and/or biological object, the graphene device comprising: a substrate; a dielectric substrate on an upper layer of the substrate, a layer of graphene on an upper layer of the dielectric substrate, and a source and drain contact on an upper surface of the layer of graphene; and measuring a change in a noise spectra of the graphene device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Alexander A. BALANDIN
  • Publication number: 20140260546
    Abstract: Described is a combinational array gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Odosodo, Inc.
    Inventor: Odosodo, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8833141
    Abstract: A sensor element of a gas sensor for determining gas components in gas mixtures includes a field effect transistor and/or a diode which has a current flow which changes upon contact with a gas to be detected, and which is positioned in a manner protected, by a protective cap, from direct access by the gas mixture. The protective cap has a heating element, a glass former, and/or an oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Wolst, Stefan Henneck, Markus Widenmeyer, Alexander Martin
  • Publication number: 20140223997
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include sensors, arrays of conductometric sensors, devices including conductometric sensors, methods of making conductometric sensors, methods of using conductometric gas sensors, and the like. One exemplary embodiment of a device, among others, includes: a conductometric gas sensor including a n-type substrate having a porous layer, wherein a plurality of ‘nanostructures are disposed on a portion of the porous layer, wherein the nanostructure provides a fractional coverage on the porous layer, wherein the conductometric gas sensor is operative to transduce the presence of a gas into an impedance change, wherein the impedance change correlates to the gas concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: James L. Gole
  • Patent number: 8795511
    Abstract: A configuration is disclosed. In one aspect, the configuration includes a substantially planar electrode layer, in a first plane. The configuration further includes a substantially planar two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer electrically connected in series with the electrode layer. The 2DEG layer is provided in a second plane substantially parallel with the first plane and located at a predetermined distance, in a direction orthogonal to the first plane, from the first plane. The 2DEG layer and the electrode layer are patterned such that the electrode layer overlays a part of the 2DEG layer, wherein the predetermined distance between the first plane and the second plane is selected to be sufficiently small for allowing electrostatic interaction between the electrode layer and the 2DEG layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Stichting IMEC Nederland
    Inventors: Roman Vitushinsky, Mercedes Crego Calama, Sywert Brongersma
  • Publication number: 20140208830
    Abstract: A CMOS gas sensor comprises a membrane (13) extending over an opening (12) of a silicon substrate (1). A patch (2) of sensing material is arranged on the membrane (13) and in contact with electrodes (3) of platinum. A heater (5) of tungsten is located in or on the membrane (13) at the location of the patch (2) of metal-oxide sensing material. Combining platinum electrodes (3) with a tungsten heater (5) on top of a CMOS structure provides a gas sensor of high reliability and stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Johannes BUHLER, Cyrill KUEMIN
  • Patent number: 8778714
    Abstract: A gas sensitive material comprising SnO2 nanocrystals doped with In2O3 and an oxide of a platinum group metal, and a method of making the same. The platinum group metal is preferably Pd, but also may include Pt, Ru, Ir, and combinations thereof. The SnO2 nanocrystals have a specific surface of 7 or greater, preferably about 20 m2/g, and a mean particle size of between about 10 nm and about 100 nm, preferably about 40 nm. A gas detection device made from the gas sensitive material deposited on a substrate, the gas sensitive material configured as a part of a current measuring circuit in communication with a heat source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Leonid Israilevich Trakhtenberg, Genrikh Nikolaevich Gerasimov, Vladimir Fedorovich Gromov, Valeriya Isaakovna Rozenberg