Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8071398?dq=5,581,513
Timestamp: 2014-08-30 08:37:10
Document Index: 601414587

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61', 'Application No. 61']

Patent US8071398 - Method and structure of monolithically integrated IC-MEMS oscillator using ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsThe present invention relates to integrating an inertial mechanical device on top of an IC substrate monolithically using IC-foundry compatible processes. The IC substrate is completed first using standard IC processes. A thick silicon layer is added on top of the IC substrate. A subsequent patterning...http://www.google.com/patents/US8071398?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8071398 - Method and structure of monolithically integrated IC-MEMS oscillator using IC foundry-compatible processesAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS8071398 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/634,634Publication dateDec 6, 2011Filing dateDec 9, 2009Priority dateJul 8, 2008Also published asUS8227911, US8704238, US20100075481, US20120139050Publication number12634634, 634634, US 8071398 B1, US 8071398B1, US-B1-8071398, US8071398 B1, US8071398B1InventorsXiao (Charles) YangOriginal AssigneeMCube Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (5), Non-Patent Citations (1), Referenced by (2), Classifications (14), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetMethod and structure of monolithically integrated IC-MEMS oscillator using IC foundry-compatible processesUS 8071398 B1Abstract The present invention relates to integrating an inertial mechanical device on top of an IC substrate monolithically using IC-foundry compatible processes. The IC substrate is completed first using standard IC processes. A thick silicon layer is added on top of the IC substrate. A subsequent patterning step defines a mechanical structure for inertial sensing. Finally, the mechanical device is encapsulated by a thick insulating layer at the wafer level. Compared with the incumbent bulk or surface micromachined MEMS inertial sensors, vertically monolithically integrated inertial sensors provided by embodiments of the present invention have one or more of the following advantages: smaller chip size, lower parasitics, higher sensitivity, lower power, and lower cost.
20. The method of claim 19 further comprising removing the sacrificial layer via an ashing process to form an open region between the one or more free standing MEMS structures and the enclosure layer; and forming an encapsulating layer overlying the enclosure layer to substantially seal the one or more free standing MEMS structures to form a predetermined environment within the open region. Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/499,029, filed Jul. 7, 2009, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,110, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,112, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,113, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,115, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,116, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,117, filed Jul. 8, 2008, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/084,223, filed Jul. 28, 2008, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/084,226, filed Jul. 28, 2008, all of which are commonly owned and are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some embodiments of the present invention relates generally to monolithic techniques for micromachined technologies and integrated circuits. More particularly, some embodiments of the present invention provide a method and resulting device including both MEMS and integrated circuits using standard IC foundry-compatible processes. Merely by way of example, embodiments of the invention can be applied to resonators, oscillators, RF filters, sensors, and the like.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to integrating a resonating mechanical device on top of an IC substrate monolithically using IC-foundry compatible processes. In an embodiment, the IC substrate is completed first using standard IC processes. A thick silicon layer is added on top of the IC. A subsequent patterning step defines a mechanical structure for resonating function. The mechanical device can be encapsulated by a thick insulating layer at the wafer level.
Specifically, conventional pressure sensors often use conventional micromachining techniques, common called �MEMS� techniques. Micromachined or MEMS pressure sensors are fabricated using bulk and surface micromachining techniques. Such bulk and surface machining techniques have limitations. That is, conventional bulk and surface machining techniques are often stand alone and are able to produce discrete MEMS based devices. Although highly successful, the MEMS based devices still have limitations. These and other limitations are described throughout the present specification and more particularly below.
In an embodiment, micromachined silicon nanopillars are adopted to replace graphite anode. The silicon nanopillar anode has high energy density since silicon holds 10� Lithium than graphite. The silicon nanopillar anode also has more surface area that can hold more active material into the electrode for fast charging and discharging.
Silicon nanopillars are coated with LiCoO2 to replace LiCoO2 cathode, which more surface area that has high energy capacity and fast charging and discharging. Micromachined Silicon membrane with nanopillar to replace the conventional separator made of thin plastic. Silicon is stronger than steel and avoid damage of the separator that shorts electrodes and causes fire. In addition, nanopillar controls �wetting� of electrolyte therefore physical contact/separation of electrodes. Silicon membrane potentially contains active IC for controlling battery operations. Modularized control of nanopillar array allows intelligent battery operation for high efficiency. As a result, silicon membrane with nanopillars has no leakage, avoids deep discharge and extends battery life.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a simplified cross section diagram of components of a starting IC substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a simplified cross section diagram of components of a starting IC substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the starting substrate is a fully processed IC wafer. A dielectric layer such as oxide and nitride is deposited on top of a top metal layer of the IC wafer. The dielectric layer is then patterned to form a structure that provides anchor points for stationary members of the mechanical resonating device.
FIG. 29 is a simplified chart comparing silicon nanopillar battery to conventional battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, micromachined silicon nanopillars are adopted to replace graphite anode. The silicon nanopillar anode has high energy density since silicon holds 10� Lithium than graphite. The silicon nanopillar anode also has more surface area that can hold more active material into the electrode for fast charging and discharging. Silicon nanopillars are coated with LiCoO2 to replace LiCoO2 cathode, which more surface area that has high energy capacity and fast charging and discharging. Micromachined Silicon membrane with nanopillar to replace the conventional separator made of thin plastic. Silicon is stronger than steel and avoid damage of the separator that shorts electrodes and causes fire. In addition, nanopillar controls �wetting� of electrolyte therefore physical contact/separation of electrodes. Silicon membrane potentially contains active IC for controlling battery operations. Modularized control of nanopillar array allows intelligent battery operation for high efficiency. As a result, silicon membrane with nanopillars has no leakage, avoids deep discharge and extends battery life.
FIG. 30 is a simplified diagram of components of a silicon nanopillar battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, the anode is made of micromachined silicon nanopillars, whereas the cathode is made of silicon nanopillars coated with LiCoO2. The separator is made of micromachined silicon membrane with nanopillars. The silicon membrane has perforated holes that allow the flow of the electrolyte between the anode and cathode. The nanopillar on the silicon membrane controls �wetting� of electrolyte and therefore physical contact/separation of electrodes.
FIG. 31 is a simplified diagram of operating modes of a silicon nanopillar battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, in battery �off� state, nanopillars on the silicon membrane separator are charged. As a result, the surface of the nanopillars become hydrophobic and electrolyte is separated from membrane. In battery partial �on� state, a portion of the nanopillars on the silicon membrane separator are charged. As a result, the surface of the charged nanopillars become hydrophilic and electrolyte is �wet� to the nanopillars and free to flow through the holes in the silicon membrane. In battery full �on� state, all the nanopillars on the silicon membrane separator are charged. As a result, the surface of all the nanopillars become hydrophilic and electrolyte is �wet� to the nanopillars and free to flow through the entire holes in the silicon membrane.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6635509 *Apr 12, 2002Oct 21, 2003Dalsa Semiconductor Inc.Wafer-level MEMS packagingUS20060087717 *Dec 8, 2005Apr 27, 2006Miradia Inc.Mirror structure with single crystal silicon cross-memberUS20060274399 *Jun 1, 2005Dec 7, 2006Miradia Inc.Method and device for fabricating a release structure to facilitate bonding of mirror devices onto a substrateUS20070097487 *Jun 5, 2006May 3, 2007Miradia Inc.High fill ratio silicon spatial light modulatorUS20100075481Jul 7, 2009Mar 25, 2010Xiao (Charles) YangMethod and structure of monolithically integrated ic-mems oscillator using ic foundry-compatible processes* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1 *("A Resonant Accelerometer with Two-Stage Micro-leverage Mechanisms Fabricated by SOI-MEMS Technology", IEEE Sensors Journal, 5 (6), pp. 1214-1223, 2005 ).* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8704238Dec 5, 2011Apr 22, 2014MCube Inc.Method and structure of monolithically integrated IC-MEMS oscillator using IC foundry-compatible processesWO1999052020A1Apr 2, 1999Oct 14, 1999Peter L RosenblattMethod and device for counting and recording fetal movementClassifications U.S. Classification438/16, 331/107.0DP, 331/117.00D, 257/E23.02, 257/E21.122, 438/455, 331/116.00M, 438/459, 257/E23.04, 257/459, 331/154International ClassificationG01R31/26Cooperative ClassificationB81C1/00246European ClassificationB81C1/00C12FLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionDec 5, 2011ASAssignmentFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:YANG, XIAO (CHARLES);REEL/FRAME:027325/0275Effective date: 20100312Owner name: MCUBE, INC., CALIFORNIARotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google