Patents
The Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK) pursues the valorisation of its research results by protecting the intellectual property through patents. To date the Bruno Kessler Foundation holds 31 active patent families which are described below in this page. The patents / patent applications described can be the result of an internal research carried out by FBK, the result of a project carried out in collaboration with others or the result of an industrial contract. In the following, for each patent or patent application a brief description is reported together with its availability for licensing or assignment. Expressions of interest can be sent to the this email address: .
Download the list al all the patents at this link.
Biology and Medicine
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A device and a fabrication method is proposed to obtain a micro-scale platform for the manipulation of cells and tissues and for assembly applications. The platform is monolithic, being fabricated on a single chip using micro electro mechanics (MEMS,) and includes one or more grippers, and one or more sample stages that can be moved along the X and Y axes and can rotate along the Z axis. The actuation is performed for example using capacitive combdrives. This platform can be scaled to operate in a wide range down to sub-micron resolution. The platform can be combined with the conjugate surface flexure hinge (CSFH) patented design to enhance its mechanical performance.Bagolini Alvise (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Nicola Pio Belfiore (Università Roma Tre)IT Patent Application No. 102019000003941 ― priority date 2019-03-19―Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation)Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Mini-invasive surgery, BiomedicalMicrogripper, Apparatus for the manipulation of samples, MEMS
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The present invention relates to sensors for the quantitative detection of biomolecules (for example, markers of a certain pathology) in biological fluids. Specific biomolecules are recognized by molecular elements immobilized on a functionalized nanostructured surface of a reaction chamber, and an optical sensor facing the reaction chamber detects the electromagnetic radiation generated by a chemiluminescence reaction.Potrich Cristina (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Pederzolli Cecilia (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Lunelli Lorenzo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Boscardin Maurizio (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Pancheri Lucio (Università di Trento), Pasquardini Laura (Indevinire srl)IT Patent Application No. 102018000008541 ― priority date 2018-09-12; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2019/057489 ― filing date 2019-09-05―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Medical diagnosticsQuantitative detection of biomolecules, Chemiluminescence
Computer Vision
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The invention relates to a method aimed at increasing the Dynamic Range of an image sensor by controlling the exposure time of each photosensitive element of the array of pixels, thus avoiding saturation or under-exposure conditions. The invention concerns a circuit architecture configured to implement the aformentioned method.Gottardi Massimo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Zou Yu (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Lecca Michela (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. 102019000003933 ― priority date 2019-03-19―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Machine vision, Surveillance, Automotive, RoboticsImage sensors, High dynamic range vision sensors, Low-power vision sensors, Image compression
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The present invention provides for a method for tracking a number of objects or object parts in image sequences, comprising following a Bayesian-like approach to object tracking, computing, at each time a new image is available, a probability distribution over all possible target configurations for that time, said Bayesian-like approach to object tracking comprising the following steps: - Prediction step: a probability distribution is computed for the previous image, at time (t-1), is propagated to the new image at time (t) according to a probabilistic model of target dynamics, obtaining a predicted distribution at time (t) ; - Update step: the predicted distribution at time (t) is then aligned with the evidence contained in the new image at time (t) according to a probabilistic model of visual likelihood.EP Application No. 06116896.9 ― priority date 2006-07-10; US Patent Application No. 11/773,483 ― filing date 2007-07-05EP1879149 (A1) ― 2008-01-16; EP1879149 (B1) ― 2016-03-16; US20080031492 (A1) ― 2008-02-07; US7965867 (B2) ― 2011-06-21Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentEP1879149 (B1) ― 2016-03-16; US7965867 (B2) ― 2011-06-21Video surveillance, Video trackingVisual tracking, multiple moving targets
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The method for efficient target detection from images robust to occlusion disclosed by the present invention detects the presence and spatial location of a number of objects in images. It consists in (i) an off-line method to compile an intermediate representation of detection probability maps that are then used by (ii) an on-line method to construct a detection probability map suitable for detecting and localizing objects in a set of input images efficiently. The method explicitly handles occlusions among the objects to be detected and localized, and objects whose shape and configuration is provided externally, for example from an object tracker. The method according to the present invention can be applied to a variety of objects and applications by customizing the method’s input functions, namely the object representation, the geometric object model, its image projection method, and the feature matching function.EP Application No. 09425338.2 ― priority date 2009-09-01; US Patent Application No. 12/807,388 ― filing data 2010-09-01EP2302589 (A1) ― 2011-03-30; EP2302589 (B1) ― 2012-12-05; US2011050940 (A1) ― 2011-03-03; US8436913 (B2) ― 2013-05-07Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentEP2302589 (B1) ― 2012-12-05; US8436913 (B2) ― 2013-05-07Video surveillance, Video trackingObject detection, Target tracking
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Recent studies in computer vision have shown that, while practically invisible to a human observer, skin color changes due to blood flow can be captured on face videos and, surprisingly, be used to estimate the heart rate (HR). While considerable progress has been made in the last few years, still many issues remain open. In particular, state-of-the-art approaches are not robust enough to operate in natural conditions (e.g. in case of spontaneous movements, facial expressions, or illumination changes). Opposite to previous approaches that estimate the HR by processing all the skin pixels inside a fixed region of interest, we introduce a strategy to dynamically select face regions useful for robust HR estimation. The present approach, inspired by recent advances on matrix completion theory, allows us to predict the HR while simultaneously discover the best regions of the face to be used for estimation. Thorough experimental evaluation conducted on public benchmarks suggests that the proposed approach significantly outperforms state-of-the-art HR estimation methods in naturalistic conditions.Sebe Niculae (Università degli Studi di Trento), Alameda-Pineda Xavier (Università degli Studi di Trento), Tulyakov Sergey (Università degli Studi di Trento), Ricci Elisa (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Yin Lijun (University of New York), Cohn Jeffrey F (University of Pittsburgh)US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/354,475 ― priority date 2016-06-24; US Patent Application No. 15/631,346 ― priority date 2017-06-23US2017367590 (A1) ― 2017-12-28; US10335045 (B2) ― 2019-07-02Università degli Studi di Trento (University of Trento), Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, University of Pittsburgh - Of The Commonwealth of Higher EducationPatent pending. Available for license or assignmentUS10335045 (B2) ― 2019-07-02Heart rate estimation, SurveillanceVideo analysis, Heart rate estimation
Systems installation
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A computer-implemented method for determining a configuration of a plurality of components in a systems installation which satisfies one or more constraints.Papadopoulos Christopher (Airbus Operations Ltd), Cavallo Antonella (Alenia Aermacchi SpA), Cimatti Alessandro (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bozzano Marco (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)GB Patent Application No. 1116443.1 ― priority date 2011-09-23; EP Application No. 12185314.7 ― filing date 2012-09-20; US Patent Application No.13/623,977 ― filing date 2012-09-21GB201116443 (A) ― 2011-09-23; GB201116443 (D0) ― 2011-11-02; EP2573695 (A2) ― 2013-03-27; EP2573695 (A3) ― 2015-11-04; US2013076767 (A1) ― 2013-03-28; US9424391 (B2) ― 2016-08-23Airbus Operations Ltd, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), Alenia Aermacchi SpAPatent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentGB201116443 (D0) ― 2011-11-02; EP2573695 (A3) ― 2015-11-04; US9424391 (B2) ― 2016-08-23Systems installationAutomated reasoning, installation configuration
Photonics and data transmission
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The invention is a pixel (1) for detecting photons, of the type comprising: a photodiode (2) having a first contact terminal (21) connected to the first contact terminal (31) of first electronic interruption means (3) and the second contact terminal (22) connected to a first input pin (11) of the pixel (1); the first electronic interruption means (3) having the switch over control terminal (33) connected to a second input pin (12) and the second contact terminal (32) connected to a third input pin (13); second electronic interruption means (4) having the first contact terminal (41) connected to a first charge accumulation element (101), the second contact terminal (42) connected to the first contact terminal (21) and the switch over control terminal (43) connected to a fourth input pin (14); third electronic interruption means (5) having the first contact terminal (51) connected to a fifth input pin (15) and the switch over control terminal (53) connected to the first charge accumulation element (101); fourth electronic interruption means (6) having the first contact terminal (61) connected to a third charge accumulation element (103) and to an output pin (10), the second contact terminal (62) connected to the first contact terminal (71) of fifth electronic interruption means (7) and to a second charge accumulation element (102) and the switch over control terminal (63) connected to the second contact terminal (52) of the third electronic interruption means (5); the fifth electronic interruption means (7) having the second contact terminal (72) connected to a sixth input pin (16) and the switch over control terminal (73) connected to a seventh input pin (17).Perenzoni Matteo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gasparini Leonardo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Massari Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. VI2015A000050 ― priority date 2015-02-19; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2016/050906 ― filing date 2016-02-19; EP Application No. 16718003.3 ― filing date 2016-02-19WO2016132329 (A1) ― 2016-08-25; EP3259905 (A1) ― 2017-12-27; EP3259905 (B1) ― 2018-12-12Patent granted. Available for license or assignmentEP3259905 (B1) ― 2018-12-12Scientific and medical applicationsDetecting and counting photons
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Measuring device (1) suited to measure the distance (d) of a reference object (O), configured so that it performs a plurality of measuring operations (A i ) in succession and comprising emission means (2) suited to emit a light radiation (R), receiving means (3) comprising a sensitive area (31) which is sensitive to the light radiation (R) and which is provided with a number M of sensitive units (4), each one of the sensitive units (4) being configured to generate an electrical signal (S), a first processing unit (5) comprising N e processing elements (6), each one of said N e processing elements (6) being configured to receive the electrical signal (S) for determining the time of impact (t) of a photon (F) on the sensitive units (4) and for calculating the value of said distance (d). The measuring device (1) comprises a second processing unit (7) configured to receive the electrical signals (S), processing the electrical signals (S) in such a way as to select a number N u of sensitive units (4) impacted by the photons (F), associating each one of the N u sensitive units (4) to one of the N e processing elements (6), in such a way that, at the moment of the successive measuring operation (A i+1 ), the distance (d) is determined by each one of the N u sensitive units (4) selected.Perenzoni Daniele (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Stoppa David (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gasperini Leonardo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Perenzoni Matteo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Massari Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)EP Patent Application No. 17180791.0 priority date 2017-07-11; US Patent Application No. 16/031,640 ― filing date 2018-07-10; JP Patent Application No. 20180130963 ― filing date 2018-07-10EP3428574 (A1) ― 2019-01-16; US2019018118 (A1) ― 2019-01-17; CN109239724 (A) ― 2019-01-18; JP2019049531 (A) ― 2019-03-28Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentEP3428574 (A1) ― 2019-01-16; US2019018118 (A1) ― 2019-01-17; CN109239724 (A) ― 2019-01-18; JP2019049531 (A) ― 2019-03-28Factory automation, Logistics automation, Safety engineeringOptoelectronic sensor, Time of flight principle, Distance measurement
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The invention is a Hall effect magnetic sensor (1 ) suited to measure the intensity of a magnetic field (M), comprising a semiconductor substrate (2) subjected to doping on which the following elements are defined: two diodes arranged side by side; means (6) suited to inject minority charge carriers (100) and provided on the semiconductor substrate (2) along the axis of symmetry (X) defined between the two diodes (3), wherein the injector means (6) are configured to inject the minority charge carriers (100) in the semiconductor substrate (2) in such a way as to generate a diffusion current suited to flow under the two diodes (3); processing means (7) operatively connected to each output channel (32) of the two diodes (3) and configured to count the number of events induced by the minority charge carriers (100) on both of the diodes (3) during a pre-established time observation window (T) and to calculate the difference between the counts at the end of the observation time window (T). The Hall effect magnetic sensor (1 ) furthermore comprises a quenching circuit (5) connected in series to each one of the output channels (32) of the diodes (3) and the processing means (7) are operatively connected in an intermediate position between the output channels (32) and the quenching circuits (5).IT Patent Application No. VI2014A000224 ― priority date 2014-09-05; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2015/056747 ― filing date 2015-09-04; EP Application No. 150788186.3 ― filing date 2015-09-04 WO2016035039 (A1) ― 2016-03-10; EP3194991 (A1) ― 2017-07-26WO2016035039 (A1) ― 2016-03-10; EP3194991 (A1) ― 2017-07-26Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentWO2016035039 (A1) ― 2016-03-10; EP3194991 (A1) ― 2017-07-26Measure the intensity of a magnetic fieldHall effect magnetic sensors
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The invention is a solid-state photomultiplier device (SiPM) (1) for detecting one or more photons (F), comprising a sensitive surface (2) created on a semiconductor substrate (3), wherein the sensitive surface (2) is defined by a plurality of light sensitive microcells (4) connected to one another in parallel in such a way as to send out a common analog output signal (Sout), each one of the light sensitive microcells (4) comprising an avalanche photodiode (5) interposed between a first electrode (6) and a second electrode (7) suited to supply a reverse polarization voltage to the avalanche photodiode (5). The device is provided, for each one of the light sensitive microcells (4), with an interruption component (8) suited to interrupt electric continuity and interposed between the accumulation terminal (53) that accumulates the avalanche charge of the avalanche photodiode (5) and the first electrode (6). The interruption components (8) of the plurality of light sensitive microcells (4) are configured in such a way as to simultaneously switch over from a state of conduction to a state of inhibition or vice versa.IT Patent Application No. VI2013A000263 ― priority date 2013-10-25; International Application No. PCT/IB2014/065566 ― filing date 2014-10-23; EP Application No. 14806724.2 ― filing date 2014-10-23ITVI2013A000263 (A1) ― 2015-04-26; WO2015059663 (A1) ― 2015-04-30; IT0001420476 (B1) ― 2016-01-12; EP3061132 (A1) ― 2016-08-31; EP3061132 (B1) ― 2017-11-15Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentIT0001420476 (B1) ― 2016-01-12; EP3061132 (B1) ― 2017-11-15Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical applicationsSolid-state photomultiplier, Photon detection
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The invention describes a system, a method and a target for producing nuclear fusion reactions. A laser is used to irradiate a single temporally shaped laser pulse comprising a pre-pulse and a main pulse or at least two consecutive laser pulses onto the target. A first of the plurality of consecutive laser pulses or a prepulse of the single laser pulse is used to generate a first plasma in front of the target. The system is configured such that this first plasma is capable to focus the second laser pulse or main iaser pulse onto the target, i.e. to reduce the focal spot size compared to the first or pre-pulse. The plasma initiates a so-called selffocusing of the second or main laser pulse onto the target. The focused second or main laser pulse can then be used to accelerate first particles such that these accelerated first particles produce nuclear fusion reactions with second particles contained in the target.Margarone Daniele (Fyzikální ústav AV CR, v.v.i.), Korn Georg (Fyzikální ústav AV CR, v.v.i.), Picciotto Antonino (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bellutti Pierluigi (FBK) (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)EP Application No. 13466015.8 ― priority date 2013-07-30EP2833365 (A1) ― 2015-02-04; EP2833365 (B1) ― 2018-03-21Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), Fyzikální ústav AV CR, v.v.i.Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentEP2833365 (B1) ― 2018-03-21Generation of energy and of electricityNuclear fusion reaction, Laser beam of high intensity
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A method for managing a silicon photomultiplier device (SiPM) (1) for detecting one or more photons, comprising a surface (3) that is sensitive to photons, provided on a first side (4) of a semiconductor substrate (2) and defined by a plurality of sectors (6), each one of which comprises a plurality of photodiodes (5) operating in Geiger mode and connected to one another in parallel through conductor means (7) so as to define an analog output signal. The semiconductor substrate (2) comprises a plurality of extraction points (8) electronically insulated from one another, each one of which is connected to a corresponding sector (6) through the conductor means (7) so that the analog signals can be picked up and processed independently by a logic unit (9). According to this method, one or more of the sectors (6) are inhibited in the case where at least one of the photodiodes (5) belonging to the sectors (6) is not operating or is noisy.ITVI2010A000110 (A1) ― 2011-10-23; (A2) ― 2011-10-26; EP2381475 (A3) ― 2013-05-01; EP2381475 (B1) ― 2015-03-04Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentEP2381475 (B1) ― 2015-03-04Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical applicationsSilicon photomultiplier, Photon detection
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An optoelectronic sensor (10) for measuring a distance of an object (18) in accordance with a time of flight principle comprises a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a light signal (14), a light receiver (22) for receiving the light signal (20) after reflection or remission by the object (18), the light receiver (22) having a first plurality of pixel elements (24, 24a) each configured as an avalanche photo diode element biased with a bias voltage greater than a breakdown voltage and thus operated in a Geiger mode in order to trigger an avalanche event upon light reception, a distance measuring unit (34) having a second plurality of time of flight measuring units (34a) connected to pixel elements (24a) for determining a time of flight between transmission and reception of a light signal, the second plurality being less than the first plurality, switching means (32, 32a) for connecting selected pixel elements (24a) to time of flight measuring units (34a) in a one-to-one fashion, and a pixel selection unit (28, 30) for determining pixel elements (24a) to be connected by the switching means (32, 32a) based on an intensity measurement.Perenzoni Matteo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Massari Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Stoppa David (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gasparini Leonardo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Perenzoni Daniele (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)EP Patent Application No. 17180828.0 ― priority date 2017-07-11; US Patent Application No. 16/031,625 ― filing date 2018-07-10; CN109239694 (A) ― 2019-01-18; JP2019032305 (A) ― 2019-02-28EP3428683 (A1) ― 2019-01-16; US2019018117 (A1) ― 2019-01-17; CN109239694 (A) ― 2019-01-18; JP2019032305 (A) ― 2019-02-28; EP3428683 (B1) ― 2019-08-28Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentEP3428683 (B1) ― 2019-08-28Factory automation, Logistics automation, Safety engineeringOptoelectronic sensor, Time of flight principle, Distance measurement
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The present Invention relates to a photodetector (PD) comprising a plurality of pixels (PXL); each one of said pixels (PXL) comprises: - a group of detection devices (SPD-1, SPD-2, SPD-3, SPD-4) provided with respective outputs, each one of said detection devices (SPD-1, SPD-2, SPD-3, SPD-4) being of the SPAD type and therefore being adapted to generate an electrical pulse at the output thereof as a result of an event corresponding to a photon that hits thereon, - a combinational circuit (G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5A, G-5B, G-6, G-7) which has an output and a group of inputs that corresponds to said group of detection devices (SPD-1, SPD-2, SPD-3, SPD-4) and which implements a logic function between inputs and output, - a digital counter (CNT) having an input, the outputs of said detecting devices (SPD-1, SPD-2, SPD-3, SPD-4) of said group are connected respectively to the inputs of said combinational circuit (G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5A, G-5B, G-6, G-7) and the output of said combinational circuit (G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5A, G-5B, G-6, G-7) is connected to the input of said digital counter (CNT); whereby said digital counter (CNT) provides as output the sum of all the events detected by said detecting devices (SPD-1, SPD-2, SPD-3, SPD-4) of said group.Huf Campos Braga Leo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Stoppa David (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Pancheri Lucio (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gasparini Leonardo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. CO2011A000022 ― priority date 2011-06-30; EP Application No. 12173436.2 ― filing date 2012-06-25;ITCO2011A000022 (A1) ― 2012-12-31; EP2541219 (A1) ― 2013-01-02; EP2541219 (B1) ― 2019-09-04Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentEP2541219 (B1) ― 2019-09-04Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical applicationsDetecting and counting photons
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A radiation detection element comprises: a semiconductor part generating an electric charge by entrance of radiation; a signal output electrode provided at the semiconductor part and outputting a signal caused by the electric charge; a potential gradient generation electrode provided at the semiconductor part, for applying voltage such that a potential gradient in which a potential varies toward the signal output electrode is generated inside the semiconductor part; a collection electrode provided at the semiconductor part, for collecting electric charges not derived from radiation; an insulating film provided on a side of the semiconductor part where the signal output electrode is located; and a conductive layer provided between the insulating film and a part of the semiconductor part, and having electric resistance lower than the electric resistance of the semiconductor part and higher than the electric resistance of the collection electrode. The conductive layer is located at a position where a distance from the signal output electrode is equal to or longer than a distance between the collection electrode and the signal output electrode.Zorzi Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Giacomini Gabiriele (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Borghi Giacomo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Picciotto Antonino (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Ficorella Francesco (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Matsunaga Daisuke (Horiba Ltd)JP Patent Application No. 134023 ― priority date 2017-07-07; US Patent Application No. 16/028,597 ― filing date 2018-07-06; EP Application No. 18182286.7 ― filing date 2018-07-06EP3425428 (A1) ― 2019-01-09; US2019011577 (A1) ― 2019-01-10; JP2019015639 (A) ― 2019-01-31; US10379231 (B2) ― 2019-08-13Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentUS10379231 (B2) ― 2019-08-13Radiation detectionRadiation detection apparatus
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Provided are: a radiation detector which has improved detection efficiency of radiation by being increased in the portion where radiation is able to be detected; and a radiation detection device. A radiation detector (1) according to the present invention comprises a plate-like semiconductor part (12), while being provided with a through hole (11) that penetrates through the semiconductor part (12); and one surface of the semiconductor part (12) serves as an incident surface (121) for radiation. The semiconductor part (12) has a sensitive portion (18) which is capable of detecting incident radiation; and the sensitive portion (18) includes an inner edge (122) of the incident surface (121).Picciotto Antonino (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Ficorella Francesco (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Zorzi Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Matsunaga Daisuke (Horiba Ltd), Yasui Kengo (Horiba Ltd)JP Patent Application No. 110697 ― priority date 2017-06-05; International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2018/20376 ― filing date 2018-05-28WO2018225563 (A1) ― 2018-12-13Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentWO2018225563 (A1) ― 2018-12-13Radiation detection apparatusRadiation detection
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Provided are a semiconductor detector (1), a radiation detector (2) and a radiation detection apparatus that allow for reduction in size of the radiation detector (2) and enhancement in accuracy of radiation detection by loosening the condition of cooling. A semiconductor detector (1) for detecting radiation comprises a first semiconductor part (11) in which an electron and a hole are generated by incident radiation; a signal output electrode (14) outputting a signal base on the electron or the hole; and a gettering part (13) gettering impurities in the first semiconductor part (11). In addition, the semiconductor detector (1) further comprises a second semiconductor part (12) doped with a type of dopant impurities and having dopant impurity concentration higher than that of the first semiconductor part (11). The second semiconductor part (12) is in contact with the first semiconductor part (11). The gettering part (13) is in contact with the second semiconductor part (12) and not in contact with the first semiconductor part (11).Picciotto Antonino (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bellutti Pierluigi (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Boscardin Maurizio (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Zorzi Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Matsunaga Daisuke (Horiba Ltd)IT Patent Application No. 102015000087736 ― priority date 2015-12-24; EP Application No. 160206743.3 ― filing date 2016-12-23; US Patent Application No.15/388,254 ― filing date 2016-12-22; JP Patent Application No. JP2016249917A ― filing date 2016-12-22IT102015000087736 (A1) ― 2017-06-24; EP3185313 (A1) ― 2017-06-28; US2017184734 (A1) ― 2017-06-29; JP2017118115 (A) ― 2017-06-29; US10094939 (B2) ― 2018-10-09Patent granted. Available for license or assignmentUS10094939 (B2) ― 2018-10-09Radiation detectionSemiconductor detector, Radiation detector
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Object of the present invention is to provide an image sensor for time-of-flight applications able to guarantee a higher spatial resolution with respect to the image sensors of the known art with the same physical dimensions of the sensitive surfaces. One of the distinctive features is the ability to reject background light without penalty in the pixel area.IT Patent Application No. 102019000007225 ― priority date 2019-05-24―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Automotive, 3D ImagingImage sensors, Time-of-flight, Range Imaging, High spatial resolution, Photon correlation
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A solid-state photomultiplier device comprising a surface (2) sensitive to photons (F) provided on a semiconductor substrate (3) and provided with a plurality of light sensitive microcells (4) divided into a plurality of sub-groups arranged one after the other according to a pre-established trajectory. The device comprises a plurality of current dividers (7), each of which is electrically connected to at least one of the sub-groups, and where each of the current dividers (7) comprises a first resistor (71) and a second resistor (72) to implement a current partition of the resistive type. The first resistors (71) and the second resistors (72) respectively have a gradually descending and gradually increasing conductance value in proportion to the position along the pre-established trajectory of the sub-group to which each of the current dividers (7) is electrically connected. The device also comprises a first output channel (10) electrically connected to one end of the first resistors (71) and a second output channel (11) electrically connected to one end of the second resistors (72).IT Patent Application No. VI2013A000266 ― priority date 2013-10-30; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2014/065694 ― filing date 2014-10-29; EP Application No. 140812605.5 ― filing date 2014-10-29ITVI2013A000266 (A1) ― 2015-05-01; WO2015063704 (A1) ― 2015-05-07; EP3063559 (A1) ― 2016-09-07; EP3063559 (B1) ― 2018-09-12Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentEP3063559 (B1) ― 2018-09-12Positron emission tomography (PET), Medical applicationsSolid-state photomultiplier device, Silicon photomultiplier
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The present invention relates to a system for the detection of charged particles, in particular a system for detecting a beam of charged particles particularly suitable for use in the medical diagnostic field and in hadronic therapy.IT Patent Application No. 102018000004638 ― priority date 2018-04-18―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Medical and industrial diagnostics, Hadronic therapySilicon detectors of charged particles, Diagnosis and treatment of diseases
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The present invention concerns the use of an improved semiconductor device for the generation of random numbers (Random Number Generator, RNG), in particular of truly random numbers, with the extraction based on a quantum physics principle (True Random Number Generator, TRNG). The main advantage is the integration in high-volume and low-cost CMOS technology.Massari Nicola (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gasparini Leonardo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Perenzoni Matteo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Pancheri Lucio (Università di Trento)IT Patent Application No. 102018000009281 ― priority date 2018-10-09―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Random number generationQuantum random number generator, True random number generator, CMOS technology
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A wideband power attenuator in RF-MEMS multilayer technology, for attenuating an electromagnetic signal, includes an upper layer with two RF ground planes, and between said two RF ground planes a central RF-MEMS movable switch as a floating electrode, an RF input, an RF output of an RF line running across the attenuator, a number of lower layers including in sequence: a ground floor of an electrically insulating substrate; two DC biasing electrodes to electrostatically control said movable switch, and DC biasing lines to feed the DC biasing electrodes; two DC-RF decoupling resistors, each decoupling resistor being connected on one side to respective terminals of said movable switch, and on the other side to respective one of the two RF ground planes; a resistive load adapted to be connected to the RF line to attenuate the electromagnetic signal on the basis of the floating movable switch configuration, between a non-contact RF position and a contact RF position with said RF line.US Patent Application No. 15/497,662 ― priority date 2017-04-26US9847801 (B1) ― 2017-12-19Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentUS9847801 (B1)5th generation of mobile networks (5G)5G, RF-MEMS technology
Greentech and environment
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The present invention relates to the field of lithium-ion batteries, one of the most widespread technologies for energy storage. A method for manufacturing an innovative anode is reported, which improves the gravimetric capacity of the battery, defined as the amount of charge stored per unit of mass (mAh/g). The novelty consists in the material used to manufacture the anode and in the construction simplicity of this anode, since the active material is directly deposited on the current collector without the need for any additional binder. The process is also easily scalable to industrial production level exploiting well established deposition and etching techniques.Vincenzi Donato (Università degli Studi di Ferrara), Fugattini Silvio (Università degli Studi di Ferrara), Andreoli Alfredo (Università degli Studi di Ferrara), Giubertoni Damiano (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Proietti Zaccaria Remo (Fondazione Istituto Italiao di Tecnologia), Gulzar Umair (Università degli Studi di Genova - Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia), Chen Lin (Università degli Studi di Genova - Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia)IT Patent Application No. 102018000006103 ― priority date 2018-06-07―Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), Università degli Studi di Ferrara (University of Ferrara), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology Foundation), , Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology Foundation), Università degli Studi di Genova (University of Genoa)Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Electricity storageLithium-ion batteries, Battery anode, Porous Germanium, Binder-free
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The invention is a volumetric receiver (100, 200) configured to absorb the radiation (R) emitted by a heat source (S) and incident on an exposed face (102, 202) of the same volumetric receiver (100, 200) and to transfer the thermal energy induced by said absorption to a surrounding heat transfer fluid (F). This volumetric receiver (100, 200) comprises a plurality of hollow cells (1 ) whose longitudinal axes are substantially orthogonal with respect to the exposed face (102, 202), wherein the hollow cells (1 ) are adjacent and stably connected to one another in such a way as to define at least one level (104; 204a, 204b, 204c) substantially parallel to the exposed face (102, 202), each one of the hollow cells (1 ) defining a channel open at both its ends opposite each other according to said longitudinal axis and each one of the hollow cells (1 ) being also provided with an opening (3) made on its lateral surface (2).Alberti Fabrizio (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Roccabruna Mattia (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Crema Luigi (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Romero Alvarez Manuel (IMDEA Energy Foundation), Gonzalez-Aguilar José (IMDEA Energy Foundation), Santiago Sacristan Sergio (IMDEA Energy Foundation)IT Patent Application No. 102015000059704 ― priority date 2015-10-08 ; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2016/056050 ― filing date 2016-10-10; EP Application No. 160801559 ― filing date 2016-10-10IT102015000059704 (A1) ― 2017-04-08; WO2017060882 (A1) ― 2017-04-13; EP3359886 (A1) ― 2018-08-15; EP3359886 (B1) ― 2019-08-07Patent pending. Available for license or assignmentEP3359886 (B1) ― 2019-08-07Production of solar thermal energySolar heat collector, Volumetric effect
New materials, advanced materials and microsystems
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The invention concerns a graphene-based composite material for the generation of hydrogen and heat in aqueous environment. The surface of such graphene is at least partially covered by a metal film, said metal being magnesium.Bartali Ruben (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Testi Matteo (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bensaada Laidani Nadhira (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Speranza Giorgio (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Micheli Victor (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gottardi Gloria (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Pucker Georg (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Crema Luigi (Fondazione Brno Kessler), Coser Gianni (Fondazione bruno Kessler), Fedrizzi Michele (Fondazione Bruni Kessler), Setijadi Eki Jaya Sasmita (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. 102016000104397 ― priority date 2016-10-18; EP Application No. 17197116.1 ― filing date 2017-10-18IT102016000104397 (A1) ― 2018-04-18; EP3312138 (A1) ― 2018-04-25; IT102016000104397 (B1) ― 2019-03-19; EP3312138 (B1) ― 2019-06-12Patent granted. Available for license or assignmentIT102016000104397 (B1) ― 2019-03-19; EP3312138 (B1) ― 2019-06-12Clean energy generationGraphene, Generation of hydrogen and heat
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The present invention concerns a hydrophilic polymer surface preferably having a contact angle smaller than 20°. The surface comprises gold. The invention also concerns a process for the production of such a surface, comprising the following steps: a) preparation of a polymer surface; b) preferably cleaning of the polymer surface; and c) treatment of the preferably cleaned surface with a plasma treatment in combination with a cathode spray with a gold target. The description concerns also the use of the process to give anti-fogging and anti-light scattering characteristics to optical elements and items comprising said hydrophilic polymer surface.Bartali Ruben (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bensaada Laidani Nadhira (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Mozzi Francesco (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gottardi Gloria (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Mazzurana MirkoIT Patent Application No. VI2012A000101 ― priority date 2012-04-27; International Application No. PCT/IB2013/000766 ― filing date 2013-04-26ITVI2012A000101 (A1) ― 2013-10-28; WO2013160749 (A2) ― 2013-10-31; WO2013160749 (A3) ― 2014-01-23; (B1) ― 2014-11-27Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), Mazzurana MirkoPatent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentIT0001412437 (B1) ― 2014-11-27Production of hydrophilic polymer surfacesHydrophilic polymer, Anti-fogging and anti-light characteristics
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The patent deals with the invention of tactile sensor devices based on the coupling of a piezoelectric polymeric film as force/pressure transducer element on the top of the gate area of a field-effect semiconductor transistor for signal amplification. The piezoelectric polymeric film generates an electric displacement/charge and hence its polarization can be controlled by the electric field and the applied force or stress. The electric displacement modulates the charge in induced channel of the FET. Thus, the force variation is directly reflected into channel current of POSFET devices, which can be further processed by an electronic circuitry that may be present on the same chip.Adami Andrea (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Collini Cristian (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Dahiya Ravinder Singh (Università di Genova), Lorenzelli Leandro (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Metta Giorgio (Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Università di Genova), Sandini Giulio (Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia), Valle Maurizio (Università di Genova)IT Patent Application No. TO2009A000269 ― priority date 2009-04-07ITTO2009A000269 (A1) ― 2010-10-08; IT0001393585 (B1) ― 2012-04-27Fondazione Bruno Kessler (Bruno Kessler Foundation), Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology Foundation), Università degli Studi di Genova (University of Genova)Patent granted. Available for license or patent assignmentIT0001393585 (B1) ― 2012-04-27Tactile sensor devicesPiezoelectric polymers
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A method for making the comparison between a continuous value analogue signal (S1 ) and a continuous value digital signal (S2), which provides the steps of: defining a ramp analogue signal (RAMP) having linearly variable value over time by periodically varying, for each time interval belonging to first predetermined time intervals (ck1), a first digital numerical value (cnt1) by a predetermined quantity and converting it into the ramp analogue signal (RAMP); simultaneously comparing, at each of the first predetermined time intervals (ck1), the value of the ramp analogue signal (RAMP) with the analogue signal (S1) and the first digital numerical value (cnt1) with the digital signal (S2); verifying at which of the first predetermined time intervals (ck1) the value of the ramp analogue signal (RAMP) equals the analogue signal (S1) and at which of the predetermined time intervals (ck1) the first digital numerical value (cnt1) equals the digital signal (S2); defining the time window (WIND) between the first equality and the second equality; increasing a second digital numerical value (cnt2) within the time window (WIND) for each time interval belonging to second predetermined time intervals (ck2).IT Patent Application No. 102017000123149 ― priority date 2017-10-30; International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2018/058453 ― filing date 2018-10-29IT102017000123149 (A1) ― 2019-04-30; WO2019087041 (A1) ― 2019-05-09Patent pending. *** Fondazione Bruno Kessler was a beneficiary in the project “FOREnsic evidence gathering autonomous seNSOR — FORENSOR", Grant Agreement No. 653355, funded by the Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission. The technology presented hereby stems from such project. Considering the obligation to formally notify REA before an intended grant of an exclusive licence over this technology, in line with GA Article 30.3, FBK provided such notification. REA is currently considering the notification and a reply is expected to be received in the forthcoming weeks. All the applicants are hereby informed that REA might not allow an exclusive license. On the other hand, should the above-mentioned granting of any exclusive licence be allowed, FBK shall fully observe any possible obligations assumed with REA. By doing so, FBK undertakes to make sure that the applicant third party, if and when executing an exclusive license agreement with FBK, shall comply too with the said duties and obligations that might be foreseen in REA's reply.―Surveillance and monitoring applicationsImage sensors, Energy-efficient vision sensors
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The present invention concerns a method to obtain black silicon by means of resputtering of mask composites during anisotropic etching. Black silicon consists of thin vertical structures (grass) that can be generated by deep reactive ion etching (DRIE) of a silicon substrate. The structures formation depends on micromasking, which is highly dependent on etching condition fluctuations, making it hard to reproduce the same feature. Scope of the proposed method is to provide a reliable and highly reproducible process for the generation of black silicon in silicon anisotropic etching, based on control of micromasking.Scauso Pietro (Università Milano Bicocca), Bagolini Alvise (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bellutti Pierluigi (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. 102018000007082 ― priority date 2018-07-10―Patent pending. Available for license or assignment―Generation of black silicon and other high surface/volume ratio surfacesLow reflectance semiconductor substrate, Silicon anisotropic etching, High surface/volume ratio
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The invention concerns a multilayer coating with high absorption of solar energy and with low thermal emissivity that comprises a first layer of molybdenum; a second layer essentially made up of TiO2 and niobium metal; and a third layer of SiO2. The invention moreover concerns a relative cermet composite essentially made up of TiO2 and niobium metal in which the concentration of niobium in the TiO2 corresponds to 27 - 34 at.%, preferably to 29.6 - 32.0 at.%, more preferably to 30.2 - 31.4 at.%, even more preferably to around 30.8 at.%. Furthermore, processes for producing the coating and the cermet composite, laminar or tubular materials coated with the coating and a use of the cermet composite are proposed.Bensaada Laidani Nadhira (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Bartali Ruben (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Micheli Victor (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Gottardi Gloria (Fondazione Bruno Kessler), Crema Luigi (Fondazione Bruno Kessler)IT Patent Application No. VI2013A000006 ― priority date 2013-01-16; EP Application No. 140151482.8 ― filing date 2014-01-16ITVI2013A000006 (A1) ― 2014-07-17; EP2757176 (A1) ― 2014-07-23; EP2757176 (B1) ― 2018-10-03; ES2704091 (T3) ― 2019-03-14Patent granted. Available for license or assignmentEP2757176 (B1) ― 2018-10-03; ES2704091 (T3) ― 2019-03-14Production of solar thermal and/or electric energyAbsorption of solar energy, multilayer coating