US 12,332,216 B2
Sensor with droplet retaining structure
James Russell Webster, Minnetonka, MN (US)
Assigned to Qorvo US, Inc., Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed by Qorvo US, Inc., Greensboro, NC (US)
Filed on Nov. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/516,348.
Application 18/516,348 is a division of application No. 17/407,577, filed on Aug. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,959,885.
Application 17/407,577 is a division of application No. 16/119,360, filed on Aug. 31, 2018, granted, now 11,099,157, issued on Aug. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/694,624, filed on Jul. 6, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2024/0094167 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 29/22 (2006.01); G01N 29/02 (2006.01); G01N 29/24 (2006.01); H03H 9/17 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 29/222 (2013.01) [G01N 29/022 (2013.01); G01N 29/2437 (2013.01); H03H 9/175 (2013.01); G01N 2291/0255 (2013.01); G01N 2291/0426 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sensor with a droplet retaining structure comprising:
a substrate defining a target surface and a retaining structure extending at least partially around the target surface,
wherein the retaining structure comprises a channel having a height extending in a direction orthogonal to the target surface and into the substrate, and a width extending in a direction parallel to the target surface; and
a resonating structure disposed on the target surface of the substrate,
wherein a portion of the target surface between the resonating structure and the retaining structure has a width that allows for full coverage of the resonating structure with a droplet of functionalized material such that the droplet of functionalized material auto-aligns with the resonating structure and is prevented from moving.