Circular Memory Device with Arc-Shaped Contact Pads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printed memory devices face challenges in maintaining operational effectiveness across various rotational orientations, leading to potential misalignment and unsuccessful memory operations when read by a probe.
Innovation Solution
A circular memory device design featuring bottom and top electrodes with arc-shaped contact pads and extended members, where each memory cell is positioned at crossover points, and a ferroelectric layer between them, allowing for successful read operations across a range of rotational orientations using a reader with primary and secondary probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If linear contact pads and electrodes are used in conventional printed memory devices, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the device fails to maintain operational effectiveness across various rotational orientations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by transforming the conventional linear electrode and contact pad arrangement into a circular geometry with arc-shaped contact pads. The bottom electrodes are arranged in a circular pattern with arc-shaped contact pads, and top electrodes cross over them, creating memory cells at the intersections. This curved/circular design enables the memory device to maintain operational effectiveness regardless of rotational orientation, directly resolving the technical contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Reliability
If the memory device uses a fixed linear arrangement of electrodes, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but misalignment occurs when the device is rotated relative to the reader probes
Solution Approach 1:
The circular electrode arrangement with arc-shaped contact pads creates a universal interface that functions correctly at any rotational orientation. The symmetric circular pattern ensures that regardless of how the device is rotated relative to the reader probes, the electrical connections and memory cell access remain valid. This multi-orientation functionality resolves the contradiction between reliability across orientations and ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional linear contact pads are used, then the electrical coupling is sufficient for single-orientation operation, but the device becomes misaligned and inoperable when rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The contact pads are segmented into arc-shaped segments rather than continuous linear structures. Each arc-shaped contact pad is positioned at a specific radial distance from the center, creating discrete electrical connection points that maintain proper alignment across rotational orientations. This segmentation approach enables the device to accommodate rotation while maintaining sufficient electrical coupling, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables robust and reliable memory operations regardless of the rotational orientation of the memory device, ensuring consistent data access and storage by maintaining physical and electrical contact through the use of primary and secondary probes.
Implementation Method 1
a ferroelectric layer positioned between the plurality of bottom electrode extended members and the plurality of top electrode extended members
Data Source
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AI summary
A circular memory device includes a plurality of bottom electrodes, a plurality of top electrodes, a ferroelectric layer, and a plurality of memory storage locations within the ferroelectric layer at a crossover point of each of the bottom electrodes and each top electrode. Contact pads of the bottom electrodes and top electrodes may include a perimeter that defines an annular sector that allows a memory operation to be performed on the circular memory device across a range of rotational positions. In an example implementation, the memory operation may be performed on the circular memory device regardless of the rotational orientation of the circular memory device relative to a reader.