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Alan K. Fritz

Patent Agent / Washington, D.C. Metro Office

Alan Fritz brings nearly two decades of engineering experience in the semiconductor industry to Harness IP, and has more recently spent more than two years prosecuting patents in semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing, display, and imager technologies. In September 2025, Alan received his official registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, further strengthening his ability to represent clients in complex patent matters.

Before joining Harness IP, Alan built deep expertise in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technology and semiconductor device manufacturing during his tenure at Micron Technology, where he worked extensively on NAND and DRAM devices. His background spans process and equipment engineering, root cause analysis, process optimization using Design of Experiments (DOE), and cross-functional team leadership. He also completed an 18-month global assignment in Taiwan, harmonizing manufacturing practices and transferring advanced technologies across multiple international sites, including Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.

At Harness IP, Alan leverages his technical depth to translate complex concepts into strong patent strategies, ensuring clients’ innovations are both protected and positioned for market success.

 

Background

Throughout his career at Micron Technology, Alan effectively oversaw projects aimed at enhancing process quality and throughput, alongside managing initiatives involving tool installations, upgrades, and preventive maintenance programs. His leadership extends to both personnel and projects, consistently demonstrating proficiency in these domains.

Notably, Alan undertook an 18-month assignment in Taiwan, assuming a pivotal role within global manufacturing central teams. In this capacity, he harmonized projects, established best practices, and facilitated the seamless transfer of technology across multiple international sites including Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.

CIVIC & CHARITABLE

  • Alan actively volunteers with Northern Virginia Family Service’s SERVE Campus and participates in community work with Boy Scouts of America Troop 858. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, cooking, and playing strategy and role-playing board games with family and friends. Most of all, he values time outdoors with his wife and two sons—biking, hiking, camping, and adventuring together.

HOBBIES/INTERESTS/PASSION PROJECTS

Outside of the office, Alan loves travelling and cooking and tries to learn techniques for making all his favorite domestic and international dishes.  He has a passion for games and loves getting together with family and friends to play many varieties of strategic and role-playing board games.

Most of all, Alan finds joy in spending quality moments with his wife and two young sons, engaging in an array of activities such as biking, hiking, camping, and an assortment of family adventures.

“Detecting and preventing gate oxide plasma damage during PECVD carbon deposition through surface photo voltage measurements”, IEEE Transactions on Semiconductor Manufacturing, vol.30, no.4, pp.426-433, 2017. (co-author with Leonard J. Olmer)

Highlights & Representative Results

Handles technology patents, including semiconductor layer patents, and semiconductor manufacturing hardware patents.

Speaking Engagements

  • “Detecting and preventing gate oxide plasma damage during PECVD carbon deposition through surface photo voltage measurements,”27th Annual SEMI Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Conference (ASMC), 2016

Education

B.S., Electronics Engineering Technology, DeVry University, 2004
 

Awards & Distinctions

Completed certification for the American Society for Quality Six Sigma Black Belt, 2011