Patents by Inventor Makoto Kobuke
Makoto Kobuke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
-
Patent number: 11117101Abstract: Described herein is a crosslinked graphene and biopolymer (e.g. lignin) based composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes while providing water permeability. The membrane may include optional additional functional additives in a crosslinked material matrix that provides enhanced salt separation from water. Methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Shijun Zheng, Weiping Lin, Yuji Yamashiro, Isamu Kitahara, John Ericson, Ozair Siddiqui, Wanyun Hsieh, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi
-
Publication number: 20210229029Abstract: Described herein are crosslinked graphene oxide and polycarboxylic acid based composite membranes that provide selective resistance for gases while providing water vapor permeability. Such composite membranes have a high water/air selectivity in permeability. The methods for making such membranes, and using the membranes for dehydrating or removing water vapor from gases are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2018Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Yuji Yamashiro, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Wanyun Hsieh, Ozair Siddiqui, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi, Hiroki Fujioka, Bita Bagge
-
Publication number: 20210178336Abstract: Described herein is a crosslinked graphene based composite membrane that provides selective resistance to fluids solutes while providing water permeability, such as a selectively permeable membrane comprising a crosslinked graphene with a polyvinyl alcohol and silica-nanoparticle layer that can provide enhanced water separation. Also described herein are methods for making such membranes and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: June 17, 2021Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Ozair Siddiqui, Yuji Yamashiro, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Rebecca Romero, Peng Wang, Shunsuke Noumi, Craig Roger Bartels, Wanyun Hsieh, Masahiko Hirose, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20200376443Abstract: Described herein are crosslinked graphene oxide and polycaroxylic acid based composite membranes that provide selective resistance for solutes while providing water permeability. Such composite membranes have a high water flux. The methods for making such membranes, and using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Yuji Yamashiro, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Wanyun Hsieh, Ozair Siddiqui, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi, Hiroki Fujioka
-
Publication number: 20200376442Abstract: Described herein are protective coatings for reverse osmosis membranes comprising coating mixtures of graphene oxide crosslinked with copolymers. The crosslinked GO copolymer mixture coatings provide protection from chlorine-based defoulers of saline water and unprocessed fluids. The coated membranes described herein create a reverse osmosis structure that has excellent water flux and salt rejection. The crosslinking copolymers can comprise an optionally substituted vinyl imidazole constituent unit and an optionally substituted acrylic amide constituent unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2018Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Isamu Kitahara, Ozair Siddiqui, Wan-Yun Hsieh, Peng Wang, Yuji Yamashiro, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20200261861Abstract: Described herein is a graphene and polyvinyl alcohol based multilayer composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes to pass the membrane while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising a crosslinked graphene with a polyvinyl alcohol and silica-nanoparticle layer that can provide enhanced salt separation from water, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Yuji Yamashiro, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Ozair Siddiqui, Wanyun Hsieh, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi
-
Publication number: 20200016547Abstract: Described herein is a crosslinked graphene and biopolymer (e.g. lignin) based composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes while providing water permeability. The membrane may include optional additional functional additives in a crosslinked material matrix that provides enhanced salt separation from water. Methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Weiping Lin, Yuji Yamashiro, Isamu Kitahara, John Ericson, Ozair Siddiqui, Wanyun Hsieh, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi
-
Publication number: 20200017377Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material-based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Makoto Kobuke, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Yuji Yamashiro, Masahiko Hirose, Shunsuke Noumi, Weiping Lin
-
Publication number: 20190388842Abstract: Described herein is a graphene and polyvinyl alcohol based multilayer composite membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes to pass through the membrane while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising a crosslinked graphene with a polyvinyl alcohol and an additive that can provide enhanced salt separation from water, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Yuji Yamashiro, Isamu Kitahara, Weiping Lin, John Ericson, Ozair Siddiqui, Wanyun Hsieh, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Makoto Kobuke, Shunsuke Noumi, Amane Mochizuki
-
Patent number: 10442709Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Makoto Kobuke, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Yuji Yamashiro, Masahiko Hirose, Shunsuke Noumi, Weiping Lin
-
Publication number: 20190194474Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material and polymer-based anti-microbial element that provides anti-microbial capabilities. Described is an element that can also comprise a support. Also described is an element where the support can be the article to be protected from microbial buildup. Also described are methods for preventing microbial fouling by applying the aforementioned anti-microbial elements and related devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: June 27, 2019Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Wanyun Hseih, Isamu Kitahara, John Ericson, Makoto Kobuke, Peng Wang
-
Patent number: 9861938Abstract: A spiral-wound forward osmosis membrane element (2) includes: a membrane leaf (23) in which an internal flow path extending from a first opening (26A) to a second opening (26B) is formed; and a central tube (31) around which the membrane leaf (23) is wound and which has a feed hole (31A) communicating with the first opening (26A) and a collection hole (31B) communicating with the second opening (26B). The central tube (31) has an interior partitioned to include an inflow region (3A) communicating with the feed hole (31A) and an outflow region (3B) communicating with the collection hole (31B) so that the inflow region (3A) and the outflow region (3B) each form a flow path extending continuously in an axial direction of the central tube (31) from one end to the other end of the central tube (3).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2013Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20170174537Abstract: Described herein is a graphene material based membrane that provides selective resistance for solutes or gas while providing water permeability. A selectively permeable membrane comprising graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, and also functionalized or crosslinked between the graphene, that provides enhanced salt separation from water or gas permeability resistance, methods for making such membranes, and methods of using the membranes for dehydrating or removing solutes from water are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2016Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: Shijun Zheng, Isamu Kitahara, Makoto Kobuke, Peng Wang, Craig Roger Bartels, Yuji Yamashiro, Masahiko Hirose, Shunsuke Noumi, Weiping Lin
-
Publication number: 20160279575Abstract: A flow path member (10) includes: a first net (11) having first filaments (11A) and second filaments (11B) that are joined together so that the first filaments (11A) extend in a first direction and form one surface of the first net (11) and the second filaments (11B) extend in a second direction that intersects the first direction and form the other surface of the first net (11); and second nets (12) each having smoother surfaces than the surfaces of the first net (11). The second nets (12) are disposed on both sides of the first net (11). Thus, damage to a separation membrane is reduced and pressure drop is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2014Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Makoto KOBUKE, Yasuhiro UDA
-
Publication number: 20150157984Abstract: A spiral-wound forward osmosis membrane element (2) includes: a membrane leaf (23) in which an internal flow path extending from a first opening (26A) to a second opening (26B) is formed; and a central tube (31) around which the membrane leaf (23) is wound and which has a feed hole (31A) communicating with the first opening (26A) and a collection hole (31B) communicating with the second opening (26B). The central tube (31) has an interior partitioned to include an inflow region (3A) communicating with the feed hole (31A) and an outflow region (3B) communicating with the collection hole (31B) so that the inflow region (3A) and the outflow region (3B) each form a flow path extending continuously in an axial direction of the central tube (31) from one end to the other end of the central tube (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Yasuhiro Uda, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20140110328Abstract: The forward osmosis membrane flow system (1) includes a high osmotic pressure fluid flow section (2) to which a high osmotic pressure fluid is supplied, a low osmotic pressure fluid flow section (3) to which a low osmotic pressure fluid with a lower osmotic pressure than that of the high osmotic pressure fluid is supplied, and a semipermeable membrane (4) that separates the high osmotic pressure fluid flow section and the low osmotic pressure fluid flow section from each other. A flow rate in the high osmotic pressure fluid flow section (2) is increased by an occurrence of fluid migration from the low osmotic pressure fluid flow section (3) into the high osmotic pressure fluid flow section (2) through the semipermeable membrane (4). The semipermeable membrane (4) is a composite semipermeable membrane with a polyamide-based skin layer formed on a porous epoxy resin membrane.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Takao Doi, Osamu Hayashi, Masahiko Hirose, Makoto Kobuke, Yoshihide Kawaguchi, Noriaki Harada
-
Publication number: 20140027370Abstract: A separation membrane module includes: a pressure container having a tubular shape; a plurality of separation membrane elements loaded in the pressure container so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the pressure container; and a coupling member coupling together the separation membrane elements adjacent to each other. The separation membrane element includes a central tube and a pair of end members 3A and 3B fixed to both end portions of the central tube. The coupling member 5A is configured to be engaged with at least one of the end members 3A and 3B located on both sides of the coupling member 5A. In addition, a sensor is mounted in the coupling member 5A.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2012Publication date: January 30, 2014Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Takahisa Konishi, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20130334124Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane module including: a tubular pressure container 7 in which a raw liquid is filtered through a separation membrane to produce a permeate liquid; and an internal member 5A provided in the pressure container 7. The internal member 5A is equipped with a sensor for detecting characteristics of at least one of the raw liquid and the permeate liquid. A detected signal generated by the sensor is transmitted from an antenna 65. The internal member 5A has an antenna holding portion 54 in which the antenna 65 is embedded. A gap between the antenna holding portion 54 and an inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure container 7 is sealed with a sealing member 42.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Takahisa Konishi, Kentarou Kobayashi, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20130277309Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a membrane filtration device able to supply electric power to a sensor under various conditions, including situations in which a plant is not operating. The membrane filtration device of the present invention comprises a membrane element for generating a permeate by filtering a liquid to be filtered through a filtration membrane, and includes a pressure-resistant container for containing the membrane element, a sensor for sensing the properties of the liquid flowing through the membrane filtration device, an electric-power-generating unit for generating electric power, and a primary battery. The sensor, the electric-power-generating unit, and the primary battery are provided inside the pressure-resistant container.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Shinichi Inoue, Takahisa Konishi, Kentarou Kobayashi, Makoto Kobuke
-
Publication number: 20130220002Abstract: A submodule is used to know exactly fouling of a membrane surface in a separation membrane module. The membrane separation apparatus of the present invention includes: a separation membrane module (1) configured to produce at least a permeate fluid from a feed fluid; and at least one submodule (2) having a separation membrane (23) made of the same material as a separation membrane in the separation membrane module (1). A deposition member (22) is provided on a surface of the separation membrane (23) in the submodule (2), and the feed fluid is supplied onto the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2011Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: NITTO DENKO CORPORATIONInventors: Kentarou Kobayashi, Takahisa Konishi, Makoto Kobuke, Kouji Maruyama, Makiko Namba