Patents by Inventor Tomohiro Kuroha

Tomohiro Kuroha 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: 9114379
    Abstract: The present invention is a niobium nitride which has a composition represented by the composition formula Nb3N5 and in which a constituent element Nb has a valence of substantially +5. The method for producing the niobium nitride of the present invention includes the step of nitriding an organic niobium compound by reacting the organic niobium compound with a nitrogen compound gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Tomohiro Kuroha, Nobuhiro Miyata, Satoru Tamura, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Kazuhito Hato
  • Patent number: 9079158
    Abstract: The present invention is a niobium nitride which has a composition represented by the composition formula Nb3N5 and in which a constituent element Nb has a valence of substantially +5. The method for producing the niobium nitride of the present invention includes the step of nitriding an organic niobium compound by reacting the organic niobium compound with a nitrogen compound gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Tomohiro Kuroha, Nobuhiro Miyata, Satoru Tamura, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Kazuhito Hato
  • Patent number: 8951447
    Abstract: The optically pumped semiconductor according to the present invention is an optically pumped semiconductor that is a semiconductor of a perovskite oxide. The optically pumped semiconductor has a composition represented by a general formula: BaZr1-xMxO3-?, where M denotes at least one element selected from trivalent elements, x denotes a numerical value more than 0 but less than 0.8, and ? denotes an amount of oxygen deficiency that is a numerical value more than 0 but less than 1.5. The optically pumped semiconductor has a crystal system of a cubic, tetragonal, or orthorhombic crystal. When lattice constants of the crystal system are referred to as a, b, and c, provided that a?b?c, conditions that 0.41727 nm?a, b, c?0.42716 nm and a/c?0.98 are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Taniguchi, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Takahiro Suzuki, Tomohiro Kuroha, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hatoh
  • Publication number: 20140356739
    Abstract: A polymer electrolyte fuel cell according to the present invention includes: a unit cell including a membrane-electrode assembly and a pair of separators; a manifold; a gas introducing member; and a first member. A recess is formed at a gas lead-out port side of the gas introducing member so as to be connected to the gas lead-out port. The first member is provided such that a communication portion thereof communicates with the manifold. The gas introducing member is provided such that: the recess communicates with the communication portion; and when viewed from a thickness direction of the polymer electrolyte membrane, the gas lead-out port and a main surface of the first member overlap each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kuroha, Shinsuke Takeguchi, Satoshi Otani, Yasushi Sugawara, Mitsuo Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 8821700
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121), a first n-type semiconductor layer (122) having a nanotube array structure, and a second n-type semiconductor layer (123); a counter electrode (130) connected to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with the second n-type semiconductor layer (123) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kuroha, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Noboru Taniguchi, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro
  • Patent number: 8734625
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation device (100) of the present invention includes: a transparent substrate (1); a photocatalytic electrode (4) formed of a transparent conductive layer (2) and a photocatalytic layer (3) disposed on the transparent substrate (1); a counter electrode (8) connected electrically to the transparent conductive layer (2); a water-containing electrolyte solution layer provided between the photocatalytic electrode (3) and the counter electrode (8); a separator (6) that separates the electrolyte solution layer into a first electrolyte solution layer (5) in contact with the photocatalytic electrode (4) and a second electrolyte solution layer (7) in contact with the counter electrode (8); a first gas outlet (14) for discharging a gas generated in the first electrolyte solution layer (5); and a second gas outlet (15) for discharging a gas generated in the second electrolyte solution layer (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hatoh, Noboru Taniguchi, Tomohiro Kuroha, Kenichi Tokuhiro
  • Publication number: 20140057187
    Abstract: The present invention is a niobium nitride which has a composition represented by the composition formula Nb3N5 and in which a constituent element Nb has a valence of substantially +5. The method for producing the niobium nitride of the present invention includes the step of nitriding an organic niobium compound by reacting the organic niobium compound with a nitrogen compound gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Tomohiro Kuroha, Nobuhiro Miyata, Satoru Tamura, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Kazuhito Hato
  • Patent number: 8518848
    Abstract: A titanium oxide photocatalyst that is capable of improving a decomposition rate, and a method for producing the same are provided. The titanium oxide photocatalyst of the present invention is a titanium oxide photocatalyst containing at least an anatase-type titanium oxide and fluorine, wherein a content of the fluorine is 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, and 90 wt % or more of the fluorine is chemically bonded to the anatase-type titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Taniguchi, Shuzo Tokumitsu, Tomohiro Kuroha, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Akio Nakashima, Keita Kobayashi, Shinji Nakahara
  • Patent number: 8454807
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (1) is a photoelectrochemical cell for decomposing water by irradiation with light so as to produce hydrogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Tomohiro Kuroha, Noboru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Hatoh, Shuzo Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8367050
    Abstract: Provided are a photocatalytic material that improves a decomposition performance and a decomposition rate, as well as a photocatalytic member and a purification device in which the photocatalytic material is used. The photocatalytic member is a photocatalytic member (1) that includes a substrate (10) and a photocatalyst layer (11) formed on a surface of the substrate (10), wherein the photocatalyst layer (11) contains a titanium oxide photocatalyst and zeolite, the titanium oxide photocatalyst containing at least an anatase-type titanium oxide and fluorine, in which a content of the fluorine in the titanium oxide photocatalyst is 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, and 90 wt % or more of the fluorine is chemically bonded to the anatase-type titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Noboru Taniguchi, Tomohiro Kuroha, Shuzo Tokumitsu, Kenichi Tokuhiro
  • Publication number: 20120285823
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation device (100) of the present invention includes: a transparent substrate (1); a photocatalytic electrode (4) formed of a transparent conductive layer (2) and a photocatalytic layer (3) disposed on the transparent substrate (1); a counter electrode (8) connected electrically to the transparent conductive layer (2); a water-containing electrolyte solution layer provided between the photocatalytic electrode (3) and the counter electrode (8); a separator (6) that separates the electrolyte solution layer into a first electrolyte solution layer (5) in contact with the photocatalytic electrode (4) and a second electrolyte solution layer (7) in contact with the counter electrode (8); a first gas outlet (14) for discharging a gas generated in the first electrolyte solution layer (5); and a second gas outlet (15) for discharging a gas generated in the second electrolyte solution layer (7).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hatoh, Noboru Taniguchi, Tomohiro Kuroha, Kenichi Tokuhiro
  • Publication number: 20120276464
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121), a first n-type semiconductor layer (122) having a nanotube array structure, and a second n-type semiconductor layer (123); a counter electrode (130) connected to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with the second n-type semiconductor layer (123) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kuroha, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Noboru Taniguchi, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro
  • Patent number: 8236146
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121) and an n-type semiconductor layer (122); a counter electrode (130) connected electrically to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with the surfaces of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140). The photoelectrochemical cell (100) generates hydrogen by irradiation of the n-type semiconductor layer (122) with light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Tomohiro Kuroha, Noboru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Hatoh, Shuzo Tokumitsu
  • Publication number: 20120156578
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (100) includes: a semiconductor electrode (120) including a conductor (121) and semiconductor layers (122, 123) disposed on the conductor (121); a counter electrode (130) connected electrically to the conductor (121); an electrolyte (140) in contact with surfaces of the semiconductor layer (123) and the counter electrode (130); and a container (110) accommodating the semiconductor electrode (120), the counter electrode (130) and the electrolyte (140). A band edge level ECS of a conduction band, a band edge level EVS of a valence band, and a Fermi level EFS in a surface near-field region of the semiconductor layer, and a band edge level ECJ of a conduction band, a band edge level EVJ of a valence band, and a Fermi level EFJ in a junction plane near-field region of the semiconductor layer with the conductor satisfy, relative to a vacuum level, ECS-EFS>ECJ-EFJ, EFS-EVS<EFJ-EVJ, ECJ>?4.44 eV, and EVS<?5.67 eV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru Taniguchi, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Takahiro Suzuki, Tomohiro Kuroha, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Satoru Tamura
  • Publication number: 20120157300
    Abstract: A titanium oxide photocatalyst that is capable of improving a decomposition rate, and a method for producing the same are provided. The titanium oxide photocatalyst of the present invention is a titanium oxide photocatalyst containing at least an anatase-type titanium oxide and fluorine, wherein a content of the fluorine is 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, and 90 wt % or more of the fluorine is chemically bonded to the anatase-type titanium oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicants: SAKAI CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD., PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noboru TANIGUCHI, Shuzo TOKUMITSU, Tomohiro KUROHA, Kenichi TOKUHIRO, Akio NAKASHIMA, Keita KOBAYASHI, Shinji NAKAHARA
  • Publication number: 20120117919
    Abstract: A novel method for storing a photocatalytic member containing fluorine-containing anatase-type titanium oxide is provided, which is capable of suppressing the decrease in content of fluorine during storage in a photocatalytic member containing fluorine-containing anatase-type titanium oxide. The storage method of the present invention is a method for storing a photocatalytic member containing fluorine-containing anatase-type titanium oxide including storing the photocatalytic member in a surrounding environment with a relative humidity of 30% or less. According to the storage method of the present invention, for example, the elimination of fluorine from the surface of fluorine-containing titanium oxide can be suppressed, and the decrease in content of fluorine during storage in a photocatalytic member can be suppressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Tokuhiro, Noboru Taniguchi, Tomohiro Kuroha, Shuzo Tokumitsu, Yoshihiro Tsuji, Jun Inagaki, Masashi Nishiguchi
  • Publication number: 20120080310
    Abstract: A photoelectrochemical cell (1) includes: an optical semiconductor electrode (first electrode) (3) including a conductive substrate (3a) and an n-type semiconductor layer (3b) as an optical semiconductor layer disposed on the conductive substrate (3a); a counter electrode (second electrode) (4) disposed to face the surface of the optical semiconductor electrode (3) on the conductive substrate (3a) side and connected electrically to the conductive substrate (3a); an electrolyte solution (11) containing water and disposed in contact with the surface of the n-type semiconductor layer (3b) and the surface of the counter electrode (4); a container (2) in which the optical semiconductor electrode (3), the counter electrode (4), and the electrolyte solution (11) are disposed; an inlet (5) for supplying water into the container; and an ion passing portion (12) that allows ions to move between the electrolyte solution in a region A on the surface side of the n-type semiconductor layer (3b) and the electrolyte solution
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Tomohiro Kuroha, Noboru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Hatoh, Shuzo Tokumitsu
  • Patent number: 8148289
    Abstract: A titanium oxide photocatalyst that is capable of improving a decomposition rate, and a method for producing the same are provided. The titanium oxide photocatalyst of the present invention is a titanium oxide photocatalyst containing at least an anatase-type titanium oxide and fluorine, wherein a content of the fluorine is 2.5 wt % to 3.5 wt %, and 90 wt % or more of the fluorine is chemically bonded to the anatase-type titanium oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignees: Panasonic Corporation, Sakai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noboru Taniguchi, Shuzo Tokumitsu, Tomohiro Kuroha, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Akio Nakashima, Keita Kobayashi, Shinji Nakahara
  • Publication number: 20120063967
    Abstract: A hydrogen generation system (2A) includes a hydrogen generation unit (201) that holds a first liquid containing water and that allows a part of the water contained in the first liquid to be decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, and at least a part of the first liquid to be heated, by being irradiated with sunlight, a first heat exchanger (207) that cools the first liquid heated in the hydrogen generation unit (201) and heats the second liquid by heat exchange between the first liquid and the second liquid, and a mechanism (for example, a circulation line (204) and a pump (205)) that introduces the first liquid cooled in the first heat exchanger (207) into the hydrogen generation unit (201).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Tokuhiro, Kazuhito Hatoh, Takaiki Nomura, Tomohiro Kuroha, Noboru Taniguchi, Takahiro Suzuki, Satoru Tamura, Atsuo Okaichi, Norihiro Miyamura
  • Publication number: 20110315545
    Abstract: A hydrogen generating device (100) includes: a housing (1) that is capable of holding a liquid therein, and that is at least partially transmissive to light; an electrolyte that is held in the housing (1) and that contains water; a photoelectrode (2) that is arranged in the housing (1), that has a first surface in contact with the electrolyte, and that generates gas through decomposition of the water by being irradiated with light transmitted through the housing (1); and a conductor (3) that is arranged in a region on the second surface side opposite to the first surface side with respect to the photoelectrode (2) inside the housing (1), that has a surface in contact with the electrolyte, and that is connected electrically with the photoelectrode (2). The conductor (3) has a groove portion (3a) that is provided on the surface in contact with the electrolyte, and that extends along the flow direction of the generated gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kuroha, Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Suzuki, Kenichi Tokuhiro, Noboru Taniguchi, Kazuhito Hatoh, Shuzo Tokumitsu