Patents Assigned to Kumamoto University
  • Publication number: 20160068933
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flame-retardant magnesium alloy having mechanical properties of a long period stacking ordered magnesium alloy and having an ignition temperature of 800° C. or more is provided. The method of manufacturing a flame-retardant magnesium alloy comprises a step of melting a flame-retardant magnesium alloy which contains a atomic % of Zn, b atomic % of Y, x atomic % of Ca and a residue of Mg, and a, b and x satisfy formulae 1 to 4 below. 0.5?a<5.0??(Formula 1) 0.5<b<5.0??(Formula 2) ?a???b??(Formula 3) 0<x?0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Yoshihito KAWAMURA, Jonghyun KIM
  • Patent number: 9190047
    Abstract: An acoustic signal processing device includes a frequency domain transform unit configured to transform an acoustic signal to a frequency domain signal for each channel, a filter coefficient calculation unit configured to calculate at least two sets of filter coefficients of a filter for each section having a predefined number of frames with respect to a sampled signal obtained by sampling the frequency domain signal transformed by the frequency domain transform unit for each frame such that the magnitude of a residual calculated based on a filter compensating for the difference in transfer characteristics between the channels of the acoustic signal is minimized, and an output signal calculation unit configured to calculate an output signal of a frequency domain based on the frequency domain signal transformed by the frequency domain transform unit and at least two sets of filter coefficients calculated by the filter coefficient calculation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Makoto Kumon, Yasuaki Oda
  • Patent number: 9167805
    Abstract: A method of producing a chimera animal, characterized by transplanting, into a host animal, an aggregate of a first pluripotent stem cell that is of interest to strain establishment, a second pluripotent stem cell in which the ability to form germ cells is absent or decreased, and embryo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Masatake Araki, Kimi Araki
  • Patent number: 9103780
    Abstract: A pretreatment device 10 for analysis of dissolved ions, which comprises: a sample solution flow channel 11 through which a sample solution containing dissolved ions flows; an acceptor solution flow channel 13 which is arranged adjacent to the sample solution flow channel 11 so as to intercalate a dialysis membrane 12 between the acceptor solution flow channel 13 and the sample solution flow channel 11; a pair of electrodes 14a, 14b which are so arranged as to intercalate the sample solution flow channel 11 and the acceptor solution flow channel 13 therebetween, wherein one of the pair of electrodes 14a, 14b is provided on the sample solution flow channel 11, and the other one of the pair of electrodes 14a, 14b is provided on the acceptor solution flow channel 13; a direct current power source 5 which enables the generation of a predetermined potential difference between the electrodes 14a, 14b; and an electrode separator 15 provided between the dialysis membrane 12 and an inside surface of the electrode prov
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shin-Ichi Ohira, Kei Toda, Purnendu K. Dasgupta
  • Publication number: 20150160194
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method for screening a substance capable of promoting induction of induced pluripotent stem cells from cells derived from an individual affected by a disease for which it is impossible to produce induced pluripotent stem cells simply by introducing reprogramming genes. The present invention provides a method for screening a substance, which comprises culturing cells derived from an individual affected by a disease for which it is impossible to produce induced pluripotent stem cells simply by introducing reprogramming genes, the cells being transfected with reprogramming genes, in the presence of test substances, and selecting a test substance capable of promoting induction of induced pluripotent stem cells from the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Takumi Era
  • Patent number: 9051733
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for suppressing vibrations of a structure includes: a slide body mechanism having a concave slide body and a convex slide body which are fixed to the structure and are arranged so as to be slidable relative to each other in a reciprocating manner; and a biasing means which pushes the slide bodies to each other. Each slide body has: a first slide surface having a shape which increases a height of the slide body mechanism 2 along with the increase of a displacement amount of the slide body in one sliding direction from a neutral position relative to the counterpart slide body; and a second slide surface having a shape by which the height of the slide body mechanism is increased along with the increase of the displacement of the slide body in the other sliding direction from the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignees: National University Corporation Kumamoto University, Kimigafuchi Gakuen
    Inventors: Toshitaka Yamao, Takuro Katayama, Koji Azuma
  • Publication number: 20150052625
    Abstract: The present invention provides embryonic stem cells obtainable from an embryo of an immunodeficient mouse which is deficient in both Rag2 and Jak3 genes by culture in the presence of a GSK3 inhibitor and an MEK inhibitor, as well as a transgenic mouse, which is created with the use of these embryonic stem cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicants: Trans Genic Inc., National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Ken-ichi Yamamura, Kimi Araki, Seiji Okada, Akihiko Shimono
  • Patent number: 8944307
    Abstract: A welding method of applying energy to an interface where a metal glass and a crystalline metal make contact with each other or to the metal glass near the interface, heating and melting the metal glass to form a molten layer, and joining the metal glass and the crystalline metal. The metal glass has a glass formation ability in which a nose time of a TTT curve when a solid of the metal glass is reheated is 0.2 seconds or more. The metal glass and the crystalline metal are formed with a material that satisfies a temperature range of a temperature of the metal glass at which a spread factor of the crystalline metal that has not been melted and the molten metal glass is 25% or more and a melting point of the crystalline metal to be 100 K or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: National University Corporation Kumamoto University, Kuroki Kogosyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Kawamura, Jonghyun Kim, Hironori Kuroki, Yuji Yanagida, Naohisa Sawai, Masafumi Miyajima
  • Patent number: 8940270
    Abstract: To provide a sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst, particularly, a sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst capable of lowering the temperature required when producing hydrogen by an S—I cycle process. A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst comprising a composite oxide of vanadium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metal and rare earth elements is provided. Also, a sulfur dioxide production process comprising decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by using the sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst above, is provided. Furthermore, a hydrogen production process, wherein the reaction of decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by an S—I cycle process is performed by the above-described sulfur dioxide production process, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeshima, Masato Machida
  • Patent number: 8932555
    Abstract: A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst, in particular, a sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst capable of lowering the temperature required when producing hydrogen by an S—I cycle process is disclosed. A sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst that includes a composite oxide of tungsten, vanadium and at least one metal selected from the group consisting of transition metal and rare earth elements is provided. Also, a sulfur dioxide production process that includes decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by using the sulfur trioxide decomposition catalyst above is provided. Furthermore, a hydrogen production process, wherein the reaction of decomposing sulfur trioxide into sulfur dioxide and oxygen by an S—I cycle process is performed by the above-described sulfur dioxide production process is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Shinichi Takeshima, Masato Machida
  • Patent number: 8877082
    Abstract: Disclosed is a processing method which can achieve a high processing rate, and is capable of making a surface smooth. In order to achieve this an SiC substrate is arranged in a potassium hydroxide solution containing hydrogen peroxide, and ultraviolent radiation is irradiated on the surface of the SiC substrate. An SiO2 layer is formed on the surface of the SiC substrate due to the irradiation of ultraviolet radiation, and this SiO2 layer is chemically removed by means of the potassium hydroxide solution, and also removed by a synthetic quartz surface plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Akihisa Kubota, Mutsumi Touge
  • Publication number: 20140311769
    Abstract: A composite conductor 10, including an internal layer 11 having a conductive material A, the conductive material A having fatigue strength of at least 150 MPa after being subjected to 106 cycles of cyclic loading in a fatigue test, and an external layer 12 having a conductive material B, the external layer coating the internal layer 11, the conductive material B having tensile strength higher than that of the conductive material A, the tensile strength being at least 250 MPa, in which the composite conductor 10 has fracture resistance to a sudden load and impact as well as bending durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicants: DYDEN CORPORATION, FUKUOKA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hiroyuki In, Fumiyo Annou, Daisuke Matsunaga, Hiromoto Kitahara, Shinji Ando, Masayuki Tsushida, Toshifumi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8844367
    Abstract: A measurement unit for tensile or compressive stress can includes a CCD camera for detecting an interference light, the interference light being formed with a measurement beam from a measured region and a reference beam from a reference mirror. A first objective lens can have the reference mirror. An image processing apparatus can measure the three-dimensional shape of the measured region from the position of the first objective lens at which the interference light provides the maximum contrast and can measure the distance between two gauge points on the basis of the three-dimensional shape. When strain is generated on a micromaterial, the strain against the measured tensile stress is measured on the basis of the tensile stress and the distance between the two gauge points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Kazuki Takashima, Masaaki Otsu, Mitsuhiro Matsuda, Hiroaki Kurahara, Hidetaka Maeda, Tadahiro Yonekura
  • Publication number: 20140289878
    Abstract: A method for producing a model animal which has a desired lifetime, and in which a predetermined biological reaction can be induced, and a model animal are provided. The present invention produces a first individual in which a gene of interest is heterozygously deficient using a first ES cell from a non-human mammalian animal. Meanwhile, a fragment containing a homologous gene that has homology to the gene of interest is made, a second ES cell constituted so that a predetermined region on X chromosome of the animal can be substituted is used, and the fragment is introduced into the second ES cell to generate a substituted ES cell in which the predetermined region has been substituted with the fragment. A second individual is produced using the substituted ES cell. The first individual and the second individual are mated with each other to produce a model animal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Masaki Ohmuraya, Kimi Araki
  • Patent number: 8841508
    Abstract: The present invention provides a non-human mammalian animal model for type 2 diabetes, which spontaneously develops a pathological condition similar to human type 2 diabetes of a non-obese type seen in some Japanese people. The non-human mammalian animal model for type 2 diabetes according to the present invention is deficient in a Cdkal1 gene function on the chromosome of the ? cell of the pancreas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignees: National University Corporation, Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Kazuhito Tomizawa, Fanyan Wei
  • Publication number: 20140256043
    Abstract: A purpose of the present invention is to provide a small chemical compound which especially promotes induction of the differentiation of ES cells into insulin-producing cells. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide: a method for inducing the differentiation of ES cells into insulin-producing cells using the compound; and an agent for promoting induction of the differentiation into insulin-producing cells. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide the thus-induced insulin-producing cells. Provided are: an agent for promoting induction of the differentiation of stem cells derived from a mammal into insulin-producing cells, which contains a compound that is selected from the group consisting of dopamine metabolism inhibitors, serotonin metabolism inhibitors, acetylchotine, acetylcholine degrading enzyme inhibitors and acetylcholine receptor activators; and a method for inducing differentiation using the agent for promoting induction of differentiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicants: Kyoto University, National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Shoen Kume, Daisuke Sakano, Nobuaki Shiraki, Kahoko Umeda, Taiji Yamazoe, Kazuhiko Kume, Motonari Uesugi
  • Publication number: 20140255942
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing pluripotent cells that are free of the risk of cellular canceration and that can be applied to regenerative medicine with a high degree of safety. The present invention provides a method for producing pluripotent cells from somatic cells comprising a step of bringing bacteria having fermentation ability or a component or secretory product thereof into contact with somatic cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Kunimasa Ohta
  • Patent number: 8829902
    Abstract: A functional image creating method and a functional image creating apparatus, each enabling rendering of an activated region, are provided. A phase difference image PDr(x) is created using a complex image ?r(x) created from an MR signal in an inactive state and a complex image ??r(x) obtained by filtering the complex image ?r(x). A phase difference image PDa(x) is created using a complex image ?a(x) created from an MR signal in an active state and a complex image ??a(x) obtained by filtering the complex image ?a(x). Function signal images diff1(x) and diff2(x) are created using the phase difference images PDr(x) and PDa(x), respectively. A magnitude image Mr(x), a magnitude image Ma(x), a standard image, or a morphological image I(x) is masked with the function signal image diff1(x) or diff2(x), thereby a function image I?(x) with an activated region rendered is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoneda, Yasuhiro Hiai
  • Publication number: 20140225042
    Abstract: A flexible conductive material and a cable using the same, being resistant to one million times or more of dynamic driving and particularly suitable for wiring robots or automobiles. An average crystal grain size of crystal grains 20 forming a metal texture of a base material is 2 ?m or less, in which the crystal grains 20 being 1 ?tm or less are included at least 20% or more in a cross sectional ratio. Also, it is preferable to include 0.1 mass % to 20 mass % of nanoparticles 22.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: DYDEN CORPORATION, NAT'L UNIVERSITY CORPORATION KUMAMOTO UNIVERSITY, FUKUOKA PREFECTURAL GOVERNMENT
    Inventors: Hiroyuki In, Fumiyo Annou, Daisuke Matsunaga, Hiromoto Kitahara, Shinji Ando, Masayuki Tsushida, Toshifumi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20140228299
    Abstract: The present invention provides an agent for neurological disease, the agent comprising lipoprotein containing apolipoprotein E as the active substance thereof, in which a neuroprotective system via activation of neuroprotective molecules and/or the inactivation of neurodegeneration-inducing molecules, mediated by lipoprotein receptors, may work as a mechanism, and a prophylactic and therapeutic method for neurological diseases. The lipoproteins containing apolipoprotein E and/or neuroprotective system through, as the action mechanism, the activation of neuroprotective molecules and the inactivation of neurodegeneration-inducing molecules that are mediated by lipoprotein receptors have prophylactic and therapeutic effects of, including, inhibiting nerve cell apoptosis, on neurological disease such as various neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by nerve cell apoptosis as the essential condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University, National University Corporation Kumamoto University
    Inventor: Hideki Hayashi