Patents by Inventor Don N. Futaba

Don N. Futaba 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: 10494262
    Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Don N. Futaba
  • Patent number: 10040686
    Abstract: A CNT dispersion liquid of the preset invention includes a CNT agglomerate arranged with a mesh body formed from a plurality of CNTs, the CNT agglomerate being dispersed in a dispersion medium is provided wherein a CNT agglomerate is obtained by extracting from the dispersion liquid and drying the CNT agglomerate the obtained CNT agglomerate has a pore size of 0.02 ?m or more and 2.0 ?m or less being maximized a differential pore volume in a pore size range of 0.002 ?m or more and 10.00 ?m or less measured using a mercury intrusion porosimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Kazufumi Kobashi, Don N. Futaba
  • Patent number: 10011490
    Abstract: A CNT dispersion liquid of the preset invention includes a CNT agglomerate arranged with a mesh body formed from a plurality of CNTs, the CNT agglomerate being dispersed in a dispersion medium is provided wherein a CNT agglomerate is obtained by extracting from the dispersion liquid and drying the CNT agglomerate the obtained CNT agglomerate has a pore size of 0.02 ?m or more and 2.0 ?m or less being maximized a differential pore volume in a pore size range of 0.002 ?m or more and 10.00 ?m or less measured using a mercury intrusion porosimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Kazufumi Kobashi, Don N. Futaba
  • Publication number: 20180016146
    Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Don N. FUTABA
  • Patent number: 9809457
    Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Don N. Futaba
  • Patent number: 8883260
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for efficiently producing a high-purity CNT assembly of a high specific surface area are provided in which a feedstock gas is contacted to a catalyst in an optimum form for CNT growth. A carbon nanotube producing apparatus of the present invention includes: a synthesis furnace; a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe in communication with the synthesis furnace; heating means that heats inside of the synthesis furnace to a predetermined temperature; and gas blowing means that blows a feedstock gas into the synthesis furnace after the feedstock gas is supplied through the gas supply pipe. The feedstock gas supplied through the gas supply pipe is supplied into a heating region of the synthesis furnace heated by the heating means, so as to produce a carbon nanotube from a surface of a catalyst layer provided on a base. The feedstock gas is evacuated through the gas exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Satoshi Yasuda, Don N. Futaba, Motoo Yumura
  • Publication number: 20130337707
    Abstract: The present invention is a carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape. The carbon nanotube aggregate having a three-dimensional shape includes a first surface, a second surface and a side surface, wherein a carbon nanotube of the first surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, a carbon nanotube of the second surface has a Herman orientation coefficient greater than ?0.1 and smaller than 0.2, and a carbon nanotube of the side surface has degree of orientation in which a Herman orientation coefficient is 0.2 or more and 0.99 or less, and the first surface and second surface are mutually arranged in parallel and the side surface is perpendicular with respect to the first surface and second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Don N. FUTABA
  • Publication number: 20130316160
    Abstract: A CNT dispersion liquid of the preset invention includes a CNT agglomerate arranged with a mesh body formed from a plurality of CNTs, the CNT agglomerate being dispersed in a dispersion medium is provided wherein a CNT agglomerate is obtained by extracting from the dispersion liquid and drying the CNT agglomerate the obtained CNT agglomerate has a pore size of 0.02 ?m or more and 2.0 ?m or less being maximized a differential pore volume in a pore size range of 0.002 ?m or more and 10.00 ?m or less measured using a mercury intrusion porosimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Kazufumi KOBASHI, Don N. FUTABA
  • Publication number: 20130244019
    Abstract: A CNT aggregate formed from a plurality of CNT's is provided, the CNT aggregate having a storage modulus (G25° C.?) at 25° C. obtained by a dynamic mechanical analysis in a 1 Hz frequency in shear-mode of 104 Pa or more and 109 Pa or less, a loss modulus (G25° C.?) at 25° C. obtained by a dynamic mechanical analysis in a 1 Hz frequency in shear-mode of 103 Pa or more and 108 Pa or less, a damping ratio (tan ?(=G25° C.?/G25° C.?)) at 25° C. obtained by a dynamic mechanical analysis in a 1 Hz frequency in shear-mode of 10?3 or more and 1 or less, and a distribution maximum of a pore diameter calculated using a BJH method from an adsorption isotherm of liquid nitrogen of the CNT aggregate being 50 nm or less.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science Technology
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Don N. FUTABA, Ming XU
  • Patent number: 8329135
    Abstract: An aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure in which various properties such as density and hardness are controlled depending on the place is provided. An aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure having different density portions is an aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure provided with a high-density portion applied with a density-increasing treatment and an low-density portion and having a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNT) aligned in a predetermined direction, in which the structure has 1:3 or more of the degree of anisotropy in the alignment direction and in the direction vertical to the alignment direction and, in the (002) peak of the X-ray diffraction data in the high density region, the intensity of X-ray incident along the orientation direction is higher than that of the X-ray intensity from the direction vertical to the alignment direction, and the degree of alignment is defined by specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Don N. Futaba, Motoo Yumura, Sumio Iijima
  • Patent number: 8318308
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Sumio Iijima, Motoo Yumura, Don N. Futaba
  • Publication number: 20120231163
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for efficiently producing a high-purity CNT assembly of a high specific surface area are provided in which a feedstock gas is contacted to a catalyst in an optimum form for CNT growth. A carbon nanotube producing apparatus of the present invention includes: a synthesis furnace; a gas supply pipe and a gas exhaust pipe in communication with the synthesis furnace; heating means that heats inside of the synthesis furnace to a predetermined temperature; and gas blowing means that blows a feedstock gas into the synthesis furnace after the feedstock gas is supplied through the gas supply pipe. The feedstock gas supplied through the gas supply pipe is supplied into a heating region of the synthesis furnace heated by the heating means, so as to produce a carbon nanotube from a surface of a catalyst layer provided on a base. The feedstock gas is evacuated through the gas exhaust pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Satoshi Yasuda, Don N. Futaba, Motoo Yumura
  • Patent number: 8202505
    Abstract: An aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure capable of attaining high density and high hardness not found so far. The aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure has a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) applied with a density-increasing treatment, and having alignment in a predetermined direction, the structure has a degree of anisotropy of 1:3 or more between the direction of alignment and the direction vertical to the direction of alignment, and the intensity by irradiating X-rays along the direction of alignment is higher than the intensity by irradiating X-rays from the direction vertical to the direction of alignment at a (002) peak in X-ray diffraction data, and the degree of alignment thereof satisfies predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Don N. Futaba, Motoo Yumura, Sumio Iijima
  • Publication number: 20120148476
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for continuously and stably producing a CNT assembly having a high specific surface area in a catalyst activating substance-containing, high-carbon-concentration environment. Specifically disclosed is a method for growing a carbon nanotube by contacting a feedstock gas and a catalyst-activating substance to a catalyst on a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Don N. Futaba, Motoo Yumura
  • Publication number: 20120122020
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Sumio IIJIMA, Motoo YUMURA, Don N. FUTABA
  • Patent number: 8178203
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-walled CNT aggregate comprising a substrate, fine particles of iron catalyst with a density of 1×1011 to 1×1014/cm2 disposed on an alumina co-catalyst above the substrate, and a plurality of single-walled CNTs grown from the fine particles of the iron catalyst, in which the plurality of single-walled CNTs have a specific surface area of 600 m2/g to 2600 m2/g, and a weight density from 0.002 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3, and the alignment degree which satisfies a few of specific conditions. This invention also provides a bulk aligned single-walled carbon nanotube aggregate and a powdered aligned single-walled carbon nanotube aggregate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Sumio Iijima, Motoo Yumura, Don N. Futaba
  • Patent number: 8114518
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Sumio Iijima, Motoo Yumura, Don N. Futaba
  • Publication number: 20110117365
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Sumio IIjima, Motoo Yumura, Don N. Futaba
  • Publication number: 20110008617
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-walled CNT aggregate comprising a substrate, fine particles of iron catalyst with a density of 1×1011 to 1×1014/cm2 disposed on an alumina co-catalyst above the substrate, and a plurality of single-walled CNTs grown from the fine particles of the iron catalyst, in which the plurality of single-walled CNTs have a specific surface area of 600 m2/g to 2600 m2/g, and a weight density from 0.002 g/cm3 to 0.2 g/cm3, and the alignment degree which satisfies a few of specific conditions. This invention also provides a bulk aligned single-walled carbon nanotube aggregate and a powdered aligned single-walled carbon nanotube aggregate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Kenji HATA, Sumio IIJIMA, Motoo YUMURA, Don N. FUTABA
  • Patent number: 7854991
    Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kenji Hata, Sumio Iijima, Motoo Yumura, Don N. Futaba