Patents by Inventor Gaku IMAMURA

Gaku IMAMURA 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: 11774346
    Abstract: In an analysis of a fluid component using a nanomechanical sensor covered with a receptor, the same receptor is caused to express different response characteristics. In a measuring system of analyzing a response when a sample gas and a purge gas are supplied to a nanomechanical sensor while switching the sample gas and the purge gas, a gas (external gas) different from both gases is mixed into a gas channel and supplied to the sensor for measurement. Since a response characteristic of a receptor is modulated by mixing of the external gas, the object described above is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kosuke Minami, Gaku Imamura, Kota Shiba, Genki Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20230273183
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily determine a presence or absence of ketosis and/or the possibility of ketosis in an animal on site or the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for performing the determination. A method for determining ketosis according to one embodiment of the present invention includes providing gas detection means with a gas generated from a body fluid collected from an animal (except for humans), and determining ketosis of the animal based on a composition of the gas generated from the body fluid using a response of the gas detection means to the gas generated from the body fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Ryoh NAKAKUBO, Mitsuyoshi ISHIDA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Kosuke MINAMI, Gaku IMAMURA, Hideki MATSUZAKA, Takahiro NEMOTO
  • Publication number: 20230147626
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily evaluate silage fermentation quality on site or the like. In one embodiment of the present invention, a gas generated from silage is applied to a surface stress sensor, and the amount of either one of organic acids and nitrogen-containing compounds contained in the silage is determined. The surface stress sensor can detect trace components in a gas by a simple device configuration and in simple procedures. Therefore, by utilizing the fact that relationship between the content of these components and the fermentation quality is known, the evaluation of fermentation quality can be easily realized by the above measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Ryo NAKAKUBO, Mitsuyoshi ISHIDA, Masanori TOHNO, Hisami KOBAYASHI, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Kosuke MINAMI, Gaku IMAMURA, Hideki MATSUZAKA, Takahiro NEMOTO
  • Publication number: 20220291185
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to detect ammonia with high sensitivity and high selectivity using a nanomechanical sensor with a structure that is as simple as possible. A method for detecting ammonia according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises supplying a sample gas possibly containing ammonia to a nanomechanical sensor that detects a stress or a displacement using poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic anhydride) as a material of a receptor layer, and detecting presence or absence of ammonia or a content of ammonia in the sample gas based on an output signal from the nanomechanical sensor, in which the sample gas is a humidified sample gas with controlled relative humidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Gaku IMAMURA, Kosuke MINAMI, Kota SHIBA, Genki YOSHIKAWA
  • Patent number: 11442051
    Abstract: Provided is a novel analysis method which, when a chemical sensor is used to perform a measurement, makes it possible to identify a sample without controlling or monitoring a change in the time the sample is introduced. According to the present invention, a sample can be identified without knowing a change in the time the sample is introduced, by using a chemical sensor having a plurality of channels each having different characteristics to perform a measurement, and performing an analysis on the basis of responses obtained from each channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Gaku Imamura, Genki Yoshikawa, Takashi Washio
  • Patent number: 11391687
    Abstract: The invention provides: a gas sensor device that is capable of removing a component adsorbed on a gas sensor by relatively simple means and easily restoring a signal baseline of the gas sensor to a constant state; and a method for removing a gas component. The gas sensor device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a gas sensor and cleaning means that contains a liquid for cleaning the gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a sensor main body that is capable of detecting a characteristic parameter of a component present in a gas phase or a liquid phase, and a sensitive membrane that is coated on a surface of the sensor main body and is durable against the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE, KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Genki Yoshikawa, Kota Shiba, Gaku Imamura, Takanori Yasuda, Kyohei Kobayashi, Hisashi Sakai
  • Patent number: 11353437
    Abstract: Provided is a novel analysis method that enables identification of a sample even when any sample is introduced during measurement carried out by using a chemical sensor. An input in which the amount of an unknown sample changes over time is provided to the chemical sensor, a response which is from the chemical sensor and which changes over time is measured, a sensor function (transmission function) of the chemical sensor with respect to the unknown sample is calculated on the basis of the input and the response, and the unknown sample is identified on the basis of the sensor function of the chemical sensor with respect to the unknown sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Gaku Imamura, Genki Yoshikawa, Takashi Washio
  • Publication number: 20220057372
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen sensor having a high sensitivity and low hysteresis characteristics while having a simple configuration and low cost. The present invention shows that a membrane-type surface stress sensor having an amorphous palladium-copper-silicon alloy as a sensitive film has low hysteresis and can detect a nitrogen gas to which hydrogen at a very low concentration of 0.25 ppm is added and a pure nitrogen gas with a sufficiently high S/N ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Taro YAKABE, Gaku IMAMURA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Akiko NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20210199563
    Abstract: In an analysis of a fluid component using a nanomechanical sensor covered with a receptor, the same receptor is caused to express different response characteristics. In a measuring system of analyzing a response when a sample gas and a purge gas are supplied to a nanomechanical sensor while switching the sample gas and the purge gas, a gas (external gas) different from both gases is mixed into a gas channel and supplied to the sensor for measurement. Since a response characteristic of a receptor is modulated by mixing of the external gas, the object described above is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kosuke MINAMI, Gaku IMAMURA, Kota SHIBA, Genki YOSHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20210190655
    Abstract: Provided is a novel material analysis technique using a chemical sensor. By reversing the conventional approach, a material to be measured is provided as a receptor of the chemical sensor, and a response signal of the chemical sensor obtained by supplying a known gas or the like to the chemical sensor is obtained. From the response signal, it is possible to identify and distinguish the receptor material, and to obtain its composition and the like. By analyzing the response signal by means of a statistical or machine learning technique such as principal component analysis, linear discriminant analysis, or a support vector machine, the above-mentioned identification and the like can be performed with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kosuke MINAMI, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Gaku IMAMURA, Kota SHIBA
  • Patent number: 10877016
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor which enables detection/identification of various types of fuels for automobiles by using simple devices. According to the present invention, high-octane gas, regular gas, diesel oil, heating oil, gasoline laced with heating oil, and the like can be clearly identified without using a large-scale analysis such as gas chromatography or mass spectroscopy by using a sensor having a structure in which a surface of a sensor body which detects a surface stress or the like is coated with particles modified with a hydrocarbon group such as an alkyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Shiba, Genki Yoshikawa, Gaku Imamura
  • Publication number: 20200075134
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and a device for estimating a value to be estimated associated with a specimen, by performing machine learning of a relationship between a value of an estimation object and an output corresponding thereto, based on an output from a chemical sensor with regard to a plurality of specimens for which specific values to be estimated are known, and using the result of the mechanical learning to estimate a specific value to be estimated on the basis of an output from the chemical sensor with regard to a given unknown specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Kota Shiba, Ryo Tamura, Gaku Imamura, Genki Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 10564082
    Abstract: According to improvement of the receptor layer of various sensors of the type for detecting physical parameters (for example, a surface stress sensor, QCM, and SPR), all of high sensitivity, selectivity, and durability are achieved simultaneously. A porous material or a particulate material, e.g., nanoparticles, is used in place of a uniform membrane which has been conventionally used as a receptor layer. Accordingly, the sensitivity can be controlled by changing the membrane thickness of the receptor layer, the selectivity can be controlled by changing a surface modifying group to be fixed on the porous material or particulate material, and the durability can be controlled by changing the composition and surface properties of the porous material or particulate material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Shiba, Genki Yoshikawa, Yusuke Yamauchi, Norihiro Suzuki, Gaku Imamura, Kosuke Minami, Hamish Hei-Man Yeung
  • Publication number: 20190391122
    Abstract: Provided is a novel analysis method which, when a chemical sensor is used to perform a measurement, makes it possible to identify a sample without controlling or monitoring a change in the time the sample is introduced. According to the present invention, a sample can be identified without knowing a change in the time the sample is introduced, by using a chemical sensor having a plurality of channels each having different characteristics to perform a measurement, and performing an analysis on the basis of responses obtained from each channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2018
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Gaku IMAMURA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Takashi WASHIO
  • Patent number: 10458939
    Abstract: As a receptor layer, a film of a composite material of a base material such as a polymer and particles that adsorb an analyte is used. When the present invention is applied to a surface stress sensor or the like, the Young's modulus of the receptor layer, which significantly affects detection sensitivity, can be preset with a high degree of freedom, by independently selecting particles that adsorb a desired analyte and a base material that disperses said particles therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota Shiba, Genki Yoshikawa, Gaku Imamura
  • Publication number: 20190323982
    Abstract: The invention provides: a gas sensor device that is capable of removing a component adsorbed on a gas sensor by relatively simple means and easily restoring a signal baseline of the gas sensor to a constant state; and a method for removing a gas component. The gas sensor device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a gas sensor and cleaning means that contains a liquid for cleaning the gas sensor. The gas sensor includes a sensor main body that is capable of detecting a characteristic parameter of a component present in a gas phase or a liquid phase, and a sensitive membrane that is coated on a surface of the sensor main body and is durable against the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicants: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE, KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Genki YOSHIKAWA, Kota SHIBA, Gaku IMAMURA, Takanori YASUDA, Kyohei KOBAYASHI, Hisashi SAKAI
  • Publication number: 20190317066
    Abstract: Provided is a novel analysis method that enables identification of a sample even when any sample is introduced during measurement carried out by using a chemical sensor. An input in which the amount of an unknown sample changes over time is provided to the chemical sensor, a response which is from the chemical sensor and which changes over time is measured, a sensor function (transmission function) of the chemical sensor with respect to the unknown sample is calculated on the basis of the input and the response, and the unknown sample is identified on the basis of the sensor function of the chemical sensor with respect to the unknown sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Applicant: National Institute for Materials Science
    Inventors: Gaku Imamura, Genki Yoshikawa, Takashi Washio
  • Publication number: 20180356388
    Abstract: Provided is a sensor which enables detection/identification of various types of fuels for automobiles by using simple devices. According to the present invention, high-octane gas, regular gas, diesel oil, heating oil, gasoline laced with heating oil, and the like can be clearly identified without using a large-scale analysis such as gas chromatography or mass spectroscopy by using a sensor having a structure in which a surface of a sensor body which detects a surface stress or the like is coated with particles modified with a hydrocarbon group such as an alkyl group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota SHIBA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Gaku IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180017515
    Abstract: As a receptor layer, a film of a composite material of a base material such as a polymer and particles that adsorb an analyte is used. When the present invention is applied to a surface stress sensor or the like, the Young's modulus of the receptor layer, which significantly affects detection sensitivity, can be preset with a high degree of freedom, by independently selecting particles that adsorb a desired analyte and a base material that disperses said particles therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota SHIBA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Gaku IMAMURA
  • Publication number: 20180003604
    Abstract: According to improvement of the receptor layer of various sensors of the type for detecting physical parameters (for example, a surface stress sensor, QCM, and SPR), all of high sensitivity, selectivity, and durability are achieved simultaneously. A porous material or a particulate material, e.g., nanoparticles, is used in place of a uniform membrane which has been conventionally used as a receptor layer. Accordingly, the sensitivity can be controlled by changing the membrane thickness of the receptor layer, the selectivity can be controlled by changing a surface modifying group to be fixed on the porous material or particulate material, and the durability can be controlled by changing the composition and surface properties of the porous material or particulate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR MATERIALS SCIENCE
    Inventors: Kota SHIBA, Genki YOSHIKAWA, Yusuke YAMAUCHI, Norihiro SUZUKI, Gaku IMAMURA, Kosuke MINAMI, Hamish Hei-Man YEUNG