Patents by Inventor Hongfei Jia

Hongfei Jia 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).

  • Publication number: 20150176144
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method or process, apparatus and/or composition for catalyzing the oxidation of water to generate hydrogen ions and oxygen. The catalyst includes lithium cobalt germinate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth James McDonald, Hongfei Jia, Chen Ling
  • Publication number: 20150114834
    Abstract: An electrode for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide and water forming carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The electrode includes a metal substrate. A self-assembled monolayer is bonded to the metal substrate. A selectivity of reaction products of carbon monoxide and hydrogen produced by the electrode is regulated relative to a bare metal substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Kenneth James McDonald
  • Patent number: 9012196
    Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a lipase with enzymatic activity toward a component of a fingerprint. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of fingerprints is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a lipase is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the fingerprint to facilitate fingerprint removal from the substrate or said coating. Applying heat to the substrate or coating increases the rate of fingerprint removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Andreas Buthe, Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8968534
    Abstract: A process for oxidizing water using amorphous cobalt tungstate is disclosed. A plurality of amorphous cobalt tungstate nanoparticles are supported on an electrode and are able to catalytically interact with water molecules generating oxygen. The catalyst can be used as part of a electrochemical or photo-electrochemical cell for the generation of electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Egineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Takeshi Sekito
  • Patent number: 8911986
    Abstract: Temporary active coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Songtao Wu, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8796009
    Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Wei Song, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140141490
    Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang, Xiaodong Tong
  • Patent number: 8679825
    Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Xiaodong Tong, Minjuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130345655
    Abstract: A sanitary article is provided that includes a dried polymeric matrix with embedded enzyme. The presence of the enzyme in the polymeric matrix allows the sanitary article to absorb a bodily discharge fluid thereby allowing the embedded enzyme to function in the production of antibacterial compounds or by directly reducing the presence of viable bacteria in the discharge fluid. The enzyme activity promotes reduced odor in the sanitary article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130192999
    Abstract: A process for oxidizing water using amorphous cobalt tungstate is disclosed. A plurality of amorphous cobalt tungstate nanoparticles are supported on an electrode and are able to catalytically interact with water molecules generating oxygen. The catalyst can be used as part of a electrochemical or photo-electrochemical cell for the generation of electrical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Takeshi Sekito
  • Publication number: 20130065291
    Abstract: Bioactive coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Regents of the University of Minnesota, Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering, Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Ping Wang, Liting Zhang, Andreas Buthe, Xueyan Zhao, Songtao Wu, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8394618
    Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a lipase with enzymatic activity toward a component of a fingerprint. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of fingerprints is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a lipase is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the fingerprint to facilitate fingerprint removal from the substrate or said coating. Applying heat to the substrate or coating increases the rate of fingerprint removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Andreas Buthe, Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130037417
    Abstract: Processes for the liberation of oxygen and hydrogen from water are provided allowing for mass scale production using abundant sources of catalyst materials. A metal oxide based anode is formed by the simple oxidation of metal in air by heating the metal for a specified time period. The resultant anode is then contacted with water and subjected to a voltage from an external source or driven by electromagnetic energy to produce oxygen at the surface of the anode by oxidation of water. These processes provide efficient and stable oxygen or hydrogen production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Debasish Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8361768
    Abstract: A process for stabilizing a bioactive composition includes forming hydrogel matrix pores around protein molecules and reducing a water content within the hydrogel matrix pores while keeping the protein molecules biologically active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Xiaodong Tong, Minjuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8324295
    Abstract: Protein-polymer compositions and processes for their production are provided where the compositions have improved resistance to ultraviolet light induced weathering and associated loss of enzyme activity. The incorporation of both a sterically hindered amine and an ultraviolet light absorber at a concentration of at least 5% by weight produces a curable or cured composition with UV stabilized enzyme activity that can be used as a bioactive coating with improved stain removal properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hongfei Jia, Songtao Wu, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 8322636
    Abstract: A process for producing particles from a thin film is provided. The process includes grinding the thin film using granules that afford for the particles to maintain a structure and/or one or more properties of the thin film. In addition, the process provides for a high recovery percentage of the source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Debasish Banerjee, Minjuan Zhang, Masahiko Ishii
  • Publication number: 20120301946
    Abstract: A substrate or coating is provided that includes a protease with enzymatic activity toward a component of a biological stain. Also provided is a process for facilitating the removal of a biological stain is provided wherein an inventive substrate or coating including a protease is capable of enzymatically degrading of one or more components of the biological stain to facilitate biological stain removal from the substrate or said coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Minjuan Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120276617
    Abstract: Temporary active coatings that are stabilized against inactivation by weathering are provided including a base associated with a chemically modified enzyme, and, optionally a first polyoxyethylene present in the base and independent of the enzyme. The coatings are optionally overlayered onto a substrate to form an active coating facilitating the removal of organic stains or organic material from food, insects, or the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicants: TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: HONGFEI JIA, SONGTAO WU, MASAHIKO ISHII, MINJUAN ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8283076
    Abstract: A microbial fuel cell is provided according to embodiments of the present invention including electricigenic microbes containing at least about 0.075 milligrams of protein per square centimeter of the anode surface area. In particular embodiments, the electricigenic microbes are disposed on the anode such that at least about 90% of the portion of the anode surface area has a layer of electricigenic microbes, the layer greater than about 1 micron in thickness. This thickness is indicative of the layer including at least a first stratum of electricigenic microbes in direct contact with the anode and a second stratum of electricigenic microbes in direct contact with the first stratum such that the second stratum is in indirect contact with the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of Massachusetts
    Inventors: Derek R. Lovley, Kelly P. Nevin, Minjuan Zhang, Hongfei Jia
  • Publication number: 20120252090
    Abstract: A process for stabilizing a bioactive composition includes forming hydrogel matrix pores around protein molecules and reducing a water content within the hydrogel matrix pores while keeping the protein molecules biologically active.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ping Wang, Songtao Wu, Hongfei Jia, Masahiko Ishii, Xiaodong Tong, Minjuan Zhang