Patents by Inventor Masaaki Kitano

Masaaki Kitano 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: 20190210008
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a catalyst with which it is possible to obtain a supported metal ammonia synthesis catalyst, in which there are restrictions in terms of producing method and producing facility, and particularly large restrictions for industrial-scale producing, in a more simple manner and so that the obtained catalyst has a high activity. This method for manufacturing an ammonia synthesis catalyst includes: a first step for preparing 12CaO.7Al2O3 having a specific surface area of 5 m2/g or above; a second step for supporting a ruthenium compound on the 12CaO.7Al2O3; and a third step for performing a reduction process on the 12CaO.7Al2O3 supporting the ruthenium compound, obtained in the second step. This invention is characterized in that the reduction process is performed until the average particle diameter of the ruthenium after the reduction process has increased by at least 15% in relation to the average particle diameter of the ruthenium before the reduction process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicants: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tsubame BHB Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Jiang Li, Shigeki Kawamura, Kazuhisa Kishida
  • Patent number: 10322940
    Abstract: An ammonia synthesis catalyst having high activity is obtained by having a two-dimensional electride compound having a lamellar crystal structure such as Ca2N support a transition metal. However, since the two-dimensional electride compound is unstable, the stability of the catalyst is low. In addition, in cases where a two-dimensional electride compound is used as a catalyst support, it is difficult to shape the catalyst depending on reactions since the two-dimensional electride compound has poor processability. A composite which includes a transition metal, a support and a metal amide compound, wherein the support is a metal oxide or a carbonaceous support; and the metal amide compound is a metal amide compound represented by general formula (1). M(NH2)x??(1) (In general formula (1), M represents at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Eu; and x represents the valence of M.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yasunori Inoue
  • Patent number: 10173202
    Abstract: A catalyst is provided which is used for continuously synthesizing ammonia using a gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen as a raw material, wherein a transition metal which exhibits catalytic activity is supported by a support, and the support is a two-dimensional electride or a precursor thereof. The two-dimensional electride or the precursor thereof is a metal nitride represented by MxNyHz (M represents one or two or more of Group II metals selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and x, y and z are in ranges of 1?x?11, 1?y?8, and 0?z?4 respectively, in which x is an integer, and y and z are not limited to an integer) or M3N2 (M is the same as above), or a metal carbide selected from the group consisting of Y2C, Sc2C, Gd2C, Tb2C, Dy2C, Ho2C and Er2C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignees: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yasunori Inoue, Shinji Kambara
  • Publication number: 20180327272
    Abstract: The present invention provides a supported metal catalyst, a method for synthesizing ammonia using said catalyst, and a supported metal material in which a transition metal is supported on a support, wherein the support is a metal hydride represented by general formula (1): XHn . . . (1); and in general formula (1), X represents at least one selected from the group consisting of atoms from Groups 2 and 3, and lanthanoid atoms, and n is in a range of 2<n<3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Michikazu HARA, Masaaki KITANO, Hiroshi MIZOGUCHI, Toshiharu YOKOYAMA, Kyosuke YAMAGATA
  • Patent number: 10124319
    Abstract: If a conductive mayenite compound having a large specific surface area is obtained, the usefulness thereof in respective applications is remarkably increased. A conductive mayenite compound powder having a conduction electron density of 1015 cm?3 or more and a specific surface area of 5 m2g?1 or more is produced by: the following steps: (1) forming a precursor powder by subjecting a mixture of a starting material powder and water to a hydrothermal treatment; (2) forming a mayenite compound powder by heating and dehydrating the precursor powder; (3) forming an activated mayenite compound powder by heating the compound powder in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum; and (4) injecting electrons into the mayenite compound through a reduction treatment by mixing the activated mayenite compound powder with a reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Yasunori Inoue, Masaaki Kitano, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Satoru Matsuishi, Yoshitake Toda
  • Patent number: 10118162
    Abstract: A catalyst is provided which is used for continuously synthesizing ammonia using a gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen as a raw material, wherein a transition metal which exhibits catalytic activity is supported by a support, and the support is a two-dimensional electride or a precursor thereof. The two-dimensional electride or the precursor thereof is a metal nitride represented by MxNyHz (M represents one or two or more of Group II metals selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and x, y and z are in ranges of 1?x?11, 1?y?8, and 0?z?4 respectively, in which x is an integer, and y and z are not limited to an integer) or M3N2 (M is the same as above), or a metal carbide selected from the group consisting of Y2C, Sc2C, Gd2C, Tb2C, Dy2C, Ho2C and Er2C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignees: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yasunori Inoue, Shinji Kambara
  • Publication number: 20180304237
    Abstract: An electride, which is more stable and can be more easily obtained, is provided or is made available, and as a result, a catalyst particularly useful for chemical synthesis, in which the electride is particularly used, is provided. A transition metal-supported intermetallic compound having a transition metal supported on an intermetallic compound represented by the following formula (1): A5X3??(1) wherein A represents a rare earth element, and X represents Si or Ge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Masaaki KITANO, Tomofumi TADA, Toshiharu YOKOYAMA, Yoshitake TODA, Yangfan LU, Jiang LI
  • Publication number: 20180257061
    Abstract: The invention provides a Laves phase intermetallic compound having a composition represented by general formula ARu2 (A is Y, Sc, or at least one element selected from lanthanoid elements excluding Ce), the crystallite size thereof being 1 nm to 100 nm; a catalyst including the intermetallic compound as an active ingredient; and a method for producing ammonia using the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Toshiharu YOKOYAMA, Masaaki KITANO, Hiroshi MIZOGUCHI, Takaya OGAWA
  • Patent number: 10016742
    Abstract: The invention related to a material that can stably hold an imide anion (NH2?) therein even in the atmosphere or in a solvent, and a method for synthesizing the material and a use of the material. A mayenite-type compound into which imide anions are incorporated at a concentration of 1×1018 cm?3 or more are provided. The mayenite-type compound can be produced by heating a mayenite-type compound including electrons or free oxygen ions in a cage thereof, in liquefied ammonia at 450 to 700° C. and at a pressure of 30 to 100 MPa. The compound has properties such that active imide anions can be easily incorporated into the compound and the active imide anions can be easily released in the form of ammonia from the compound, and the compound has chemical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignees: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Masaaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 9981845
    Abstract: A metal-supporting catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The catalyst shows a high performance with a low cost and being advantageous from the viewpoint of resources, and an efficient method for producing hydrogen using the catalyst. The catalyst catalytically decomposes ammonia gas to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generation catalyst includes, as a support, a mayenite type compound having oxygen ions enclosed therein or a mayenite type compound having 1015 cm?3 or more of conduction electrons or hydrogen anions enclosed therein, and metal grains for decomposing ammonia are supported on the surface of the support. Hydrogen is produced by continuously supplying 0.1-100 vol % of ammonia gas to a catalyst layer that comprises the aforesaid catalyst, and reacting the same at a reaction pressure of 0.01-1.0 MPa, at a reaction temperature of 300-800° C. and at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 500/mlg?1h?1 or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignees: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yoshitake Toda, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano
  • Publication number: 20170355607
    Abstract: An ammonia synthesis catalyst having high activity is obtained by having a two-dimensional electride compound having a lamellar crystal structure such as Ca2N support a transition metal. However, since the two-dimensional electride compound is unstable, the stability of the catalyst is low. In addition, in cases where a two-dimensional electride compound is used as a catalyst support, it is difficult to shape the catalyst depending on reactions since the two-dimensional electride compound has poor processability. A composite which includes a transition metal, a support and a metal amide compound, wherein the support is a metal oxide or a carbonaceous support; and the metal amide compound is a metal amide compound represented by general formula (1). M(NH2)x . . . (1) (In general formula (1), M represents at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Eu; and x represents the valence of M.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Michikazu HARA, Masaaki KITANO, Toshiharu YOKOYAMA, Yasunori INOUE
  • Publication number: 20170342449
    Abstract: Provided is a novel production system for a product selected from a nitrogen-containing product and a fermented and cultured product that does not involve (or can minimize) the transport of liquid ammonia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicants: AJINOMOTO CO., INC., TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kishino, Hiroyuki Kojima, Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Toru Numaguchi, Munenobu Ito, Kazuteru Yamada, Hiromi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20170342450
    Abstract: Provided is a novel production system that does not involve, or can minimize, the transport of liquid ammonia in the production of an organic compound or the production of a microorganism by microbial fermentation. A production system for an organic compound or a microorganism includes: an ammonia synthesis apparatus in which an ammonia-containing gas is synthesized by reaction of a source gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen in the presence of a supported ruthenium catalyst; and a culture apparatus that cultures a microorganism having organic compound productivity using ammonia originating from the ammonia-containing gas obtained by using the ammonia synthesis apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicants: AJINOMOTO CO., INC., TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kishino, Hiroyuki Kojima, Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Toru Numaguchi, Munenobu Ito, Kazuteru Yamada, Hiromi Noguchi
  • Publication number: 20170095793
    Abstract: If a conductive mayenite compound having a large specific surface area is obtained, the usefulness thereof in respective applications is remarkably increased. A conductive mayenite compound powder having a conduction electron density of 1015 cm?3 or more and a specific surface area of 5 m2g?1 or more is produced by: the following steps: (1) forming a precursor powder by subjecting a mixture of a starting material powder and water to a hydrothermal treatment; (2) forming a mayenite compound powder by heating and dehydrating the precursor powder; (3) forming an activated mayenite compound powder by heating the compound powder in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum; and (4) injecting electrons into the mayenite compound through a reduction treatment by mixing the activated mayenite compound powder with a reducing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicants: TOKYO INSTITTUE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Yasunori Inoue, Masaaki Kitano, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Satoru Matsuishi, Yoshitake Toda
  • Publication number: 20170072382
    Abstract: The invention related to a material that can stably hold an imide anion (NH2?) therein even in the atmosphere or in a solvent, and a method for synthesizing the material and a use of the material. A mayenite-type compound into which imide anions are incorporated at a concentration of 1×1018 cm?3 or more are provided. The mayenite-type compound can be produced by heating a mayenite-type compound including electrons or free oxygen ions in a cage thereof, in liquefied ammonia at 450 to 700° C. and at a pressure of 30 to 100 MPa. The compound has properties such that active imide anions can be easily incorporated into the compound and the active imide anions can be easily released in the form of ammonia from the compound, and the compound has chemical stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Fumitaka HAYASHI, Toshiharo YOKOYAMA, Masaaki KITANO
  • Patent number: 9573822
    Abstract: If a conductive mayenite compound having a large specific surface area is obtained, the usefulness thereof in respective applications is remarkably increased. A conductive mayenite compound powder having a conduction electron density of 1015 cm?3 or more and a specific surface area of 5 m2g?1 or more is produced by: (1) a step for forming a precursor powder by subjecting a mixture of a starting material powder and water to a hydrothermal treatment; (2) a step for forming a mayenite compound powder by heating and dehydrating the precursor powder; (3) a step for forming an activated mayenite compound powder by heating the compound powder in an inert gas atmosphere or in a vacuum; and (4) a step for injecting electrons into the mayenite compound through a reduction treatment by mixing the activated mayenite compound powder with a reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignees: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Yasunori Inoue, Masaaki Kitano, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Satoru Matsuishi, Yoshitake Toda
  • Publication number: 20160361712
    Abstract: A catalyst is provided which is used for continuously synthesizing ammonia using a gas containing hydrogen and nitrogen as a raw material, wherein a transition metal which exhibits catalytic activity is supported by a support, and the support is a two-dimensional electride or a precursor thereof. The two-dimensional electride or the precursor thereof is a metal nitride represented by MxNyHz (M represents one or two or more of Group II metals selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, and x, y and z are in ranges of 1?x?11, 1?y?8, and 0?z?4 respectively, in which x is an integer, and y and z are not limited to an integer) or M3N2 (M is the same as above), or a metal carbide selected from the group consisting of Y2C, Sc2C, Gd2C, Tb2C, Dy2C, Ho2C and Er2C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicants: JAPAN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AGENCY, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo HOSONO, Michikazu HARA, Masaaki KITANO, Toshiharu YOKOYAMA, Yasunori INOUE, Shinji KAMBARA
  • Publication number: 20160340182
    Abstract: A metal-supporting catalyst for decomposing ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen. The catalyst shows a high performance with a low cost and being advantageous from the viewpoint of resources, and an efficient method for producing hydrogen using the catalyst. The catalyst catalytically decomposes ammonia gas to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generation catalyst includes, as a support, a mayenite type compound having oxygen ions enclosed therein or a mayenite type compound having 1015 cm?3 or more of conduction electrons or hydrogen anions enclosed therein, and metal grains for decomposing ammonia are supported on the surface of the support. Hydrogen is produced by continuously supplying 0.1-100 vol % of ammonia gas to a catalyst layer that comprises the aforesaid catalyst, and reacting the same at a reaction pressure of 0.01-1.0 MPa, at a reaction temperature of 300-800° C. and at a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 500/mlg?1h?1 or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Fumitaka Hayashi, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Yoshitake Toda, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 9439323
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device in which a temperature control using a cooling fan can be made more efficiently and more stably and a method for controlling temperature of a device. The device includes the fan, a measurement unit, and a control unit which controls a rotation speed of the fan based on the measured temperature. The control unit stores a plurality of measured temperatures and a normal temperature range for each measurement unit, determines the presence or absence of a temperature increasing trend, shortens a time interval when it is determined that increases, determines whether or not the plurality of temperatures are included in the normal range when it is determined that does not increase, prolongs when the all are included in the normal range, and does not change when at least one is not included in the normal range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Platforms, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kitano
  • Patent number: 9150423
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst substance that is stable and performs well in the synthesis of ammonia, one of the most important chemical substances for fertilizer ingredients and the like. The catalyst substance exhibits catalytic activity under mild synthesis conditions not requiring high pressure, and is also advantageous from a resource perspective. Further provided is a method for producing the same. This catalyst comprises a supported metal catalyst that is supported on a mayenite type compound including conduction electrons of 1015 cm?3 or more and serving as a support for the ammonia synthesis catalyst. The mayenite type compound used as the support may take any form, including that of powder, a porous material, a sintered body, a thin-film, or a single crystal. Use of this catalyst makes it possible to increase the electron donating ability toward a transition metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hideo Hosono, Michikazu Hara, Masaaki Kitano, Sung Wng Kim, Satoru Matsuishi, Yoshitake Toda, Toshiharu Yokoyama, Fumitaka Hayashi