Patents by Inventor Matthew Robert Kurano

Matthew Robert Kurano 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).

  • Composite polymer electrolytes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
    Patent number: 7183017
    Abstract: Thin films of inexpensive composite polymer electrolyte membranes containing inorganic cation exchange materials including various clay based fillers are fabricated by solution casting. The membranes exhibit higher ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity and/or lower gas crossover. In general, the composite membranes exhibit excellent physicochemical properties and superior fuel cell performance in hydrogen oxygen fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Hoku Scientific, Inc. - A Delaware Corp.
    Inventors: Karl Milton Taft, III, Matthew Robert Kurano, Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan
  • Composite polymer electrolytes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
    Patent number: 7008971
    Abstract: Thin films of inexpensive composite polymer electrolyte membranes containing inorganic cation exchange materials including various clay based fillers are fabricated by solution casting. The membranes exhibit higher ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity and/or lower gas crossover. In general, the composite membranes exhibit excellent physicochemical properties and superior fuel cell performance in hydrogen oxygen fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Hoku Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Milton Taft, III, Matthew Robert Kurano, Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan
  • Composite electrolyte with crosslinking agents
    Patent number: 6962959
    Abstract: A covalent crosslinking of ion-conducting materials via sulfonic acid groups can be applied to various low cost electrolyte membrane base materials for improved fuel cell performance metrics relative to such base material. This proposed approach is due, in part, to the observation that many aromatic and aliphatic polymer materials have significant potential as proton exchange membranes if a modification can increase their physical and chemical stabilities without sacrificing electrochemical performance or significantly increasing the material and production costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Hoku Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Robert Kurano, Gangadhar Panambur, Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan, Karl Milton Taft, III
  • Composite polymer electrolytes for proton exchange membrane fuel cells
    Publication number: 20040048129
    Abstract: Thin films of inexpensive composite polymer electrolyte membranes containing inorganic cation exchange materials including various clay based fillers are fabricated by solution casting. The membranes exhibit higher ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity and/or lower gas crossover. In general, the composite membranes exhibit excellent physicochemical properties and superior fuel cell performance in hydrogen oxygen fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Karl Milton Taft, Matthew Robert Kurano, Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan
  • Composite electrolyte for fuel cells
    Patent number: 6630265
    Abstract: An inexpensive composite electrolyte for use in electrochemical fuel cells includes (i) an inorganic cation exchange material, (i) a silica-based binder; and (ii) a polymer-based binder. The cation exchange material includes aluminosilicate clays. The composite electrolyte can be fabricated with a tape casting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Hoku Scientific, Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Milton Taft, III, Matthew Robert Kurano