Patents by Inventor Taishi Fukazawa

Taishi Fukazawa 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: 20130078549
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a catalyst-supporting substrate comprises a substrate and a catalyst layer including a plurality of pores, the catalyst layer being supported on the substrate. The average diameter of the section of the pore when the catalyst is cut in the thickness direction of the thickness is 5 nm to 400 nm, and the long-side to short-side ratio of the pore on the section is 1:1 to 10:1 in average.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Taishi FUKAZAWA, Wu MEl, Yoshihiro AKASAKA, Norihiro YOSHINAGA
  • Publication number: 20130078550
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a catalyst layer containing a catalyst material. The catalyst layer satisfying requirements below: a porosity of 20 to 90% by vol; and a relation R1?R0×1.2. In the above inequality, R1 represents an alignment ratio of the catalyst layer and R0 represents an alignment ratio of the catalyst material in powder form having a random crystalline plane distribution, and each of the alignment ratios is calculated from a X-ray diffraction spectrum having a diffraction angle 2? range from 10 to 90 degree measured using Cu-K?-rays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Shigeru Matake, Taishi Fukazawa, Yoshihiro Akasaka, Katsuyuki Naito
  • Publication number: 20120251915
    Abstract: A catalyst layer includes a layered structure. The layered structure is laminated with sheet-like unit catalysts and pore layers. The sheet-like unit catalysts have mean thicknesses of 4 to 30 nm. The pore layers are sandwiched between the sheet-like unit catalysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Wu MEI, Taishi Fukazawa, Yoshihiro Akasaka
  • Publication number: 20120171597
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an anode for a direct methanol fuel cell includes an anode catalyst layer containing a noble metal catalyst and a proton-conductive polyelectrolyte. A log differential pore volume distribution curve measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry of the anode catalyst layer has a peak within a pore diameter range of 0.06 to 0.3 ?m and satisfies the following relationship: 0.5?(V1/V0)?0.9 wherein V0 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 1 ?m, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry, and V1 is a cumulative pore volume of pores having a diameter of from 0.02 to 0.2 ?m, as measured by a mercury intrusion porosimetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Taishi FUKAZAWA, Yoshihiro Akasaka, Jungmin Song
  • Patent number: 8211825
    Abstract: A methanol oxidation catalyst comprises a material of composition: PtxMzTau in which Pt is platinum, Ta is tantalum, M is an element includes at least one selected from the group consisting of V (vanadium), W (tungsten), Ni (nickel) and Mo (molybdenum), x is 40 to 98 at. %, z is 1.5 to 55 at. %, and u is 0.5 to 40 at. %. To maximize catalytic activity the material is preferably in the form of nanoparticles. The values of x, z and u are selected such that the element exhibits X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peaks derived from an oxygen bond and a metal bond in which a peak area derived from the oxygen bond is twice or less of a peak area derived from the metal bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Mina Farag, Shinji Aoki, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 8197965
    Abstract: This invention provides an anode for a fuel cell which can realize stable output for a long period of time, and a fuel cell using the anode for a fuel cell. The anode for a fuel cell comprises an electrode catalyst layer, the electrode catalyst layer comprising a supported catalyst comprising an electroconductive carrier material and catalyst fine particles supported on the electroconductive carrier material, a proton conductive inorganic oxide, and a proton conductive organic polymer binder, the weight ratio between the supported catalyst (C) and the proton conductive inorganic oxide (SA), WSA/WC, being 0.06 to 0.38, the weight ratio between the proton conductive inorganic oxide (SA) and the proton conductive organic polymer binder (P), WP/WSA, being 0.125 to 0.5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Jun Tamura, Yoshihiko Nakano, Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 8173306
    Abstract: A catalyst is provided and includes fine catalyst particles of a composition represented by formula (1): PtuRuxTayTz, in which T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Hf, W, Ni, and V; u, x, y, and z are 10 to 98.9 atm %, 0.1 to 50 atm %, 0.5 to 35 atm %, and 0.5 to 35 atm %, respectively, or formula (2): PtuRuxTayTz, in which T is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ct, Mo, Nb, Zr, and T; u, x, y, and z are 40 to 70 atm %, 0.1 to 50 atm %, 0.5 to 15 atm %, and 0.5 to 15 atm %, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Itsuko Mizutani, Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Takahiro Sato, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 8128986
    Abstract: A method for producing a catalyst-layer-supporting substrate includes a lamination step of forming a laminate of metal catalyst layers and mixture layers on a substrate by repeating a first step and a second step plural times alternatively; and an acid treatment step of subjecting the laminate to an acid treatment, wherein the first step is a step of sputtering or depositing the metal catalyst layer that comprises a catalyst, and the second step is a step of sputtering or depositing the mixture layer of carbon and metal, the metal of the mixture layer including at least one element M selected from the group consisting of Sn, Al, Cu and Zn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Takahiro Sato, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 8080347
    Abstract: There is provided a catalyst for a fuel cell, which simultaneously realizes excellent catalytic activity and catalytic stability. The catalyst for a fuel cell comprises a fine particle of a metal represented by formula: PtxRuySizT1u wherein T1 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of nickel (Ni), tungsten (W), vanadium (V), and molybdenum (Mo); x=30 to 90 atomic %; y=0 to 50 atomic %; z=0.5 to 20 atomic %; and u=0.5 to 40 atomic %, or comprises a fine particle of a metal represented by formula: PtxRuySizT2u wherein T2 represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of hafnium (Hf), tin (Sn), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), and aluminum (Al); x=30 to 90 atomic %; y=0 to 50 atomic %; z=0.5 to 20 atomic %; and u=0.5 to 40 atomic %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Takahiro Sato, Itsuko Mizutani, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 7931935
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a membrane electrode assembly which has high and stable catalytic activity, and suppressed deterioration in catalytic activity during operation, and can prevent a deterioration in performance attributable to a structural factor of the membrane electrode assembly. The process comprises the step of, after the washing/removing step, drying the catalyst electrode in an atmosphere having a lower oxygen partial pressure than the air. The anode/cathode is a covered catalyst electrode having a structure formed by supporting/depositing a catalytically active material composed mainly of platinum/ruthenium subjected to the potential holding step, the washing/removing step, and the drying step, on a porous electroconductive carrier to cover at least a part of the porous electroconductive carrier with the ion conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masaaki Yamamoto, Wu Mei, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 7862932
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst, including a catalyst particle containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum and an gold alloy, the gold alloy containing gold and at least one element selected from transition metal elements of the fourth period, fifth period and sixth period of the Periodic Table, and a catalyst carrier carrying the catalyst particle and containing a perovskite type oxide represented by general formula (1) given below: A(1-x)BxTiOy??(1) where the element A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, the element B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the molar ratio x satisfies 0<x<1, and the molar ratio y satisfies 2.7?y?3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoko Eguchi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa
  • Patent number: 7846862
    Abstract: A methanol oxidation catalyst is provided, which includes nanoparticles having a composition represented by the following formula 1: PtxRuyTzQu ??formula 1 In the formula 1, the T-element is at least one selected from a group consisting of Mo, W and V and the Q-element is at least one selected from a group consisting of Nb, Cr, Zr and Ti, x is 40 to 90 at. %, y is 0 to 9.9 at. %, z is 3 to 70 at. % and u is 0.5 to 40 at. %. The area of the peak derived from oxygen bond of T-element is 80% or less of the area of the peak derived from metal bond of T-element in a spectrum measured by an X-ray photoelectron spectral method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Mina Farag, Yi-Qun Li, Shinji Aoki
  • Patent number: 7759277
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst having high activity and excellent stability, a process for preparation of the catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The catalyst of the present invention comprises an electronically conductive support and catalyst fine particles. The catalyst fine particles are supported on the support and are represented by the formula (1): PtuRuxGeyTz (1). In the formula, u, x, y and z mean 30 to 60 atm %, 20 to 50 atm %, 0.5 to 20 atm % and 0.5 to 40 atm %, respectively. When the element represented by T is Al, Si, Ni, W, Mo, V or C, the content of the T-element's atoms connected with oxygen bonds is not more than four times as large as that of the T-element's atoms connected with metal bonds on the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Taishi Fukazawa, Wu Mei, Yoshihiko Nakano, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Itsuko Mizutani, Hiroyasu Sumino
  • Patent number: 7727930
    Abstract: A catalyst includes a conductive carrier and catalyst particles. The catalyst particles are supported on the conductive carrier and have a composition represented by formula 1, below. An area of a peak derived from a metal bond of a T-element is 15% or more of an area of a peak derived from an oxygen bond of the T-element in a spectrum obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic method. PtxRuyTz??(1) where the T-element is at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb and Hf, x is 30 to 60 at. %, y is 20 to 50 at. % and z is 5 to 50 at. %.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Takahiro Sato, Itsuko Mizutani, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Patent number: 7723260
    Abstract: A methanol oxidation catalyst is provided, which includes nanoparticles having a composition represented by the following formula (1): PtxRuyMozTu??(1) In the formula (1), the T-element is at least one selected from the group consisting of W and V, x is 20 to 80 at. %, y is 10 to 60 at. %, z is 1 to 30 at. % and u is 1 to 30 at. %. The area of the peak derived from oxygen bond of T-element is 80% or less of the area of the peak derived from metal bond of T-element in a spectrum measured by an X-ray photoelectron spectral method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Intematix Corporation
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Mina Farag, Yi-Qun Li, Shinji Aoki
  • Publication number: 20100047652
    Abstract: A cathode for a direct methanol fuel cell is provided. The cathode comprises a cathode catalyst layer includes a first carbon powder supporting a noble metal catalyst, a proton conductive polyelectrolyte at least partially covering a surface of the first carbon powder, and a second carbon powder having a water repellent material on a surface thereof. The cathode catalyst layer is accompanied with a porous structure satisfying following conditions. 40%?(V1/V0)?70% wherein V0 represents a volume of pores having a diameter ranging from 3 nm to 10 ?m, and V1 represents a volume of pores having a diameter ranging from 50 nm to 10 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Jungmin Song, Taishi Fukazawa, Yoshihiro Akasaka, Minoru Hashimoto, Masato Akita
  • Publication number: 20090246589
    Abstract: The present invention provides a catalyst having high activity and excellent stability, a process for preparation of the catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly, and a fuel cell. The catalyst of the present invention comprises an electronically conductive support and catalyst fine particles. The catalyst fine particles are supported on the support and are represented by the formula (1): PtuRuxGeyTz (1). In the formula, u, x, y and z mean 30 to 60 atm %, 20 to 50 atm %, 0.5 to 20 atm % and 0.5 to 40 atm %, respectively. When the element represented by T is Al, Si, Ni, W, Mo, V or C, the content of the T-element's atoms connected with oxygen bonds is not more than four times as large as that of the T-element's atoms connected with metal bonds on the basis of X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Taishi FUKAZAWA, Wu Mei, Yoshihiko Nakano, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Itsuko Mizutani, Hiroyasu Sumino
  • Publication number: 20090247401
    Abstract: A methanol oxidation catalyst comprises a material of composition: PtxMzTau in which Pt is platinum, Ta is tantalum, M is an element includes at least one selected from the group consisting of V (vanadium), W (tungsten), Ni (nickel) and Mo (molybdenum), x is 40 to 98 at. %, z is 1.5 to 55 at. %, and u is 0.5 to 40 at. %. To maximize catalytic activity the mater al is preferably in the form of nanoparticles. The values of x, z and u are selected such that the element exhibits X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peaks derived from an oxygen bond and a metal bond in which a peak area derived from the oxygen bond is twice or less of a peak area derived from the metal bond.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Itsuko Mizutani, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Mina Farag, Shinji Aoki, Yi-Qun Li
  • Patent number: 7579298
    Abstract: Catalysts contain noble metal-containing particles that has a composition except oxygen represented by a formula PtXRuYAZSnS and exhibits a mean particle diameter of from 0.5 nm to 10 nm, both inclusively. A is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Rh, Au, Pd, Ir and Os, and X, Y, Z and S are atomic ratios satisfying relations 30?X ?70, 30?Y?70, 0?Z?40, 0.5?S?8 and X+Y+Z+S=100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa, Takahiro Sato, Yoshihiko Nakano
  • Publication number: 20090202887
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst, including a catalyst particle containing at least one component selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum and an gold alloy, the gold alloy containing gold and at least one element selected from transition metal elements of the fourth period, fifth period and sixth period of the Periodic Table, and a catalyst carrier carrying the catalyst particle and containing a perovskite type oxide represented by general formula (1) given below: A(1-x)BxTiOy??(1) where the element A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba, the element B is at least one element selected from the group consisting of La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu, the molar ratio x satisfies 0<x<1, and the molar ratio y satisfies 2.7?y?3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Tomoko Eguchi, Yoshihiko Nakano, Wu Mei, Taishi Fukazawa