Patents by Inventor TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI

TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI 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: 11552325
    Abstract: A flow battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a first liquid in contact with the negative electrode, a second liquid in contact with the positive electrode, and a lithium-ion-conductive film disposed between the first liquid and the second liquid. At least one of the first liquid or the second liquid contains a redox species and lithium ions. The lithium-ion-conductive film includes an inorganic member containing zeolite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurabuchi, Honami Sako, Masahisa Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 11417784
    Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a multi-junction light energy conversion element including a material having a band gap suitable for a light energy conversion layer located upstream in an incidence direction of light. The present disclosure provides a light energy conversion element, comprising a first light energy conversion layer containing SrZn2N2 and a second light energy conversion layer containing an light energy conversion material. The light energy conversion material has a narrower band gap than the SrZn2N2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koki Ueno, Ryosuke Kikuchi, Toru Nakamura, Takahiro Kurabuchi, Yasushi Kaneko, Kazuhito Hato, Fumiyasu Oba, Yu Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20210408305
    Abstract: An inorganic compound semiconductor of the present disclosure contains yttrium, zinc, and nitrogen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TORU NAKAMURA, KOKI UENO, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, YASUSHI KANEKO, KAZUHITO HATO, FUMIYASU OBA, YU KUMAGAI
  • Publication number: 20210151785
    Abstract: A flow battery includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a first liquid in contact with the negative electrode, a second liquid in contact with the positive electrode, and a lithium-ion-conductive film disposed between the first liquid and the second liquid. At least one of the first liquid or the second liquid contains a redox species and lithium ions. The lithium-ion-conductive film includes an inorganic member containing zeolite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, HONAMI SAKO, MASAHISA FUJIMOTO
  • Patent number: 10629764
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light energy conversion element in which a material having a bandgap suitable for a light energy conversion layer is used. The light energy conversion element according to the present disclosure comprises a light energy conversion layer containing BaBi2S4 having a hexagonal crystal structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kikuchi, Toru Nakamura, Takahiro Kurabuchi, Kazuhito Hato, Fumiyasu Oba, Yu Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20190386165
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a light energy conversion element in which a material having a bandgap suitable for a light energy conversion layer is used. The light energy conversion element according to the present disclosure comprises a light energy conversion layer containing BaBi2S4 having a hexagonal crystal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TORU NAKAMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, KAZUHITO HATO, FUMIYASU OBA, YU KUMAGAI
  • Publication number: 20190305154
    Abstract: The present disclosure is to provide a multi-junction light energy conversion element including a material having a band gap suitable for a light energy conversion layer located upstream in an incidence direction of light. The present disclosure provides a light energy conversion element, comprising a first light energy conversion layer containing SrZn2N2 and a second light energy conversion layer containing an light energy conversion material. The light energy conversion material has a narrower band gap than the SrZn2N2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: KOKI UENO, RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TORU NAKAMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, YASUSHI KANEKO, KAZUHITO HATO, FUMIYASU OBA, YU KUMAGAI
  • Patent number: 10047444
    Abstract: Provided is a method for generating hydrogen. The method comprising (a) preparing a hydrogen generation device comprising a container, a photo-semiconductor electrode comprising a substrate, a light-blocking first conductive layer, and a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer, a counter electrode, a conductive wire for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the counter electrode, and a liquid stored in the container, and (b) irradiating the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer with light to generate hydrogen on the counter electrode. The first conductive layer is interposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. At least a part of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer is in contact with the liquid. At least a part of the counter electrode is in contact with the liquid. The liquid is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte aqueous solution and water. The substrate is formed of a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoru Tamura, Kazuhito Hato, Takaiki Nomura, Takahiro Kurabuchi, Yoshihiro Kozawa, Ryousuke Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9926633
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating hydrogen by water splitting at a higher hydrogen generation efficiency. In the present method, used is a photoelectrochemical cell comprising a container, a liquid stored in the container, a semiconductor electrode contained in the container, and a counter electrode contained in the container. The semiconductor electrode comprises a first semiconductor layer, a light-transmissive conductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kikuchi, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato, Satoru Tamura, Takahiro Kurabuchi
  • Publication number: 20170362716
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating an electrode comprising a co-catalyst layer for splitting water with light. The method comprises steps of (a) forming a catalyst layer containing at least one selected from the group consisting of a niobium-containing oxynitride and a niobium-containing nitride on an electrically conductive principal surface of a substrate; (b) forming a transition metal oxide layer on the catalyst layer in an inert gas atmosphere containing oxidized gas impurities to provide a stacking structure comprising the substrate, the catalyst layer, and the transition metal oxide layer; (c) immersing the stacking structure in an electrolyte aqueous solution; and (d) applying a positive electric potential to the stacking structure in the electrolyte aqueous solution to convert the transition metal oxide layer into the co-catalyst layer. The present invention provides an electrode for water splitting having high water-splitting efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, MISA YOROZUYA, KAZUHITO HATO, RYU ABE, MASANOBU HIGASHI, TAKAHIDE OTSUBO
  • Publication number: 20170253981
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photoelectrode capable of effectively utilizing energy of light for an intended reaction such as a water decomposition reaction. The present invention provides a photoelectrode 100 includes a first conductor 101 as a substrate; a second conductor 102 which is disposed on first conductor 101, has a porous structure including a three-dimensionally continuous skeleton 102a and pores 102b formed by the skeleton 102a, and is transparent; and a visible-light photocatalyst 103 disposed in the pores of the second conductor 102.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: SATORU TAMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TAKAIKI NOMURA, KAZUHITO HATO
  • Publication number: 20160201218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a single-crystalline niobium oxynitride film suitable for a hydrogen generation device. The present invention provides a method for fabricating a single-crystalline niobium oxynitride film formed of a niobium oxynitride represented by the chemical formula NbON; the method comprising: (a) epitaxially growing the single-crystalline niobium oxynitride film on one substrate selected from the group consisting of a yttria-stabilized zirconia substrate, a titanium oxide substrate, and a yttrium-aluminum complex oxide substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TAKAIKI NOMURA, KAZUHITO HATO, SATORU TAMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI
  • Patent number: 9309264
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adsorbing carbon dioxide onto porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for cooling porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for obtaining aldehyde using porous metal-organic framework materials and a method for warming porous metal-organic framework materials. In each method, porous metal-organic framework materials are used while an electric field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials, or while a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials. If an electric field is applied, at least one organic compound included in the porous metal-organic framework materials is a polar compound. Instead, if a magnetic field is applied, at least one metal included in the porous metal-organic framework materials has an unpaired electron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takaiki Nomura, Takashi Kouzaki, Takahiro Kurabuchi, Kazuhito Hato
  • Publication number: 20150329976
    Abstract: Provided is a method for generating hydrogen. The method comprising (a) preparing a hydrogen generation device comprising a container, a photo-semiconductor electrode comprising a substrate, a light-blocking first conductive layer, and a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer, a counter electrode, a conductive wire for electrically connecting the first conductive layer to the counter electrode, and a liquid stored in the container, and (b) irradiating the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer with light to generate hydrogen on the counter electrode. The first conductive layer is interposed between the substrate and the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. At least a part of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer is in contact with the liquid. At least a part of the counter electrode is in contact with the liquid. The liquid is selected from the group consisting of an electrolyte aqueous solution and water. The substrate is formed of a resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: SATORU TAMURA, KAZUHITO HATO, TAKAIKI NOMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, YOSHIHIRO KOZAWA, RYOUSUKE KIKUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150322577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating hydrogen by water splitting at a higher hydrogen generation efficiency. In the present method, used is a photoelectrochemical cell comprising a container, a liquid stored in the container, a semiconductor electrode contained in the container, and a counter electrode contained in the container. The semiconductor electrode comprises a first semiconductor layer, a light-transmissive conductor layer; and a second semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, TAKAIKI NOMURA, KAZUHITO HATO, SATORU TAMURA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI
  • Publication number: 20150243443
    Abstract: A photosemiconductor electrode (400) of the present invention includes a conductor (410) and a photosemiconductor layer (first semiconductor layer) (420) provided on the conductor (410). The photosemiconductor layer (420) includes a photosemiconductor (e.g., a photosemiconductor film (421)) and an oxide containing iridium element (e.g., iridium oxide (422)). The Fermi level of the oxide containing iridium element is more negative than the Fermi level of the photosemiconductor and is more negative than ?4.44 eV, with respect to the vacuum level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Kozawa, Satoru Tamura, Nobuhiro Miyata, Takahiro Kurabuchi, Takaiki Nomura, Kazuhito Hato
  • Publication number: 20150111118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photoelectrochemical cell. The photoelectrochemical cell comprises a semiconductor photoelectrode which functions as a cathode electrode; a counter electrode which functions as an anode electrode; an electrolyte aqueous solution which is in contact with surfaces of the semiconductor photoelectrode and the counter electrode; and a container containing the semiconductor photoelectrode, the counter electrode, and the electrolyte aqueous solution. The semiconductor photoelectrode includes: a first conductive layer; an n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the first conductive layer; and a second conductive layer which completely covers a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer. The counter electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The second conductive layer is light-transmissive. The second conductive layer functions as a light incident surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: TAKAIKI NOMURA, SATORU TAMURA, RYOSUKE KIKUCHI, YOSHIHIRO KOZAWA, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, KAZUHITO HATO
  • Publication number: 20150083605
    Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor photoelectrode comprising a conductive substrate; a first semiconductor photocatalyst layer provided on a surface of the conductive substrate; a second semiconductor photocatalyst layer provided on a surface of the first semiconductor photocatalyst layer. The semiconductor photoelectrode has a plurality of pillar protrusions on the surface thereof. A surface of each of the pillar protrusions is formed of the second semiconductor photocatalyst layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: SATORU TAMURA, KAZUHITO HATO, KENICHI TOKUHIRO, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, MINORU MIZUHATA
  • Publication number: 20150073164
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for adsorbing carbon dioxide onto porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for cooling porous metal-organic framework materials, a method for obtaining aldehyde using porous metal-organic framework materials and a method for warming porous metal-organic framework materials. In each method, porous metal-organic framework materials are used while an electric field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials, or while a magnetic field or an electromagnetic field is applied to the porous metal-organic framework materials. If an electric field is applied, at least one organic compound included in the porous metal-organic framework materials is a polar compound. Instead, if a magnetic field is applied, at least one metal included in the porous metal-organic framework materials has an unpaired electron.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: TAKAIKI NOMURA, TAKASHI KOUZAKI, TAKAHIRO KURABUCHI, KAZUHITO HATO