Peculiar Structure Or Physical Form (e.g., Foam, Sponge, Foil, Sack, Bag, Fiber In A Matrix, Monolith, Microstructure (microcracking), Microaggregates, Etc.) Patents (Class 502/527.24)
  • Patent number: 6630078
    Abstract: Reticulated ceramic monolithic catalysts and non-poisoning catalyst supports comprising one or more metal oxides of chromium, cobalt, nickel, an alkaline earth, a rare earth, or another sinterable metal oxide that are active in any of various chemical oxidation reactions are disclosed. Methods of making the new reticulated ceramic structures comprising impregnating an organic foam or other pore-templating material are also disclosed. Processes for the catalytic conversion of light hydrocarbons to products comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen employing reticulated ceramic catalysts are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Kostantinos Kourtakis, Anne M. Gaffney, Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 6627571
    Abstract: A method and system for the in situ synthesis of a combinatorial library including impregnating a first component with a second component. The method and system advantageously may be employed in the synthesis of materials for screening for usefulness as a catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Claus G. Lugmair, Damodara M. Poojary, Alfred Hagemeyer
  • Patent number: 6624114
    Abstract: The invention relates to supported catalysts consisting of an active material on an inert support in the shape of rings, wherein the rings have one or more notches in the upper and/or lower flat side of the ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Consortium fur Elektrochemische Industrie GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Eberle, Dirk Groke, Christoph Rüdinger, Ulrich Wecker
  • Patent number: 6610628
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved monolith catalytic reactor and a monolith support. The improvement in the support resides in a polymer network/carbon coating applied to the surface of a porous substrate and a catalytic metal, preferably a transition metal catalyst applied to the surface of the polymer network/carbon coating. The monolith support has from 100 to 800 cells per square inch and a polymer network/carbon coating with surface area of from 0.1 to 15 m2/gram as measured by adsorption of N2 or Kr using the BET method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Francis Nordquist, Frederick Carl Wilhelm, Francis Joseph Waller, Reinaldo Mario Machado
  • Patent number: 6592764
    Abstract: Mesoscopically ordered, hydrothermally stable metal oxide-block copolymer composite or mesoporous materials are described herein that are formed by using amphiphilic block copolymers which act as structure directing agents for the metal oxide in a self-assembling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Galen D. Stucky, Bradley F. Chmelka, Dongyuan Zhao, Nick Melosh, Qisheng Huo, Jianglin Feng, Peidong Yang, David Pine, David Margolese, Wayne Lukens, Jr., Glenn H. Fredrickson, Patrick Schmidt-Winkel
  • Patent number: 6592991
    Abstract: A process is described for preparing structured organic-inorganic hybrid materials, using an amphiphilic block copolymer as template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bernd Wiesner, Markus Templin
  • Patent number: 6573213
    Abstract: Metal catalysts comprising hollow forms or spheres are made of metal alloy and optionally activated. The metal catalysts can be used for the hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, isomerization reductive alkylation, reductive amination, and/or hydration reaction of organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignees: Degussa AG, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderune der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Daniel Ostgard, Peter Panster, Claus Rehren, Monika Berweiler, Günter Stephani, Lothar Schneider
  • Publication number: 20030064886
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a metal oxide sintered structure having a homogeneous catalyst supporting ability, and a production method therefor. Hardly reducing oxide powders and reducing oxide powders are mixed, and then kneaded with a binder. By extrusion molding, a structure comprising channels (fluid communicating holes) is formed. Then, after heating reaction and solid solution, it is reduced under an atmosphere containing a hydrogen. Thereby, a metal oxide sintered structure having the fluid communicating holes, with the metal particles precipitated on the surface is produced. The structure is suitable for use as a catalyst for a fuel cell, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiichi Suenaga, Takayuki Fukasawa, Miho Maruyama, Yasuhiro Goto
  • Patent number: 6541416
    Abstract: A silica-group composite oxide fiber formed of a composite oxide phase of an oxide phase (first phase) mainly made of a silica component and a metal oxide phase (second phase) excluding silica, in which the existent ratio of at least one metal element of a metal oxide constituting the second phase upward slopingly increases toward the surface layer of the fiber and a process for the production thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Ube Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Ishikawa, Yoshikatu Harada, Hidekuni Hayashi, Shinji Kajii
  • Patent number: 6541419
    Abstract: A sulfur sorber for the reduction of gaseous sulfur compounds, e.g., H2S, in a gas stream The sulfur sorber, e.g., zinc oxide, is present in the form of one or more layers on the surface of a monolith carrier, e.g., cordierite. The layers have a total thickness of at least 3 g/in3 of the carrier. Preferably, the sorber is present in the form of at least three layers on the surface of the monolith carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Engelhard Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto
  • Patent number: 6528454
    Abstract: A catalyst carrier body for an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, especially of a motor vehicle, includes a matrix having an inflow surface, an outflow surface, a periphery, and a multiplicity of catalytic surfaces around which exhaust gas can flow. The catalytic surfaces have front regions and form flow-through passages. The outflow surface has a shape, at least in an inner region thereof, causing the front regions to be exposed and not covered outwardly, toward the periphery, by others of the catalytic surfaces. The exposed front regions have lengths, at least in a partial region of the outflow surface, amounting to from 55% to 90% of the length of the flow-through passages, for increasing an outward dissipation of heat. As a result, outwardly open heat radiating areas are guaranteed for an improved emission of heat to the surroundings or into the exhaust system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft für Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventors: Robert Diewald, Rolf Brück
  • Patent number: 6524541
    Abstract: A molding (catalyst structure) for chemical apparatuses which is formed from at least two closed frames and one or more cross-pieces connecting these frames, where the frames are arranged at a distance from one another in a single plane or in a plurality of parallel planes about an (imaginary) molding (structure) axis which is perpendicular to the plane(s) and passes through the center points of the frames. The molding (catalyst structure) is preferably formed from at least four closed frames and one or more cross-pieces connecting these frames, where the frames are arranged one inside the other at a distance from one another in at least two parallel planes about an (imaginary) molding (structure) axis which is perpendicular to the planes and passes through the center points of the frames, and each plane has at least two frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Manfred Winter
  • Patent number: 6479428
    Abstract: The present invention includes a catalyst that has at least four layers, (1) porous support, (2) buffer layer, (3) interfacial layer, and optionally (4) catalyst layer. The buffer layer provides a transition of thermal expansion coefficient from the porous support to the interfacial layer thereby reducing thermal expansion stress as the catalyst is heated to high operating temperatures. The method of the present invention for making the at least three layer catalyst has the steps of (1) selecting a porous support, (2) solution depositing an interfacial layer thereon, and optionally (3) depositing a catalyst material onto the interfacial layer; wherein the improvement comprises (4) depositing a buffer layer between the porous support and the interfacial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Yufei Gao
  • Publication number: 20020151436
    Abstract: A fixed bed Raney copper catalyst, which is doped with iron, noble metals or other metals, is employed as the fixed bed catalyst in the fixed bed dehydrogenation of alcohols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel Ostgard, Monika Berweiler, Karsten Seelbach
  • Patent number: 6465389
    Abstract: There are provided (i) a heat resistant catalyst sheet having an aramid fiber and a catalyst component-containing titania fiber; and (ii) a process for producing a heat resistant catalyst sheet, which has the step of making paper from a mixture of an aramid fiber and a catalyst component-containing titania fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Oki, Hironobu Koike, Yoshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6461995
    Abstract: Extruded honeycomb dehydrogenation catalysts of high structural integrity, composed of potassium oxide (carbonate)-promoted oxide-stabilized iron oxides and having a honeycomb cell density in the range of 15-400 channels per square inch, a channel wall thickness in the range of 0.2-3 mm, and an axial crushing strength in excess of 100 psi, are prepared from extrusion batches incorporating polymer binders exhibiting improved compatibility with high batch concentrations of dissolved catalyst precursors or constituents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: William P. Addiego, Wei Liu
  • Patent number: 6455020
    Abstract: The use of ceramic meshes is offered for spacing catalyst meshes apart from one another in the production of HCN, especially by the Andrussov process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: W. C. Heraeus GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marek Gorywoda, Jonathan Lund
  • Publication number: 20020127932
    Abstract: The present invention relates to three-dimensional catalyst gauzes for gas reactions knitted in two or more layers from noble metal wires in which the meshes of the individual layers are joined to one another by pile threads. In these catalyst gauzes weft threads are inserted between the mesh layers. These catalyst gauzes have an increased catalytic activity and efficiency in gas reaction. These improvements enable operation with a lower total amount of noble metal employed, for example by reducing the number of gauzes and/or the length of the wire processed in the catalyst gauze and/or the wire thickness, without thereby having to accept disadvantages with respect to the yield and selectivity of the gas reaction, mechanical strength and service life of the gauzes or unavoidable loss of noble metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: OMG AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Neumann, Dietmar Konigs, Thomas Stoll, Hubertus Golitzer
  • Patent number: 6444608
    Abstract: The present invention provides a porous titania, which has an anatase-form crystalline structure, an anatase-form crystallite diameter of 3 nm to 10 nm, a degree of anatase crystallinity of 60% or more, a BET specific surface area of 10 m2/g or more, a total pore volume of 0.05 cm3/g or more, and a volume for pores having a pore radius of 1 nm or more of 0.02 cm3/g or more, and the porous titania and the catalyst comprising the porous titania of the present invention exhibit an excellent catalytic activity for removal of nitrogen oxides, oxidation of organic substances, decomposition of dioxine compounds, as well as decomposition and removal of organic solvents, agricultural chemical and surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Oki, Hironobu Koike, Yoshiaki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6440895
    Abstract: The present invention includes a catalyst having a layered structure with, (1) a porous support, (2) a buffer layer, (3) an interfacial layer, and optionally (4) a catalyst layer. The invention also provides a process in which a reactant is converted to a product by passing through a reaction chamber containing the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Yong Wang, Yufei Gao
  • Publication number: 20020071800
    Abstract: Method for treating atmospheric pollutants by contacting the atmosphere with a catalyst composition or adsorptive material coated on the surface of a substrate in which the catalyst composition or adsorptive material is protected from degradation by harmful contaminants contained in the atmosphere by a coating of at least one porous protective material and a device useful therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Applicant: ENGELHARD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Hoke, Ronald M. Heck, Fred M. Allen
  • Patent number: 6380127
    Abstract: A novel metal composite is provided which is useful as a catalyst or the like by the control of a structure of an apohost and the modification thereof and in which an organic apohost capable of forming a porous structure by a hydrogen bond is compounded with at least one type of transition metallic elements or compounds thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Aoyama, Takehisa Dewa, Tomoya Sawaki
  • Patent number: 6355080
    Abstract: A mechanical separator intended to collect particles contained in gaseous effluents smaller than or of the order of one micrometer in size, includes at least one channel for turbulent flow of the effluents, preferably several parallel channels formed in a porous structure having particle collection surfaces. The separator also has a series of small elements made of ultrafine fibers, the elements being fixed to the surface of the particle collecting surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis A. L. Dullien
  • Publication number: 20020013225
    Abstract: Thermally integrated monolith catalysts active for catalyzing the oxidative conversion of methane to CO and H2 are disclosed. The composition and multi-layer configuration facilitates heat balancing between exothermic and endothermic reactions that take place in different sections of the monolith in a short contact time syngas reactor. The monolith comprises an active catalyst material supported by a multi-layer structure made of thin, porous metal pieces, the opposing faces of which are joined together at their perimeters. The metal pieces may be perforated disks made of at least two metals or metal oxides, and may also include a metal oxide coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 31, 2002
    Inventors: Juan C. Figueroa, Anne M. Gaffney, John E. Anderson, John J. Barnes, Robert A. Oswald, Roger Song
  • Patent number: 6342192
    Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for cleaning the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, especially diesel engines, comprising a monolithic body having longitudinally extending, open throughchannels coated with a surface-enlarging washcoat layer which contains one or more catalytically active precious metals. In order to reduce the tendency of the catalyst to oxidize and absorb (be enriched with) sulphur dioxide, the washcoat layer of the catalyst is based on silicon carbide and is substantially free from aluminum oxide. A method for preparing the catalyst, the use of the catalyst, as well as an exhaust gas cleaning system and a motor vehicle equipped with the catalyst, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey PLC
    Inventors: Sören Andersson, Magali Boutonnet Kizling
  • Patent number: 6339040
    Abstract: An absorbing composition containing alumino silicate containing schistose particles having at least partially a layered structure with substantially parallel layers, whereby at least for 30 percent by weight of the alumino silicate containing schistose particles the distance between two structurally adjacent layers is greater than 5 &mgr;m, but less than 100 &mgr;m, wherein at least 25 percent by weight of the alumino silicate containing schistose particles consist of aluminum containing di-octahedric layers, wherein the particles are provided with metallic flakes, whereby these metallic flakes are at least partially bound onto and between two structurally adjacent layers of the alumino silicate containing schistose particles, and in which at least 50 percent by weight of these metallic flakes have a thickness of 2 to 5 &mgr;m, a maximum length or diameter between 6 and 60 &mgr;m, and a specific surface area greater than 100 m2/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Metal Adsorbens Promotion Company N.V.
    Inventor: Marcel De Boodt
  • Publication number: 20020004454
    Abstract: A honeycomb body made from a ceramic material with improved radial pressure resistance that is of cylindrical shape and features a first and a second end face and a cylindrical shell and that is traversed from one end face to the other by axially parallel channels formed by channel walls and distributed across the cross section of the honeycomb body in a regular grid pattern, in which design an outer marginal zone of the honeycomb body, the thickness of which amounts to several channel diameters, encloses a central area. The increase in radial pressure resistance of the honeycomb body is achieved by reinforcing the ceramic material of the cylindrical shell and of the channel walls in the outer marginal zone of the honeycomb body by depositing on or in it one or several inorganic substances for the purpose of increasing its mechanical stability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Publication date: January 10, 2002
    Inventors: Rainer Domesle, Thomas Kreuzer, Egbert Lox
  • Patent number: 6319877
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing catalyzed hardware including adhering a porous structure on the hardware, applying to and/or within the porous structure a ceramic carrier material and applying catalytic active material to the ceramic carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Haldor Topsoe A/S
    Inventors: Peter Seier Christensen, Tommy Hansen, Viggo Lucassen Hansen, Lars Ejby Andersen
  • Patent number: 6303538
    Abstract: The present invention discloses metallic fiber boards having catalytic functionality and processes for producing the same. The boards are formed from a mesh of metallic fibers, each fiber having a first layer of an oxide and a second layer of a porous oxide. A catalyst, either disposed on the surface of the second layer, or dispersed within the second layer, provides catalytic functionality to the fiber board. The first layer is produced by thermal oxidation of the metallic fibers, while the second layer and catalyst are produced by thermal decomposition of precursor materials applied to the fiber board while in solution, typically as a spray of atomized droplets. The resulting boards are used to catalyze the combustion of hydrocarbons, especially methane, and particularly in household boilers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Saes Getters S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Toia, Claudio Boffito, Vittorio Ragaini, Stefania Vitali, Claudia L. Bianchi
  • Patent number: 6251819
    Abstract: Silicon carbide foam useful as a catalyst support has a BET specific surface area of at least 5 m2/g, and a compression strength exceeding 0.2 MPa. The foam is prepared by impreganting an organic foam with a suspension of silicon in a resin containing a cross-linking agent, incompletely cross-linking the resin, carbonizing the foam and resin, and carburizing the silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Pechiney Recherche
    Inventors: Marie Prin, Benoist Ollivier
  • Patent number: 6248540
    Abstract: The present invention relates, inter alia, to methodologies for the synthesis, screening and characterization of organometailic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention provide for the combinatorial synthesis, screening and characterization of libraries of supported and unsupported organometallic compounds and catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts). The methods of the present invention can be applied to the preparation and screening of large niumbers of organometallic compounds which can be used not only as catalysts (e.g., homogeneous catalysts), but also as additives and therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Henry Weinberg, Eric McFarland, Isy Goldwasser, Thomas Boussie, Howard Turner, Johannes A. M. Van Beek, Vince Murphy, Timothy Powers
  • Patent number: 6235675
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a material containing carbon and boron, comprising: a) providing a substrate within a chemical vapor deposition chamber; b) flowing a carbon and boron precursor into the chamber, the precursor being a compound that comprises both carbon and boron; and c) utilizing the precursor to chemical vapor deposit a material onto the substrate, the material comprising carbon and boron. In another aspect, the invention includes a method of forming a catalyst, comprising: a) providing a substrate within a chemical vapor deposition chamber; b) flowing a carbon and boron precursor into the chamber, the precursor being a compound that comprises both carbon and boron; c) utilizing the precursor to chemical vapor deposit a first material onto the substrate, the first material comprising carbon and boron; and d) coating the first material with a catalytic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: David N. McIlroy
  • Patent number: 6228800
    Abstract: A noble metal-supported article which comprises a carrier and a palladium-containing metal component supported on the carrier, which article has (A) a layer in which substantially no palladium is supported in the interior of the carrier and (B) a layer in which palladium is supported in the region from the outer surface to a depth of less than 100 &mgr;m of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuo Yamaguchi, Setsuo Yamamatsu, Hiroshige Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6218326
    Abstract: An entirely new class of catalysts called supported molten-metal catalysts, SMMC, which can replace some of the existing precious metal catalysts used in the production of fuels, commodity chemicals, and fine chemicals, as well as in combating pollution. SMMC are based on supporting ultra-thin films or micro-droplets of the relatively low-melting (<600° C.), inexpensive, and abundant metals and semimetals from groups 1, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, of the periodic table, or their alloys and intermetallic compounds, on porous refractory supports, much like supported microcrystallites of the traditional solid metal catalysts. It thus provides orders of magnitude higher surface area than is obtainable in conventional reactors containing molten metals in pool form and also avoids corrosion. These have so far been the chief stumbling blocks in the application of molten metal catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: University of Iowa Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ravindra Datta, Ajeet Singh, Istvan Halasz, Manuela Serban
  • Patent number: 6214765
    Abstract: To form a catalytic surface, discrete metal nodules are electrolytically deposited onto the atmospheric oxide coating on an aluminum substrate. The nodules are formed from a catalyst metal or a core of another metal with a catalyst metal coating. The catalytic metal may be fully reduced by treatment with hydrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Howard A. Fromson
    Inventors: Howard A. Fromson, William J. Rozell
  • Patent number: 6200537
    Abstract: A fuel-reforming sheet which is adapted to be placed in the air flow channel of a heat engine to ionize the oxygen molecules in order to achieve complete combustion of the oxygen mixed with a fuel is constructed from a flexible backing, a double-sided adhesive sheet having front and back adhesive surfaces, and a powdered mixture which includes a ceramic powder, a radioactive rare-earth mineral powder and a binder, in which the rear adhesive surface of the double-sided adhesive sheet is bonded to the flexible backing and the powdered mixture is bonded to the front adhesive surface of the double-sided adhesive sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: Takashi Watanabe, Hideaki Nogami