Hideki Horiike

Title: **Innovative Contributions of Hideki Horiike in Polymer Technology**

Introduction

Hideki Horiike, based in Ichihara, Japan, is a notable inventor with an impressive portfolio consisting of five patents. His work primarily focuses on advancements in polymer technology, particularly in the field of block copolymers. His innovations have led to significant improvements in the mechanical properties of resins, making them suitable for various applications.

Latest Patents

Horiike's latest patents include a groundbreaking process for producing block copolymer from conjugated diene and vinyl. This process involves block-copolymerizing a mixture of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene in two stages within an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent. Utilizing an organomonolithium or organodilithium compound as a polymerization initiator, Horiike has successfully created a block copolymer that can form a clear suspension polymer in a slurry state. This innovation exhibits superior mechanical properties, including enhanced strength, elongation, and impact strength, which broadens its application in general resins.

Another significant patent describes a method for producing a transparent block copolymer resin. This process also employs block-copolymerization of a vinyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene in a hydrocarbon solvent, utilizing an organolithium compound as an initiator. The resulting block copolymer comprises three distinct blocks of homopolymerized vinyl aromatic compound, randomly copolymerized vinyl aromatic compound, and conjugated diene, as well as homopolymerized diene. This transparent copolymer demonstrates exceptional mechanical properties and is well-suited for the manufacture of sheeting, film, and various molded articles.

Career Highlights

Horiike has made substantial contributions to the field of polymer chemistry during his tenure at Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited. His innovative approach and dedication to research and development have significantly advanced the understanding and applications of block copolymers, thus enhancing the performance and utility of materials in various industries.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Horiike has collaborated with esteemed colleagues such as Tamotsu Miki and Shizuo Narisawa. These collaborations have undoubtedly enriched his research and development efforts, enabling significant breakthroughs in polymer technology.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Hideki Horiike stands out as a leading inventor in the field of polymer technology. His five patents showcase his innovative spirit and commitment to advancing the industry. With his latest inventions paving the way for enhanced materials, Horiike's contributions are expected to influence the future of resin applications significantly.