Kaneyoshi Ashida

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Kaneyoshi Ashida

Introduction

Kaneyoshi Ashida is a notable inventor based in Farmington Hills, MI (US), recognized for his significant contributions to the field of polymer chemistry. With a total of 12 patents to his name, Ashida has made remarkable advancements in the development of halogen-free blowing agents and rigid isocyanurate foams.

Latest Patents

One of Ashida's latest patents focuses on halogen-free blowing agents that include cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons. This innovation is particularly important as it provides a solution for producing isocyanate-based polymeric foams without the environmental drawbacks associated with traditional blowing agents. The blowing agent is an organic liquid that is free from halogens and contains a positive binary azeotrope with a minimum boiling temperature ranging from about 15°C to about 80°C at normal atmospheric pressure. A preferred example of this binary azeotrope is a combination of an alicyclic hydrocarbon, such as cyclopentane or cyclohexane, and methyl formate. The advantages of these halogen-free blowing agents include no ozone depletion potential, no global warming potential, and the ability to directly replace trichloromonofluoromethane (CFC-11) in foam formulations. Additionally, they offer relatively higher blowing action, lower foam density, lower thermal conductivity, better compatibility, and reduced material costs.

Another significant patent by Ashida involves the production of open cell rigid isocyanurate foams. These foams are created by foaming a mixture of an organic polyisocyanate and a polyol, maintaining an NCO/OH equivalent ratio of 3.5 to 13. This innovation has implications for various applications in the industry.

Career Highlights

Throughout his career, Kaneyoshi Ashida has worked with various companies, including Polymetrics Corporation. His work has consistently focused on developing environmentally friendly materials and processes that advance the field of polymer science.

Collaborations

Ashida has collaborated with notable professionals in his field, including Kurt C. Frisch and Jozef L. Van Der Loos. These collaborations have contributed to the success and impact of his inventions.

Conclusion

Kaneyoshi Ashida's innovative work in the development of halogen-free blowing agents and rigid isocyanurate foams