Ken-ichi Suenaga

Title: Ken-ichi Suenaga: Innovator in Electrophotography Toner Technology

Introduction

Ken-ichi Suenaga is a notable inventor based in Wakayama, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of electrophotography, particularly in the development of advanced toner technologies. With a total of two patents to his name, Suenaga's work has had a considerable impact on image quality and environmental stability in printing processes.

Latest Patents

Suenaga's latest patents include a process for producing a toner for electrophotography. This toner contains a binder resin that incorporates both a condensation polymerization-type resin for forming a matrix and an addition polymerization-type resin for creating a dispersed domain. The dispersed domain, with a cross-sectional diameter of not more than 2 micrometers, has an areal proportion of at least 90% based on the total cross-sectional area. This innovative toner is designed to maintain a suitable tribo electric charge, ensuring high image quality even under severe environmental conditions. Additionally, it allows for fixing at low temperatures without the need for an offset inhibiting liquid.

Another significant patent by Suenaga details a method for producing binder resin and toner for electrophotography. This method involves blending a starting material monomer mixture for two types of polymerization reactions, along with a compound that can react with both starting material monomers and a tricarboxylic or higher polycarboxylic acid. By concurrently carrying out the two polymerization reactions in one vessel, the resulting binder resin exhibits excellent environmental stability, pulverizability, and transparency. This innovation further enhances the performance of toners and developers used in electrophotography.

Career Highlights

Ken-ichi Suenaga is currently associated with Kao Corporation, where he continues to advance the field of electrophotography. His work has been instrumental in developing technologies that improve the quality and efficiency of printing processes.

Collaborations

Suenaga has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Katsutoshi Aoki and Eizi Morimoto. Their combined expertise has contributed to the successful development of innovative toner technologies.

Conclusion

Ken-ichi Suenaga's contributions to electrophotography through his patents and collaborative efforts have significantly enhanced the quality and efficiency of printing technologies. His work continues to influence the industry, paving the way for future innovations in toner production.