Kenya Okada

Title: Kenya Okada: Innovator in Fiber-Reinforced Materials

Introduction

Kenya Okada is a notable inventor based in Shiga, Japan. He has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the development of fiber-reinforced plastics. With a total of 4 patents to his name, Okada's work showcases innovative approaches to enhancing material properties.

Latest Patents

One of Okada's latest patents is for a fiber-reinforced plastic molded body. This invention includes a laminated body that features a sandwich structure member. The structure is created by laminating one or two layers of unidirectional fiber-reinforced resin, which consists of a unidirectional continuous fiber and a matrix resin, on both surfaces of a core layer. Additionally, it incorporates one or two layers of woven fiber-reinforced resin on the design surface side. Importantly, the resin member is not substantially exposed in a projection plane from the woven fiber-reinforced resin side.

Another significant patent is for a porous carbon sheet and the process for its production. This sheet is obtained by binding separate carbon short fibers with a carbonization product of a resin. The pore mode diameter of the sheet ranges from 45 to 90 µm, while the mean fiber diameter of the carbon short fibers is between 5 to 20 µm. The production process involves thermoforming a precursor fiber sheet comprising carbon short fibers and a thermosetting resin, followed by carbonizing the thermosetting resin contained in the thermoformed precursor fiber sheet.

Career Highlights

Kenya Okada has worked with prominent companies, including Toray Industries, Inc. His experience in these organizations has allowed him to refine his expertise in materials development and innovation.

Collaborations

Okada has collaborated with notable coworkers, including Takashi Chida and Mikio Inoue. Their combined efforts have contributed to advancements in the field of fiber-reinforced materials.

Conclusion

Kenya Okada's innovative work in fiber-reinforced plastics and porous carbon sheets highlights his significant contributions to materials science. His patents reflect a commitment to advancing technology and improving material performance.