Some of the main i Labo engineers’ technical achievements and patents are introduced below.
Director Kimitaka Yamane
Brief Personal History
While a student at Musashi Institute of Technology (now Tokyo City University), he conducted the first hydrogen engine research in Japan.
After working for Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. on hydrogen engine research, design and development of solid rocket engines, and system research of ramjet engines, he was appointed as an assistant professor of the Hydrogen Energy Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, Musashi Institute of Technology in 1992.
In 1996, he became an associate professor (currently associate professor) in the newly established Department of Basic Energy Engineering. At the same time, he also held a concurrent position at the Hydrogen Energy Research Center, where he promoted research on hydrogen engines, hydrogen fuel supply systems, liquid hydrogen pumps, and liquid hydrogen tanks.
He has been in his current position since November 2019.
Awards Received
June 2019 Award for Contribution to Hydrogen Engine Research and Development by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation for the Promotion of Comprehensive Engineering
August 2013 2012 Award for Contribution to Technology by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan
Publication
Oct. 2020 “Another Wing of Global Warming Countermeasures: Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine” Japan Hydrogen Energy Association
June 2020 “Hydrogen internal combustion engine to be a driving force of hydrogen society” Japan Hydrogen Energy Association
68 other publications, including single-authored and co-authored papers
Patent applications
May 2016 “Sealing structure and gas injection valve
Sakuichiro Imai, Executive Officer
Brief Personal History
Since 1978, Mr. Imai has been involved in the creation of cars that have always been at the top of their class in every category, including 0-400m times, top speed records, and racing activities, and has a proven track record as a mechanic.
Later, he became an editorial advisor and manuscript writer for an automotive magazine, and a temporary lecturer at an automotive college. In the maximum speed trial (JARI high speed test course) organized by a specialized magazine, he recorded the first 200 km/h over 200 km/h by tuning a diesel engine, which he started alone, and also drove a 0-400 m time in the 15-second range, an amazing record for a diesel engine at that time.
In 1997 and 1998, he was in charge of tuning the engines and auxiliaries of vehicles competing in the Paris-Dakar Rally, said to be the toughest race in the world, and in 1998, he demonstrated amazing performance and led the team to victory in the diesel modified class (T2-2 In 1998, he led the team to victory in the diesel modified class (T2-2) with his amazing performance.
In 2009, he completed a prototype of a “gasoline-mixed hydrogen engine” vehicle and obtained its license plate number. Two years later, he helped the DMV to complete the infrastructure for hydrogen vehicles and obtained a continuous vehicle inspection for the vehicle.
Since 2013, he has also been working on a hydrogen truck as part of a NEDO project.
Inventions
Commercialized a low-cost drive recorder for general use with HORIBA, Ltd.
Developed a diesel engine distribution injection pump that significantly increases horsepower and torque while reducing black smoke.
Patent applications
September 2012 “Method of supplying gaseous fuel to an engine and engine with increased power output by said method
May 2011 “Retrofit gaseous fuel supply kit for retrofitting to internal combustion engines using liquid fuel
October 2010 “Vehicle battery shutdown device
Other 3 patents