Changes in photovoltaic and dark electrical properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon diodes induced by forward bias carrier injection

The photovoltaic and dark electrical properties of hydrogenated amorphous silicon diodes were changed by forward bias carrier injection for several hours. These changes were similar to photoinduced (PI) changes previously reported, and this result supports previous explanations for PI changes. The differences between these two types of change are also discussed.     

Quantification of Dance Movement by Simultaneous Measurement of Body Motion and Biophysical Information

The purpose of this research is a quantitative analysis of movement patterns of dance,which cannot be analyzed with a motion capture system alone,using simultaneous measurement of body motion and biophysical information.In this research,two kinds of same leg movement are captured by simultaneous measurement;one is a leg movement with given strength,the other is a leg movement without strength on condition of basic experiment using optical motion capture and electromyography (EMG) equipment in order to quantitatively analyze characteristics of leg movement.Also,we measured the motion of the traditional Japanese dance using the constructed system.We can visualize leg movement of Japanese dance by displaying a 3D CG character animation with motion data and EMG data.In addition,we expect that our research will help dancers and researchers on dance through giving new information on dance movement which cannot be analyzed with only motion capture.     

Ns-kriging based microstructural optimization applied to minimizing stochastic variation of homogenized elasticity of fiber reinforced composites

This paper describes an approximate microstructural optimization using the ns-kriging (noise-resistant smoothed kriging) method for minimizing the maximum stochastic variation of homogenized elastic properties of a composite material caused by microscopic uncertainties of component materials. Since evaluation of a stochastic characteristic of a homogenized material property such as expectation or variance will involve a high computational cost and its results include inaccuracy in using the Monte Carlo simulation, an approximation-based optimization technique is useful for solving the optimization problem considering the multiscale stochastic problem. Especially, the ns-kriging will work well in case of using inaccurate data for an unknown objective function. In order to investigate applicability and effectiveness of the proposed ns-kriging based approach to the optimization problem, it is applied to the cross-sectional shape optimization of fiber in a unidirectional FRP. From the numerical results, validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach are confirmed.     

Friction and frictional tracks on thick silica films prepared by vacuum deposition

Friction and frictional tracks on 2 µm thick SiO₂ films evaporated on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrate were investigated. Diamond spherical sliders of radius 30 and 100 µm, respectively, were slid on these coatings under a load of 50 to 200g at a sliding speed of 15 cm min^–1. The static and dynamic friction coefficients for SiO₂ films were found to be 0.1 and 0.06, respectively, depending on the load and radius of the slider. For lower load and small slider radius the tracks on SiO₂ film were groove-like, and whisker-like cracks regularly grew from the edges of the tracks. For higher loads and larger slider radius, semicircular cracks in the film were regularly found behind the slider, but in thicker film (6 µm thick), circular cracks occurred. The origin of these cracks is discussed in terms of a tension zone produced around the contact area between the slider and the substrate under frictional force.     

Mixed powder coating film using thermoplastic polyester and its alkaline resistance

To improve alkaline resistance, a newly mixed powder coating film using thermoplastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was investigated. Two kinds of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and two kinds of polyamide (PA) were chosen as the secondary polymer. The melting temperatures (T _ms) of these materials were lower than that of primary PET polymer so the mixed powder coating was able to form a dual phase film through a fluidized bed coating process. Microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) observations revealed that the dual phase structure was indeed successfully formed and there was a secondary layer over the entire surface area of the film. This mixed powder coating film significantly enhanced the alkaline resistance to an environment filled with NaOH solution at 40°C in which a secondary material would be effective in protecting the film. With regard to both alkaline resistance and film formability, PET/PVB was superior to the PET/PA mixture.     

A bag carrier for continuous intravenous hyperalimentation

We designed a new bag-carrier device system for continuous intravenous hyperalimentation. The patient carries it on his shoulder and can both walk up and down stairs and go out. The use of this device is simple and easy, and was found to increase the patient's opportunity to engage in physical activity.     

A corrosion prediction method for weathering steels

Japanese Specification for Highway Bridges [Japan Road Association: Specification for Highway Bridges—I & II, 2002.3] has been revised in 2002, which clearly states that degradation of bridge members, including those of weathering steels, to occur in prolonged period of time must be taken into account at the design stage to realize long term structural durability. To cope with the revised paradigm, SABI chemistry committee in Japan Society of Corrosion Engineers has proposed durable state concept [SABI Chemistry Committee of Japan Society of Corrosion Engineers, in: Proc. 132nd Symposium for Corrosion and Protection, 2001.6.25, p. 3], which is defined as a condition in which corrosion rate of steel is slow enough not to form thick rust [H. Kihira, K. Shiotani, H. Miyuki, T. Nakayama, M. Takemura, Y. Watanabe, Doboku Gakkai Ronbun-shu (J. Japan Soc. Civil Engineers) No. 745/I-65, 2003.10, pp.77-87]. Since corrosiveness of atmosphere differs by location, a corrosion prediction method for both conventional and advanced weathering steels [H. Kihira, A. Usami, K. Tanabe, M. Ito, G. Shigesato, Y. Tomita, T. Kusunoki, T. Tsuzuki, S. Ito, T. Murata, in: Electrochemical Society Proceedings, vol. 99-26, 2000, pp. 127-136] is needed to ensure structural durability for future. Thus, versatile computational scheme for it has been derived through mathematical modeling based upon the durable state concept.     

Quantitative evaluation of reheat cracking susceptibility by in situ observation and measurement using laser confocal microscope*

In the post-weld heat treatment process, the reheat cracking which might occur in the weldments of low-alloy steels has been a serious problem. So, it is considered to be important to predict the possibility of occurrence of reheat cracking in these steels. It is however recognized as a time-consuming procedure to evaluate quantitatively the susceptibility to this type of cracking. In the present study, a new quantitative evaluation method of reheat cracking susceptibility by in situ observation and measurement using a laser confocal microscope has been proposed. Through this new method, the reheat cracking susceptibility of any kind of steels can be evaluated with the same standard. Moreover, because the position of the initial crack can be focused and the critical ductility to initiate the crack is measured by in situ observation, the reheat cracking susceptibility can be evaluated using only one specimen. So the newly developed method can provide efficient quantitative assessment of the reheat cracking sensitivity with high accuracy.     

The impact of divorce precedents on the Japanese divorce rate

This paper undertakes a time series analysis of the Japanese divorce rate using annual data over the period 1964–2006. One of the key innovations of the paper is to use court decisions on divorce disputes to construct an index that seeks to measure how the probability of success in a divorce suit has changed over time. The computed index suggests that if it is the culpable party lodging the divorce suit, the probability of the suit being successful has clearly increased over time. The probability of winning a divorce suit appears to be an important factor in explaining the long-run rise in the Japanese divorce rate. The divorce rate also appears to be counter-cyclical.