GaN-based optoelectronic devices on sapphire and Si substrates

A recessed gate AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistor (HEMT) on sapphire (0 0 0 1), a GaN metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MESFET) and an InGaN multiple-quantum well green light-emitting diode (LED) on Si (1 1 1) substrates have been grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The AlGaN/GaN intermediate layers have been used for the growth of GaN MESFET and LED on Si substrates. A two-dimensional electron gas mobility as high as 9260 cm²/V s with a sheet carrier density of 4.8×10¹² cm⁻² was measured at 4.6 K for the AlGaN/GaN heterostructure on the sapphire substrate. The recessed gate device on sapphire showed a maximum extrinsic transconductance of 146 mS/mm and a drain–source current of 900 mA/mm for the AlGaN/GaN HEMT with a gate length of 2.1 μm at 25°C. The GaN MESFET on Si showed a maximum extrinsic transconductance of 25 mS/mm and a drain–source current of 169 mA/mm with a complete pinch-off for the 2.5-μm-gate length. The LED on Si exhibited an operating voltage of 18 V, a series resistance of 300 Ω, an optical output power of 10 μW and a peak emission wavelength of 505 nm with a full-width at half-maximum of 33 nm at 20 mA drive current.     

日本污水处理构筑物钢筋混凝土结构的腐蚀及防护

针对污水处理系统中的混凝土构筑物受到的各种腐蚀介质的侵蚀问题,从腐蚀的机理、对策、抑制技术,防腐技术、工法等方面,介绍日本在此领域的技术、经验及做法。     

Inhibitory effects of flavonoid glycosides isolated from the peel of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki Fuyu) on antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukaemia RBL-2H3 cells

We found that two distinct flavonoid glycosides isolated from the peel of Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki Fuyu), isoquercitrin (Isq) and hyperin (Hyp), are capable of inhibiting antigen-stimulated degranulation in rat basophilic leukaemia RBL-2H3 cells. In order to elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we examined effects of Isq and Hyp on cellular responses induced by antigen stimulation. Treatment with both Isq and Hyp markedly inhibited antigen-stimulated elevation of intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Isq and Hyp did not affect NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity, but they possessed DPPH radical-scavenging activity similar to that of epigallocatechin gallate, a potent anti-oxidant, Finally, Isq and Hyp showed little or no effects on Ag-stimulated Syk activation or phosphorylation of signalling molecules. These results indicate that inhibition of antigen-stimulated degranulation by Isq and Hyp is mainly due to suppression of intracellular Ca²⁺ elevation, which is caused by direct scavenging of ROS that are generated by NOX. Our findings suggest that Isq and Hyp, isolated from the peel of persimmon, would be beneficial for alleviating symptoms of type I allergy.     

Effects of Fruiting Bodies of Basidiomycetes on Yeast Growth Rates

The effects of edible fruiting of Basidiomycetes on growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and other yeast strains were examined. The growth rates were significantly increased in the presence of fruiting bodies but there was no significant difference growth yield between cultures with and without fruiting bodies. Growth rates of yeast cells were promoted in both synthetic and natural media.     

A system for synchronizing the nods of a CG character and a human using thermal image processing and a moving-average model

The purpose of this study was to develop a system for communication between a human and a computer generated (CG) character to make him or her more peaceful and cheerful. Nonverbal communication using such things as facial expression, a nod, or a hand gesture is very important for reciprocal communication between humans. In this study, an image registered by infrared rays which describes the thermal distribution of the face and neck has been used to develop a system for communication between a human and a CG character. The CG character can synchronize its nod with a person’s nod by predicting his or her nod angle. The measured feature parameter is input to a fuzzy algorithm system to obtain the nod angle of a person in front of an infrared camera, and then a moving-average model is used to predict the nod angle of the person. The average error of the nod angle obtained by the system has been estimated as about 5°. The CG character nods its head, not only when the human nods his or her head, but also when the human shakes his or her head to the left or right.     

Full‐duplex analogue/digital data transmission using lasers coupled to GI fibre and its application

This paper describes a low‐cost version of a full‐duplex optical fibre analogue/digital data transmission link whose practical implementation is simplified by using a pair of laser diodes, each having a built‐in photodiode for monitoring the laser output power, and its application to vibration test data transmission. The transmission link sends digital data of up to 9600 bps in one direction, and analogue data of DC to 100 kHz and image data specified by an NTSC colour video signal in the opposite direction, all at the same time through one GI optical fibre. Being simple in configuration and stable against noise, this type of link has a variety of applications within factory, home and offices. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Preparation of micrometer‐sized,multifunctional capsule particles for cosmetic by microsuspension polymerization utilizing the self‐assembling of phase separated polymer method

Micrometer‐sized polymer particles with encapsulated ultraviolet (UV) absorbent, fluorescent agent, and blue pigment were successfully prepared by microsuspension polymerization utilizing the Self‐assembling of Phase Separated Polymer method. The particles were characterized by optical microscope and particle size distribution analysis, and they were evaluated on their usefulness for cosmetic using UV spectrometry, colorimetry, VISIA? Evolution, and bioassay. The capsule particles had multifunctional properties, which are very attractive in the cosmetic field, especially in whitening, brightening, the improvement of face‐texture, and less noticeable pores in face, as well as the protection from UV. Moreover, bioactivities of the particles under the UV irradiation, which were examined with the films prepared from capsule components, revealed not only makeup effect but also the activation of human epidermal keratinocytes. The results suggest the importance of blue light in the field of cosmetics. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Limiting current density in bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide-based ionic liquid for lithium batteries

The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of the binary ionic liquid (IL), lithium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (LiTFSA) dissolved in N,N-diethyl-N-methyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide (DEMETFSA), were investigated. The ionic conductivity of the binary IL decreased with an increase in LiTFSA concentration. The self-diffusion coefficients of Li⁺, DEME⁺, and TFSA⁻ dissolved in the IL were measured by using the pulsed-field-gradient spin-echo (PGSE) NMR method. The self-diffusion coefficient of each ionic species was also found to decrease with increasing concentration of LiTFSA. The limiting current density in the IL electrolyte was evaluated by chronoamperometry using symmetric Li|IL|Li cell. The results suggest that the diffusion process of Li(I) in the IL dominates the limiting current density in the cell. The highest limiting current density is achieved at a concentration of 0.64 mol dm⁻³ of LiTFSA.     

Electrolyte properties of 1-alkyl-2,3,5-trimethylpyrazolium cation-based room-temperature ionic liquids for lithium secondary batteries

The physicochemical and electrochemical properties of three 1-alkyl-2,3,5-trimethylpyrazolium cation-based room-temperature ionic liquids with various alkyl chain lengths were investigated. The temperature dependences of density, viscosity, and ionic conductivity were obtained by precise measurements. Electrolyte properties of these room-temperature ionic liquids were also examined from the viewpoint of their uses in lithium secondary batteries ([LiCoO₂ positive electrode|electrolyte|lithium metal negative electrode]). It was found that the alkyl chain length affects the charge–discharge performances of cells.