Highly Stretchable,Global, and Distributed Local Strain Sensing Line Using GaInSn Electrodes for Wearable Electronics

For identifying human or finger movement, it is necessary to sense subtle movements at multiple points, including the local strain and global deformation simultaneously; however, this has not yet been realized. Therefore, a highly stretchable, global, and distributed local strain sensing electrode made of GaInSn and polydimethylsiloxane is developed for wearable devices. To investigate the electrical properties of multiple sections of the GaInSn electrode when stretching, tensile, cyclic, and three‐point‐bending tests are performed. The results demonstrate that the electrode can withstand a strain up to 50% and has little hysteresis without any delay. Moreover, the distributed local strain and global strain can be simultaneously measured using just a single electrode line. Finally, a prototype of a data glove as an application of the strain sensing line is manufactured, and it is demonstrated that the folding state of fingers could be identified. The proposed technology may allow the creation of a lightweight master hand manipulator or 3D data entry device.     

Effect of impurity on dissolution behavior of simulated molybdenum cermet fuels

The effects of impurity Zr on dissolution behavior into nitric acid of sintered Mo pellets were investigated using simulated fuels to accumulate basic data and knowledge concerning the matrix of Mo-cermet fuels. Mo pellets containing 1– 10 mol% Zr were prepared by conventional powder metallurgical route. After characterization tests using optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction and secondary electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), the sintered pellets were subjected to dissolution tests by nitric acid. The apparent dissolution rate of Mo pellets containing impurity Zr was found to be followed by the first-order chemical reaction form, which is generally known as a simple chemical reaction. The rate of dissolution of sintered Mo-cermet fuels by nitric acid was found to decrease with the increase of the amount of impurity Zr.     

Reflection and absorption characteristics of electromagnetic waves for PV modules

In this paper, the authors investigated the reflection and absorption characteristics of a general photovoltaic (PV) module. As a result, the electromagnetic waves could be attenuated only 6 dB in typical PV module. However, if the PV module is installed in the outer wall of buildings, electromagnetic interference is caused by the surroundings. To reduce this electromagnetic interference, the authors suggested a method to absorb electromagnetic wave using multiple PV modules that have deference impedance, and simulation was performed. As a result, it was confirmed that using a typical PV module and the PV module including electronic device, the reflection waves of those PV modules could be attenuated up to 12 dB.     

Measurements, analyses and evaluation of residential PV systems by Japanese monitoring program

This paper is about measurements, analyses and evaluation of residential PV systems in the Japanese Monitoring Program, on which JQA was subsidized by NEDO (New Energy Development and Industrial Technology Organization) that is currently proceeding [NSS R&D] from FY1997 to FY 2000.The aim of this investigation refers, through the data evaluation and analyses, to obtain knowledge required for optimizing design of PV systems, such as system performance, characteristics and regional dependency under practical operation and to develop the system evaluation technology on the design parameter method.     

Manipulation of small particles utilizing electrostatic force

We developed electrostatic system for manipulating small particles with diameters in the range of several micrometers to 100 μm. The electrostatic manipulation probe consists of a monopole pin electrode. When voltage is applied to the electrode, a dielectrophoresis force generated in the nonuniform electrostatic field is applied to the particle near the tip of the electrode. The particle is captured with the application of voltage, and then it is released from the probe by applying a high voltage of the opposite polarity. It is possible to manipulate not only insulative but also weakly conductive particles. A three-dimensional field calculation and a measurement of the adhesion force were conducted to evaluate the force balance for the capture and release of a particle. On the basis of these investigations, we demonstrated the manipulation of actual lunar dust returned by the Apollo 11 lunar surface mission.     

Ironmaking with ammonia at low temperature

This paper describes the reduction of hematite with ammonia for ironmaking, in which the effect of temperature on the products was examined. The results showed that the reduction process began at 430 °C during heating, and with an increase in temperature, the reduction mechanism changed apparently from a direct reduction of ammonia (Fe(2)O(3) + 2NH(3) → 2Fe + N(2) + 3H(2)O) to an indirect reduction via the thermal decomposition of ammonia (2NH(3) → N(2) + 3H(2), Fe(2)O(3) + 3H(2) → 2Fe + 3H(2)O) at temperatures over 530 °C. The final product obtained at 600 and 700 °C was pure metallic iron, in contrast with that formed at 450 °C, that is, a mixture of metallic iron and iron nitride. The results suggest the possibility of using ammonia as a reducing agent for carbonless ironmaking, which is operated at a much lower temperature than 900 °C in conventional coal-based ironmaking.     

Enhanced antiviral activity of soybean β-conglycinin-derived peptides by acylation with saturated fatty acids

Abstract: Peptide mixtures prepared from soybean β‐conglycinin (7S‐peptides) were acylated with saturated fatty acids of different chain length (6C‐18C) in order to improve their antiviral activity against Feline calicivirus (FCV) strain F9 which is a typical norovirus surrogate. Among the fatty acids varieties, it was revealed that 7S‐peptides acylated with myristic and palmitic acids potently inhibited FCV replication. Myristorylation and palmitoylation of 7S‐peptides kept host cells viability at 91.51% and 98.90%, respectively. The infectivity of FCV on Crandell–Reese feline kidney cells was further determined after exposure of initial titer of 10^6.47 TCID₅₀/mL. Myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides significantly (P < 0.006) reduced FCV infectivity as compared to native 7S‐peptides. Native 7S‐peptides showed 25% FCV inhibitory activity while myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides exhibited 98.59% and 99.98% reduction in FCV infectivity, respectively. Myristoylated and palmitoylated 7S‐peptides demonstrated higher anti‐FCV activity in a wide range of concentration with complete reduction at 25 μg/mL. Surface hydrophobicity was significantly (P < 0.05) increased after attachment of long hydrocarbon fatty acids to 7S‐peptides as supported by changes in fluorescence intensity. Enzymatic hydrolysis together with acylation will give an insight into surface and physiological functional lipopeptides derived from soy β‐conglycinin.     

Areal evolution of PV systems

If a large amount of the future penetration of PV systems is imaged, it is likely that they densely concentrate in a certain area. It may not be a simple aggregation of individually optimized system, but a different system image may result by the total optimization of an area. The author frames this new question as the problem of “Areal Evolution” or “PV-AREA”. The following two cases are dealt with and their concrete concepts are given: (1) PV systems for community, (2) global-scale utilization of PV systems.     

An evaluation method of the fluctuation characteristics of photovoltaic systems by using frequency analysis

Short-time fluctuations in solar irradiance will become an important issue with regard to future embedded photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, when PV systems are intensively installed, fluctuation of total output in clustered PV systems is not remarkable because there is the smoothing effect of irradiance in certain areas. In this paper, a new estimation method of irradiance fluctuation, which is based on the combination of the Fourier transform and the wavelet transform methods, is described.