Master curve of crystal growth rate and its corresponding state in polymeric materials

The temperature dependence of linear crystal growth rate (G) for various polymers shows a bell shape with the maximum growth rate (G_max). The G_max shows remarkable molecular weight dependence. The G_max was formulated on the basis of a crystallization theory, both for Arrhenius and WLF expressions in the molecular transport term. The plots of the reduced growth rate (G/G_max) against the reduced temperature (T/T_cmax) for a given polymer showed a single master curve without molecular weight dependence. The ratio of G₀/G_max gave a constant value for each polymer, indicating a material constant. On the basis of G_max for many polymers, a universal master curve was observed when the ratio of ln(G/G_max)/ln(G₀/G_max) was plotted against the reduced temperature (T/T_cmax).     

Influence of manganese on iron oxyhydroxides and oxides formed in aqueous solution

Structural analysis techniques such as X-ray diffraction and anomalous X-ray scattering were used for characterizing the influence of manganese on iron oxyhydroxides and oxides formed from green rust (GR) in an aqueous solution. The results showed that the formation of Fe₃O₄ was enhanced by the addition of manganese ions during the conversion of GR2 to α-FeOOH and Fe₃O₄. The results obtained from anomalous X-ray scattering showed that manganese was present both in α-FeOOH and Fe₃O₄ particles. The incorporation of manganese in α-FeOOH appears to induce the distortion of the atomic-scale structure of α-FeOOH particles formed in an aqueous solution.     

Integral three-dimensional television using a 2000-scanning-line video system

We have developed an integral three-dimensional (3-D) television that uses a 2000-scanning-line video system that can shoot and display 3-D color moving images in real time. We had previously developed an integral 3-D television that used a high-definition television system. The new system uses -6 times as many elemental images [160 (horizontal) x 118 (vertical) elemental images] arranged at -1.5 times the density to improve further the picture quality of the reconstructed image. Through comparison an image near the lens array can be reconstructed at -1.9 times the spatial frequency, and the viewing angle is -1.5 times as wide.     

Calculation of holograms from elemental images captured by integral photography

We describe a method in which holograms can be produced by calculation from images captured by integral photography (IP). We present a basic algorithm obtained by simulating IP reconstruction, in which conditions are set so as not to cause aliasing in the holograms after the calculations. To reduce the calculation load, we also propose a way to limit the range of calculation considering the distribution of light and a way to shift the optical field on the exit plane of microlenses in a lens array. Finally, by optical experiments, we confirm that three-dimensional images can be reconstructed from holograms calculated from an integral photograph of a real object captured with an IP camera.     

The heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of finned tube banks in forced convection (comparison of the pressure drop characteristics of spiral fins and serrated fins)

In recent years there has been a growing need for reduction of energy consumption in an effort to solve problems of global warming and the shortage of petroleum resources. For example, in the power generation field, thermal power generation now occupies 60% of the power generation demand, and the need for improved thermal efficiency is thus considerable. In this paper, the pressure drop characteristics of the finned tube banks used for the heat exchanger in thermal power generation were clarified by testing the serrated finned tube banks for improvement of higher heat transfer and the conventional spiral finned tube banks under the same test conditions, and equations for predicting the pressure drop coefficient which is necessary to design the heat exchanger were proposed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 33(7): 431–444, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20030     

Virtual Museum-3-D fine art appreciation system

We have developed an interactive multimedia system for the appreciation of three-dimensional art objects, such as porcelain and sculptures. With the system, the viewer is able to see a representation of the object from various directions as if holding it in his/her hands. He/she can enjoy the object images on high-quality HDTV (Hi-Vision) display, with supplementary audio and written information about the object. This system consists of (1) a video server, to store the HDTV images of the fine arts, which have been shot from various paths around the fine arts at 0.2 degree intervals; (2) a specially designed manipulator to select a desired image from the server; and (3) an HDTV or stereoscopic HDTV display, and accompanying spectacles. The HDTV video server can randomly access data at a video rate (1/60 sec), so as to quickly respond to the operations of the manipulator. The experimental system has been tested by many artists and scientists for operability and effectiveness, and has been confirmed as useful for art galleries and other educational institutions     

Production of uninfectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 containing viral protein R fused to a single-chain antibody against viral integrase

A single-chain antibody (scAb) against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase was expressed as a fusion protein of scAb and HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr), together with the HIV-1 genome, in human 293T cells. The expression did not affect virion production much but markedly reduced the infectivity of progeny virions. The fusion protein was found to be incorporated into the virions. The incorporation appears to account for the reduced infectivity.     

Numerical simulation of the excavation damaged zone around an opening in brittle rock

The micromechanics-based damage model proposed by Golshani et al. [A micromechanical model for brittle failure of rock and its relation to crack growth observed in triaxial compression tests of granite. Mech Mater 2006;38:287–303] is extended so that time-dependent behavior of brittle material can be taken into account, with special attention to the numerical analysis of an excavation damaged zone (EDZ) around an opening, which is a major concern in assessing the safety of underground repositories. The present model is capable of reproducing the three characteristic stages of creep behavior (i.e., primary, secondary, and tertiary creep) commonly observed in the laboratory creep tests. The sub-critical microcrack growth parameters (i.e., n and A) can be determined for Inada granite by fitting the numerical results of elapse time to failure versus the creep stress ratio curve with the experimental data under both dry and wet conditions. It is found that moisture has a significant influence on the parameter A rather than the parameter n. Use of the extended model makes it possible to analyze not only the extension of microcrack length, but also the development of EDZ around an opening as a function of time. The damaged zones mainly develop in the sidewalls of the opening in the case that the vertical stress σ₂₂ is larger than the horizontal stress σ₁₁.