Quantitative coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering microspectroscopy using a nanosecond supercontinuum light source

We describe and characterize a multiplex CARS microspectroscopic system that uses a nanosecond supercontinuum generated from a photonic crystal fiber and a sub-nanosecond pulse laser. This system has a high spectral resolution (<0.1 cm^?1) and an ultrabroadband spectral coverage (>2500 cm^?1). The estimated spatial resolutions are 0.45 μm (lateral) and 4.5 μm (axial), respectively. This system enables us to obtain CARS spectra and corresponding images in the fingerprint region as well in the CH stretch region. Using this system, we have successfully obtained label-free and multi-mode vibrational images of a yeast cell.     

Preparation of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films by sulfurizing electroplated precursors

Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) thin films were prepared by sulfurizing precursors deposited by electroplating. The precursors (Cu/Sn/Zn stacked layers) were deposited by electroplating sequentially onto Mo-coated glass substrates. Aqueous solutions containing copper sulfate for Cu plating, tin sulfate for Sn plating and zinc sulfate for Zn plating were used as the electrolytes. The precursors were sulfurized by annealing with sulfur at temperatures of 300, 400, 500 and 600 °C in an N₂ gas atmosphere. The X-ray diffraction peaks attributable to CZTS were detected in thin films sulfurized at temperatures above 400 °C. A photovoltaic cell using a CZTS thin film produced by sulfurizing an electroplated Sn-rich precursor at 600 °C exhibited an open-circuit voltage of 262 mV, a short-circuit current of 9.85 mA/cm² and an efficiency of 0.98%.     

Performance evaluation of membrane on catalyst module for hydrogen production from natural gas

We have been developing a hydrogen production module with a Pd-based membrane on catalyst (MOC) from natural gas. The MOC module is expected to be more compact and cheaper than the conventional hydrogen production module. To evaluate the hydrogen production performance of the MOC module and to clear the factor that dominates the effective hydrogen production, we compared the reforming performance of the catalytic support without hydrogen permeable membrane and the MOC module at various reaction conditions. As a result, it was cleared that hydrogen permeation through the membrane improves the methane conversion drastically in the MOC module by comparing with the support only module and changing the experimental conditions.     

Creep deformation properties of creep strength enhanced ferritic steels

Creep deformation properties of creep strength enhanced ferritic steels were investigated. Good linear relationships between creep strain vs. time and creep rate vs. time were observed within a transient stage in a double logarithmic plot. It was appropriately expressed by a power law rather than exponential law, logarithmic law and Blackburn’s equation. With decrease in stress, a magnitude of creep strain at the onset of accelerating creep stage decreased from about 2% in the short-term to less than 1% in the long-term. Life fraction of the time to specific strain of 1% creep strain and 1% total strain, to time to rupture tended to increase with decrease in stress. A time to 1% total strain, that is a parameter for design of high temperature components, was observed in the transient creep stage in the short-term regime, however, it shifted to the accelerating creep stage in the long-term regime. Difference in stress dependence of the minimum creep rate was observed in the high- and low-stress regimes with a boundary condition of 50% of 0.2% offset yield stress. Stress dependence of the minimum creep rate in the high stress regime was equivalent to a strain rate dependence of flow stress observed in tensile test, and a magnitude of stress exponent, n, in the high stress regime decreased with increase in temperature from 20 at 550°C to 10 at 700°C. On the other hand, n value in the low stress regime was about 5, and creep deformation in the low stress regime was considered to be controlled by dislocation climb.     

日本移动服务业的过去和将来

分别对日本三代移动通信系统的发展进行了描述。第一代系统致力于实现随时、随地的通话，第二代系统的特征是基于语音的附加服务、低速的移动计算、移动因特网和位置服务，第三代系统将以基于视频的全球范围内高速多媒体服务和移动IT为特征。在未来的后3G系统中，这些服务都将以虚拟永远在线的方式无缝、高速地普遍提供。     

Seismic tests of a pile-supported structure in liquefiable sand using large-scale blast excitation

Extensive, large-amplitude vibration tests of a pile-supported structure in a liquefiable sand deposit have been performed at a large-scale mining site. Ground motions from large-scale blasting operations were used as excitation forces for vibration tests. A simple pile-supported structure was constructed in an excavated 3 m-deep pit. The test pit was backfilled with 100% water-saturated clean uniform sand. Accelerations were measured on the pile-supported structure, in the sand in the test pit, and in the adjacent free field. Excess pore water pressures in the test pit and strains of one pile were also measured.Vibration tests were performed with six different levels of input motions. The maximum horizontal acceleration recorded at the adjacent ground surface varied from 20 Gals to 1353 Gals. These alternations of acceleration provided different degrees of liquefaction in the test pit. Sand boiling phenomena were observed in the test pit with larger input motions. This paper outlines vibration tests and investigates the test results.     

Anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative activities found in Chinese traditional soybean fermented products furu

Furus, Chinese traditional soybean products, which are salted, fermented and seasoned bean curd preserved in dipping sauce, were studied for their anti-mutagenic and anti-oxidative activities. There are many varieties of furu by region, depending on their ingredients and bacterial strain used. Furus, not only have peculiar palatable taste and aroma, but also present strong anti-oxidative activity which ordinary Japanese soybean curd, tofu, never shows. Against benzo(α)pyrene, all samples, regardless of solid or dipping sauce, showed anti-mutagenic activity. In general, red furus had higher activity than white. All red furus inhibited more than 50% of the mutagenicity and this high suppressive ratio suggested that it was raised mainly by secreted substances discharged from the bacterial body rather than by functional compounds originating from soybeans. In the case of white furu, which showed wide differences in activity, the functional role of each spice and condiment added needs to be further studied, in addition to the soybean and white furu ferment-rice malt.     

Calcium deoxidation and nitrogen distribution in liquid nickel equilibrated with CaO-Al2O3 slags

The Wagner’s first-ordere _o ^Ca and second-order (r _o ^Ca ) interaction parameters between Ca and O in liquid nickel were determined as −1220 and 1.35 x 105, respectively, at 1873 K in the equilibrium experiments between liquid nickel and CaO-Al₂O₃ slags in an A1₂O₃ or CaO crucible. The values fore _Ca ^O , (−3060), r _Ca ^o (8.47 × 105), r _Ca ^O,Ca (6.76 x 10⁵), and r _Ca ^O,Ca (6.76 x 105) were also estimated. Nitride capacities, C(_N), defined by (mass pct N)·P ₂ ^3/4 PskN₂1/2 were obtained by using the present results for nitrogen distribution ratio, L_N =(mass pct N)/[mass pct N], and the reported values for the activity of Al₂O₃.     

Ubiquitous Memories: a memory externalization system using physical objects

In this paper we propose an object-triggered human memory augmentation system named “Ubiquitous Memories” that enables a user to directly associate his/her experience data with physical objects by using a “touching” operation. A user conceptually encloses his/her experiences gathered through sense organs into physical objects by simply touching an object. The user can also disclose and re-experience for himself/herself the experiences accumulated in an object by the same operation. We implemented a prototype system composed basically of a radio frequency identification (RFID) device. Physical objects are also attached to RFID tags. We conducted two experiments. The first experiment confirms a succession of the “encoding specificity principle,” which is well known in the research field of psychology, to the Ubiquitous Memories system. The second experiment aims at a clarification of the system’s characteristics by comparing the system with other memory externalization strategies. The results show the Ubiquitous Memories system is effective for supporting memorization and recollection of contextual events.