Posttreatment effects on pore size distribution of loeb-sourirajan-type modified cellulose acetate ultrathin membranes

The nitrogen gas adsorption isotherms at ?195°C on modified cellulose acetate ultrathin membranes were measured, and the surface area of the pores was determined by the method employed by Cranston and Inkley. A relationship between reverse osmosis characteristics and the mean pore radius was correlated, and it was observed that any method (such as longer evaporation period, heat treatment, or reduction of swelling agent) reducing the mean pore radius to below 20–22 Å improves membrane characteristics of reverse osmosis separation significantly.     

Model evaluation of CO2 reduction technologies in the Asia-pacific region

Global warming is one of the most serious issues in today's world. Various innovative technologies have been proposed for the reduction of CO₂ emissions and the mitigation of global warming. They include (1) the WENET project, inaugurated in 1993 by the government of Japan, in which electricity produced by photovoltaic systems in vast areas such as the Sahara Desert, or by hydropower systems, is converted to hydrogen for transport to demand sites, and (2) Steinberg's Hydrocarb process, in which fossil fuels and biomass are coprocessed to produce carbon and methanol. While Japan is resource-poor, it is located relatively close to Southeast Asia and Australia, which are large regions with abundant solar energy. This paper describes an investigation of the prospects for the adoption of these innovative technologies by Japan and surrounding resource regions in the next 30 to 40 years. An optimizing energy model is developed for the purpose, and the simulation results provide several interesting suggestions regarding Japan's future strategy for combatting global warming.     

Application of GEMSAFE to ITER CDA and Its comparison with FER

A safety analysis for the design of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in the Conceptual Design Activity stage was performed by the GEMSAFE methodology, and its results were compared with those of Fusion Experimental Reactor (FER), a Japan's facility planned next to JT-60. The objectives of this study are to confirm the applicability of GEMSAFE to ITER and to select design basis events of ITER and identify R&D items with comparison to FER. Function-Based Safety Analyses (FBSA) were carred out to select 19 and 25 design basis events for FER and ITER, respectively. The major reason for the difference is that ITER has a class-2 RI source, e.g., tritium of 7.5 × 10⁵ Ci in mobile form, in the coolant for the first wall and blankets as well as a class-3 RI source, e.g., the immobile tritium of 2.2×10⁷ Ci absorbed in first wall and dust.     

A biosensor in the time domain based on the diffusion coefficient measurement: intermolecular interaction of an intermediate of photoactive yellow protein

A new type of biosensor is presented for the first time. This method is based on the diffusion measurement in the time domain by the transient grating method. As the first demonstration of this new method, various intermolecular interactions with a reaction intermediate of photoactive yellow protein, such as the protein-protein interaction, protein-DNA interaction, and protein-small molecule binding are detected. The characteristic advantages and limitations are summarized.