Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd. List of Products and Services

Conventional thermal property measurements using thermistors and thermocouples require electrical wiring, which limits further improvements in sensor density and sensitivity. Resonant temperature sensors using in-plane mechanical resonators also suffer from low areal density, and laser-based readout becomes impractical when many sensing points are required. To overcome these limitations, the inventors developed a wiring-free temperature sensor that optically detects the resonance vibration amplitude of a high–aspect ratio micro-resonator. This architecture is well suited to dense array integration and achieves a temperature sensitivity of 32%/°C, exceeding that of frequency-shift-based resonant sensors (35 ppm/°C) and thermistors (2.0%/°C), making it promising for high-sensitivity temperature measurement.

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Geothermal energy is recovered by injecting fluid through injection wells, allowing it to absorb heat as it flows through rock fractures, and extracting the heated fluid via production wells. Preferential flow through highly permeable fractures can cause short-circuiting, where injected fluid reaches the production well without sufficient heat exchange, reducing power generation efficiency. Currently, no effective method exists to mitigate short-circuiting, and operators are limited to temporary measures such as adjusting injection rates or switching wells. The inventors have identified a potential solution using a temperature-responsive gel that solidifies at high temperatures. When injected, the gel slurry flows into preferential flow channels and selectively plugs them upon reaching the high-temperature reservoir zone, redistributing fluid flow to other fractures and improving heat recovery efficiency.

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　Nickel and cobalt demand is surging for lithium-ion battery cathode materials, driving the need for efficient separation and refining technologies. Due to their similar metallic and ionic properties, making separation challenging, the current mainstream approach relies on solvent extraction exploiting differences in complex formation behavior. However, this method involves multiple steps, uses environmentally burdensome organic solvents, and requires additional refining, such as electrowinning, to isolate the metals in pure form. 　This invention provides a low-cost, low‑environmental‑impact method for selectively electrowinning nickel from nickel–cobalt mixed aqueous solutions, characterized by a simple electrolytic process using general‑purpose electrodes. In the examples, electrodeposited nickel with a purity of over 99.4% was obtained.

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　 The development of a multi-scale numerical analysis technique for the melting and solidification phenomena of metal powders in metal lamination processes, such as powder bed fusion and electron beam melting, is progressing. Conventionally, the analysis has been carried out based on equations based on physical phenomena. However, the calculation load increases as the calculation becomes more precise, and it is difficult to calculate the whole structure. In order to reduce the load, there is a method to average microstructural information such as particle size distribution, phase fraction, and crystal orientation distribution. However, it is difficult to predict the formation behavior of micro defects such as unmelted powder, porosity, and cracks. The present invention solves the problem by replacing a part of the numerical analysis process with a surrogate model based on machine learning, and enables numerical analysis on the scale of the whole shaped object. By effectively integrating the macroscale analysis and the surrogate model, multi-scale analysis is realized which avoids loss of microstructural information while suppressing the computational load. By this, the computational load is reduced to 1/10, and the whole shaped object can be calculated.

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　 The technology to suppress the smoke phenomenon in the metal lamination process of powder bed system is attracting attention. Since the smoke phenomenon inhibits the beam irradiation, the melting of the metal powder becomes insufficient, and the deterioration of the laminated product is caused. To solve this problem, countermeasures such as temporary sintering have been taken, but they are not sufficient, and research and development are continuously carried out. 　As a result of repeated research focusing on the fact that each metal powder is covered with a thin oxide film, the present invention devised an apparatus capable of suppressing the smoke phenomenon more effectively than ever before. Since the smoke phenomenon is mainly caused by the electrification of each metal powder by the irradiation beam, the problem was solved by pretreating the powder bed. As a result, development of a laminated molding apparatus capable of effectively suppressing the smoke phenomenon and development of an auxiliary apparatus mountable to an existing apparatus are expected.

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Inductors and transformers, which consist of a magnetic core made of soft magnetic materials with wound coils, are widely used in applications such as electronic circuit boards in data centers. Particularly, amorphous soft magnetic materials are beginning to be applied to EV motors and other systems to improve energy efficiency. In these applications, reducing iron loss—comprising hysteresis loss, classical eddy current loss, and excess loss—is essential for achieving higher efficiency and miniaturization of power devices. At high frequencies, excess loss becomes dominant, and therefore material designs that effectively reduce this loss are required. This invention relates to a simple processing method for amorphous soft magnetic materials to reduce excess loss. Compared with conventional approaches such as nanocrystallization, this method provides greater loss reduction at high frequencies, while also offering superior processability and applicability to a wide range of material systems.

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EVs and renewable energy are driving a surge in lithium (Li) demand. Li is mainly produced either by concentrating brines from salt lakes or by extracting it from ores, primarily α-spodumene. Brine evaporation requires vast land, long processing times, and favorable climatic conditions. Ore processing requires roasting above 1000 ℃, followed by intensive sulfuric acid leaching, leading to high energy and chemical consumption. Moreover, the co-dissolution of Si and Al impurities complicates downstream purification, increasing both economic and environmental costs. The inventors developed a hydrothermal process that controls element behavior, enabling simultaneous Li recovery, hydrogen (H2) production, and CO2 mineralization at relatively low temperatures. For example, a NaHCO3 solution with olivine enables efficient and sustained Li extraction from α-spodumene at 300 ℃. Impurities such as Si and Al are immobilized as secondary minerals, simplifying purification. Meanwhile, Fe(II) and Mg in olivine contributed to concurrent H2 generate and CO2 mineralization.

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　Complexes composed of the rare earth element Eu (europium) and organic molecules are materials that absorb only ultraviolet light and emit red light with high brightness and color purity, and are being developed for use in displays, lighting, and sensors. Conventional rare earth complexes have low solubility and are prone to crystallization, making them difficult to fabricate transparent molded objects or use as films directly applied to plates, etc. 　The present invention realizes a transparent, coatable optical wavelength conversion film by mixing a clarifying agent that reduces crystallinity into the rare earth complex. Furthermore, because it absorbs only ultraviolet light and transmits visible light, it can be used in applications such as agricultural films to promote plant growth.

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Phosphors are used in lighting and displays, and in recent years, fluorescent dyes as well as inorganic phosphors have attracted attention. However, conventional red phosphors have presented challenges for application in next-generation LEDs, displays, and sensors due to limited durability, excitation by ultraviolet light alone, and material toxicity. A complex consisting of europium (Eu) and organic molecules emits strong red light when excited by ultraviolet light and has high color purity, making it a promising light-emitting material. However, conventional Eu complexes have poor absorption ability in the long-wavelength blue light region, making them unsuitable for white LEDs. The present invention introduces a new carbon structure based on a fused polycyclic aromatic group into Eu(III), achieving high-brightness red emission when excited by blue light (450 nm). This complex possesses high color purity, high durability, and is a light-emitting material that does not contain the toxicity of quantum dots.

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Phosphors are used in lighting and displays, and in recent years, fluorescent dyes, as well as inorganic phosphors, have been attracting attention. Organic-inorganic hybrid materials composed of organic molecules and rare earth elements emit strong light when excited by ultraviolet light and have high color purity, making them promising for use in lighting effects that are more beautiful than conventional light-emitting materials. The present invention relates to a rare earth complex composed of europium (Eu) and organic molecules. By introducing a fused polycyclic aromatic group into the ligand of this complex, it has a large molar absorption coefficient for visible ultraviolet light, highly efficient energy transfer to Eu(III), and high-intensity emission. This complex also has high heat resistance, approaching 300℃.

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Since the transportation network of goods is cut off when the road is cut off by the landslide disaster, it is indispensable to secure the passage of vehicles by improving the temporary road in the disaster site for quick recovery. The temporary road is constructed by the excavation operation of the backhoe, but the operation is accompanied by the risk of the secondary damage, so the automation technology of the backhoe is required. In the conventional research, the motion planning to change the level difference to the roadable slope was carried out, and the modification work using the simulator was successful. However, to move to the destination in the remote place, the route to the destination and the excavation work must be planned simultaneously, and the simultaneous planning has not been achieved. This invention proposes a method to simultaneously carry out the excavation planning of the rough ground and the route planning to the destination. The excavation is realized by fitting the roadable slope in the footprint of each point on the route, and adjusting the amount of cut soil and embankment of the slope to be equal. By adding the cost of excavation and movement to the planning problem by the A* method, and deriving the solution to minimize the cost, the modified terrain and the moving route are calculated simultaneously. It is also possible to flexibly adjust the guide of the route and the excavation plan by changing the weighting of each cost.

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The development of rechargeable batteries employing solid electrolytes has been actively pursued as a route toward safer and more reliable energy storage systems. Among the candidate materials, inorganic electrolytes such as sulfides, as well as polymer electrolytes, have attracted significant attention due to their high lithium-ion conductivity. Beyond ionic transport performance, extensive efforts have been devoted to improving safety, durability, and long-term stability for practical all-solid-state battery applications. Nevertheless, materials that fully satisfy industrial requirements have yet to be realized. Through sustained research efforts, we have developed a new solid electrolyte material that simultaneously addresses lithium-ion conductivity and safety. This advance was achieved by introducing targeted modifications into hydroxyapatite-based materials. While conventional hydroxyapatite exhibits negligible lithium-ion conductivity, the modified material demonstrates a conductivity of approximately 1 mS/cm at room temperature. This result establishes a new pathway toward safer and higher-performance all-solid-state batteries, with promising potential for applications in the automotive and robotics industries.

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Technology for reusing metal powder used in metal lamination process is attracting attention. One of the conventionally known methods is to mix unused metal powder with recovered metal powder, which is called powder refresh. However, although it is unmelted, some of the recovered metal powder has lost its original composition due to evaporation of highly volatile elements by repeated lamination process. Since powder refresh is not a process to recover the composition of individual particles, further improvement of the reuse method has been required. 　 The present invention devises an apparatus which enables the supply of a specific element more effectively than ever before, as a result of repeated research focusing on the motion of individual particles of metal powder. As a result of detailed observation and examination of the process of friction and collision, a means for supplying a specific element to the surface of individual particles was clarified, and the problem was solved. This enables the construction of a more effective powder regeneration process in laminated molding, and is expected to lead to cost reduction of molded products.

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The technology to suppress the smoke phenomenon in the metal lamination process of powder bed system is attracting attention. Since the smoke phenomenon inhibits the beam irradiation, the melting of the metal powder becomes insufficient, and the deterioration of the laminated product is caused. To solve this problem, countermeasures such as temporary sintering have been taken, but they are not sufficient, and research and development are continuously carried out. 　As a result of repeated research focusing on the fact that each metal powder is covered with a thin oxide film, the present invention devised an apparatus capable of suppressing the smoke phenomenon more effectively than ever before. Since the smoke phenomenon is mainly caused by the electrification of each metal powder by the irradiation beam, the problem was solved by pretreating the powder bed. As a result, development of a laminated molding apparatus capable of effectively suppressing the smoke phenomenon and development of an auxiliary apparatus mountable to an existing apparatus are expected.

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This invention presents a new platform for creating organic-CaCO₃ composite materials with pearl-like multilayer nanostructures using a bio-manufacturing process involving yeast and koji mold. 　Building on prior research into the bio-mineralization of Pteria penguin pearls, the inventors have successfully expressed the related proteins and enzymes in yeast to produce highly controlled multilayer CaCO₃ crystals. High-Performance Materials　：By optimizing the expression of matrix proteins and enzymes, the crystal structure and material properties can be precisely controlled. Sustainability　：The fermentation-based production process enables large-scale manufacturing with minimal environmental impact and low cost.

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Current Alzheimer’s disease therapies provide only limited cognitive benefit, and there is an unmet need for disease‑modifying drugs that directly reduce amyloid‑β (Aβ) accumulation.​ The inventors identified habu snake (Protobothrops flavoviridis) venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs), evolutionarily related to non‑amyloidogenic APP‑processing ADAM proteases, as potent Aβ‑degrading enzymes.​ In vitro, an SVMP cocktail cleaved secreted Aβ at the APP α‑cleavage–equivalent site, converted it to non‑toxic p3 fragments, and reduced Aβ levels in culture medium by about 90%.​ Among these, the flavoridin‑precursor–derived SVMP targets both monomeric and aggregated Aβ and shows higher substrate selectivity than neprilysin with minimal neuropeptide degradation, supporting its potential as a low‑toxicity, disease‑modifying AD drug lead.

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In recent years, concerns about animal welfare have accelerated efforts to reduce animal testing in pharmaceutical and cosmetic development, driving a global shift toward in vitro evaluation methods that better replicate the human body. Microphysiological systems (MPS), which combine microfluidic technology with human cells, are attracting significant attention as next‑generation in vitro evaluation methods capable of reproducing organ‑level physiological functions.​ 　The inventors have developed a device capable of independently controlling the two‑dimensional spatial distributions of both oxygen concentration and pH. This invention is expected to facilitate understanding of cellular dynamics in microenvironments with oxygen and pH gradients. For example, by reproducing the hypoxic and low‑pH environment of cancerous tissues, the device enables the evaluation of anticancer drug efficacy and toxicity under conditions that closely mimic the in vivo environment of cancer patients. Beyond these applications, the device is expected to support a broad range of uses as an organ‑on‑a‑chip platform. Since this patent has not yet been published, the specification can be disclosed after the intellectual property agreement is concluded.

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Piezoelectric sensors made of piezoelectric ceramics and polymers have been developed. Among them, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a semicrystalline polymer composed of (CH2-CF2) repeating structures. It has attracted attention because of its low cost and excellent flexibility. While further improvement of piezoelectric properties is required, improvement of materials without compromising their flexibility has been studied. However, materials that meet the needs of the industry have not been developed. 　As a result of repeated research, we succeeded in developing a modified PVDF with significantly improved piezoelectric properties. The development of a new material was made possible by adding additives to the raw material PVDF. We confirmed that the piezoelectric properties of this material were increased without losing the excellent flexibility of the conventional material. This paves the way for the development of more sensitive sensors, which are expected to be applied in the medical device and robot industries.

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In factories, buildings, hospitals, commercial facilities, and water treatment plants, water is typically pumped to elevated storage tanks, which results in high electricity consumption. To address this issue, the proposed invention introduces a liquid lifting and power generation system that uses high-pressure fluid to increase the internal pressure of a storage chamber, enabling liquid to be transported to higher elevations without conventional pumps. ■Key Features of the Invention ・　Significant reduction in power consumption compared to conventional pumping systems ・　Superior safety and ease of handling compared to methods that use flammable gases

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The inventors have developed a subcritical separation technology, which, combined with a newly established method for estimating phase equilibria in a carbon dioxide–ethanol–water ternary solvent system near room temperature, enables the design of efficient extraction conditions for algal oils. 　This invention proposes a clean extraction technology that mixes subcritical fluids with a feed solution (alcohol–water solution containing algae) to separate a vapor phase enriched in oils and a liquid phase enriched in chlorophyll and pheophorbide. ◎ Enhanced Safety ◎ Suppression of Oxidation and Thermal Degradation ◎ Energy Savings ◎ Low Environmental Impact

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The inventors have developed a unique subcritical solvent separation method using three green solvents—CO₂, ethanol, and water—to enable safe, eco-friendly production of pharmaceutical and food ingredients. Conventional supercritical and subcritical processes often face slurry freezing and clogging due to adiabatic expansion, reducing productivity and increasing maintenance time and cost. The proposed system prevents these issues by creating a controlled pressure difference between gas and liquid phases in the separation column, enabling a safer and more efficient extraction and manufacturing process. ◎High productivity enabled by continuous separation and collection ◎Handles slurry without clogging, reducing pretreatment time 　　　　　　 　　and preventing degradation of target compounds ◎No harmful organic solvents, ensuring safer and cleaner operations

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Conventional microfluidic devices are typically fabricated on flat substrates using lithography—a standard semiconductor manufacturing technique. However, this approach is limited by its inability to create three-dimensional or non-planar channel structures, which restricts the functional complexity of the devices. To overcome these limitations, the research team developed a Rotary Thermal Drawing System. This breakthrough equipment enables the production of 3D helical channels and microcoil fibers. Beyond simple fluidics, this technology allows for the integration of electrical components, leading to novel applications such as advanced electrophoresis. Key features of this technology: ・Flexible design is possible: the fiber material (e.g. high‑strength material, elastic materials), diameter size, pitch, shape (liner or spiral), hollow or not, etc. ・Portable size of the equipment: Saving space and easy to handle.

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Conventional microfluidic devices are typically manufactured on flat substrates using lithography—a standard semiconductor fabrication technique. However, this traditional approach is largely limited to two-dimensional (planar) channel structures, making it difficult to create complex, three-dimensional fluid paths. To overcome these limitations, the inventors developed a Rotary Thermal Drawing System. This breakthrough device enables the production of hollow spiral microfibers with complex 3D structures. By leveraging this technology, the inventors have successfully designed a highly efficient Micromixer that uses internal helical channels to achieve uniform mixing of fluids, such as chemicals and reagents. Key Technical Advantages: ・Flexible design is possible: the fiber material (e.g. high‑strength material, elastic materials), diameter size, pitch, shape (liner or spiral), hollow or not, etc. ・Portable size of the equipment: Saving space and easy to handle.

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As semiconductor devices are highly integrated, metal wirings used in semiconductor circuits are becoming hotter and denser. Then, electromigration (EM) damage due to metal fatigue becomes a problem. Conventionally, measures to increase EM strength have been taken by devising wiring structures such as lamination and installation of reservoirs. On the other hand, these measures require many processes and are costly. 　The present invention has developed a method to suppress EM damage only by performing wiring processing which is simpler and less costly than conventional methods. The present invention is a technology to improve reliability against EM damage by reducing current density flowing through wiring. For applications that have not yet been published, information disclosure and other measures will be taken after a contract including a confidentiality clause is concluded. Please feel free to contact us.

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　This database includes more than 10,000 motion capture entries from 97 performers, 54 from Japan and 43 from Taiwan. 　It features recordings of 12 emotions-joy, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, disgust, contempt, gratitude, guilt, jealousy, shame, pride, and neutral state. 　Each emotional category comprises 3 self-prepared personalized scenarios by the performers, at 3 intensity levels: low, middle, and high. 　Scenarios are provided in Japanese, English, and Chinese, offering detailed context information that illustrates the cultural nuances behind emotional triggers.

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Patients with severe respiratory failure or low oxygen saturation are currently supported by ECMO, but conventional systems are bulky, highly invasive, and require specialized expertise. This system integrates a miniature axial-flow blood pump and a hollow-fiber oxygenation unit within a dual-lumen cannula, allowing blood pumping, oxygenation, and CO₂ removal in a single device. ・　Integrated pump and oxygenator: No additional artificial lung needed ・　Single-port percutaneous insertion: Femoral or jugular access reaching the right atrium ・　Recirculation control: Flow rate and oxygenation optimized via pump speed ・　Low-flow gas exchange proven: Effective oxygenation and CO₂ removal demonstrated at 0.2 mL/min

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Microneedles deliver drugs by coating or loading therapeutic agents onto fine needles that penetrate tissues and release the drug in a minimally invasive manner. However, pharmacokinetic evaluations have so far relied on the assumption that sufficient drug amounts were successfully administered to achieve therapeutic effect. This has limited the quantitative assessment of safety and efficacy. Our system enables quantitative evaluation of microneedle penetration behavior—such as penetration depth, direction, and the range of affected tissue—within a simulated skin environment that can reproduce mechanical properties like pulsation and viscoelasticity. These features allow realistic replication of the dynamic interactions that occur during microneedle insertion. Using stereo camera–based measurements, the system captures both the physical penetration process and the dynamic deformation of the target with high precision.

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Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) and silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) composites serve as excellent dispersible carriers that maximize silver’s conductivity, catalytic activity, and antimicrobial performance. CNF, being plant-derived and environmentally friendly, also aligns with SDG goals. Conventional wet reduction methods, however, generate wastewater and require washing steps, leading to environmental issues and complex processing. This invention introduces an ultrasonication-based method that both disperses CNF uniformly and reduces silver oxide to form CNF/AgNPs composites without harmful reagents. The simple, waste-free process offers higher silver loading and better silver dispersion than conventional methods, enhancing silver’s inherent properties.

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For patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), first-line therapy usually involves pembrolizumab (an immune checkpoint inhibitor; ICI) with chemotherapy (5-FU plus cisplatin/carboplatin), or pembrolizumab alone for PD-L1–positive cases defined by the combined positive score (CPS). As a second-line option, cetuximab (anti-EGFR antibody) plus paclitaxel (CET+PTX) is commonly used. Our study revealed a mutually exclusive correlation between responses to first-line pembrolizumab and second-line CET+PTX. Comprehensive gene expression analyses identified key biomarkers linked to this correlation. This diagnostic approach allows prediction of each therapy’s efficacy in individual patients by measuring these biomarkers.

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In biotechnology and healthcare, it is crucial to detect small temperature changes and heat generation with high sensitivity. This invention achieves remarkable temperature sensitivity by using ionic liquids with a high Seebeck coefficient in thermocouples, far surpassing conventional solid-state materials. The device employs a microfluidic chip, allowing the liquids to be physically separated but electrically connected, enabling flexible sensor structures. This system makes it possible to conduct ultra-sensitive temperature measurements even on curved and irregular surfaces, expanding the practical utility of temperature sensing well beyond what is possible with traditional solid-state sensors.

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Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are regarded as promising materials for next-generation electronics owing to their unique optical, electronic, and mechanical properties. Conventional synthesis methods such as laser ablation and arc discharge create SWCNTs with a broad mixture of chiralities, resulting in inconsistent device performance. Polymer wrapping and density gradient ultracentrifugation (DGU) are widely used for chirality separation, but polymer wrapping is limited to certain chiralities and DGU tends to shorten nanotube length, increasing resistance in electronic devices. We have developed a new dispersion and purification method that enables efficient separation of a wide variety of SWCNT chiralities—including enantiomers—while preserving tube length. The resulting high-purity, long SWCNTs allow the realization of advanced devices with high speed and sensitivity, expanding the possibilities for practical applications in electronics and sensing technologies.

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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major global health issue without any drugs that improve kidney function. Previous mouse experiments showed that lubiprostone, a constipation drug, reduces uremic toxin accumulation by improving the intestinal environment altered by kidney decline, thus inhibiting kidney damage progression 1. A phase II clinical trial was conducted to test lubiprostone's effects on kidney function in patients. Results revealed dose-dependent suppression of kidney function decline (eGFR) in lubiprostone-treated patients compared to placebo. Further analysis showed lubiprostone improves kidney mitochondrial function by modulating the gut microbiota and increasing spermidine production, which enhances mitochondrial activity and provides kidney protection.

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Traditionally, a specialist determines the epileptogenic area (EZ) to be removed during epilepsy surgery by comprehensively judging the results of EEG, CT and MRI, SPECT and PET. Conventional methods are challenged by (1) low accuracy, (2) the length of the examination period (which requires at least one week), and (3) the high burden on the patient (two surgeries, the installation of an electroencephalograph and the removal of EZ). 　The present invention can estimate the seizure origin (SOZ) and EZ with high accuracy and speed without waiting for an epileptic seizure by analyzing the high-frequency electroencephalogram during the interictal period. Specifically, since EZ can be precisely determined in about 30 minutes after the installation of the electroencephalograph (electrode), it is theoretically possible to determine and remove EZ in a single operation, greatly reducing the patient's burden. 　It is expected that real-time EEG analysis software based on the present invention will be developed and implemented in EEG equipped with the software.

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　Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) offer lasting treatment efficacy and improved survival for cancer patients, but positive responses are limited to select individuals and treatment costs are high, highlighting the need to predict benefit before therapy. Current predictive methods like PD-L1 testing mainly measure local tumor tissue expression and fail to fully assess systemic immunity. Researchers examined blood lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) levels and clinical outcomes after ICI therapy in squamous cell carcinoma patients. They found that those with higher LPC had significantly prolonged survival post-ICI compared to those with lower levels. Because LPC is measurable in blood samples, it reflects systemic immune status and reduces patient burden by eliminating biopsies. This finding supports developing new clinical tests for predicting ICI effectiveness.​

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Chiral materials absorb right- and left-circularly polarized light differently (circular dichroism). Optical vortices, however, carry orbital angular momentum; their topological charge l can take unlimited integer values (±1, ±2, ±3, …). Using this richer degree of freedom enables material characterization, chirality discrimination, and a new measurement modality (“optical-vortex dichroism”) beyond conventional circular dichroism. Conventional vortex generators are limited to low-frequency modulation, leading to high noise and poor S/N. The invention engineers the optical system to achieve left–right vortex modulation at high frequency, reducing noise. We demonstrate detection of the “geometric twist” in twisted gold nanorod dimers (TND: paired, twisted nanoscale rods), suggesting defect detection in fine metallic wiring and applications in semiconductor, MEMS, and metamaterial inspection, as well as discovering new properties and enabling chirality identification.

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Cellulose nanofibril (CNF) is a highly crystalline microfibril derived from wood fiber. It is an environmentally friendly innovative material with excellent mechanical properties such as light weight, high strength, and low thermal expansion. Owing to these characteristics, it is expected to be applied to automotive components, electronic devices, gas barrier materials, and medical materials. A technology to fabricate single filaments composed of CNF has been also developed, and long filaments with high strength have been obtained. Based on the previously obtained knowledges and established methodology, functional materials using CNF have been developed in various fields, including the present invention relates to the fabrication of hydrogels. There are several hydrogel fabrication methods such as using electrophoresis and freeze-crosslinking, however, they were not suitable for mass production, and a new method was anticipated. As a result of intensive research, a method for precisely controlling the CNF orientation and the internal structure of hydrogels was developed, which realizes the contamination-free and high-strength hydrogels. It was found that the strength of gels can be designed from isotropic to anisotropic by tuning the fabrication conditions.

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Jaw and maxillofacial surgeries require precise alignment of the skull and jawbones, which demands highly accurate support tools. Existing surgical navigation systems (NS) are optical, and while they can display, for example, the name of the area being imaged by an endoscopic camera, they are not suitable for alignment during surgery. On the other hand, there is existing technology for magnetic NS for brain imaging, and it is applied on the premise of obtaining highly accurate CT images. However, in the dental field, issues arise, such as unclear CT images when metal prostheses are present, and difficulty in obtaining CT images during surgery.　 　This invention provides a magnetic surgical NS that can overcome these limitations. 【 Key Features 】 ・Linked to preoperative planning: Target fixture position and orientation can be set on a 3D bone model generated from CT or digital scan data ・Outstanding usability: Real-time tracking, 3D coordinate axes for both target and actual positions, guidance for aligning multiple bone segments ・High accuracy: Overlap-based visualization allows intuitive alignment with submillimeter precision (within 1 mm) (Ref. 1) ・Clear surgical view: Magnetic system avoids light obstruction, with a compact design that doesn’t interfere with the procedure

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Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide when burned, its use is expanding as an alternative fuel to fossil fuels. However, the combustibility of ammonia is inferior to that of fossil fuels, so some combustion support method to promote the oxidation reaction of ammonia is required for the development of combustors for ammonia. As ammonia combustion support methods, intense preheating and the use of powerful igniters have been devised, but there are problems such as the need for high thermal energy, the increase in material cost for high thermal load, and the decrease in durability. Therefore, a low-cost and simple method has been required. The present invention has found that the combustibility of ammonia can be easily promoted only by irradiating deep ultraviolet light. As shown in FIG. 1, ammonia is excited by deep ultraviolet light, and the excited ammonia is decomposed into active radicals (NH₂ and H) to promote combustion reaction. Since deep ultraviolet light emission from a hydrogen flame is very weak, the energy required for deep ultraviolet light irradiation by an electric device is low, and the present invention is a simple and low-cost ammonia combustion supporting method.

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■Introduction of Tohoku University Technology (T11-045) In order to grasp the state of health, biological components (blood sugar, lactic acid, etc.) are measured by blood sampling. However, since continuous measurement is difficult and invasive, the burden on the user is large. Therefore, the present invention provides a biological component measuring sensor which can measure biological components in real time for a long time and does not cause pain to the user. 　Specifically, a probe for measuring biological components has been developed which collects subcutaneous tissue fluid like dialysis by applying special processing to an ultra-fine needle inserted into the skin. A micro reflux needle with a channel covered with a perforated membrane on the surface of the metal needle is inserted and placed in the skin, and reflux fluid (physiological saline) is circulated through the channel. Since a substance in the skin tissue enters the reflux fluid through the hole in the channel due to concentration diffusion (osmotic pressure), the substance is flowed outside the body and the blood concentration is estimated from the concentration in the reflux fluid measured by a sensor installed outside the body. 　The present invention enables non-invasive, low-pain continuous measurement equivalent to blood sampling simply by attaching a micro-needle to the skin. *Please refer to the PDF file for related patent (T25-009).

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The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO2RR) process, in which CO₂ is electrochemically converted, is attracting attention as a promising CO₂ reduction method. However, the conventional method has a problem of low energy efficiency. The inventor has found that it is possible to improve the efficiency of the CO2RR process by utilizing a high-temperature high-pressure water environment called a hydrothermal conditions. When electrolysis is carried out in high-temperature high-pressure water at 150℃ and 100 atm pressurized with CO₂ , the high diffusion coefficient and solubility of CO₂ in the water facilitating efficient CO₂ supply to the electrode, and the energy efficiency is significantly enhanced. Additional assessment has shown that it is possible to synthesize "carbon-negative" basic chemical product (methanol), in which the amount of CO₂ absorbed exceeds the amount of CO₂ emitted, by leveraging low-temperature waste heat from industrial sources and renewable electricity.

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To simulate quantum annealing on classical computers, Simulated Quantum Annealing (SQA) based on the Ising model has gained attention. The inventors have developed a parallel algorithm that enables multi-level parallel processing of SQA with a fully connected Ising model, implemented on a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) (related work [1]). 　This invention supports sparse coupling models and proposes an algorithm that allows for faster analysis of classical spin systems based on the Ising model. This makes it possible to execute SQA at practical speeds using FPGA acceleration.

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With the advancement of the information society, there is increasing demand for devices with lower power consumption, higher speed, and smaller size. However, conventional semiconductor integrated circuits (CMOS) are approaching physical and technological limits in scaling and integration density. This is mainly because charge-based devices inevitably suffer from heat generation and signal delay due to electron transport. 　To overcome this, researchers have successfully demonstrated the proof-of-concept of information transmission technologies and logic devices that utilize spin waves—specifically magnons propagating in a magnetic insulator such as yttrium iron garnet (YIG)—as information carriers, thereby eliminating the need for electron transport. 　This invention relates to an address encoder/decoder circuit that employs magnons and uses a ring-shaped interference region to convert complex input signals into corresponding output addresses.

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In the development of subsurface energy infrastructures—such as geothermal power generation, geological storages of carbon dioxide (CCS) and renewable- energy-based hydrogen—it is essential to artificially create highly permeable fractures in rocks at depths of 1,000 to 5,000 meters and temperatures ranging from approximately 30°C to 300°C, in order to secure fluid pathways. In recent years, there has been a growing demand for the development of safer, more efficient, and environmentally friendlier technologies. Conventional hydraulic fracturing is a purely mechanical technique that fractures rock by injecting high-pressure fluid through a wellbore. However, this method faces several technical and environmental limitations, including concerns over induced seismicity from high-pressure injections, and difficulty in maintaining fracture openings and fluid loss especially in moderately permeable rocks. These challenges have highlighted the need for innovative chemical-based approaches—particularly those grounded in green chemistry principles. This invention introduces an innovative fracturing technique that utilizes biobased reactive fluid having high viscosity. This method chemically weakens the rock while forming and propagating fractures at relatively low pressures. Furthermore, by dissolving and roughened the fracture surfaces, the method helps maintain fracture openings and improves permeability over time.

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In recent years, CO₂ geological storage using mafic and ultramafic rocks—such as basalt and peridotite, which are rich in calcium and other metal elements that react with CO₂ to form carbonate minerals—has garnered global attention as a means of reducing atmospheric CO₂, a major contributor to global warming. However, subsurface environments for CO₂ storage are typically low in temperature and therefore have limited reactivity. Additionally, the amount and connectivity of pores as well as permeability of the subsurface rocks are not always sufficient, presenting significant challenges that require innovative technological solutions. In storage methods that involve dissolving CO₂ in water, the use of seawater is preferable. However, during the storage process, it is also necessary to temporarily suppress the reaction between metal ions in seawater and CO₂ until the CO₂ is securely stored. This invention promotes CO₂ geological storage and mineralization by using biobased, biodegradable chelating agents that enhance mineral dissolution and capture metal ions. By dissolving minerals in subsurface rocks using the chelating agents, the amount and connectivity of pores (CO2 storage capacity) increase, and the permeability (CO₂ injectivity) is also improved. Furthermore, when CO₂-charged seawater containing the chelating agents is injected into subsurface rocks, it becomes possible to simultaneously store both CO₂ and the metal ions required for carbonate mineral formation with creating additional rock porosity.

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The average cancer recurrence rate is approximately 20%. For aggressive cancers, the recurrence rate within five years can be as high as 70%. Cancer stem cells, known for their resistance to radiation and drug therapies, are considered a key cause of recurrence. Recently, drug discovery research targeting cancer stem cells has attracted significant attention. However, the extremely low abundance of these cells within tumor tissues presents a major challenge for research. Several methods have been proposed to induce cancer stem cells from cancer cells. However, all require high culture costs and long induction times, making them impractical for clinical application. 　The present invention relates to a method of inducing cancer stem cells within 24 hours by culturing cancer cells on a double-network hydrogel (DN gel) without the use of drugs or genetic manipulation. Cancer stem cells induced by this method show increased expression of stem cell marker genes and exhibit tumor-forming ability even when injected in small numbers into mice. 　By enabling simple and rapid production of cancer stem cells, this method is expected to accelerate the development of cancer therapies. These therapies aim to achieve fundamental cures by preventing recurrence and metastasis.

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