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

■Composite type wheel having high running performance in step and groove　 Composite type wheel with high running performance in steps and grooves and capable of moving in multiple directions.　 (IP No. ：JP2022-085688、 Admin No. ：T22-014) ■Small, high stiffness, low backlash wheels A 2-way drive wheel that achieves small size, high rigidity, and low backlash. (IP No. ：JP2021-144398、 Admin No. ：T21-111) ■High maintenance, moving mechanism capable of moving in multiple directions High maintainability, moving mechanism capable of moving in multiple directions. (IP No. ：JP2022-085565、 Admin No. ：T22-013)

• others

■Transporting device capable of moving even object difficult to grasp　 To provide a mechanism capable of moving even an object having a shape difficult to be gripped, and capable of moving the object without applying force to the object during movement. (IP No. ：JP2021-201325, Admin No. ：T21-217) ■Highly rigid hand while remaining thin　 Hand and grip mechanism utilizing deformation mechanism which can enhance rigidity while remaining thin. (IP No. ：JP2021-082469、 Admin No. ： T20-3132)

• others

　Robots that search for planets and collect damage information on disaster-stricken areas need to be able to cope with both rough terrain, such as steep slopes and uneven surfaces, and flat terrain. However, it is difficult to improve the mobility efficiency of both rough and flat terrain. For example, a robot that can climb by grasping steep slopes has poor mobility efficiency on flat terrain, and a robot that can move by wheels on flat terrain is not suitable for moving steep slopes and uneven surfaces. 　The present invention relates to an end effector that acts as a gripper when traveling on rough terrain and a wheel when traveling on flat terrain. By applying the end effector to a robot, a robot with high moving efficiency can be realized on both rough and flat terrain.

• others

Robots that explore extreme environments such as planets, caves, and volcanoes are being developed. In such environments, it is difficult to survey topography in advance, so robots that can move on unknown surfaces are required. In addition, due to the recent labor shortage, there is a great demand for mechanizing operations in factories and warehouses. In order to mechanize operations performed by human hands, robot hands capable of grasping various objects by one mechanism are required. As described above, if a gripper capable of grasping unknown shapes can be realized, there will be a great demand. 　The present invention relates to a gripper that can grasp unknown shapes by fitting and deforming with the shape of the object. The ordinary grippers usually cannot grasp the concave shapes, but the present mechanism can grasp by fitting them. In addition, it is advantageous that both convex and concave shapes can be grasped by the same operation using only one actuator. 　In the Related Works No.2, it is possible to view a video (Japanese).

• others

　In recent years, the development of irradiation equipment capable of pinpoint irradiation by accurately grasping the position of the cancer affected area has advanced, making it possible to perform highly accurate treatment. Deformable image registration (DIR), which is the alignment using images obtained by 4D-CT, etc. is often used to prepare the treatment plan. Although the use of DIR is expected to expand in the future, the accuracy of images obtained as a result of DIR and the accuracy of the calculated combined dose remain controversial.　 　To solve the above problem, the inventors devised a Dynamic deformable phantom that can perform complex movements as if it were a patient's organ, and can insert acrylic markers and dosimeters. 　The present invention makes it possible to evaluate the combined dose distribution using image deformation techniques. It is possible to accurately evaluate the dose distribution in cases where a treatment plan is to be reformulated or where some irradiation fields overlap between past and present treatments. These effects are expected to improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects.

• others

In recent years, deformable image registration (DIR) has been used to create radiotherapy treatment plans in medical practice. The accuracy of DIR is evaluated by the small difference between the image after deformation by DIR and the image obtained by imaging. To evaluate this, the common point (landmark point) between two images is found and compared. However, since the deformation by DIR is a non-rigid deformation, the relative positional relationship of each position such as the distance between the vertices of the image to be mapped to the image and the angle of the vertices is not necessarily preserved. Therefore, it is necessary for the coordinator to make a judgment based on his/her experience, and there is a problem that the burden on the coordinator is large.　 　To solve this problem, the inventors developed a phantom in which a rod simulating a tumor and an organ can be inserted, and an algorithm for verifying the accuracy of DIR using this phantom, and completed the present invention. 　In addition to being able to reproduce various shape changes easily by replacing the rod, the phantom of the present invention can automatically set thousands of landmark points by applying position information at the time of medical image acquisition, and can automate all DIR accuracy evaluations.

• others

　Garden asparagus is a dioecious species, with male [XY] and female [XX] individuals. Since male individuals are preferred over females for agricultural production, all-male cultivars have agronomic advantages over mixed-sex cultivars. 　To produce an all-male cultivar, it is important to obtain a supermale [YY]. Given their morphological similarities, males and supermales are usually distinguished by genetic analysis. Although two sex-linked codominant markers (Asp2-SP6 and RM17) have been reported previously, their ability to distinguish the sex in A. officinalis and other dioecious Asparagus species was limited. 　We developed a new CAPS marker (SSM01). SSM01 is applicable for discrimination between X- and Y-specific sequences in various A. officinalis and purple asparagus cultivars, also in three dioecious Asparagus species.

• others

Conventionally, a hard disk drive using a magnetic recording medium is widely used as an information recording and reproducing device capable of random access with high density and large capacity. To further increase the capacity of a hard disk drive, it is required to improve the recording density, but there is a problem that the recording information is disturbed by thermal disturbance of the magnetic medium. Therefore, a dielectric recording and reproducing device using a dielectric material has been proposed as one which can be expected to increase the density than magnetic recording. However, there is a problem that the reproduction speed of recorded data is in the order of Mbps, and it is necessary to improve the reproduction speed for practical application. The present invention has made it possible to provide a dielectric reproducing device and a dielectric recording and reproducing device capable of improving the reproduction speed. The present invention is characterized in that, when detecting the polarization state of each bit formed in a data recording layer composed of a dielectric material, the temperature of the bit detected by a heating means can be increased. As a result, since the nonlinear dielectric constant of each bit increases, it is possible to detect a reproduced signal having a large S/N ratio between the reproduced signal and the noise, thereby improving the reproduction speed of the data.

• others

・ At millimeter wave communication, there is a concern about increasing coverage hole which is area where the communication becomes impossible.　 ・ Therefore, installing the reflect array for all over city that can control the direction of electromagnetic wave is proposed. ・ A conventional reflect array composed of liquid crystal (LC) has problem of slow response. ・ In the invention, reduction of response time is achieved by forming a stripe electrode on　substrate which can be applied vertical and horizonal electric field. ・ The invention is not only expected to apply for reflect arrays, but also phase modulators and phased array antennas.

• others

■Spherical gear mechanism with high stiffness and 3 degrees of freedom of rotation A spherical gear mechanism realizes 3 degrees of freedom of rotation while reducing high rigidity and number of parts. (IP No. ：JP2021-145050,Admin No. ：T21-112) ■Self-healing robot Self-healing robot technology considering readiness. (IP No. ：JP2020-090978,Admin No. ： T20-030) ■Sprocket adjusts slack in caterpillars etc. A sprocket for adjusting and solving sagging of a caterpillar or the like. (IP No. ：JP2022-031799,Admin No. ：T21-284)

• others

・ Electronic holography for displaying three-dimensional (3D) information is required for entertainment, industrial design, measurement, and head-up display for automobiles. ・3D information is displayed by reconstructing an image through a spatial light modulator(SLM). SLM cannot narrow the pixel pitchbecause the electric field leaks out to adjacent pixels, resulting in a narrow viewing-zone angles. ・Therefore, the invention introduces a liquid crystal driving system in a lateral electric field by a continuous potential difference and fine ground electrodes into the SLM. ・As a result, the electric field leakage is reduced, the pixel pitch of less than 1 μm is achieved for the first time. ・Using the pixel pitch of 1μm, it is possible to achieve practical viewing-zone angels of 30°. invention is expected to enlarge electronic holography application field.

• others

In the treatment of bipolar disorder, which is characterized by recurrent manic and depressive episodes, it is essential for the affected person to be aware of the ups and downs of their mood and to maintain their regular lifestyle. Monitoring mood states by patients and clinicians is essential for preventing and timely intervention of relapses. However, differentiating mild hypomanic episodes from normal mood variations remains challenging for both patients and clinicians. Especially recognition of hypomanic status is difficult for patients. In addition, clinicians see outpatients once a couple of weeks or months in regular clinical settings and, therefore, may potentially look over patients’ mood swings during the intervals. This invention is a program consisting of machine learning algorithms integrated into a smartphone application for evaluating the affected person's current mood and mood within a few weeks based on objective information, such as body motion, heart rate variability, and voice collected through a wearable device and the application. The present invention enables accurate evaluation and prediction of the mood while reducing the burden on the affected person. It enables the maintenance of appropriate treatment of bipolar disorder and the prevention of relapses. Since this patent has not been disclosed, disclosure of the specification will be possible after the conclusion of the intellectual property agreement.

• others

　Nitrogen-vacancy center (NV center) in diamond satisfies the characteristics required for qubits, and expected to be applied to quantum computers and quantum sensors. Other candidate materials are divacancy centers (VV centers) in SiC and Ce-implanted Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG). However, the problem with all of these materials is the high cost of raw materials, and it is expected to be difficult to scale up. 　The present invention demonstrates that light emitting centers (Ce3+) can be formed in Ce implanted SiO2 or MgAl2O4 substrates. Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) measurements demonstrate the feasibility of write operations in quantum dots. It is possible to realize a quantum bit / quantum sensor at low cost.

• others

Currently, most perovskite solar cells use lead (Pb)-based materials, but tin (Sn)-based alternatives are gaining attention for their environmental benefits and potential performance improvements. Sn offers higher light absorption efficiency without Pb, but challenges such as easy oxidation and the need for environmentally harmful organic solvents remain. 　To solve these issues, the inventor utilized ascorbic acid (AA) and found that adding it to a Sn aqueous solution greatly improves water solubility and prevents Sn oxidation. The precursor solution prepared using this method was mixed with MAI (methyl ammonium iodide) and coated onto a substrate, resulting in a highly oriented perovskite layer. 　This innovation paves the way for eco-friendly solar cells that use green processes, representing a major step toward sustainable energy

• others

Topology optimization is a machine-aided design technique that optimizes material structure and enhances performance. Applying this technique to the design of an optical antenna provides an optical antenna with a nanogap structure with the following features: Circular Polarization Identification Responses to left and right circular polarized light can be significantly enhanced for incident circular polarized light. For example, the chiral identification of trace chiral molecules can be achieved using this invention. Circular polarization generation and control Circular polarization can be radiated by placing a light source in a gap structure, and the polarization state can be controlled according to the direction of the light source. A polarization-generating device is anticipated.

• others

　In civil engineering works, the need for unmanned construction of construction machinery is increasing, and it is required to ensure safety and improve work efficiency not only during disaster recovery but also in normal times. However, the current unmanned construction is only monitored by cameras, and the work efficiency is worse than manned construction. The shortage of ground information is a problem as a factor of this efficiency lowering. 　Generally, the cone index, an indicator to assess the running ability of construction equipment, is measured using a cone penetration tester, but the number of measurement points increases in a wide area of land due to ground variations from place to place. In addition, the measurement needs to be carried out independently from excavation and other earthworks, which is time-consuming. 　This invention is based on the relationship between the fracture morphology of soil excavated by hydraulic excavators widely used in the field and the cone index. It is possible to automatically estimate the strength of the ground from visual information by photographing the fracture morphology of the soil being excavated and extracting the features of the fracture morphology. In addition, the visual information can be combined with the force sense information acting on buckets. Since the invention can estimate in real time while excavating, it is expected to greatly improve the work efficiency in unmanned construction.

• others

　In protein production using Aspergillus oryzae, the introduction of multi-copy genes encoding target proteins can be used as a means of improving productivity. However, if the DNA fragment to be introduced is tandemly inserted at one chromosomal locus and the repair through homologous recombination is repeated, the sequence may be excised, and the production cannot be increased as a result. 　Dr. Zhang and colleagues at the Graduate School of Agriculture, Tohoku University have developed a method to introduce DNA fragments into multiple loci of the chromosome of A. oryzae in a single transformation, and succeeded in obtaining a new A. oryzae in a short period of time. The A. oryzae of the present invention has been confirmed to have improved material productivity. Furthermore, by using a highly dispersible strain of mycelium as a host, it is expected to be low in viscosity when cultured in a fermenter, enabling continuous culture.

• others

　Oxidative stress is a phenomenon in which excessive reactive oxygen species are produced, increasing biological oxidative damage such as DNA and RNA mutations and protein denaturation, and is said to lead to various diseases and accelerated aging. More than 90% of reactive oxygen species in living organisms are generated in mitochondria, where oxygen respiration occurs, and mitochondria are known to be susceptible to oxidative damage. However, there is no mitochondria-specific oxidative stress marker until now. 　The present invention finds ms2A as an oxidative stress marker for mitochondrial tRNA for the first time, and provides a method for evaluating mitochondria-specific oxidative stress levels. ＊Since the patent application has not been published, the structure of ms2A has not been disclosed. Please feel free to contact us as we can disclose it after signing a non-disclosure agreement

• others

　To diagnose circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, sleep diaries and actigraphy are used, but the need to keep records for a long period of time and the cost are a burden on users. In addition, due to low awareness of the disease, few people visit a medical institution to take proper treatments of their symptoms. 　According to the present invention, symptoms that may be circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders can be identified based on the daily operation history of home appliances and smartphone applications, creating an opportunity for an early visit to a medical institution to get an early treatment.

• others

　Angiogenesis is known to be involved in the development and progression of cancer, diabetic nephropathy, heart failure, arteriosclerosis, and nervous system diseases. The inventors have discovered Vasohibin1 (VASH1), an angiogenesis inhibitor produced by vascular endothelial cells, Vasohibin2 (VASH2), a homolog of Vasohibin1, and Small Vasohibin Binding Protein (SVBP), which enhances their stability, and have developed new therapies based on enhancing the effects of VASH1 or inhibiting VASH2 (see "Related Inventions"). 　The present invention was screened from a small molecule compound library, and obtained five small molecule inhibitors that do not inhibit the binding of VASH1 and SVBP, but selectively inhibits the binding of VASH2 and SVBP. Since the patent application has not been published, the structural of the five screened compounds have not been disclosed. Please feel free to contact us as we can disclose the information after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

• others

　In a conventional X-ray monochromator, the spectroscopic crystal is elastically bent slightly, then polished to obtain a uniform diffraction. However, this method where the crystal is deformed within the elastic limit, cannot be applied for a large curvature bending, so it can only be used for a big X-ray device. Moreover, there is also an issue on the deformation stability and aging due to keeping the crystal deformed.　 　This invention is able to realize a distributed curvature crystal lens with a wide incident angle and high light focusing accuracy. This distributed curvature crystal lens is made by plastic deformation of Ge or Si (110) single crystal plate pressed by a mold at high temperature. The X-ray reflectance measurement system of this invention is equipped with above lens which enables to focus a wide angle and significantly increase X-ray intensity.

• others

Intermittent computing enables continuous processing under unstable energy supply. In edge device implementation, a nonvolatile logic circuit using nonvolatile registers is promising as it retains internal state with only local data transfers.　 Conventional nonvolatile registers, composed of multiple 1-bit memory circuits (NV-FFs), require two MTJ devices per bit, leading to high area and energy overhead. The reference-load sharing scheme (RLSS) was proposed to solve this issue, however, a new issue arose as the required operation time increased in proportion to the number of register bits. This invention introduces a differential information storage scheme (DISS), which stores 1-bit data via resistance differences between adjacent MTJ devices. This allows two-cycle backup and restore, reducing energy and area while maintaining conventional operation speed, as confirmed by simulations.

• others

Intermittent computing executes tasks as energy accumulates, enabling continuous edge computing under unstable, low-power energy harvesting conditions. Ensuring processing continuity before and after frequent power interruptions is essential. A nonvolatile logic circuit using nonvolatile registers allows internal state retention with only local data transfers, making it a promising option. Conventional nonvolatile registers connect 1-bit memory circuits (nonvolatile flip-flops, NV-FFs) per bit, requiring two MTJ devices per bit, leading to significant area and energy overhead. This invention proposes the Reference-Load Sharing Scheme (RLSS), where 1-bit information is retained between an MTJ device and a reference MTJ device using a sequential backup-restore process. This reduces MTJ device count, shares circuit functions, and achieves 49% lower energy consumption and 34% area reduction, as confirmed by simulations.

• others

Carboxylic acid compounds containing aromatic rings are important molecular structures as bioactive compounds and their precursors. For example, aromatic carboxylic acids such as aspirin and telmisartan and aromatic ring-containing carboxylic acids such as atorvastatin are known as important drugs. Therefore, it is desired to develop carboxylation reactions of organic molecules that can efficiently synthesize aromatic carboxylic acid compounds. 　On the other hand, introduction of the 12C isotope 13C into organic molecules is important for elucidating the mechanism of chemical reactions or monitoring in vivo. For the conventional method, 13CO2 gas is reacted as the 13C source, but special equipment and technology are required, and thus it is difficult to accurately control the amount of the gas. 　This invention provides to a novel 13Cimmobilizer in a liquid form that is easy to handle. Since this patent application has not been published, the structural formula of the compound has not been disclosed. Please feel free to contact us as we can disclose this after signing a non-disclosure agreement.

• others

2D codes are used in various situations such as information transmission, tickets such as airline tickets, product management in stores, and robot control. However, only one information is usually obtained from 2D codes. Therefore, composite markers are developed by superimposing multiple markers. 　In the conventional hue specific superimposed marker “HueCode ” devised by the inventors, different markers are superimposed on the area of one marker, and two pieces of information can be acquired simultaneously. However, HueCode can only read markers with a reader that implements a special algorithm. In order to read markers under various lighting conditions, prior learning is required, and HueCode may not be recognized in unknown environments. 　The present invention is a “Universal HueCode” that solves the above problem by superimposing two or more markers and adopting a color scheme that appears to be the first marker when converted to greyscale, even though the distance between the colors of each marker = RGB u-grid distance is maximally separated. By replacing commonly used QR codes and AR markers with Universal HueCode, it is possible to embed additional information into the marker while continuing to use it for its current purpose. Furthermore, by improving the recognition algorithm, recognition under various lighting conditions is possible without prior learning.

• others

　Although invasive methods involving blood sampling are the mainstream methods for blood glucose measurement in diabetic patients, it is desirable to develop non-invasive methods that do not cause physical pain or risk of infection from the puncture site. As one of the non-invasive measurement methods, a method using a microphone to detect acoustic waves generated when a measurement object is irradiated with light has been proposed. However, the above method has a problem that it is easily affected by environmental sounds and water vapor generated from living organisms.　 　This invention is a method for measuring blood glucose levels by a transducer method using a piezoelectric element to detect ultrasonic waves generated when a measurement object is irradiated with mid-infrared light. The advantage of the transducer method is that it is not easily affected by environmental sounds and water vapor, which are problems in the microphone method. Furthermore, the photoacoustic cell used in the microphone method is not required, allowing for a simpler system configuration. It is expected that this invention makes it possible to measure blood glucose levels simply and non-invasively.

• others

Filamentous fungi represented by Aspergillus oryzae have high production capacity of proteins and low molecular weight compounds and are utilized for industrial production by fermentation. However, in liquid culture, hyphae are entangled and clump together, and there is a limit to maximizing the space of the culture tank and increasing the production of substances. Highly dispersible filamentous fungi (AGΔ-GAGΔ, see Related Inventions and Documents), in which the viscosity of the culture solution and the formation of clumps are drastically reduced compared to the wild-type strain, is a technology to solve this problem.　 　On the other hand, AGΔ-GAGΔ has excellent culture properties as a filamentous fungus, but the viscosity of the culture solution is still higher than that of yeast and bacteria. Therefore, it is required to develop a low viscosity strain that enables high gas dispersion and product yield under lower agitation power (energy). 　The present invention relates to the next generation highly dispersible filamentous fungus AGΔ-GAGΔ-ΔX, in which a deletion of the novel property modifying factor X gene is additionally introduced into AGΔ-GAGΔ strain. In this new strain, a significant drop in culture viscosity improved agitation efficiency and led to enhanced productivity compared to AGΔ-GAGΔ. Furthermore, the addition of a deletion of the rolA gene encoding surface-active protein RolA enhances the efficiency.

• others

Filamentous fungi represented by Aspergillus oryzae have higher production capacity of proteins and complex low-molecular compounds than bacteria and yeast, and are utilized for industrial production of a wide variety of useful substances by fermentation. However, in liquid culture, hyphae entangle and clump together, and there is a limit to high-density culture and increased production of useful substances by maximizing the space of the culture tank. Highly dispersible filamentous fungi (AGΔ-GAGΔ, see Related Inventions and Documents), which drastically reduce the viscosity of the culture solution and the formation of clumps, is a technology to solve these problems. On the other hand, even in the case of AGΔ-GAGΔ, the adhesion of the fungus to the inner structure of the culture tank, such as the inner wall of the culture tank and the agitation blade/shaft, is observed as in the case of the wild strain, and it remains to be solved in order to achieve further improvement of the productivity. The present invention relates to a new highly dispersible filamentous fungus AGΔ-GAGΔ-ΔrolA strain, in which a deletion mutation of the rolA gene encoding the surface-active protein is additionally introduced into AGΔ-GAGΔ strain. Compared with the AGΔ-GAGΔ strain, the adhesion to the inner structure of the culture tank is suppressed, and the productivity is also improved. In addition, the reduction of the agitation power and the cultivation time are also obtained by the reduction of the viscosity of the culture solution in a large-scale real machine (tank).

• others

　In recent years, bioreactors that utilize living microorganisms as catalysts to decompose harmful substances and synthesize valuable products have gained significant attention. To enhance reaction efficiency and operational convenience in such systems, it is essential to immobilize targeted microorganisms at high density onto a carrier. Calcium phosphate, a material known for its low toxicity to living organisms, environmental compatibility, and excellent adsorption properties, is expected to be used as the carrier. 　However, achieving a microbial carrier that ensures a predetermined amount of microorganisms within the carrier while maintaining their biological activity has been a challenge. 　The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a microbial carrier in which a predetermined amount of living microorganisms exist in a uniform density in calcium phosphate cement (CPC). * As the patent has not been disclosed, please contact the following our company counter for the carrier manufacturing method.

• others

　Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) has been widely used as a piezoelectric material in sensors, actuators, and related applications. However, the presence of toxic Pb (lead) in PZT necessitates the search for safer alternatives. 　This innovative solution introduces a MgHf co-doped AlN thin film that exhibits exceptional piezoelectric properties. 　The MgHfAlN film is not only lead-free but also achieves groundbreaking performance, boasting the world's highest figure of merit (FoM) exceeding 45 GPa. Additionally, its piezoelectric strain constant (d33) exceeds 23 pm/V, and it delivers an impressive output power of 40 mW within a compact device size of just 1cc. 　This technology holds significant potential for applications in vibration-powered generator, electric field sensors, force sensors, slip sensors, and more.

• others

In copper smelting, the use of recycled raw materials such as e-scrap are increasing. However, since low-grade copper anodes (black copper) made from recycled raw materials are easily passivated. Therefor treatment by electrorefining has not been established. Treatment by electrowinning is now available, but it requires much more power than electrorefining. In order to solve the above problem, basket electrolysis using shot-anodes with large specific surface area has been studied to suppress the passivation of the anode surface. But the current density of the cathode must be increased, and Cu ions must be supplied to the cathode for smooth electrodeposition. The present invention is a spiral convection cell suitable for copper electrorefining which can strongly stir an electrolyte.

• others

The market for "smart diapers" that detect the state of diapers and inform when to change diapers is expanding. Conventional diaper sensors that measure humidity or NH3 gas are known, but they only detect urine and cannot distinguish between urine and feces. In addition, in semiconductor gas sensors, since the operating temperature of the sensor is high, it is necessary to heat the sensor chip. The present invention solves the above problem and provides a diaper sensor that can distinguish urine and feces at room temperature. Moreover, by using a flexible substrate, a device that is thin, small, flexible, and highly biocompatible can be realized.

• others

Improving the recycling rate of aluminum (Al) is becoming more important. Recycled Al contains impurities such as iron, silicon, and zirconia, which form intermetallic compounds(IMC) and reduce its mechanical strength. Convectional methods use ultrasonic vibrations to refine these compounds, but scaling up the process remains a challenge. To solve it, the inventor has invented a machine that applies cavitation treatment to molten recycled Al. This simple machine design makes it easier to scale up and use in industrial applications compared to conventional methods. Experimental results showed that the machine effectively refined IMC and improved the strength of recycled Al. This invention could significantly advance aluminum recycling.

• others

　In order to increase the transmission capacity in wireless communication, the use of high frequency bands is being promoted, and it is required to reduce the load of signal processing in the base station. Specifically, the transition from digital optical wireless technology to analog radio-over-fiber (RoF) technology is being studied. However, in A-RoF, it is difficult to control the phase of radio waves in the base station, so MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) signal processing also needs to be performed in the aggregation station. However, in the conventional A-RoF communication system, there is a problem that it is necessary to accurately control the phase of the A-RoF signal for each antenna element.　 　According to the present invention, it has become possible to provide a MIMO signal processing device and an optical wireless communication system that enable MIMO signal processing for beamforming that accurately controls the phase of the A-RoF signal that enable MIMO signal processing for multi-beamforming that accurately controls the phase of the A-RoF signal with monochromatic optical carrier wave.

• others

　Hydrogen production by water electrolysis has attracted attention in terms of realizing carbon neutrality. 　However, large overvoltage (= overpotential) is a challenge that causes excessive degradation for the electrode in conventional electrodes. To solve this challenge, optimization of the material composition of the electrode has been advanced, but it is not sufficient. 　In the invention, as a new electrode design approach, the surface structure of the electrode (nano/micro structure) is calculated and designed in terms of introduction of the interaction with the electronic polarization of chemical reaction intermediates or the vibrational polarization of water molecules in water electrolysis. It can reduce the overpotential and Tafel slope by applying above method successfully. 　The invention enables water electrolysis with low overpotential, and is expected to reduce power consumption and extend the life of the electrode.

• others

Crushed stone is essential materials for transportation infrastructure and civil engineering structures. Crushed stone mining is carried out in the order of drilling, blasting, splitting, scooping, and transportation. The cost of scooping and transportation is affected by the grain size of the blasted crushed stone. Therefore, the blasting aiming at the optimum grain size is important, and the automation of the grain size evaluation of the blasted crushed stone is required. 　Conventionally, a method for extracting grain size by binarizing images has been devised. However, there have been problems in estimation accuracy because of similar colors of crushed stone and overlapping of crushed stones. 　In the present invention, focusing on the fact that the overlap of crushed stone changes during the scooping process using a hydraulic shovel or the like, we developed a method for accurately estimating grain size by eliminating the overlap of crushed stone by binarizing images extracted from the video of the scooping process with multiple threshold values. This invention is expected to lead to automation of the blasting cycle and realize safe and efficient blasting.

• others

■Social Challenges and Market Background In telemedicine, the inability to perform palpation limits diagnostic accuracy. Conventional pressure sensors are costly, lack sufficient sensitivity, and cannot measure depth. As populations age and regional disparities in healthcare access grow, remote diagnostic tools with palpation capabilities are in high demand. The global tactile sensor market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 10%. ■Technology Overview This technology features a single-sided wiring structure that achieves high sensitivity while reducing manufacturing costs to approximately one-tenth of conventional designs. It enables real-time measurement of pressure, depth, and viscosity, and its fingertip-mounted form factor allows seamless use in clinical or field settings. Applications extend from medical and healthcare to industrial inspection and product quality control. ■Advantages Over Conventional Technology ＊For details, please refer to the PDF

• others

　Recently, silicon wafers are required to be bonded to each other in the fields of semiconductors and MEMS devices. However, since the conventional wafer bonding technology requires bonding at a high temperature, thermal stress and warpage in the wafer makes the circuit failure. 　This is the simple wafer bonding technology which can be bonded to each other simply by overlapping and pressurizing the other silicon wafer via plasma treated polysilazane coating. 　This technology doesn't require the high-temperature bonding process, which is expected to increase the yield of semiconductor and MEMS devices.

• others

　Recently, nanomaterials with innovative functionalities, such as nanofluids (nanoparticle/solvent mixture) and polymer nanocomposite materials (nanoparticle/polymer mixture), have been extensively investigated. These nanomaterials find diverse applications in fields including conductive nano-inks, solar cells, and sensors, and are frequently utilized as thin films. During the coating and thin-film formation processes of nanomaterials on substrates, a technique capable of precisely observing the liquid film shape and the behavior of the contained nanoparticles is essential. 　The present invention enables the simultaneous measurement of the liquid film shape, including nanofluids (nanoparticle/solvent mixture) and polymer nanocomposite coating solutions (nanoparticle/polymer/solvent mixture), as well as the distribution and concentration of nanoparticles within the liquid film. By integrating this device into a manufacturing line, process monitoring becomes feasible. Furthermore, a mathematical model has been successfully developed to comprehend the behavior of nanofluid droplets on a substrate. (See T24-027).

• others

　Recently, nanomaterials, including nanofluids and polymer nanocomposite materials, have been extensively investigated. These materials have diverse applications, such as conductive nano-inks, solar cells, and sensors. In contrast, Inkjet technology offers several advantages, including a simple device configuration, high flexibility in material combination, low environmental impact due to on-demand production, and scalability. These attributes have driven growing interest in printed electronics technology, which applies this technique to the fabrication of electronic circuits and devices. 　The present invention enables quantitative evaluation of characteristic patterns that emerge in nanofluid droplets ejected from an inkjet nozzle and adhered to a substrate. By developing a mathematical model governing droplet wetting behavior, it became feasible to design flow patterns within nanofluid droplets and nanoparticle patterns deposited on a substrate. Furthermore, a measurement technique for nanofluid droplets has been successfully developed. (See T24-030).

• others

　Zinc oxide is used as an ultraviolet shielding agent in cosmetics such as sunscreens. However, in the conventional manufacturing technology, it was difficult to control the particle size of zinc oxide, and it was considered that the texture was bad. Furthermore, there is concern about the effects on the environment and the human body due to toxic exhaust gas caused by treatment at high temperature and the use of inert gas in the manufacturing process. The present invention relates to a method for producing spherical zinc oxide with uniform particle size and monodisperse, and spherical zinc oxide with a simple, low cost and low environmental impact. The spherical zinc oxide is expected to be used as a cosmetic with high ultraviolet shielding effect, excellent soft focusing property and excellent usability.

• others

　Mesoscopic particles, ranging from several tens to several hundred nm in size, have attracted attention in a wide range of fields as interesting materials where quantum size effects and bulk effects interact or synergize. Regarding manufacturing methods, top-down approaches such as physical grinding and bottom-up approaches such as chemical synthesis have been proposed. However, these methods face challenges related to yield, dispersibility, and cost, necessitating new solutions. 　In this study, the inventor has developed a novel manufacturing method to address these issues: the "Biocatalytic Nanoparticle Shaping method" (BNS method), which utilizes enzymes. The BNS method can be applied to fabricate various mesoscopic particles by combining enzyme-degradable materials with organic/inorganic materials. For example, semiconducting quantum dots (QDs), porphyrin molecules, bipyridine molecules, and nanographene were used as core units, resulting in nearly monodispersed mesoscopic particles with uniform sizes, obtained as stable aqueous dispersions.

• others

　In the fabricating industry, with the diversification of customer needs, the demand for high-mix, low-volume production and complex fabricating technology is increasing. In particular, for endoscopes, which are produced in high-mix, low-volume production, the parts processing and assembly work are generally carried out manually by skilled workers. However, there have been problems such as variations due to individual differences and time required for production by hand. 　In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has developed a method for automatically and collectively creating complex parts fabricating and assembly processes using a 3D printer and a robot arm. 　Specifically, a fixing table and a jig are laminated with a soluble material, and the parts are arranged on the main body using a robot arm. Then, the fixing table and the jig are dissolved (see right figure). We were able to test and confirm the operation of this technology by applying it to the joint of a chopstick endoscope used in otology (upper left figure) and a multi directional active bending mechanism using shape memory alloy (SMA) wire (upper right figure). 　In the future, we aim to apply this technology to various minimally invasive medical devices and some consumer products by mounting various micro electronic components.

• others

　The present invention relates to a light-driven actuator configured to output mechanical motion by utilizing the phenomenon that a material is distorted in response to a light stimulus. Conventionally, in this field, actuators utilizing the phenomenon that organic materials undergo a reversible structural change by a light stimulus have been developed, but there have been problems such as slow driving speed. 　In the course of research focusing on inorganic dielectric materials, the inventors succeeded in thinning an oxide material as a single crystal to form a sheet. It was experimentally confirmed that the sheet deforms faster than before in response to light in the ultraviolet range, and the present invention was completed.

• others

　Hydrogel, which is one of the crosslinked polymers, is expected to be used as biomimetic materials because its hardness and water content are similar to those of living organisms. On the other hand, because of its flexibility, it is not suitable for general processing methods such as injection molding, drawing, and cutting. Therefore, methods of molding inside a mold or using a 3D printer have been devised. However, the former has a problem that it is difficult to prepare a mold and cope with complicated shapes, and the latter requires a long time for printing and is difficult to select a material. 　To solve this problem, the inventor has found a molding method that can be obtained by spontaneous bending by laser irradiation of the gel surface and swelling of the cut part with a solvent. Since the bending is triggered by swelling due to the solvent, for example, if a hydrogel is used, it is possible to transform the shape from a flat portable shape to a shape meeting the purpose by supplying water just before use. In addition, the present invention is most effective in a double network using water as a solvent, but the same phenomenon has been confirmed in an organogel such as rubber, and can be applied to any kind of gel.

• others