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

　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.

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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.

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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).

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　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.

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　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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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　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.

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　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.

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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.

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■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

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　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.

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　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).

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　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).

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　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.

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　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.

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　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.

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　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.

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　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.

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　To get robots to do their jobs just like people do, it is important for the robot to install a sensor that can sense the same sense as humans. 　Conventionally, various types of sensors have been proposed, but they have problems such as a complicated structure and a complicated fabrication process. 　In the invention, a transducer is fabricated by forming a magnetic foam to cover a coil that provided on an electric substrate. 　Since the transducer is simple to fabricate and can sense a force from inductance displacement even with a small compressive stress, the invention is expected to solve the above problems.　

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・ Conventional N2O5 generator is difficult to handle because of the need for hazardous raw materials and complicated equipment, which makes industrial N2O5 utilization difficult. ・ Since the invention succeeded in using Air as the raw material gas, it became possible to generate N2O5 reasonable and safety. ・ It is expected to solve the problems of conventional light and heat sterilization methods and virus inactivation methods, so on. Enhancement of plant immunity ⇒ Expression of disease resistance genes in plants Application of fertilizer components ⇒ Promotion of plant growth by supplying nitrogen components Sterilization and virus removal ⇒ Sterilization and virus removal by N2O5

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Previous studies have shown that several uremic substances, which cause exacerbation of diabetic nephropathy, are produced by intestinal bacteria. On the other hand, identification of intestinal bacterial species involved in the production of uremic substances has been difficult due to confounding factors such as renal function. The inventors identified intestinal bacteria involved in the reduction of uremic substances by analyzing them without confounding factors of renal function. The present invention relates to an agent for inhibiting the production of uremic toxins and a functional food containing these bacteria. Sesamol has also been proposed as a functional ingredient for reducing uremic substances by Professor Abe et al., one of the present inventors. (Uremic substance reducing agent containing sesame lignan (ttechnoarch.co.jp)) It is expected that the bacteria of the present invention will not be used as a single agent but will be commercialized aiming at a synergistic effect by combining with the above functional ingredients.

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　The amount of electricity generated by renewable energy varies a lot on climate, etc. Therefore, it is preferable to use it in combination with storage battery in order to supply stable electric power. Redox flow battery (RFB), which charges and discharges by ion redox reaction, is highly valued for its safety due to its nonflammability, its high durability as the electrolyte & electrode hardly deteriorate, and its low running cost. Vanadium RFB is in practical use but in recent years, the resource price of vanadium active material has jumped, resulting in high initial cost.　 This invention uses only titanium as active material for both cathode / anode chambers, which significantly reduces the initial cost. There is existing RFB technology that combines titanium and manganese, but using different elements in the cathode / anode chambers risks contamination due to its principle, so a premature battery degradation could be expected. This invention has an advantage in this field and it is also expected to realize more efficient RFB because of its higher electromotive force and current density that can be extracted compared to conventional vanadium ion RFB.

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　Conventional pearl pigments were created by coating mica substrates with metal oxides, such as TiO₂. The traditional production process involved two main steps: preparation of the mica substrate and coating with metal oxides. This conventional method made it challenging to control the thickness of the metal oxide layer precisely, making it difficult to achieve stable pearlescent properties and control the hue. As a result, the process was often costly.　 　This patent introduces a method for producing pearl pigments that exhibit pearlescent properties through a simple and cost-effective process. The pigments comprise vanadium phosphate hydrates and possesses a substrate-free colored plate-like particles. It is possible to provide a strong glossy effect using the pigment with large particle sizes.

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This IP is about a sensor system for measuring tactile sensation considering tactile movement. The relationship between the tactile sensation for samples and the sensor output of the tactile sensor system controlled with various pushing forces was investigated. As a result, it was found that the developed tactile sensor system considering pushing force is available to evaluate touch feeling. The sensor system which can control its height to get a desired initial pushing force and the pushing force during sensor scanning was developed. The sensor system describes “Rough-Smooth” tactile sensations when pressing force is decreased gradually. The sensor system describes “Hard-Soft” tactile sensations when pressing force is increased gradually.

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　Tertiary alcohols, such as tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), are useful as starting materials for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and resins because they have higher oxidation resistance and hydroxyl group reactivity than primary/secandary alcohols. As an industrial process, there is a method of radical oxidation of isobutane under high pressure or without catalyst, but this process has problems of high energy load and low selectivity. As a solution, selective oxidation at ambient pressure using gold nanoparticle catalyst in the presence of hydrogen has been reported. However, there is concern about the risk of explosion because hydrogen and oxygen coexist in this method. 　As a result of repeated studies to solve the above problem, the inventor found that isoparaffins can be selectively oxidized using molecular oxygen as an oxidant to produce the corresponding tertiary alcohols with high selectivity and high production rate by using a solid catalyst containing a transition metal oxide of periodic table group 6~9, which does not support gold, and using water instead of conventional hydrogen. In particular, when Co3O4 was used as a catalyst, the selectivity (STAB) of TBA in the product was as high as 99%.

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The steel industry, which emits the largest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2), is required to reduce its CO2 emissions as soon as possible. 　A process for recovering and recycling solid carbon from gases containing CO2 and carbon monoxide (CO) is known. This process uses water gas shift reaction (CO2+H2→CO+H2O) and carbon deposition reaction (2CO→C+CO2, CO+H2→C+H2O). However, there has been concern that the precipitated carbon is fine and difficult to recover. 　This invention enables carbon recovery from CO2 and CO in gas by using porous fibrous iron (iron whisker) as a carbon deposition site. Furthermore, iron raw materials containing carbon could be used directly in the ironmaking process. This may lead to the carbon cycle process in the ironmaking process.

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Measurement of shear stress and contact stress provides important information in various fields such as robotics, medical, digital, and direct skin contact product development Conventional triaxial stress sensors have thick and rigid shapes, so it has been difficult to directly measure shear stress and contact stress in vivo, for example. 　In order to solve the above problems, the inventor has developed the following sensors. 1. Patent No. JP5688792 * Related Patent (2/4) 　Thin sensor capable of measuring shear stress and contact stress simultaneously 2. Patent No. JP6753615 * Related Patent (3/4) 　Highly integrated sensor technology 3. Patent No. JP7466214 * Related Patent (4/4) 　A laminated sensor capable of measuring even in a low stress range based on the principle of 1. The present invention is a thin, highly integrated sensor combining the above technologies. Demonstration experiments for various applications have been conducted, and the practical application of this technology is expected.

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　With the high integration of electronic devices, high temperature of metal wiring and high current density used in circuits are increasing. Then, electromigration (EM) damage due to metal fatigue becomes a problem, which may cause disconnection failure. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the reliability of wiring. 　Conventional reliability evaluation methods include empirical equations (Black's equation), but tests for each wiring structure are necessary, and evaluation accuracy is also problematic. Since threshold current density of EM damage exists in multilayer wiring with via connections, evaluation studies of threshold current density have conventionally been conducted. However, evaluation of the EM damage process leading to the generation and growth of voids and disconnection has not been achieved, and a highly accurate evaluation method has been required. 　In order to solve the above problems, we have developed a method for evaluating wire life and allowable current with high accuracy and simplicity. In the present invention, the parameters controlling EM damage can be specified and the atomic concentration distribution inside the wiring can be simulated. By utilizing this method, it is also possible to design an effective reservoir structure to improve the threshold current density.

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The thermoelectric effect has been applied in a wide range of fields such as thermoelectric power generation and thermoelectric cooling. However, high thermoelectric performance is required for industrial use, and research for the development of new thermoelectric materials is actively carried out. 　The influence of the thermoelectric effect by electromigration (EM) has been studied in semiconductor thin films. It is also known that the stress state after the introduction of EM changes depending on the presence or absence of a protective film in metal wiring.　 　From the above findings, it was found that the thermoelectric performance is improved by introducing EM into metal wiring with a protective film. Metal atoms are moved by the introduction of EM, and by covering the metal wiring with a protective film and introducing EM, the stress distribution is generated inside the wiring, which enables the production of thermoelectric semiconductors with high thermoelectric performance

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Vascular embolization treatment, a minimally invasive surgery for various blood vessel‐related conditions, has emerged as a crucial method in treating such as hemorrhage, arteriovenous malformation, aneurysms, and hypervascular tumors. Liquid agents present unique advantages, penetrating distal peripheral vasculature inaccessible to solid counterparts while allowing modulation of penetration depth through compositional adjustments. Conventionally used liquid embolic substances include N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (Onyx ). NBCA embolizes blood vessels by polymerization reaction with blood, and Onyx embolizes blood vessels by precipitation and aggregation in blood. However, in NBCA and Onyx , there is a problem that the embolic substances may stick to the tip of the catheter, injure the inner wall of the blood vessel and the catheter insertion site, and cause bleeding. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an embolic agent and a kit for blood vessel embolization comprising the embolic agent and the embolic agent having excellent injectability with a syringe and safety and stability in vivo while having blood vessel embolization properties equivalent to those of conventional embolic agents. The present invention comprises as an active ingredient a copolymer of a monomer containing a cationic functional group and a monomer containing an aromatic group, wherein at least a part of the copolymer has a structure represented by general formula.

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　With the spread of contact lenses (CLs), the number of patients suffering from dry eye is increasing. In addition, the spread of smart CLs with biomonitoring, communication and display functions is expected in the future, and effective measures against dry eye are required. 　The present inventors have developed a CL-type device capable of preventing dry eye based on their long accumulated "hydrogel synthesis and molding technology" and "biocompatible battery power generation technology". Specifically, they developed a hydrogel material with high electroosmotic flow generation efficiency and excellent moldability. They found that when applied to CLs, water flow is generated in the lens by energization, which can maintain the wet state of the CL and stabilize the tear film on the cornea. Furthermore, they have succeeded in mounting a bio-battery on a contact lens to drive it as a self-standing device that does not require external power supply (right figure). 　The present invention is important not only for the prevention of dry eye, but also for the controlled release of eyedrops and the control of intraocular pressure by inducing aqueous humor drainage. It is expected to develop as a method for injecting and injecting eyedrops into and out of eye holes, which is similar to eye drops and syringes.

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　Mastitis in dairy cattle is considered to be one of the most intractable diseases in livestock, and it is known that it leads to a decrease in milk production and an increase in treatment costs, resulting in a large economic loss. In order to reduce the economic loss, early detection of mastitis is essential. However, the PL test, which is an existing mastitis detection method, does not lead to early detection because mastitis already showing degeneration is used as a sample. Therefore, a Chemical Luminescence measurement method is regarded as promising. However, a special apparatus is required to measure the Chemical Luminescence ability, and from the viewpoint of economy and difficulty, it is not suitable as a routine method for each dairy farmer. 　The present invention makes it possible to provide a method and a biomarker that contribute to the early detection of mastitis in a simple and rapid manner. The present invention is characterized by comprising a step of detecting cyclophilin A in milk collected from the udder of a subject and a step of determining the occurrence or possibility of occurrence of a mammary gland disease based on the amount of cyclophilin A. When the amount of cyclophilin A in milk is larger than that collected from a healthy udder, it is determined that a mammary gland disease has occurred or is likely to occur in the udder of the subject.

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　Water pollution is a serious problem on a global scale, and it is required to develop environmentally friendly technologies for the recovery and removal of pollutants with low energy consumption and without the use of large amounts of chemicals. One method of wastewater treatment is to remove pollutants using adsorbents. However, existing adsorbents have a problem that their adsorption capacity is lost due to the Debye shielding effect caused by salts contained in wastewater. 　The present invention relates to a novel adsorbent consisting of a copolymer of a monomer containing a cationic or anionic functional group and a monomer containing an aromatic group, which exhibits good adsorption performance even in wastewater with a high salt concentration. By using this adsorbent, it is expected to more efficiently and inexpensively remove chemical substances in industrial wastewater, especially ionic dyes contained in wastewater from textile dyeing factories, ink factories, etc.

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・In a conventional liquid crystal display(LCD), when a large pressure is applied from the outside or a steep bending deformation is forced, the display image is disorderd cause of thickness variation of the liquid crystal layers, and the substrate spacer is damaged. ・Therefore, liquid crystals are difficult to apply to flexible displays because of such problems. ・The invention packs a liquid crystal material into robust microtubes and arranges them in a plurality to form a liquid crystal layer. ・Using such a structure, pressure force can be dispersed even when pressure is applied from the outside. ・It is expected to be applied to a robust and flexibile liquid crystal display.

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　Photocatalysts are materials that induce redox reactions under illumination. In particular, it is effective for downhill reactions (oxidative degradation of hazardous and pollutants) and titanium oxide (TiO2) which is UV light responsive, is already in practical use. However, TiO2 photocatalytic technology is limited to small amounts and low concentrations of substances based on the solar light spectrum, and there is a problem that oxidation degradation treatment similar to that under illumination is never induced in the dark conditions. 　In his research for application as a photoelectrode and photocatalyst for organic p-n junctions, the inventor found that organic p-n junctions can catalyze (= dual catalysis) the oxidation of thiols even in the dark conditions [1]. In addition, as a result of his intensive research, he succeeded in expanding the target of dual catalysis to formic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrazine by supporting a cocatalyst on organic p-n junctions. 　Dual catalysis is a new type of catalysis that TiO2 does not have. The selection of organic p-n junctions and co-catalysts is expected to expand the application range and market size of catalysts for environmental purification applications.

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Photocatalysts are materials that induce redox reactions under illumination. In particular, it is effective for downhill reactions (oxidative degradation of hazardous and pollutants) and titanium oxide (TiO2) which is UV light responsive, is already in practical use. However, TiO2 photocatalytic technology is limited to small amounts and low concentrations of substances based on the solar light spectrum, and there is a problem that oxidation degradation treatment similar to that under illumination is never induced in the dark conditions. 　In his research for application as a photoelectrode and photocatalyst for organic p-n junctions, the inventor found that organic p-n junctions can catalyze (= dual catalysis) the oxidation of thiols even in the dark conditions [1]. In addition, as a result of the intensive research, it was found that the p-type semiconductor (FePc) in the organic p-n junction was oxidized and decomposed in the presence of hydrogen peroxide to produce a cocatalyst for hydrogen peroxide in situ, and as a result, dual catalysis by the organic n-type semiconductor occurred. 　Dual catalysis is a new type of catalysis that TiO2 does not have. The selection of organic p-n junctions and co-catalysts is expected to expand the application range and market size of catalysts for environmental purification applications.

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　Photocatalysts are materials that induce redox reactions under illumination. In particular, it is effective for downhill reactions (oxidative degradation of hazardous and pollutants) and titanium oxide (TiO2) which is UV light responsive, is already in practical use. However, TiO2 photocatalytic technology is limited to small amounts and low concentrations of substances based on the solar light spectrum, and there is a problem that oxidation degradation treatment similar to that under illumination is never induced in the dark conditions. 　In his research for application as a photoelectrode and photocatalyst for organic p-n junctions, the inventor found that organic p-n junctions can catalyze (= dual catalysis) the oxidation of thiols even in the dark conditions [1]. In addition, as a result of his intensive research, he succeeded in expanding the target of dual catalysis to formic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrazine by supporting a cocatalyst on organic p-n junctions. 　Dual catalysis is a new type of catalysis that TiO2 does not have. The selection of organic p-n junctions and co-catalysts is expected to expand the application range and market size of catalysts for environmental purification applications.

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Mo material is excellent in heat resistance. Since Mo material is easily oxidized at high temperature, it is indispensable to form MoSi2 protective film to prevent it. As a conventional method, the pack cementation method is known. Although this method can stably form MoSi2 films, it requires processing conditions of 1000 ℃ or more and 10 hours or more, leading to high costs. The present invention relates to a method of forming a MoSi2/WSi2 film (e.g., 30 μm) on the surface of a Mo/W material by simply immersing a base material in a bath (e.g., 800 ℃. for 15 min.). According to this method, the largest advantage is that there is no restriction on the shape that can be treated. The base material processed into a product shape can be subjected to silicification treatment. The Mo material having the present invention has been confirmed to exhibit excellent oxidation resistance (see right table), and is useful as a more convenient silicification method.

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SAS can lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases and other complications, resulting in severe symptoms. However, the symptoms of SAS are challenging to recognize, and it is estimated that 1 in 20 people in Japan are potential sufferers. Patients with glaucoma are known to have a higher probability of concurrent SAS, making it beneficial to recommend SAS testing for these individuals to identify undetected cases. However, conducting tests on all glaucoma patients is not practical. This invention introduces a machine learning model and an app that incorporates this model, designed for ophthalmologists to easily assess the likelihood of glaucoma patients having SAS. More than 500 glaucoma patients were recruited and underwent basic ophthalmic examinations, along with the collection of age, gender, BMI information, and home sleep SAS testing for nocturnal oxygen saturation measurements. Patients whose nocturnal oxygen saturation dips below the baseline exceeded a specified threshold were defined as having SAS. The machine learning approach combines systemic and ophthalmic parameters to predict the occurrence of SAS. The app facilitates the input of systemic parameters, including responses to medical inquiries, and ophthalmic parameters, including visual field test results, thus enabling the calculation of the likelihood of having SAS with high accuracy.

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Titanium material is widely used in artificial tooth roots and artificial bones as a lightweight material exhibiting high fracture toughness, but it does not bond with bone. Therefore, a hydroxyapatite coating used as an artificial bone has been investigated on titanium material, and various coating methods such as plasma coating and chemical coating have been investigated as techniques for this purpose. The present invention relates to a nanosurfaced titanium substrate and a method for producing the same, which can induce self-assembly of nano-needle-like crystals of hydroxyapatite on the titanium substrate more efficiently than conventional methods.

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To determine the dimensionless figure of merit ZT of thermoelectric materials, three physical quantities—Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity—must be measured separately, which conventionally requires preparing multiple specimens and carrying out time‑consuming temperature‑dependent measurements. In addition to conventional longitudinal thermoelectric conversion based on the Seebeck effect, transverse thermoelectric conversion employing the anomalous Nernst effect (ANE) has recently attracted considerable attention. However, for transverse thermoelectric thin films, conventional ZT evaluation requires separate specimens for each of the three properties, and variations in interfacial conditions from sample to sample make accurate determination of ZT very challenging. The present technology provides a measurement method that enables all-in-one determination of all three key properties in transverse thermoelectric thin films. Because all measurements are performed on a single device with a single setup, the results are free from sample‑to‑sample variations in interface quality, allowing simpler and faster characterization.

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　Wire harnesses (WHs), the main target of this technology, are mainly used in automobiles and consist of bundles of thin wires that connect each component and are responsible for transmitting electrical signals and supplying power. Increased demand is expected with the rapid growth of electric vehicles in the future, and the development of efficient recycling technology for used WHs is strongly desired. To secure domestic resources and realize a decarbonized society, it is vital to recycle not only metal wires but also plastic coating materials. Chopping or comminution treatment is a common separation technology for treating used WHs, while it has limitations for mechanically recycling recovered plastic coating because it contains fine copper particles that are impurities for recycling.　This invention enables the separation,　sorting,and simultaneous recovery of copper wires and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating without the formation of fine particles by applying moderate impact in the ball mill equipment after swelling the coating material with organic solvent.

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　Medical images are complicated and noisy. Device manufacturers are conducting R&D on denoising technologies using deep learning (DL). Unet is a popular model developed for medical image segmentation and has been used for image denoising. Unet as well as other DL models with higher prediction accuracies require large computational resources and have become a barrier to use in standalone devices for remote diagnosis or deployment of AI-solutions in mobile devices for smart digital medicine.　 　The "LWBNA-unet" of the present invention was designed with a focus on efficiency and reduction of computational resources. It succeeded in reducing weight by about 10 times as compared to the conventional Unet model. Similar to controlling the flow of information through a channel by changing its width, the LWBNA-Unet performs channel control by gradually decreasing the number of filters with attention to discriminate unnecessary features, which enables highly accurate segmentation of image features in complex and noisy images. The method is also capable of detecting and classifying diseases automatically with high accuracy under low computational resource environments. It is shown that the model has better capabilities of learning in terms of reproducibility and accuracy with smaller datasets as compared to conventional Unet and DeepLabv3+, models under same conditions.

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