信州ＴＬＯ List of Products and Services

This is a capacitive humidity sensor that combines polyimide with excellent heat resistance and chemical stability and MWCNT (multi-walled carbon nanotubes) + SWCNT (single-walled carbon nanotubes), achieving a response time on the order of 10 ms, which is 100 times faster than conventional sensors. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have a nanoscale mesh structure, making them gas-permeable electrodes. It is also important that the upper electrode does not hinder the movement of gas molecules; for example, in the case of a humidity sensor that permeates water vapor, high hydrophobicity can be expected to enable a fast response. This technology improves response speed, sensitivity, temperature change suppression, and durability by attaching CNTs as the upper electrode to a thin film of polyimide, whose electrical properties change due to water vapor or gaseous chemicals, compared to conventional humidity sensors.

• Gas leak device

This is a method to solve the issue of "incomplete infiltration" in tissue regeneration materials. Using vacuum pressure infiltration, we were able to introduce cells deep into porous materials (e.g., collagen, PLA, etc.). Subsequent proliferation and differentiation have also been confirmed.

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Solid microparticles can be freely fixed at targeted positions within a water-soluble gel. By combining solid components, we have overcome the weaknesses of gel microparticles and achieved multifunctionality. It can be adapted to various emulsion polymerization monomers such as polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polymethyl ethyl acrylate.

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Oligo DNA derived from the genome sequences of beneficial microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria forms a characteristic three-dimensional structure and functions as an aptamer that binds to target proteins. Muscle-forming type oligo DNA promotes muscle differentiation, enhances cardiomyocyte differentiation, and suppresses adipocyte differentiation, while bone-forming type oligo DNA promotes the differentiation of osteoblasts.

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This technology provides excellent functionality of the compound Chol-U-Pr-mPEG, which has a steroid group as the hydrophobic part and includes PEG as the hydrophilic part. The cholesteryl group is hydrophobic and can be coated onto the surfaces of hydrophobic resin materials such as polypropylene and polystyrene, which are widely used in medical materials, using the Grafting-to method. It is also known that among proteins, it can suppress platelet adhesion, so its use as an anti-thrombotic coating in circuits such as ECMO and artificial dialysis devices is anticipated. 【Advantages】 ■ Reduction of chemical modification processes and labor ■ No residual by-products ■ Significantly suppresses protein (globulin) adsorption compared to PEG *For more details, please refer to the PDF materials or feel free to contact us.

• Safety and consumables

We would like to introduce a new environmentally friendly fire extinguishing agent developed by the Faculty of Engineering at Miyazaki University. Available in liquid and powder forms, it extinguishes fires by solidifying with foam that reacts to temperature, and the foam does not dissipate even at high temperatures. It does not use surfactants or organic fluorine compounds that are considered harmful to human health, and it has been proven effective in extinguishing metal fires, such as magnesium, where water and ABS extinguishing agents cannot be used, with a solidifying "strong foam." 【Features】 ■ Extinguishes various types of fires with foam ■ Effective for metal fires ■ Minimal environmental impact and low cost ■ Usable in both powder and liquid forms ■ Effective in extinguishing magnesium fires *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Safety and consumables

【Deformation Anisotropy】 "Method for identifying orthotropic elastic properties of rock masses through uniaxial testing" - Capable of identifying three principal axes + 9 parameters (not possible with conventional techniques) - Significantly fewer tests required (3 cylindrical specimens) - Applicable to prismatic specimens as well - Low cost, high precision 【Simple Shear】 "Simple shear testing of rock prismatic specimens using torsion" - The only testing method available in the country - Clarifies the deformation characteristics of rocks during earthquakes - Obtains data necessary for seismic design - Evaluation of repeated "shear" - Traffic loads from vehicles and trains - Foundations of offshore wind power affected by wave action

• Structural Survey

This technology is a power circuit breaker that adopts a completely new operating principle, not an extension of conventional technology. By highly integrating fuses and semiconductor switches, it enables the realization of a "next-generation circuit breaker" that can instantly limit overcurrent. - It can reliably prevent and completely interrupt abnormal large currents every time. - It allows for immediate current limiting and interruption (AC, DC, overcurrent). - High-speed re-energization is possible. - High versatility (operating voltage 0.1 to 10 kV). - High design flexibility makes optimization for various applications easy. Comparison with existing circuit breakers for railways: - Interrupt time (approximately 40% shorter). - Device size (approximately 95% smaller). - Price (approximately 90% reduction). By dramatically reducing the risk of electrical equipment failure and minimizing current resistance, benefits such as miniaturization and cost reduction of electrical systems can be expected.

• Lightning protection

The representative arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi coexist with the roots of various crops, absorbing nutrients (especially phosphorus) from the soil and supplying them to the crops. Therefore, they are utilized as environmentally friendly microbial materials to reduce phosphorus fertilizer. The current materials are obtained through "co-cultivation," but there are challenges remaining in mass production and quality stabilization, leading to considerations for materialization through "pure culture." Our group has discovered an efficient pure culture method by adding fatty acids such as myristic acid to the medium during the culture of parent spores. However, since the microbial materials obtained from pure cultures are stored in refrigeration until they are used in the field, we are examining production conditions for next-generation spores that can maintain sufficient germination rates even after refrigeration. By adding not only myristic acid but also palmitic acid to the medium, we can approach the germination rates achieved through co-cultivation, contributing to the "quality stabilization" following the mass production of microbial materials. [Summary] - Established an efficient pure culture method for mycorrhizal fungi by adding fatty acids to the medium. - Further innovations in the fatty acids added to the medium for the materialization of spores suitable for refrigeration storage. - Technical guidance is possible for the materialization of unique strains held by various companies, rather than a monopoly on technology by a single company.

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At the Shinshu University Faculty of Engineering, the Arai-Shimizu Laboratory develops unique technologies, including "CNT composite plating technology," which creates plating films that combine carbon nanotubes and metals, and "roughening plating treatment," which enhances adhesion between steel and resin. If you are interested in collaborative research aimed at practical applications, please feel free to contact us. 【Research Content】 ■ CNT Composite Plating Technology - Creates plating films that combine carbon nanotubes and metals - Considering use as an electron emission source for displays ■ Roughening Plating Treatment - Achieves bonding and adhesion enhancement of dissimilar materials (steel/resin) 【Keywords】 Lithium-ion battery materials, energy storage materials, bonding of dissimilar materials (metal and resin), display materials, wear-resistant materials, high thermal conductivity materials, etc. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other services and technologies

We introduce a method for estimating blood pressure using photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals and a computer program for blood pressure estimation. In conventional methods for estimating blood pressure using PPG, there have been significant estimation errors due to individual differences and issues related to the black-box nature of nonlinear models, which has prevented widespread adoption. This technology alleviates estimation errors caused by individual differences by introducing feature normalization and bias adjustment for blood pressure, resulting in the generation of a generalized model. To address the black-box issue of nonlinear models, we utilized a multiple regression model to facilitate the interpretation of the blood pressure estimation model. As a result, depending on the training data, it has become possible to construct a generalized blood pressure estimation model with an estimation error of less than 10 mmHg. [Keywords] Health management / Wearable devices / Medical devices / Machine learning / Work style reform *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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We have achieved the advancement of non-destructive internal inspection of concrete structures using microwave radar. The aging of social infrastructure is becoming a serious social issue, with many problems related to the safety and security of concrete structures, such as the health diagnosis of tunnels and bridges, seismic performance evaluation of concrete buildings, and deterioration inspection of rebar and piping within concrete. While the construction technology for concrete structures has made remarkable progress, effective diagnostic technologies for their maintenance have not yet been found. This technology has achieved high precision in radar imaging (position and shape estimation) and improved estimation performance of embedded material properties (such as material type and degree of deterioration) through the enhancement of microwave propagation time estimation and the refinement of microwave propagation and reflection models.

• Non-destructive testing

This is a panel unit with a scissor structure designed for high strength and long spans. This panel unit is foldable and can be combined to achieve length adjustments, making it suitable for applications in highly mobile emergency temporary bridges and space structures. Given the recent frequent collapses of bridges due to heavy rain disasters, we encourage you to consider utilizing this technology.

• Temporary Construction Materials

The "Variable Magnetic Flux Motor (MC Motor)" utilizes the "low iron loss," "high strength," and "low saturation magnetic flux density" of magnetic composite materials. Compared to the reference IPM motor, the high-efficiency range (over 96%) has been expanded into the high-speed area. Copper loss is reduced by 40%, and iron loss and magnet eddy current loss are reduced by 50%. Applications are expected in products equipped with inverter motors, such as washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and main motors for electric vehicles. 【Features】 ■ Utilizes "low iron loss," "high strength," and "low saturation magnetic flux density" ■ High-efficiency range (over 96%) expanded into the high-speed area compared to the reference IPM motor ■ Copper loss reduced by 40% ■ Iron loss and magnet eddy current loss reduced by 50% ■ High efficiency across a wide speed and torque range *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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Formalin (a solution of formaldehyde) is used as a component in adhesives across various fields, but it is a substance that causes health issues, exemplified by sick house syndrome. To solve this problem, it is necessary to discover a substance that has two or more aldehyde groups, is water-soluble and non-volatile, and does not depend on fossil resources. Therefore, we propose aldehyde compounds obtained by oxidizing sugars. These can be industrially produced through the oxidation of sugars using sodium periodate. [Issues] - While it is used as a component in adhesives across various fields, it is a substance that causes health issues, exemplified by sick house syndrome. - There are concerns about future depletion since the raw material is natural gas (methane). *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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Hydrogen is gaining attention as a clean energy source, and environmentally friendly methods for hydrogen production are in demand. Artificial photosynthesis using photocatalysts to directly generate hydrogen from sunlight realizes a sustainable energy system. Modification of silane coupling agents with phosphonyl groups also promotes similar proton supply in photocatalytic hydrogen production. 【Research Content (Partial)】 ■CTGS - Recently gaining attention as a high-efficiency thin-film solar cell material - Constituent elements are inexpensive, safe, and zinc-free - Gradual control of the band gap according to the Sn/Ge ratio *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Photocatalysts and various wall materials (exterior and interior walls, etc.)

We will introduce a technology for the fabrication of membranes for water treatment that allows for advanced control. A challenge has been the degradation of membrane performance due to the adhesion of organic substances, making it difficult to achieve the precise control of pore size necessary for improving permeability and separation performance. In response, we have developed water treatment membranes using polymer grafting via ATRP. Surface modification using functional polymers (MEDSAH) is effective in suppressing the adhesion of proteins and microorganisms, and by controlling the density and length of the polymer immobilization, we can manage membrane performance. [Challenges] ■ Adhesion suppression: Membrane performance decreases due to the adhesion of organic substances. ■ Pore size control: Precise control of pore size, which is necessary for improving permeability and separation performance, is difficult. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other services and technologies

We will introduce the results of the development of a new acid catalyst aimed at the efficient synthesis of "cyclic carbonate," used in electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, and "oxazolidinone," which is widely present in pharmaceuticals. Conventional technologies have left challenges such as requiring high-temperature heating and having limited substrate generality. In this context, we successfully used magnesium iodide as a metal salt in reactions employing isocyanates, achieving a good yield of oxazolidinone under mild conditions at 35°C. The production and sale of this catalyst, aimed at applications in the manufacturing processes of organic materials and pharmaceuticals, are anticipated. 【Conventional Technology and Challenges】 ■ There are relatively few reports of reactions involving the mild reaction of carbon dioxide at atmospheric pressure through the simple operation of adding ligands to commercially available metal salts. ■ Requires high-temperature heating. ■ Limited substrate generality. *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other services and technologies

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is produced by microorganisms and is 100 to 1000 times thinner than plant-derived cellulose, with excellent biodegradability and water retention properties. In this study, we explored methods that could lead to the mass production of materials expected to have various applications. Since the microorganisms that do not originally have the ability to produce BC are used, it is difficult to expect sufficient production of BC, and the challenge is that costs become high when seeking mass production. In the method for mass production of BC based on research results, we confirmed cases where a symbiotic relationship is established by combining cellulose-producing bacteria with photosynthetic microorganisms. This enables the production of BC using microorganisms that can be cultured in the field. 【Conventional Technology and Issues】 ■ Difficulties in outdoor cultivation and management ■ It is difficult to expect sufficient production of BC since the microorganisms do not originally have the ability to produce it ■ Costs become high when seeking mass production *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

• Other services and technologies

Introducing the creation of hydrogel fibers using microchannels. This technology allows for a gentle progression of the gelation reaction within a microchannel with a flow focusing structure, making shape control easy. It enables the precise fabrication of single-strand hydrogel fibers (approximately 100μm in thickness). Additionally, scaling up through parallelization is also achievable. 【Features】 ■ Easy shape control ■ Gentle progression of the gelation reaction within a microchannel with a flow focusing structure *For more details, please refer to the PDF document or feel free to contact us.

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We will introduce researchers and technological seeds suitable for your company's product/technology development/research. Since our establishment, we have supported the commercialization of various companies. We have extensive experience and achievements in commercializing technologies developed at universities and launching new businesses utilizing subsidies. Please feel free to contact us. ■ Technology Transfer Services - Introduction of researchers and technical information (patents, etc.) - Coordination of technical guidance by researchers - Mediation of joint research and commissioned research - Support for patent acquisition and rights establishment ■ Commercialization Support Services - Mediation and contracting of grant projects - Implementation of lectures, basic courses, etc. - Support for interaction between companies and researchers

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