Tohoku Techno Arch Co., Ltd. Product Lineup

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.

• others

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.

• others

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.

• others

・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.

• others

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.

• others

　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.

• others

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.

• others

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.

• others

　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.

• others

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.

• others

　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.

• others

　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.

• others

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.

• others

・ 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

• others

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.　

• 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

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

　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

　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

　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

　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, 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

■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

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

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

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

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

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 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

　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 solutions.

• 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

　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

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.

• 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

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 13C immobilizer in a liquid form that is easy to handle.

• 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

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