一般財団法人材料科学技術振興財団　MST List of Products and Services

Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastics (GFRP) are inexpensive, lightweight, and high-strength materials. Understanding their components, distribution, and internal structure is an important aspect of product design. This document presents case studies evaluating the components and structure of GF-reinforced PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) as GFRP material, as well as the degradation components of the resin after UV exposure.

Bacteria have various growth environments depending on their species, and there are many bacteria that are difficult to isolate and culture. Therefore, by extracting and analyzing DNA, which is the blueprint of life that all bacteria possess, it becomes possible to investigate the existing bacteria without isolation or culture. Here, we will introduce examples of analysis methods for sequencing bacterial DNA to infer the existing bacteria through microbiome analysis, as well as investigating bacterial numbers using real-time PCR methods.

The main components of wood biomass consist of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, and their composition ratios vary depending on the plant species from which they originate. The composition ratios of these three components can be evaluated by applying specific chemical treatments such as the Klason method or the Wise method to the samples and measuring their weights. At MST, the proportion of the main components in wood biomass is calculated according to the following analysis flow.

MALDI-MS (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry) is a method that allows for the detection and imaging of organic components in their molecular ion form. In particular, MALDI imaging is effective for evaluating the distribution of biological components and substances administered to living organisms in pharmacokinetic studies and pharmaceutical research and development. MST can provide a consistent process from sample preparation to measurement. This document presents an example of analysis where lipids were imaged using MALDI-MS, starting from the preparation of mouse brain slices.

Our organization has established a system that suppresses atmospheric exposure through atmosphere control, and further cools the samples for processing, observation, and analysis. We can produce TEM thin samples while maintaining the original structure of the specimen, allowing for observation and analysis. Even with unstable materials, we can perform thinning processing while cooling, and by maintaining a vacuum during the transfer between processing and observation devices, we enable cross-sectional TEM/SEM observation that minimizes atmospheric exposure and thermal alteration. 【Measurement and Processing Methods】 ■ [(S)TEM] Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy ■ Processing under atmosphere control ■ Cryo-processing *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

We will introduce a technique that emphasizes the signals of polymers or small molecules using a measurement method that utilizes the differences in relaxation times or diffusion coefficients of each component in a mixed sample. When electromagnetic waves are irradiated onto atomic nuclei in a static magnetic field, they absorb energy corresponding to the energy difference ΔE and enter an excited state (nuclear magnetic resonance). When the irradiation of electromagnetic waves is stopped, the process of returning to the original state is called relaxation, and the relaxation time is the time required for this process. The relaxation time is closely related to the mobility of the molecules. [Measurement Method / Processing Method] ■ [NMR] Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

We would like to introduce our spectral separation technology using the DOSY method. In NMR, when performing structural analysis of each component in a mixed sample, each component is typically isolated and purified before measurement. The DOSY method allows for the separation of spectra for each component by utilizing the differences in diffusion rates, enabling structural analysis of each component in a mixed sample without the need for isolation and purification. 【Features】 - Effective for measuring samples where physical separation by molecular weight is difficult - Effective for measuring samples that undergo structural changes during pretreatment (e.g., samples in the biochemical field such as proteins) - Facilitates structural analysis of each component by separating mixed spectra of multiple components - Provides insights into the mobility of molecules of each component in the mixture *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

When evaluating the internal structure of materials, it is necessary to expose the internal structure while maintaining it through cross-sectional processing techniques such as cutting and polishing. This document introduces a case where the microtome method, which has a relatively small impact from processing damage, was used to create cross-sections of hair, followed by AFM observation of the internal structure and evaluation of elastic modulus. The microtome method is a cutting processing technique widely used in the field of soft materials, such as rubber materials and biological samples, and this approach has made it possible to evaluate the mechanical properties of the internal structure of these materials. [Measurement and Processing Methods] [AFM] Atomic Force Microscopy [AFM-MA・AFM-DMA] Mechanical Property Evaluation (Elastic Modulus Measurement, Dynamic Viscoelasticity Measurement) Ultra Microtome Processing *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

Our organization offers imaging of cuticles. The evaluation of cuticles has been limited to structural observation using electron microscopy due to their fine structure, and detailed component distribution has remained unclear. By using TOF-SIMS, which can evaluate the distribution of inorganic and organic materials at the sub-micron level, it is possible to assess the distribution of various components within the cuticle. This document presents the results of evaluating hair and visualizing the component distribution within the cuticle. [Measurement and Processing Method] ■ [TOF-SIMS] Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

Our organization offers (S)TEM analysis of the fine structure of hair cross-sections. The hair cell membrane complex (CMC) serves as a pathway for chemicals during processes such as bleaching and dyeing hair. In particular, the CMC between the cuticle layers has a three-layer structure, which we have visualized. We present a case where osmium tetroxide (OsO4) was used for electron staining targeting unsaturated fatty acids in lipids, followed by TEM observation and STEM-EDX analysis. [Measurement and Processing Methods] ■ [(S)TEM] Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy ■ [TEM-EDX] Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (TEM) ■ Ultramicrotome processing ■ Others *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

Our organization conducts evaluations of molecular permeability to lipid bilayers using molecular dynamics simulations. The free energy obtained from molecular dynamics calculations is an important value that contributes not only to predicting the stability of the system but also to understanding the material distribution and transport phenomena in systems with spatial and temporal fluctuations. For example, it is effective in gaining insights into the permeability of molecules across biological membranes. Using lipid bilayers in aqueous solvents as an example, we will introduce a case where the permeability of molecules in the membrane was discussed based on the free energy values when benzene and carbon dioxide were transported. [Measurement Methods and Processing Techniques] ■ Computational Science, AI, Data Analysis *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

Our organization conducts evaluations of the hierarchical structure of polymer materials using X-ray diffraction and scattering techniques. It is known that the differences in higher-order structures created by amphiphilic substances affect the moisturizing and permeability properties of skin tissue, making it important to understand these structures in order to evaluate the functionality of the materials. We will introduce examples of evaluating the hierarchical structure of polymers using XRD (X-ray diffraction) for structures on the order of a few nanometers and SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) for structures on the order of several tens of nanometers. 【Measurement and Processing Methods】 ■ [XRD] X-ray Diffraction ■ [SAXS] Small-Angle X-ray Scattering *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

Our organization conducts lipid imaging. TOF-SIMS excels in low-mass components and enables imaging with high spatial resolution. On the other hand, MALDI-MS specializes in high-mass components and offers a wide variety of lipids that can be imaged. Here, we present examples of measurements taken with TOF-SIMS and MALDI-MS, using lipid imaging mass spectrometry results from mouse testes as a case study. [Measurement Methods] ■ [TOF-SIMS] Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry ■ [MALDI-MS] Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry *For more details, please download the PDF or feel free to contact us.

TOF-SIMS analysis allows for detailed examination of the sample's outermost surface, as well as the ability to obtain information in the depth direction, making it possible to understand the distribution of components within the material. Additionally, imaging can visualize the spatial distribution of components. This document includes case studies of products analyzed from various fields. Please feel free to contact us!

The measurement of bacterial counts conducted in food bacterial testing is calculated by culturing and counting the number of colonies. However, this method requires time for culturing and cannot evaluate difficult-to-culture bacteria. On the other hand, the real-time PCR method allows for the direct extraction of DNA from samples without culturing, enabling the investigation of the quantity of the target bacteria (DNA copy number). This document presents a case study comparing the bacterial counts obtained through culturing the easily cultured Escherichia coli and the copy numbers measured using the real-time PCR method.