Cover page, Table of contents, Foreword, Number of article downloads, Celebration Party for Professor Shinichi Tamura received Award of the Order of Merit and Report from the General Meeting of Members of the General Incorporated Association GPI Standards Committee

View full abstract

Basalt fiber (abbreviated BaF) reinforced concrete structural material (abbreviated BRC) is produced by aligning several tens of microns of BaF in one direction at approximately 50% volume using an organic binder to form filaments, which are then solidified with a plastic filler to shape into rod-like BaF reinforced plastic (abbreviated BaFRP). These rods are embedded in cement concrete in the required reinforcement direction to form the BRC composite material. The strength of BRC is difficult to evaluate due to the differing allowable strain and stiffness of its constituent materials. Standard test methods are needed to create specimens under optimal conditions and enable durability fracture testing. This research report presents the findings on the standards for manufacturing test pieces and tensile fracture testing necessary for behavioral analysis in the strength evaluation of BRC.

View full abstract

Basalt fiber (abbreviated BaF) reinforced concrete structural material (abbreviated BRC) is produced by aligning several tens of microns of BaF in one direction at approximately 50% volume using an organic binder to form filaments, which are then solidified with a plastic filler to shape into rod-like BaF reinforced plastic (abbreviated BaFRP). These rods are embedded in cement concrete in the required reinforcement direction to form the BRC composite material. The strength of BRC is difficult to evaluate due to the differing allowable strain and stiffness of its constituent materials. Standard test methods are needed to create specimens under optimal conditions and enable durability fracture testing. This research report presents the findings on the standards for manufacturing test pieces and tensile fracture testing necessary for behavioral analysis in the strength evaluation of BRC.

View full abstract

It is widely recognized that utilizing solar power for electricity and gas energy is the most realistic way to achieve the carbon-free goal of the 2050 plan. However, in reality, the spread of solar power is hindered by the relationship between installation costs and energy-saving costs. This issue entails developing inexpensive equipment that can be amortized with approximately 30 yen/kWh of basic electricity rates, maximizing the efficiency of solar power energy usage through the minimal necessary scale of solar panels and eliminating the need for specialized construction by allowing DIY completion of the equipment. This research finds that the optimal results involve developing household electrical equipment that can be easily installed in single-family homes and high-rise buildings, including a 4 square meter temporary panel (1.5 kW), a carbon dioxide heat pump (0.5 kW), a glycol thermal medium, and a 20 kWh battery, all of which can be implemented as separate units.

View full abstract

The spread of electric-assisted bicycles goes back about 35 years, beginning in Wuxi, China, with lead-acid battery-powered DC motor drives (bicycle carts). Initially used for the cargo purposes of tricycles, they later became popular as two-wheeled passenger vehicles (modern bicycles). With the spread of lithium-ion batteries and Japan's market focus on assist functionality, the electric-assisted bicycle industry flourished, leading to global adoption tailored to different local needs and uses. Here, we present the findings of our research on self-repair and regeneration of the still expensive and short-lifespan batteries.

View full abstract

Garbage collection work is conducted as a municipal service in which a driver pairs with a collection worker to collect household waste approximately 2–3 times a week. The actual work involves heavy labor, handling standard 45-liter garbage bags weighing about 20 kg, throwing them into the vehicle's bins, and transporting approximately 100–200 bags in a shuttle system to incineration facilities. Due to the heavy labor, this occupation is representative of labor shortages, and improvement measures are being sought. This development research focuses on creating a garbage collection vehicle equipped with a robotic arm that allows a single driver to perform collection tasks, eliminating heavy labor. The target outcome is the development of a lightweight, high-speed robotic arm for mechanical handling that reduces personnel by 50%, along with an ultra-lightweight 5 m³, 300 kg-capacity bin that can be installed on a standard small truck, aiming for sales of 1 million yen for a special single-driver robotic arm attachment.

View full abstract

. The use of generative AI for university students' research paper submissions has reached about 40% of all submissions, with a working adult student at a university indicating that approximately 10% are in their teens, about 25% in their twenties, about 5% in their thirties, and those in their forties to seventies mostly conduct internet search research. The tendency for personal essays filled with romance is evident, as 80% of those in their fifties and 10% in their sixties show such trends. The question of whether the use of AI for writing research papers, as opposed to conducting independent research and writing as an essential part of education, has become a societal issue.

View full abstract

This report presents research findings on the issues and the realities of the non-market economy, based on an in-depth examination of current cases, regarding the risk-based financial system, credit guarantees, and the functioning of a market economy in relation to risk, which form the foundation of rational economic activity in democratic countries, from the perspective of small and medium-sized enterprises.

View full abstract

In the United States, where presidential executive orders are frequent, in the European Union, where immigration issues are hotly debated, and in controlled states, Chinese families living abroad have encountered differing interpretations under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, resulting in varied outcomes in their applications for U.S. tourist VISAs. This study reports on the cases of Chinese families residing in Japan and Germany who applied for U.S. tourist VISAs to join family members, focusing on the decision-making process.

View full abstract