Much progress in the field of organic nanotechnology and biomolecular electronics for environmental preservation will be expected in 21^st century. A bio-device using information transfer-conversion system of the creature is a biosensor. By quick sensing the invasion of the pathogen from the outside, possessing a role which transmits the information to a cell is an immunosensor. The estimation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is important parameters for clinical diagnostics. We have fabricated an immunosensor based on apolipoprotein B (AAB) functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNT) for LDL detection using electrochemical measurement methods. Our proposed immunosensor is on the basis of antibody (AAB)-antigen (LDL) interaction. This immunosensor is found to be selective for LDL and exhibits a wide detection range of LDL shows higher sensitivity and first response. Higher stability of this proposed immunosensor has been observed due to covalent functionalization of AAB on functionalized CNT nanocomposite surface. The most familiar area biotechnology which is based on amicable use of unique biological function towards betterment of human life and environmental conservation cannot deny the important role played by the ions. "Solion" is an electronic circuit device using migration of ions in electrolytic solution.

We have demonstrated that frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) can locate the position of degradation or abnormality in a cable with the assistance of inverse fast-Fourier transform (IFFT). Although it is easily understandable that this FDR-IFFT method can be applied for a location attempt of a cable with more than one abnormality, we have not demonstrated this experimentally. Therefore, we heated two different positions on a coaxial cable of 31.5 m insulated with low-density polyethylene using two heating chambers. As a result, it is clearly indicated that the two positions can be located if we heated there only by 10°C. Furthermore, this method can precisely estimate the length of a heated portion in a coaxial cable when we set the highest measurement frequency higher than 600 MHz.

Nanocomposite insulation materials composed of polymer and nano-fillers have been at the cutting edge of material technology. They will enable high efficiency and downsizing of electrical rotating machines. Profound understanding of the nano-filler effects in epoxy-based micaceous insulation systems is essential before they can be applied to electrical rotating machines. In this paper, therefore, we newly develop the evaluation method using the needle-shaped electrode 0.1 mm in thickness. The electrode embedded micaceous samples impregnated with nano-filled epoxy have longer insulation breakdown time than that with neat epoxy. Besides, the samples for observation with thin electrode between two mica tapes enable us to compare the behavior of electrical tree propagation in the interlayers impregnated with nano-filled and neat epoxy.

Several cables in safety-related systems in nuclear power plants (NPPs) are required to perform their safety functions in severe accident conditions even after they experience inservice aging. For such cables, the behavior of their insulation under the accidents is a matter of concern. In this research, after cables insulated with ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) were preconditioned by exposing them to concurrent heat and radiation to simulate aging that would be incurred in their service life in normal operating condition of NPPs, they were exposed to radiation and high temperature steam that simulate harsh accident conditions postulated inside the primary containment vessel. The changes in chemical structures and thermal and mechanical properties were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, and indentation hardness measurements. As a result, it has been confirmed that the pre-aging and radiation exposure induce chain scission by oxidation and cross-linking, whereas the steam exposure causes bleedout of additives compounded in EPDM.

Polymeric insulating materials like an epoxy resin due to their excellent electric performance and a maintenance performance are commonly applied to various power equipment. Additives and fillers are traditionally added into the epoxy resin to improve the mechanical and thermal properties. The epoxy/hollow particle composites have been developed to produce the composite material which has new function like the low dielectric constant, the lightweight, and the high heat insulation. To understand the basic electrical properties of epoxy/hollow silica composites, the capacitance measurement, the breakdown test and the partial discharge measurements were performed. The breakdown strength of the epoxy/hollow silica composites and the breakdown strength of the epoxy/no hollow silica (normal silica) composites were almost the same regardless of the applied voltage waveform. The AC breakdown voltage at the 0-peak of the epoxy/hollow silica composites also agreed with the DC breakdown voltage of that. Furthermore, the PDIV of the epoxy/hollow silica composites was almost the same compared to that of epoxy/normal silica composites. The continuous partial discharge in the hollow region did not cause the breakdown, and the existence of the interface between the silica particle and the epoxy resin might lead to the breakdown.

This paper describes some experimental results of the semi-simultaneous observation of partial discharges (PD) signal, light emission of PD and visible images of PD source, and the detection of dissolved gasses in an oil gap on the oil impregnated paper insulation system. Firstly, an experimental system for observing PD signal, light emission and visible images semi-simultaneously was constructed. Using the system, it was confirmed that bubbles were generated at the place where the light emission was observed. In addition, it was found that the phase resolved PD pattern changed to patterns that PD occurred in voids as bubbles increased under the over-voltage application. Secondly, dissolved gasses in insulating oil in an oil gap were investigated by the dissolved gas analysis. As a result, it was revealed that dissolved gasses can be detected by the experimental system and dissolved gasses increased as the duration that PD occurred increased.

One of the recent lively spot in the power technology is a High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) market, thus development of insulation technology for HVDC has been in an active state from the beginning of the century. As the electrical performances of insulation materials under AC voltage and that under DC voltage are relatively different each other, an advanced material for AC voltage does not always show superior property under DC voltage. In order to understand the insulation technology of AC and DC cables more deeply, history and recent trend of R&D in insulation technology are investigated and summarized.

Electro-optical method is one of methods to measure the electric field in dielectric liquids. In this method, the change of the light intensity due to the applied electric field must be measured. It is well known that dielectric liquids move with flowing under high voltage application. The intensity data might include some error by the liquid disturbance. In this paper, we describe about the effectiveness of the measurement system improved in order to measure the electric field strength in a transformer oil, for the measurement of the strength in liquid moving with flowing.

We investigated the space charge accumulation characteristics under a DC high electric field including a polarity reversal in double-layered samples in which LDPE (or modified LDPE) and EPR were laminated simulating a joint of DC power transmission cable. It was found that a large amount of space charge accumulated at the interface between LDPE and EPR while it was not observed at the interface between the modified LDPE and EPR.

This paper describes results on growth promotion of bean sprouts by dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) treatment in air. Before cultivation, the mung beans between glass plates are exposed to DBD plasma produced by ac square voltage for 20 min. It is possible to increase in the growth speed of the bean sprouts by the DBD with an adequate voltage height. However, excess thermal stimulation produced by the higher electrical stress to the seeds results in the reduction of the growth speed. Statistical significance of the effect of DBD on the growth promotion can be observed when the seeds between the glass plates are cooled by ventilation with a blower. These results imply that the DBD treatment without the thermal stress can be a useful method to reduce the cultivation period of the bean sprouts in agricultural industry.