Air filters have been commonly used for the removal of airborne particles. Currently the major concerns of air filters are (1) improvement of collection performance - a filter with a low pressure drop and a high collection efficiency, (2） influence of dust load on filter performance - prediction of filter life and development of a filter with a longer life, and (3） collection efficiency of nanoparticles - thermal rebound of sub-10 nm particles on fiber surfaces. In addition to the conventional usages of air filters, they may also be used for the classification of aerosol particles by tuning the filter structure and filtration conditions. Inertial filter is a low-pass filter, which may be used for the sampling of atmospheric particles and continuous measurement of PM2.5 or PM0.1. The bounce-off of particles on fiber surfaces may be utilized to achieve “sieving” of aerosol particles. Another topic of filter is the collection efficiency of air filter for PM2.5. Combination of centrifugal force with air filter may solve many problems which the conventional air filters are confronted with now.

All-solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries (SSBs) have been expected as next generation energy storage devices with high energy density. Although thin-film SSBs with a few micron order electrode films prepared by vacuum technologies have been already commercialized, further improvements on their energy density inevitably require electrode-solid electrolyte composite electrodes over a few tens of micron order thickness. Here, we prepared the composite electrode by aerosol deposition at room temperature using electrode-solid electrolyte composite particles. Electrochemical properties of the composite will be discussed in addition to the densification process by the aerosol deposition.

Recently micro/nano stereolithography techniques have been widely applied to many application fields including photonics, MEMS and lab-on-a-chip. In particular, two-photon microstereolithography using a femtosecond pulsed laser has attracted much attention due to its ability to provide both 100 nm resolution and wide varieties of materials. In this paper, recent progress of two-photon microstereolithography is briefly reviewed. As one of promising applications, functional lab-on-a-chip devices driven by a laser beam are demonstrated. Three-dimensional (3-D) molding process for the production of ceramic microdevices such as microchannels, scaffolds and energy harvesters is also demonstrated. The combination of microstereolithography and ceramic molding process will open a new way to produce 3-D functional ceramic microstructures.

Tailored composite materials have attracted much attention recently. Most of the cases, starting particulate materials produced by polymerization reaction or crystallization are processed via milling, dispersion, mixing, granulation and surface modification to create novel tailored composite materials. However, sizes of the materials have become much smaller, leading to increase difficulty in the handling. Also, method of the design has not been well established yet, although the novel composite material require complicated and high level of processing.

In this presentation, a novel design and handling method of fine particulate materials which have been developed by us will be discussed. Also, design of the equipment and the process by using computer simulations will also be introduced.

The dryers are classified into two types, direct heating type and indirect heating type. Generally direct heating type has higher heat transfer rate leading to higher drying capacity but requires more operational costs than the indirect heating type. Our new vacuum dryer “Active Freeze Dryer”, a kind of indirect heating type dryer with a swing arm in the inverse cone-shaped vessel circling slowly along the inner wall and is useful for drying heat-sensitive materials by use of the drying mechanism of sublimation by lowering the air pressure under the triple point to freeze and dry the materials. The ice crystals are formed as the granules with high fluidity and uniformity. This vacuum freeze dryer shows high drying efficiency by the activation of the material inside the vessel and splendid cost performance.

Recent high performance technologies of dry and wet type particle separation process are explained. For the dry-cyclone, the use of apex cone in the inlet of dust box is effective to improve particle separation efficiency. Because the upward fluid velocity decreases by use of the apex cone, then the number of escaping particles decreases in this case.

The optimum cone angle of the apex cone is detected. The use of the additional air jet flow near the upper plate and inlet guide plate are also effective to improve particle separation efficiency. For the wet type particle classification, the use of electro potential and gravity force on the particles is effective to realize sub-micron particle classification.

A method for dispersing dry particles is described in the point of view of adhesiveness of particle. In any dispersion method, the dispersion of an agglomeration comprised of smaller particles requires a higher powered dispersion force or separation force. However, the adhesion force between particles decreases with decreasing of particle size. This suggests the difficulties in applying the separation force to the agglomeration increase with decreasing particle size. This presumption leads to the expectation that the agglomeration of nano-order particles could be disrupted easily if an effective method for applying a dispersion or separation force could be found. Based on the presumption, we tried a novel dispersion method involving a coating of large carrier particles with fine particles and a surface cleaning by a sonication in a liquid. In this paper, concept and dispersed results of the method are introduced. In addition to the introduction of the dispersion method, how to express a powder adhesiveness relating to a dry dispersion and the example of an application of the adhesives to evaluation of disperser performance is also described.

We have been developing a lot of new powder technologies with the goal of realizing the corporate vision of “Forming of Mountain Range of Powder Technologies”, since the foundation of our research institute in 1958. Recently, our new machines were launched every year, in order to obtain the high added value and improve the quality of the final products.

In this paper, we introduce the principle, structure and experimental data on the powder processing machines for fine grinding, flash drying, nanoparticle compositing and wet sieving, which were advanced in the 21st century.

Hosokawa Alpine, founded in 1898 and based in Augsburg, Germany is one of the leading companies in the fields of “Powder and Particle Processing” and “Film Extrusion Technologies”. The article highlights some of the many innovative products of Hosokawa Alpine. It is also shown, that once a product is introduced into the market, it is continuously further developed to meet the requirements of customers with a huge variety of applications.

The introduction of the air classifier ATP, for instance, was a milestone in powder processing enabling precise powder classifying with very fine cut points. However, it was developed further through the years in order to reach even finer top cuts, higher production rates and decreased pressure drop resulting in lower operating costs. Closely connected to the development of these air classifiers is the development of the fluidized bed opposed jet mill AFG and its related mills. Making use of the fact, that the feed material is comminuted autogenously by particle-particle collisions, this machine has become a working horse in fine grinding of all kind of materials.

The development of the internal recirculation classifier Ventoplex C was focused on the processing of mineral powders produced at very high production rates with reduced operating costs. In contrast to that, the picoline^® is well suited for the processing of powders in very small quantities targeting the R&D labs of customers dealing with high value materials.

In film extrusion Hosokawa Alpine launched a new blown film line with up to 11 layers, extending the possibilities in blown film applications with a number of sophisticated solutions. The application of the new mono-axial film orientation lines MDO helps to further improve the cost efficiency in blown film production.

Starting with a curious idea for the blending of cattle feed ingredients in the early 40's of the last century, Mr. J.E. Nauta successfully converted his invention into a widely-used, world famous solids blender. When the company Nauta was acquired by Hosokawa, the unique working principle of the Nauta^® mixer contributed largely to the success of the Dutch branch of the Hosokawa Micron Corporation. And now being a world-wide leader in mixing, blending & agglomeration technologies, Hosokawa Micron BV is still in search for such breakthrough technologies, new improvements and new applications.

Developments are frequently done in co-operation with customers using our well-equipped test station, where all our equipment is available at semi-industrial scale. Many times equipment is modified in order to meet customers’ requirements for specific processes.

The current research is aiming for new technologies in the field of freeze drying of bulk materials both in the pharmaceutical and food business. Our extensive line of solids mixing equipment is constantly extended with new, efficient and easy to clean mixers using central driven paddle rotors.

This paper gives a brief overview of the history of the company and its developments over the past years.

Hosokawa Micron International Inc., a global provider of systems and equipment related to materials science and engineering, is a leader and innovator in the powder processing technology. The company has a long tradition in product development with customer needs in mind. Many milling machines developed in the past decades are still primary workhorses in industries today. This article introduces the history of the company, its product development organization and its trademark products developed in the past. As an example, a recent successful development of Mikro E-ACM^® Mill for grit control applications was elucidated in details. In addition, some new product developments were also presented. Product development with market demands and customers’ requirements in mind is the basis of sustainable business growth. The company’s Product Development Team will continue playing a significant role to develop new products and improve the performance of existing products for customers in the USA.

Neodymium magnets are a member of the rare earth magnet family and most powerful permanent magnets in the world. Nd-Fe-B magnets are used for hard disc voice coil motors, high efficiency motors for automotive use, high performance generators for wind power generation, and energy saving motors for industrial air conditioners and vacuum cleaners. With increased efficiency and space savings, uses of high performance magnets are increasing.

Neodymium-Iron-Boron （Nd-Fe-B） alloy are ground by jet mills such as the Micron Jet-T MJT or Micon Jet-Q MJQ. Both jet mills and its closed loop grinding system are widely used to the application.

In latest years， from the viewpoint of promotion of use of the oil alternative energy and the prevention of global warming measures with the CO₂, the need of the electric car or the low-emissions vehicles such as hybrid cars is strongly demanded and the new use development of the electric double layer capacitor with the superior characteristic which the batteries do not have, is accelerating it. The improvement of performance of the active carbon which is electrode materials is advanced by the high capacity of electric double layer capacitor.

It goes without saying that it is necessary to improve the characteristic of capacitor and the reliability by the improvement of the cell structure. We connected it in series, which has become indispensable to abtain the high efficiency of the whole system including the neighboring circuit’s high reliability.

We introduce the latest trend of the recent capacitor market situation and the related powder processes and technology.

We have many experiences and know-how upon consumable resins, engineering plastics and so on. Recently super engineering plastics, having such as high mechanical strength and high temperature resistance, are increasing market demands and enhancing for future. We propose and deliver drying and heat treatment processes of raw matrials for these high performance resins.

There are three kinds of feed materials, 1.Powder, 2.Pellet （strong for paddling） and 3.Pellet （weak for paddling）. We introduce three general processes for these materials.

In this paper, we indicate that our developed PLGA nanoparticles are an advanced cosmetics material suited for pore troubles. The PLGA nanoparticles realized to cure the facial pore problems such as Acne and Conspicuous pores through easy human trials, caused by the delivery of the effective ingredient into the human pores.

We have been developing biocompatible and biodegradable Poly(D,L-Lactide-co-Glycolide Acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with bioactive substance to create new functional medical system. The usefulness of PLGA nanoparticles as carriers for drug delivery system has ever been demonstrated in many cases. Focusing on one of the latest our developments, this technical note introduces the bioabsorbable medical sheet prepared utilizing PLGA nanoparticles.

In this paper it is introduced that Hosokawa Faculty machine could process the natural graphite and artificial graphite suitable for battery anode. Recently the battery anode material “Graphite” is a very hot issue. The main machines are for grinding, sphericalization and mixing/coating/fusion. We are now promoting the Faculty-S type for carbon sphericalization.

In recent years, GMP is hopefully to be monitoring by real time the important product quality, a special quality during the production process. The pulverized particle size of the pharmaceutical material has more influence to dissolution behavior and stability. Therefore, the control of the pulverized particle size during the production process is required. From the background of this, we have developed Optisizer which is the on-line PSD measuring instrument to Pharm application.