The purpose of adding a moisturizer to cosmetics is to retain moisture on the skin and to give it a feel at the time of application (comfort of the skin feel). A large number of evaluators score each sensory evaluation item (term) for the unique feel evaluation of the moisturizer, and the feel is analyzed by multivariate analysis of this result. In this case, it is indispensable to share evaluation terms among evaluators and to master evaluation techniques for scoring. In this study, in order to avoid such restrictions, we developed a method to quantify the similarity of application feel without using evaluation terms, and tried to classify the feel of moisturizer aqueous solution using this method. In addition, the relationship between the group classification of solutions and the measured values of physical properties was examined.

Phosphate-ester copper complexes have been developed to be used as near-infrared absorbing dyes, and their thermal stabilities, compatibilities with the polymer matrix, and photostabilities were investigated. The copper complexes with a certain structure exhibit thermal decomposition at 250℃ or higher temperatures. The heat-resistant complexes are dissolved uniformly in poly(2-ethylhexyl methacrylate) (PEHMA) and keep the original transparency of the matrix; the composite resins absorb so wide range of near-infrared lights as to be heat-shielding but fully transmit visible lights. Photo resistance tests using a xenon weather meter showed that the complexes have the superior photostability of half-lives 10³ as long as those of common near-infrared absorbing dyes. This study has developed superior near-infrared absorbing materials with the novel phosphate-ester copper complexes.

Inorganic elements are used in various materials such as pigments and inks. Control of the amount of addition or evaluation of impurity elements is important for product development and quality control. Currently, trace inorganic elements are analyzed by instrumental analysis such as atomic absorption spectrometry, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after digestion with acids and alkalis. This paper introduces the overview and applications of laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry which can easily analyze solid and liquid samples.

In recent years, the realization of “Society 5.0”, which installs a vast number of sensors in society, has been proposed. For this purpose, a sensor system that absorbs a wide variety of data is indispensable. Expectations are increasing for printed electronics as a new sensor manufacturing technology that can create new sensor devices to meet social needs. This paper introduces printing technology, printable materials, and various flexible printing sensors in this field, focusing on the research and development that the authors are advancing. The specific sensors we describe include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, strain sensors, and humidity sensors, showing each sensor’s construction and characteristics. In addition, we will introduce an emerging new trend in Flexible Hybrid Electronics (FHE) that utilizes existing silicon technology and is employed in wireless sensors for healthcare and logistics applications.