Porphyrin, which forms the basic skeleton of important colour materials (hem, chlorophyll,etc.) shows the ability to accumulate in vivo in cancer cells. While the discovery of new functional molecules for application of photodynamic therapy and drug delivery systems has been actively researched, the effect of functional porphyrin positions has not been investigated. In this study, we evaluated the accumulation in cancer cells of porphyrin containing a hydrophilic functional group (polyethylene glycol), and found that the hydrophilicity of the functional group and its position in porphyrin affected the accumulation.

1-(2-Benzothiazolyl)-2-hydroxytryptanthrin (T2OH1BT) with benzothiazole as a proton acceptor at the 1-position of 2-hydroxytryptanthrin (T2OH) was synthesized and its photophysical properties were investigated. T2OH1BT was found to emit fluorescence at 630-670 nm in polar solvents due to proton dissociation of the hydroxy group, and 575-610 nm in low polar solvents due to excited-state intramolecular proton transfer. T2OH1BT emitted fluorescence in the solid state, thereby differentiating it from common tryptanthrin derivatives which cannot emit fluorescence in the solid state due to their planar structure.

The relationship between skin adherability and make-up finish of high-oil-containing powder foundation “Powder-Gel” was examined compared with ordinary powder and liquid type foundation. Liquid type foundation led to a defect of uneven distribution of make-up film when applied on coarse textured skin, due to pooling in deep furrows. Powder type foundation showed the property of being unevenly distributed to scales on dry and rough skin. On the other hand, Powder-Gel foundation led to smooth and even make-up films on either condition skin. This feature is thought to be due to the fact that the Powder-Gel is a funicular-state mixture which has powder / liquid bicontinuous structure. Focusing on make-up performance, Powder-Gel can be considered a suitable foundation that exhibits appropriate luster and covering properties regardless of skin condition.

A film whose light transmittance is reversibly changed by external stimuli is called a switchable film. For example, electrochromic films are electrically switchable, thermochromic films are thermally switchable, and gasochromic films are gas-switchable. Gasochromic films are being investigated for use in smart windows, gas sensors, and new color display devices, etc., by utilizing the feature that the color changes with gas. In this paper, we introduce new gasochromic switchable films developed by our research group, which change their colors with hydrogen gas.

Polyurethane coatings are nowadays widely used in various coatings applications. This article describes polyurethane raw materials such as polyisocyanates, thermally activated polyurethanes, hydrophilic polyisocyanates, and polyurethane dispersions, which have been developed to meet market demands since polyurethane was invented by Otto Bayer in 1937. Today we are moving to a carbon neutral society and the paint industry is facing a challenge to shift from a linear to a circular economy. To ensure full circularity, sustainable polyurethane solutions for all four steps of the coatings life cycle are described.