In this study, we investigated milling characteristics of sulfide solid electrolytes (SEs) for all-sold-state lithium ion batteries (ASSLIBs). Subsequently, we employed the milled SEs as guest particles for dry coating of cathode active material (AM), and examined the influence of SE size distribution on ASSLIB performance. Our finding revealed that SE particles have unique milling characteristics, in which coalescence of milled fine particles occurs simultaneously with size reduction by milling. The dry coating experiments confirmed that the use of milled SEs (guest particles) resulted in more uniform coating of the AM (host particles) with SE, leading to significant improvement in the performance of ASSLIB (630% increase in capacity as compared to unmilled SEs). However, when SEs were excessively milled, the SE coating layer exhibited non-uniform morphology, resulting in lower battery performance (15% decrease in capacity). Consequently, our results highlighted that there is an optimal milling condition for SE guest particle for the dry coating.

The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. Technologies that realize an economically low-carbon society are attracting attention of the international community. Regarding powder processing technology and device development, we will introduce examples of technological development that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

The photoluminescence (PL) intensities of Li-Ta-Ti-O:Mn⁴⁺ red phosphors were successfully improved under various oxygen partial pressures in an air-pressure control atmosphere furnace (APF). The Mn phosphors were synthesized using an APF and a conventional electric furnace (EF) with the composition formula Li_1.33Ta_0.67Ti_0.33O₃ as the host material. The effects of oxygen partial pressure on the Mn⁴⁺ ratio and crystal structure for the PL intensity were investigated. As a result, the PL intensity was enhanced under high oxygen partial pressure, showing about 2.6 times higher than the phosphor synthesized by EF.

Alginate capsules for encapsulating probiotics were synthesized under mild conditions without using harmful chemicals. When alginate capsules were synthesized using glucono-δ-lactone while suppressing the rapid pH drop of the inner water phase, it was possible to encapsulate living lactic acid bacteria. It was also found that coating the alginate capsule surface with chitosan improved the protective effect of the encapsulated lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, culturing the encapsulated bacteria inside the capsules increased the number of living bacteria to meet the minimum recommended level for probiotic effect. Finally, we demonstrated that almost all encapsulated bacteria were released within 60 minutes in simulated intestinal fluid. From the above, it was suggested that the chitosan-coated alginate capsules synthesized in this study can be used as capsules for encapsulating probiotics.

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) is a single-stranded RNA virus which causes COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). SARS-CoV-2 invade a human airway epithelium cell through binding of its Spike (S)-protein to ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2). Approved anti-inflammatory drugs and a viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitor underdevelopment for other disease were repositioned for the COVID-19 treatment. Furthermore, neutralization antibodies targeting the S-protein and antiviral drugs of RdRp or 3CL protease inhibitors were newly developed within only 3 years. The innovations of the drug discovery and development, including regulation, realized the rapid release of drugs to the market.