Since the industrial revolution happened in the middle of 18th century, both the thermal equilibrium and ecological equilibrium of earth environment have been broken. The skyrocketing energy consumption and greenhouse gases emission are threatening the sustainable development of human beings. The only way out is to build up new energy structure. However, the new energy structure cannot be effectively built without the integration with the information. This paper proposes a correlation between Energy and Information. The paper begins with the introduction of the features of emerging new energy structure, namely, diversity of energy sources and diversity of energy flows. Then, essential roles of energy storage in new energy structure are identified. It is believed that energy storage is able to enhance the efficiency, cleanness, reliability and stability of whole energy system. To make energy storage systems function effectively, the key issue is to integrate information into energy. The purpose of this paper is to point out this uttermost importance of the correlation between energy and information in redirecting our way to sustainable development. The proposed correlation between Energy and Information is a fundamental principle that we should pay more attention, particularly in the current big data age. The understanding of the correlation between Energy and Information will promote both the sustainable energy and sustainable information.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the adverse effects of hypoxic condition using by hypoxic device for the acclimatization to altitude. Eight untrained male volunteers (mean age 28.2 years old) participated in this study. Subjects alternated of breathing through the re-breathing device (ALTO2Lab, Douglas Pharmaceuticals, Auckland, NZ) for 60 min program (SpO2: 88-92 %). Training session started after a rest of 30 min (normoxia). Subjects did hand ergometer exercise (60 rpm) as training by using Angioergometer. Training session consisted of gradual increase load training (30 W, 60 W, 90 W ...). If hand ergometer decreases under the 54 rpm for 10 seconds, the training is finished (all out). This session is considered as hypoxic session. Subjects did the same training without the re-breathing device two weeks after or before the hypoxic session. This session is considered as normoxic session. We compared the heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLa) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) of the hypoxic session with those of normoxic session at each point. We also compared the exercise duration (ED). There were no significant difference between hypoxic session and normoxic session in the HR, BLa, RPE and ED. Thus, we concluded that the single hypoxic exposure (about 1 hour) don't have the adverse effect to the latter training.

View full abstract

We have investigated the intestinal absorption and metabolism of the polyphenols contained in Acanthopanax sieboldianus Makino (Ukogi in Japanese) in rat plasma using a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). Ukogi mainly contained chlorogenic acid, rutin, and kaempferol 3-O-rutinoside. These polyphenols were detected in non-hydrolyzed rat plasma 0.5 hour after oral administration, and the concentration of rutin was 13.6 ± 3.65 nM. The metabolized compounds of kaempferol sulfoglucuronide and 3'-O-methylquercetin sulfoglucuronide were identified by exact mass determination and exact mass mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (MS/MS) in the plasma of rats fed a 5 % Ukogi diet for 8-24 days. Antioxidant potential of the metabolized compounds is discussed concerning a beneficial effect in the body via antioxidation caused by not only scavenging superoxide but also blocking superoxide generation.

View full abstract

Nail decoration causes damage of nails though the use of polish remover containing harmful compounds. Therefore, development of a method for repairing the damaged nails is important because they have no ability to heal themselves. Hydrolyzed keratin has attracted much attention as a repairing agent of damaged nails. However, application of raw hydrolyzed keratin to damaged nails is impractical because the material is sticky and niffy. The purpose of this study was to develop hydrolyzed keratin-loaded microspheres for overcoming the issues. We used casein, a protein, as a microsphere material. Hydrolyzed keratin-loaded microspheres were prepared through water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. Cross-linking of casein and hydrolyzed keratin dissolved in the aqueous solution were achieved by glutaraldehyde. After preparation of the microspheres, they were frozen at -20 °C or -196 °C, and vacuum-dried. Inner structures of the microspheres were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Freezing temperature of the microspheres influenced the inner structure. We confirmed that low freezing temperature resulted in decreased mechanical strength of the microspheres and the breaking load was lower than minimum adult pinch strength. Subsequently, we examined the effect of the volume ratio of aqueous phase to oil phase (Φw/o) on recovery ratio of the microspheres. Much difference among the recovery ratio at each Φw/o was not observed. This result shows that the emulsion system in this study is a promising for a large-scale production of the microspheres for nail care.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

Recycled needle punched natural jute fiber mats were used to reinforce unsaturated polyester matrix composites via modifying the hand lay-up technique with resin pre-impregnation into the jute fiber mats in vacuum. The notch sensitivity of these composites was investigated by using the characteristic distance do calculated by Finite Element Method (FEM) according to Whitney and Nuismer model definition. In this work, the concept of the characteristic distance was discussed from the point view of fracture mechanics, therefore the aim of this study is to investigate and reconfirm the physical meaning of do by investigation the fracture toughness (KIc) of jute mat composites (JMC) based on do calculated by Finite Element Method (FEM) with width, W, to the hole diameter (D = 10 mm) ratio (W/D = 3) with 25 wt% fiber weight content. The results showed that JMC composites in terms of residual tensile strength (n/o) (the ratio of notched to unnotched strength) that there is only 16 % loss in the tensile strength due to the presence of the hole. Moreover, the experimental maximum load during tension test with hole is almost near to the maximum load calculated using KIc and do which validates the physical meaning of do which represents the distance from the hole boundary at which the brittle fracture starts to occur.

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

[in Japanese]

View full abstract

PVDF is used as a binder in the mixture slurry of lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. More improvement of PVDF has been required along with the paradigm shift performance required for the new battery. However, a simple evaluation method of PVDF cannot be found. In this paper, to study the electrical properties of the NMP solution of PVDF, the electrical properties of the NMP solution of PVDF were investigated using the AC impedance method. As a result, it was found that the electrical properties are different in NMP solution and NMP solution of PVDF, and it is conspicuous to the impedance of the low-frequency region by the type of PVDF solution.

View full abstract

When hair is wet, the cuticles are open, therefore, it is easy to damage the hair through too much use of a regular hair-dryer. In this research, instead of the current type of heat-blow dryer, a new type of hair-dryer which uses a suction method was developed. The purpose of this new type of hair-dryer is to suck in and dry the hair, and also to make the hair curly or straight. The wet hair is pulled in together with heated air into the spiral space of the dryer, and hydrogen bonding re-combines the hair to become curly or straight. The special point is that it does not use a brush or comb-iron, so there is no damage to hair from frictional resistance. The drawn in air does the work instead of a brush or comb-iron, and sets the hair without frictional resistance. Curly or short hair, which is difficult to control by brush etc., can be set. Also, other advantages are that this dryer can be operated with just one hand, hair which falls out does not make a mess, and the face and scalp are not exposed to heated air.

View full abstract