In order to assess the probability of the occurrence of future large earthquakes based upon the past activities of active faults, we divided active faults into behavioral segments, and adopted the cascade earthquake model, that is, a model that considers that an earthquake is sometimes caused by a single segment and sometimes caused by multiple segments. Using this model, we can evaluate the rupture probability of active faults by a uniform standard without any inconsistencies with field data. The result was published as the Rupture Probability Map of Major Active Faults in Japan.

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In this paper, we propose a multi lead users model for the transfer of technology into households through an empirical analysis of the development and diffusion of induction heating (IH) cookery. Even if big firms successfully develop a technology such as IH, a new cooking paradigm based upon a special cooking device or special recipes is necessary when introducing a new technology to households. We postulate that two types of lead users play crucial roles in the task: reasoning-based lead users with technological expertise contribute to the development of functionality; sensitivity- based lead users having little expertise contribute to diffusion by making product socially trendy and authentically attractive. When introducing advanced technologies such as robots that have not been successfully diffused into households, forming flexible networks between the multi lead users and other stakeholders becomes highly indispensable.

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We have been promoting Full Research to develop ultimate green IT devices based on non-volatile electronics. A core technology of non-volatile electronics is a non-volatile memory possessing features such as large capacity, high-speed operation, and high endurance. To develop such an ultimate non-volatile memory, we developed a novel high-performance magnetic tunnel junction device based on magnesium oxide (MgO) and the underlying mass-manufacturing technology. This technology has already been commercialized for the production of the magnetic heads of ultra-high density hard disk drives (HDD). Now we are also performing intensive R&D activities for developing the ultimate non-volatile memory called Spin-RAM.

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The reliability of the measurement of trace moisture in a gas was improved markedly owing to the establishment of a trace moisture standard at AIST. As a result, problems with conventional methods for measuring trace moisture in gases were revealed. This article presents the scenario which we adopted to improve the reliability of measurement of the trace moisture, the development of a national trace moisture standard, the provision of a metrological system traceable to a national standard for industrial measurements, and problems revealed of trace moisture analyzers available commercially through comparisons with the national standard. This improvement makes it possible to evaluate properly the quality of high purity gases used in industry.

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We have developed a practical portable high-energy X-ray source, which can generate high energy X-rays with energies greater than 100 keV enabling the taking of high-definition X-ray transmission images using an R6(AA) battery as a power source. This result is a consequence of the integration of the compact and energy-saving electron accelerator technologies of AIST and the carbon nanostructure technologies of private companies. In this paper, we discuss these elemental technologies and how to integrate them.

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[in Japanese]

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