3D IC chip stacking technology is expected to be the future of electronic device integration technology, because integration along the additional dimension affords efficient use of space and improvement of system architecture. We developed fundamental technology of high density integration for 3D IC chip stacking. To facilitate applications of this technology, a mass-production process was developed in collaboration with a production system company.

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In the early 21st century, metal prices soared due to the economic development of newly industrialized countries. Moreover, a rareearth resource crisis occurred between 2009 and 2012 due to export restrictions imposed by China. Against this background, AIST set up a research base for critical metal resources, and established collaborative relationships with some foreign geological survey agencies (GS) from 2010. Furthermore, joint surveys were conducted with GS of South Africa, United States, Brazil, Mongolia, and others. While undertaking these surveys, we found a promising prospect for heavy rare-earth in South Africa. After the autumn of 2011, however, the prices of rare-earths collapsed, and the majority of rare-earth exploration/mining programs worldwide were put on hold. This sequence of events revealed the risks that accompany the development of critical metal resources. To mitigate the impact of future crises, AIST should continue research and development of rare-earth resources.

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Synthetic-type research is conducted by private companies, public institutes, and universities to realize societal value by scientific and technological methods. Synthesiology is a scientific journal that enables authors to describe the processes and results of this kind of research. Editors specifically request authors to describe their scenario for synthetic-type research. In this paper, the characteristics of synthetic-type research are compared with those of analytic-type research, and the structures and properties of synthetic-type research scenarios are clarified. From the investigation of papers published in Synthesiology, we show that the scenario plays a central role in synthetic-type research and can be expressed using scientific languages.

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The “Consortium Study on Fabrication and Characterization of Solar Cell Modules with Long Life and High Reliability” was established by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. The consortium has over 90 participating organizations, which are mostly module-material manufacturers. The purpose of the consortium is to improve reliability and lifetime of photovoltaic modules, and to develop acceleration test methods for accurate assessment of module lifetime. This paper details the establishment procedures and management policies of the consortium, with particular focus on resolving competing interests among the participants, as viewed from the perspective of the secretariat.

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