The metric system and primary national metrology standards are necessary, but not sufficient for obtaining measurement equivalency. Recently, national metrology institutes of various countries including NMIJ/AIST of Japan are participating in international comparisons to confirm equivalency of their measurement capabilities, under a mutual recognition of arrangement (MRA). In this report, we describe progress on improving vibration measurement at NMIJ/AIST, along with global activities for establishing MRA. We also discuss future issues for improving vibration measurements.

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We have successfully realized greater thermoelectric performance through nanotechnology and developed alternative materials that are more abundant and less toxic than the conventional materials. These studies were conducted in collaboration with domestic and overseas research institutions. A comprehensive effort to all aspects of thermoelectrics, i.e. from materials to module, has realized high-performance and environmentally friendly technologies. A startup company was founded in order to develop the thermoelectric market for these technologies. This article describes the research and development strategies employed to achieve practical use of thermoelectric power generation.

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The social and industrial infrastructure built for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, during a period of high economic growth, has become old. This infrastructure urgently needs inspection for the success of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As an AIST Start-up, we are conducting research and development of a new nondestructive inspection system based on the world’s first visualization technology using laser ultrasound and compact X-ray technology with carbon nanostructure cold cathode X-rays. Here we describe various challenges for its development.

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The mammalian clock gene, Period2, was discovered by my research group studying clock genes in 1998. I summarize the progress of understanding the circadian clock molecular mechanism after this discovery. Our group has demonstrated the importance of glycogen synthase kinase 3 – dependent phosphorylation of Period2 and its nuclear transfer and E4BP4 (vrille) negative transcriptional regulation, as well as Clock/Bmal, Period/Cry E-box dependent negative feedback loop. A role of myo-inositol for elongation of the circadian clock was uncovered through collaboration on iceplant projects with Tsujiko Co., Ltd, Shiga prefecture. When we started the molecular study of the circadian clock, we only considered the daily rhythm. Fortuitously, our research on the peripheral clock mechanism (PPARα) revealed a new mechanism of seasonal clocks, which can count photoperiods to adapt to winter (torpor). Our generation of researchers entered Japanese national institutes during a period called “the basic research shift era.” But, basic research grants were cut significantly during the 24 to 25 year period after we joined the institutes, and our research mission was abruptly changed to applied science. After several years of frustration and contemplation, we gave up studies using mice and concentrated on using Drosophila to reduce costs and save time. Consequently, we found a causative role of sleep abnormality around a young age in two neurodegenerative (Gaucher’s and Parkinson’s) diseases by using fly models. I summarize an application for the molecular mechanism of neurodegenerative disease. I am greatly thankful that I was able to spend more than 30 years on the study of molecular circadian clocks with the people who have been involved, from when I started as a researcher in 1986 at the Fermentation Research Institute of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology to the present day at AIST.

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