Causes and countermeasures for various kinds of hydraulic system failures in construction machinery generated by biodegradable hydraulic oil (bio-oil) are discussed. Previous component analytical methods can prevent all kinds of failures except hydraulic system malfunction, which requires a holistic approach for analysis. Using the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), the cause of malfunctions can be understood, and the most effective countermeasure can be obtained. Integration of a component analysis method and a holistic analysis method for system development is proposed.

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Improving the reproductive performance of livestock has wide-ranging significance that includes promotion of local industry, bioeconomy, and stabilization of food supply. Our research focused on sperm manipulation to improve the reproductive performance of cattle. Our experiments were based on previous studies on infertility treatment for humans by relying on the advantages of motile spermatozoa, i.e. spermatozoa that are able to swim against the flow of solutions, which is regarded as an attribute of healthy and physiologically functional spermatozoa. For the first time, we succeeded in collecting a number of spermatozoa that can be used for artificial insemination and obtained good conception results in a field trial. In addition, the field trial clarifies the advantageous relationship between sperm trajectory and conception.

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Antifreeze proteins adsorb to ice crystals and have the function of suppressing their growth. To apply antifreeze proteins to frozen foods where the coarsening of ice crystals leads to the deterioration of quality, we advance mass production technology. However, there were not many cases where the quality of frozen foods was improved by adding the antifreeze protein we developed. So, we changed the direction of development and conducted market research. Our market research revealed new possibilities for utilizing antifreeze proteins. We promoted the development of products that meet the needs of users and began sales as research reagents in 2016. Currently, we are working to address user problems, while manufacturing and selling research reagents.

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An aerosol particle mass analyzer (APM) which classifies aerosol particles according to their mass has been developed. Mass distributions of aerosol particles can be measured by the APM combined with a particle counting device. Particle mass that can be measured in this way ranges from 3×10^-18 g to 2×10^-12 g, which partially fills the mass range that is not covered by existing mass measuring instruments (e.g., mass spectrometers and conventional balances). The introduction of the APM has led to various new techniques for evaluating aerosol particle properties such as effective and true densities, porosities, fractal dimensions, and mass concentrations of suspended particulates. This article describes the principle of the APM and how it differs from other instruments for classifying aerosol particles. The article also describes the significance of measuring aerosol particle mass and the course of events that led to commercialization of the APM from the viewpoint of “synthesiology.”

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