Synthesiology English edition
Online ISSN : 1883-2318
Print ISSN : 1883-0978
ISSN-L : 1883-0978
Volume 5, Issue 4
Displaying 1-9 of 9 articles from this issue
Research papers
  • — Establishment of X-ray dose standards for mammography and construction of a calibration service system —
    Takahiro TANAKA, Tadahiro KUROSAWA, Norio SAITO
    2013 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 228-240
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2013
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    Breast X-ray screening (mammography) was introduced in 2000 to detect breast cancer at an early stage. Since then, the number of examinees has increased steadily. The X-ray dose must be optimized to obtain high-quality images that ensure diagnosis reliability without compromising safety. Mammography utilizes low-energy X-rays with a special energy spectrum for breast cancer screening. This X-ray energy spectrum is significantly different from the reference X-ray spectrum used to calibrate dosimeters. Members of industry and academia were concerned about the reliability of dose evaluation for mammography quality control. Thus, the National Metrology Institute of Japan/National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (NMIJ/AIST) has established an X-ray dose standard based on the X-ray energy spectrum for mammography and has disseminated this standard to industry. NMIJ has succeeded in rapidly establishing this standard by making the utmost use of existing research equipment and technology, and by utilizing the standard in the existing mammography quality control system. Moreover, it created a research and development (R&D) scenario beforehand considering both domestic and international situations regarding mammography dosimetry that has enabled rapid and extensive dissemination of the standard with international consistency.
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  • — Significance of ancient earthquake studies and problems in announcing study results to society —
    Yukinobu OKAMURA
    2013 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 241-250
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2013
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    To estimate the magnitude of the 869 Jogan tsunami (described in the historical record), we surveyed tsunami deposits and constructed a source-fault model by combining geological data with geophysical simulation. Although the 2011 Tohoku earthquake was larger than the earthquake estimated by our Jogan model, the 2011 earthquake proved that tsunami deposits are evidence of past giant tsunamis, and reliable warnings of future giant tsunamis. Our study results on the Jogan tsunami were submitted to the Headquarters of Earthquake Research Promotion, and in March 2011, the evaluation was near completion. However, the earthquake occurred just before issuing a warning against a giant tsunami. We need to announce our study of ancient earthquakes and tsunamis to society as quickly as we can so as not to repeat such a tragedy. Moreover, we have to concurrently carry out reliable studies based on rigorous surveys.
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  • — Standardizing test methods and ensuring reliability of test results for the commercialization of SOFC —
    Akihiko MOMMA, Kiyonami TAKANO, Yohei TANAKA, Tohru KATO
    2013 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 251-261
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2013
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    SOFC (solid oxide fuel cell) is a very promising technology that achieves high power generation efficiency, while being very nearly usable. It is high time we considered enhancing commercialization and dissemination of SOFC by setting a standard for the evaluation method of SOFC cell/stack performance. In setting the standard, it is neither appropriate to describe the specific content or form of the test object, nor appropriate to unify the test conditions, because each type of SOFC has been developed for a different application owing to the diversity of SOFC. On the other hand, uncertainty evaluation of the test results has been introduced to ensure reliability. In setting a standard for the SOFC performance test, it is necessary that the method for uncertainty evaluation be specifically described in the text, because the performance of SOFC depends on many parameters. This report describes the approaches we have taken in order to set the international standard of the SOFC test method and to evaluate the uncertainty of the test results.
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  • — R&D strategy toward its practical use —
    Kazuki YOSHIMURA, Kazuki TAJIMA, Yasusei YAMADA
    2013 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 262-269
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2013
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    “Switchable mirror” is a new thin film material that can be switched between transparent and mirror states. Using this material on window glass saves energy by effectively shading rooms from sunshine, thereby decreasing cooling load in summer. In this paper, we introduce our R&D strategy for further development and practical deployment of this material. In addition to R&D of the material itself we also measured the amount of energy saved when the material was used in the windows of buildings. The results we obtained from such field tests will enable us to develop a window glazing with better energy-saving performance.
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  • — Contribution to international control of hazardous chemicals by using advanced technologies —
    Sachi TANIYASU, Nobuyasu HANARI, Yuichi HORII, Nobuyoshi YAMASHITA
    2013 Volume 5 Issue 4 Pages 270-286
    Published: 2013
    Released on J-STAGE: April 03, 2013
    JOURNAL FREE ACCESS
    The development and dissemination of reliable analysis methods and reference materials, and the accumulation of high-quality analytical data are important to: (1) understand the environmental impact of hazardous chemicals; (2) evaluate the safety and effectiveness of international treaties regarding these chemicals; and (3) formulate policies accordingly. We published an international standard method for analysis of hazardous chemicals, using recent data on hazardous chemical usage and environmental persistence, before international regulations came into force. Here, we describe the development of our method, its adoption as ISO and JIS standards, and the significance of these achievements.
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