Design information is important for software development projects because it determines their cost and product. In this research, a model has been made which can trace how information moves in a project by paying attention to the design information which is hard to trace by process-centric project management. On the basis of the model, a traceability matrix method has been constructed which quantifies the complexity of the traceability. It has been confirmed that high quality information-centric project management is realized by applying the model and the method to software development projects.

View full abstract

AIST succeeded in developing a circulatory assist centrifugal pump, which can be used as a bridge-to-bridge device of a period within four weeks before a long-term use of ventricular assist device. The adopted mechanism of monopivot bearing was originally proposed by AIST. As design verification, flow visualization was performed to evaluate the geometry and the in vitro antithrombogenic testing, proposed originally by AIST, was applied to evaluate the antithrombogenicity. And then, the animal testing was conducted in collaboration between medical and engineering teams. AIST not only succeeded in developing a product with original seeds, but also established and distributed engineering evaluation methods and the R&D guidance for industries.

View full abstract

A simple and reliable analysis method has been developed to measure oxygen impurity in magnesium (Mg) and its alloys. Instead of directly analyzing oxygen impurity of an analyte, a multi-step heating-up method has been invented, in which oxide, compound of oxygen impurity with metals, is first separated from an analyte and then oxygen content analysis is carried out. The oxygen analysis of the oxide has been performed by Inert Gas Fusion-Infrared Absorptiometry widely used as a method for oxygen analysis in metals. We verified that analysis with adequate accuracy can be achieved with temperature calibration of each equipment. In parallel with R&D of the analysis method, we performed international standardization activity. It has been shown that consistent data can be obtained both in Japan and Korea through our technical assistance to Korea, and a proposal to the ISO technical committee for Mg and its alloys has been submitted smoothly.

View full abstract

The methodology of synthesis has been studied by analyzing 70 papers published in the academic journal, Synthesiology, launched in 2008. As a result, it has been found that each technological field has its distinctive features, e.g. there are many break-through type syntheses in biotechnology and nanotechnology, and the strategic selection types are commonly observed in the metrology and measurement field. In addition, we have found a common synthetic method as a whole. A kind of methodology called “technological synthesis” has been found to be important in the Full Research, and continuous follow-up process called “synthesis for social introduction” is also found to be one of the features to introduce the research results to society. Both the former and the latter involve feedback processes, and moreover, in the latter case, a dynamic synthetic method that can be called a spiral-up process is observed, where many feedback processes are repeated successively through social trials.

View full abstract

Co-generation system using clean and compact PEFC which makes highly efficient power generation possible, promotes considerable energy savings at home since it provides both heat and electricity together. Therefore, its commercialization has been expected. The goal of 40000-hour-operation has been set as a practical target. In order to realize it, the durability of PEFC has been technologically prospected and the accelerated aging test protocol of PEFC has been developed within the frame of the consortium of PEFC makers, energy companies, academia and AIST. AIST has shown the rationality of the accelerated aging test protocol of PEFC through the experimental verification of hypothetical degradation mechanism. The application of the developed accelerated aging tests to actual fuel cells has made it possible to get a clear view of practical durability, and this has led to the commercialization of residential PEFC co-generation.

View full abstract

This is a report of the synthesiology workshop “Synthesiology through knowledge integration to innovation” at the Annual Conference of the Japan Society for Science Policy and Research Management, held at the Tokiwa Campus, Yamaguchi University in October 2011.

View full abstract