Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) has carried out groundwater studies responding to social demands. Groundwater studies had been conducted for the development of resources and the protection of the environment in the past. These days, in addition, they are contributing to thermal energy use and practical use of the deep groundwater environment for high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) projects. In this paper, we present the history of groundwater research at GSJ, current issues, and our approach to groundwater use.
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.
Details of the methanogenic processes in deep subsurface environments, i.e., reaction pathways and responsible microorganisms are unclear. This issue can be effectively addressed by incubation experiments using subsurface water/sediment samples with high methanogenic potential, followed by subjecting the obtained enrichment culture to the analyses of metagenome, metatranscriptome, and metabolome as well as stable isotope tracer experiments. Elucidation of the methanogenic processes provides basic information required to develop innovate resource technologies such as bio-conversion of residual crude oil in a depleted oil field to natural gas for enhanced energy recovery.
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.
この論説では、我が国の明治・大正時代の産業勃興期における旧通商産業省工業技術院研究所の前身の研究所群の役割を概観し、組織的な技術導入と実証、独創技術の研究開発、産業育成・振興の面から、その成果を紹介する。その例として、（1）電気試験所における無線電信、および（2）東京工業試験所におけるアンモニア合成、の研究開発を取り上げた。 イギリスで18世紀末に起きた産業革命は紡績機、硫酸等の製造技術の革新にあった。19世紀中頃から20世紀初めにはドイツ、アメリカを中心に電信電話機、アンモニア合成等で技術革新が達成された。それに対して我が国の産業革命は19世紀末（明治中期）から20世紀初頭（大正初期）にかけて起こったとされるが、その間の技術導入に加えて電気試験所におけるTYK型無線電話の発明や、東京工業試験所における「東工試法」というアンモニア合成法における新触媒開発等の独創的技術が創出されている。 一方、産業振興の面では、初期無線研究において技術が海軍に移されて研究開発が行われ、その後それらの技術が企業に引き継がれ我が国初の無線通信機製造会社が成立したこと、「東工試法」によるアンモニア合成技術が企業における国産初の硫安製造の成功に大きく貢献したことは大きな特徴である。 このように我が国においては極めて早い時期に、技術導入に加えて独自技術開発やその産業応用が行われていたことは注目に値する。またこの論説では、これらの例をベースに、それ以降引続く我が国の国立試験研究所の産業上の役割についても言及する。
Society5.0の実現のために、人工知能技術（AI技術）の社会実装を進める上での課題がある。計算モデルが現象を十分に近似するためには、適用する利用方法（ユースケース）にAI技術を埋め込んだ上でデータ収集と計算モデル化、価値創出と向上を同時、持続的に行う必要がある。そこでステークホルダーの評価を計算モデルに反映するために人と相互理解できるAI技術を用いて、ステークホルダー間の相互理解に基づく共創的ユースケース開発、トランスディシプリナリー型のオープンイノベーションを実行することでデータ知識循環型サービス・システムを構築し、価値創出と向上を実現する。このシナリオを実現するため産総研人工知能技術コンソーシアム（AITeC）の仮説、実装、検証について述べる。
This study focused on the knowledge formation of an image-digitizing technology (MPEG). Based on the observed result, we propose the scenario for the knowledge creation including standardization. We firstly demonstrate how standardization changes the science linkage between patents and academic articles. Secondly, we discuss the relevance of the bibliographic clustering method (BCCN) for this analysis. Finally, the differences in knowledge creation related to standardization among countries are discussed.
圧子圧入法（IF法）は試験片寸法・形状の制約が少なく、試験手法が簡便なことからセラミックスの破壊じん性試験法として、産業界で欠かせない存在である。しかし、従来手法では測定精度に劣ることや、算出式が多数存在し、どの式を使うべきかの統一的な見解がなく、国際的な取引に支障をきたしていた。そこで我々は顕微鏡の測定倍率を高くしてき裂長さの読み取り誤差を低減し、測定値の信頼性を改善する手法を開発した。また、この手法を使って最適な算出式を選定した。さらに国内外18試験機関の協力を得てラウンドロビン試験を行い、開発した手法の再現性を確認した。これらのバックデータに支えられて国際規格を発行することができた。
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.
急速に高齢化が進む現在、高齢者の空間移動の利便性を保証すると同時に、多発する交通事故を激減する安全性の高い移動手段が求められている。この論文では、これらの相反する要求を満たすことを目的とする。まず、交通事故の実態を分析し、高齢者のリスクが大きいことを示した。運転免許の不要な電動車イスの規制内で実現できる1人乗りで、より安全性の高い電動車輌（以下プラチナカーと呼ぶ）の概念を提起し、そのシステム設計を行い、性能の定量化を行った。そのうえで、実物大木型での検証とアンケート調査を行った。結果として、身長180 cm、体重95 kgの利用者でも利用可能であることを示した。また、アンケート調査では利用者の最も切実な要望は屋根が付くことであった。以上により、この提案の概念が交通弱者によって受け入れられることが有望であることが理解された。最後にその普及方策案について記述した。
人工物の構成型教育では、問題解決や創出のみならず、それらがもたらし得る影響の省察が重要である。この論文では、（I）人工物創出のための共通視点の理解、（II）プロジェクト型演習による実践、（III）相互評価と振り返りによる省察、から構成される人工物システムの教育方法を構築する。構成型工学のカリキュラムに基づき設定された（I）が、（II）と（III）を通じてどのように獲得・向上するかを明らかにするため、東京大学大学院において集中講義を3年間実施した。各視点の理解度合いには差があり、性能評価・計測と使用・保守は演習を通じて早期に、設計・構成と機能・サービスは振り返りを通じて理解が促進されることがわかった。また（I）の観点での批評的思考の副次効果が見られた。
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.”
The Geological Survey of Japan started a geological mapping project in Japan in 1882. This paper summarizes the historical transition of the strategy of the geological mapping project, which coincides with the transition of the overall scenarios of the mapping project in Japan. Each geological map has an individual scenario on which integration of research elements is conducted. Each individual scenario depends on local geology. 1:50,000 quadrangle geological map is the most basic one developed in the Geological Survey of Japan, and I discuss the mapping project in terms of the overall and individual scenarios.
−1− Synthesiology English edition Vol.12 No.1 pp.1 –5 (Aug. 2019) knowledge, because research has been conducted based on officially recognized methods. However, there is perhaps no officially recognized method for the usage of knowledge, and therefore, the results obtained by using the knowledge is not recognized as official knowledge like the results of scientific research, and therefore, documentation of the use of knowledge cannot be accepted as a paper.
Incorporating standards for spacecraft in Japan involves trading off various existing standards to comply with requirements and sustainability. However, well-established proprietary specifications developed for Japanese scientific satellites were successfully incorporated into the international standard of embedded networks, called SpaceWire, which was adopted for the X-ray astronomical satellite “ASTRO-H (Hitomi).” Looking back on this proposal process, we studied a mutual collaboration scheme to incorporate Japan’s proposal, regarding the development type international standards.
Due to advances in information technology, we predicted the widespread decline of barcodes as an information tool. Instead, we developed QR codes, to replace barcodes, using image recognition techniques. We have made innovation to QR codes to meet market needs. To popularize QR codes, we made QR codes available to the public and have formed a market in cooperation with many companies. As a result, QR codes have been used to improve work efficiency and convenience. QR codes are currently available as a communication tool for people all over the world.
We review the history, current status, and prospects of research on rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBa2Cu3Oy) coated conductors. Three major issues were addressed to achieve critical current performance for long-coated conductors of several hundred meters. Special functional performances, e.g., in-field critical current, were greatly improved. Applications of coated conductors were also initiated. We expect applications to appear in the near future.
Aiming for innovative ceramic manufacturing technologies which enable creative and novel products, a national R&D project “High-Value Added Ceramic Products Manufacturing Technologies (HCMT)” has been initiated since 2014 as part of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP), “Innovative design/manufacturing technologies” program in Japan. The project deals with two key technologies: additive manufacturing (AM) for realizing complex-shaped ceramic products and reducing their lead-times, and hybrid coating on 3D bodies for enhancing their functionality and durability. Following an overview of this project and a brief description on the general status of AM technologies, this article focuses on the R&D strategies and the latest achievements on AM of ceramics in this project. Among a variety of AM approaches, we employ two AM technologies for making ceramic green bodies; powder layer manufacturing (powder bed fusion or indirect selective laser sintering) and slurry layer manufacturing (vat photo-polymerization or stereolithography), because of their dimensional accuracy, shape-flexibility, density-adjustability, etc. The former is a dry forming process, and is suitable for large/porous components, while the latter is a wet one, being good for small/dense parts. In addition, intensive research efforts are being devoted to ceramic laser sintering (direct selective laser sintering) which enables concurrent forming and sintering (saving post-sintering-process). This paper describes several 3D prototype models produced for various application targets using the developed AM technologies, which are never attainable with conventional methods. The current issues and future perspective for AM of ceramics will be addressed and discussed as well.
All-solid-state lithium secondary batteries are attracting attention as a next-generation technology. To realize this technology, it is important to develop a new solid-state lithium-ion conductor. In this regard, we discuss the development of all-solid-state secondary lithium batteries using single-crystal solid electrolytes and the AD method.
Feasible countermeasures are needed to address soil and groundwater contamination problems, because of its impact on human health and socioeconomic activities. Soil and groundwater contamination is a complex issue that requires an interdisciplinary effort involving research into contaminants, their practical removal, and social implementation. This paper discusses several areas of research that the author has been involved in this regard.
