Development of Diamond based LED with Improved Output Power for Sterilization of Viruses by AIST
With increase in epidemic diseases caused by viruses such as H1N1 at a global level sterilization is becoming a critical necessity for society in their daily life. Up to now, sterilization has been carried out using heat, chemicals and UV light, where UV light posses many advantages such as being effective against thermotolerent bacteria, while not having any adverse chemical effects, and at the same time it directly acts on the bacterial DNA to inhibit the viruses proliferation. In this case, light with wavelength of around 260nm at which DNA absorbs light is capable of significantly sterilizing bacterial. Currently, mercury lamps that emits 254 nm UV light are being used to fulfill this task, however use of mercury in these lamps make them environmentally unfriendly, leaving researchers and manufacturers alike to develop semiconductor LEDs in achieving this task. So far, the development of UV LEDs has been focused in using LEDs that are composed of widely used gallium nitride, but the use of this material will make it difficult to fabricate LEDs capable of emitting light of shorter wavelengths. For this reason LEDs that emit light of wavelength 350 nm or shorter are not available commercially. Read more
Launch of New models of “eneloop bike” with enhanced charging capability by SANYO
Sanyo released its new models of “eneloop bike” lineup of electric hybrid bicycles capable of self recharging while being used. The new models, CY-SPL226 and CY-SPL224, feature industry’s first “Eco Charge Mode” for more efficient regenerative charging capability. Up to now, the charging function which company refers to it as “Loop Charge” which enables charging while riding the bicycle was limited to going on down hill stretches or during deceleration. However the charging while pedaling on flat road was not possible. Read more
Operation of Next Generation Solar Hydrogen Station by Honda
Designed to function as single integrated unit to fit in the user’s garage, Honada’s next new solar hydrogen station went on operation at Los Angeles based station to re-fuel Honda Fuel Cell electric vehicle. The new reduced size system is capable of producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) through 8 hour overnight fill for daily commuting based on 10,000 miles per year for a fuel cell electric vehicle. Read more
Thermoelectric Power Generation Based on Waste Heat
Conversion of heat energy into electricity is based on electric potential difference which is caused by temperature differences at both sides of thermoelectric elements. Around 70% of total energy provided in Japan is wasted through its emission into the atmosphere, making thermoelectric power generation a viable method for utilization of this vast untapped energy coming form different sources, including incinerators, automobiles, ships and industrial equipment, while at the same time it will contribute in reduction of CO2 emission. Up to now, development of thermoelectric power generation has been done on the low temperature range between 100 to 300 degrees Celsius involving hot springs and diesel engines. Based on this, Showa Denko (SDK) and Plantec have made an announcement on full scale demonstration of thermoelectric power generation based on waste heat using SDK thermoelectric conversion modules in a waste incinerator built by Plantec. Read more
R&D effort toward Development of a Hybrid Car Carrier using Natural Energy
Well, it would be a shame to see all those giant car carriers burning fossil fuel while carrying electric Cars and Hybrid automobiles to oversees. After all, carrying the vehicle itself is part of CO2 emission cycle, even though the actual vehicle is not part of burning the fuel. To address this issue, through an initiative by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, there will be joint R&D effort by Sanyo Electric, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in developing a Hybrid Car Carrier in an effort to reduce CO2 emission form hew ships. Read more
Development of Li-ion Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles by HITACHI
On expanding the battery system business with an aim toward its industrial applications, Hitachi and Hitachi Vehicle Energy Ltd made an announcement on development of lithium-ion batteries for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have two running modes, namely an EV (Electric Vehicle) mode where the vehicle runs solely on a motor and an HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) mode where the vehicle is operated by both the engine and the motor offering a dramatic improvement on gas mileage and reduction on exhaust emission. Read more
Development of IC Chip Set for Managing Multi-Cell Series-Connected Lithium-ion Batteries
Energy efficiency of the lithium-ion batteries is undoubtedly making the lead storage batteries a thing of the past specially in fields of industrial and commercial equipments. However, Li-ion batteries are vulnerable to overcharge and over-discharge requiring a careful control and monitoring during charging/discharging. Based on this market need, OKI Semiconductor has developed a two ICs with capability of controlling, monitoring and protecting systems using multi-cell series-connected Li-ion battery packs. Read more
Development of ECO Friendly Spark Plug by DENSO
Fuel efficiency and eco friendliness in automobile or such is achieved through innovative design of various components and choice of new materials in constructing them more so in the engine of the vehicles. One such component which has helped automaker to achieve this goal is spark plug in realizing a more powerful and fuel efficient combustion. One company that has been pursuing this type of development is Denso that recently announced launch of its fuel saving spark plugs which company claims would improve fuel efficiency by 1.2 percent, torque by 1.1 percent while decreasing CO2 footprint by 0.8 percent in comparison to company’s conventional nickel spark plug. Read more
World’s First Commercial Plant of Microwave-Assisted Polymer Synthesis Process
Manufacturing of industrial chemicals like organic compounds and polymeric materials usually involves procedures which are done at high temperature for an extended period of time requiring large amounts of organic solvents which results in producing harmful wastes as by-products forcing the manufacturer of such chemicals to develop energy saving production process that do not generate wastes. In response to this need, AIST (Advance Industrial Science and Technology) in Japan has developed a first commercial plant for mass production of lactic acid polymer using a microwave heating. Read more
Development of New High Capacity Li-ion Battery by Panasonic
Panasonic is at it again, by making yet another stride in improving on capacity of its own 3.1 Ah Li-ion batteries previously announced that has gone into mass production. The company has introduced two new 18650 type (18 mm in diameter, 65 mm in height) high capacity lithium-ion battery cells targeted to be used in laptop computers as well as other environmentally energy technologies. Panasonic increased the capacity of the Li-ion batteries through improvement in electrode materials. Read more
