Development of “ChaTra”, a Speech Translation Application for Smartphone
The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) in Japan have announced the development of a new speech translation application for smartphones capable of real-time multilingual communication. This machine-based multilingual speech translation technology can be used by multiple users each their terminal devices such as iPhone and Android-based smartphones. This user friendly application covers 21 languages with text input/output and among them 6 languages with speech input/output, performing highly accurate translation for the travel domain. Read more
Development of Fully Renewable Biomass PET Polymer
In a joint effort by Toray Industry of Japan and Gevo of U.S, the company’s have successfully developed a fully renewable biomass based Polyethylene Tetraphthalate (PET) Polymer. Geno’s share of effort in developing this fully renewable PET was in converting isobutanol, which was produced from biomass using genetically modified microorganisms to para-xylene through use of conventional chemical process. To complete the development of this Biomass driven PET, Toray applied a new technology and PET polymerization as well as film production technology to terephthalic acid which was synthesized from Gevo’s biomass driven para-xylene and commercially available and renewable mono ethylene glycol (MEG) as raw materials. Read more
Mitsubishi Motor has Kick Started the sale of Mini EV
Mitsubishi Motor Corporation has announced start of sales of its MINICAB-MiEV commercial mini EV. The new mini EV has been designed based on MMC’s MINICAB VAN commercial mini vehicle, following i-MiEV as company’s second new generation EV. Read more
Mass Production of New Single Crystalline Solar Cells by Sharp
Sharp has announced the mass production of new high conversion efficiency single crystalline solar cells at its solar cell plant is in GREEN FRONT SAKAI, in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. The new single crystalline solar cells use a Back Contact structure, where the electron is connected to the back, eliminating any needs for electrode on the front, resulting in an increase in light-receiving area on the front surface of the cell. Read more
Release of Industry’s First One Chip VHF/UHF Low-Noise Amplifier for Mobile Devices by PANASONIC
With an aim to design and manufacture low powered semiconductor products to fit the needs of mobile communication devices as well as radio applications, Panasonic Corporation has announced the development of industry’s first VHF/UHF low-noise amplifier (LNA) which are targeted to be used in mobile devices. The newly developed AN26072A and AN26021A can operate at voltage as low as 1.7 V, eliminating any needs for a 2.8 V power supply. The new LNAs allow mobile terminals to receive one-Segment broadcasts, multimedia broadcast, which are planned to start in April of 2012 in Japan, plus an ATSC-M/H service in North America. Read more
Development of Novel Material with Reversible Photochromism Characteristics, Paving the way for Next Generation Ultrahigh-Density Memories and Displays
Inorganic Photochromic materials has been considered for quite sometimes as an ideal candidate in manufacturing the next generation high-density memories as well as displays, due to their responsiveness to visible light for manufacture high capacity memories by using semiconductor laser or LED as its light source. But most inorganic materials do not exhibit photochromic response to visible light, plus they have a low durability, or even worse they show a slow color change and poor color reversibility (i.e. failed to decolorize after being irradiated several times.). Furthermore, the color of most of these materials was blue. In repose to overcome these inherent difficulties, group of researchers at AIST in Japan has developed a composite metal oxide materials that has a stable and reversible phtochromism when it is irradiated alternately with blue and green monochromatic lights. Read more
Release of Two New LED Light Bulbs based on Optical design and High Heat Dissipation Technologies by Panasonic
Panasonic has released two models of EVERLEDS LED light bulbs possessing wide light distribution angle of around 300 degrees. The two models have been manufactured based on two key technologies namely “optical design technology”, capable of spreading light using a combination of LED packages that are arranged in a circular pattern inside of a large globe and a double reflector structure as well as, “high heat dissipation technology”, with a circuit arranged above the LED packages for separating the circuit part from the body where the heat converges, resulting in industry’s widest light distribution angle, almost equivalent to the angle of incandescent lamps. Read more
Development of a New High Efficiency Single Crystalline Solar Cells by Sharp
Sharp has made an announcement on development of a new single crystalline solar cell with high conversion efficiency. The new solar cell uses a Back Contact structure, where the electrodes are connected on the back-side, helping to eliminate any needs for electrode to be set on the front side. The new structure increases the light receiving area on the front side surface. Read more
Launch of “Diamond Vision OLED” Industry’s First Large-Scale Organic Light Emitting Diode Display System by Mitsubishi Electric
Mitsubishi Electric has released world’s first large scale display system in the 100-inch and above which uses light emitting diode (OLED) as its light source. The new “Diamond Vision OLED” features Mitsubishi’s newly developed video controlling technology, delivering seamless, vivid images. The new display features wide horizontal and vertical viewing angles reaching approximately +/- 80 degrees, with maximum brightness of 1,200 cd/m2 and high contrast which is twice as the other LED products, making it ideal for installation in relatively bright area like commercial facilities, stations and airports. Read more
NEC gears up toward launch of LTE Mobile Broadband Services with Introduction of iPASOLINK
With emergence of Long Term Evolution (LTE) Services, and its introduction by next year in Japan, equipment manufactures are gearing up to full-fill the operators needs for its long awaited services by introducing new equipments supporting the full IP transport required by LTE. One such company is NEC, which at the beginning of this month announced the launch of its iPASOLINK platform, a key building block in the transformation of backhaul networks to LTE. The new iPASOLINK platform offers a flexible, all-in-one converge design, incorporating packet, microwave and optical technologies, helping operators to deploy high-performance networks without adding unnecessary extra costs. Read more
