The Early Edge Prize” is aimed at companies whose management is under 40 years old and within 3 years after establishment. It will also focus on young managers at the early stage of startup companies.” NEDO news release, April 28, 2017
Ajinomoto establishes new company for on-site ammonia production using a novel type of ruthenium catalyst at room temperature
The name of the subsidiary is Tsubame BHB, and a co-investor is Universal Materials Incubator Co. Ajinomoto requires an inexpensive and stable supply of auxiliary materials used in fermentation processes, such as ammonia. The new process is based on a development at Tokyo Institute of Technology (Professor Hideo HOSONO) who found that nano-sized ruthenium particles […]
Sunstar offers lactoferrin-containing health food against drowsiness and fatigue
The products, by the name of „Health ritual lactoferrin“ 健康道場ラクトフェリン has obtained permission by the consumer’s agency for a functional display and are claimed to improve the intestinal environment, further to reduce drowsiness and fatigue during waking. Sunstar website
NEDO initiates additional program on drastic weight saving of transportation euqipment
NEDO is supporting projects on innovative steel sheets, aluminum, titanium and magnesium materials, carbon fibers, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), in view of dramatically reducing the weight of automobiles, railroad vehicles, etc. The new subprogram will include two themes: 1. Development of non-destructive analytical techniques to analyze structural materials using the J-PARK neutron scattering […]
Toyota starts demonstration project for a hybrid power generation system combining fuel cell and gas turbine
The hybrid power generation system employs a two-stage power generation mechanism that uses hydrogen and carbon monoxide extracted by reforming natural gas to generate electric power in each of a fuel cell and a micro gas turbine, and the rated output is 250 kW. In the demonstration operation, this hybrid power generation system will be […]
Nippon Paper Industries opens world’s largest cellulose nanofiber facility
The plant, located at Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, can produces 500 tons/y of cellulose nanofiber (CNF). CNFs are prepared from wood pulp chemically treated by TEMPO catalytic oxidation. They are completely nano-dispersed (fiber width of 3-4 nm), transparent and capable of imparting various functions. They can be used in a wide range of industrial applications, such […]
Anges MG launches clinical trials of NFκB for disc spondylosis in the USA
After approval of its gene product NFκB decoy oligo for treatment of disc spondylosis (spinal degeneration) by FDA, Anges MG will launch clinical tests in the USA within the first half of 2017, and the outcome will be known in 2019. Anges MG news release, April 24, 2017
NEDO starts project on integrated production of biojet fuel
NEDO will support the development of manufacturing biojet fuel from microalgae and wood chips. Verification tests will be conducted on a pilot scale, such as building a culture facility for micro algae of 10,000 m2 scale, and verification tests such as stable long-term continuous operation and reduction of manufacturing cost. Partners are Mitsubishi Hitachi Power […]
NEDO consortium starts demonstration test of compressed air energy storage (CAES) system
The team develops two control technologies: fluctuation mitigation control based on prediction of wind power generation, and planned power generation control. The fluctuation mitigation control is a technology to control the charging and discharging of the CAES system in order to alleviate the output fluctuation of wind power generation to the electric power system. Using […]
University of Tokyo team succeeds in developing „zero birefringence polymer“ based on pullulan
Birefringence is the optical property of a material having a refractive index that depends on the polarization and propagation direction of light. For liquid crystal displays used in the displays of smart phones, tablet PCs, liquid crystal televisions, and the like, zero birefringence is required and achieved by adding additives. The group of Tadahisa IWATA at the University of Tokyo found that pullulan […]