Wireless transmission of power and information and information forcableless linear motor drive

In previous papers, the authors introduced the wireless transmission of power and information (WTPI) for realizing a future manufacturing system which is free from the complexity of wiring for the power supply or control. In extension from these studies, the authors have attempted to apply the linear-type WTPI for realizing the maintenance-free drive and the multimover operation of a moving coil-type linear motor. This paper describes the basic concept of the WTPI and the analysis on the performance of the WTPI configured in the linear shape, thereafter introducing the preliminary test result on a prototype of the cableless linear pulse motor (CLLPM) which was constructed by integrating a linear pulse motor (LPM) with the associated driver and the linear WTPI for noncontact motion transfer     

Nanosecond and femtosecond mass spectroscopic analysis of a molecular beam produced by the spray-jet technique

The spray-jet molecular beam apparatus enabled us to produce a molecular beam of non-volatile molecules under high vacuum from a sprayed mist of sample solutions. The apparatus has been used in spectroscopic studies and as a means of molecular beam deposition. We analyzed the molecular beam, consisting of non-volatile, solvent, and carrier-gas molecules, by using femtosecond- and nanosecond- laser mass spectroscopy. The information thus obtained provided insight into the molecular beam produced by the spray-jet technique.     

New proposal of reactivity coefficient estimation method using a gray-box model in nuclear power plants

A new method for estimating reactivity parameters, such as moderator temperature coefficient (MTC) and void reactivity coefficient (VRC), is proposed using steady-state noise data. In order to solve the ill-posed problem of reactivity parameter estimation, a concept of a gray box model is newly introduced. The gray box model includes a first principle based model and a black-box fitting model. The former model acts as a priori knowledge based constraints in a parameter estimation problem. After establishing the gray box and noise source models, the maximum likelihood estimation method based on Kalman filter is applied. Furthermore, it is shown that the frequency domain approach of the gray box model is useful in the case of VRC estimation. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is shown through numerical simulation and actual plant data analysis.     

Single molecule fluorescence autocorrelation measurement on anisotropic molecular diffusion in nematic liquid crystal

Diffusion kinetics of three dyes in nematic liquid crystals are studied with single-molecule fluorescence autocorrelation spectroscopy. Markedly large anisotropy was observed in the diffusion coefficient and structure of diffusion molecules showed no marked effect on the anisotropy.     

High-speed InGaAlAs/InAlAs multiple quantum well optical modulators

High-speed modulation over 22 GHz for waveguided InGaAlAs/InAlAs multiple quantum well (MQW) optical modulators is described. A large on/off ratio of over 25 dB is demonstrated with a low-drive voltage (6 V) operating in the 1.55-μm wavelength region. The design and characteristics of MQW p-i-n modulators are discussed. The causes of large-insertion loss and the required drive voltage bandwidth figure of merit for the MQW modulator are discussed. The frequency response measurements show that the response speed is limited by the RC time constant of the device. This suggests that the speed can be further enhanced by decreasing the size and capacitance of the device     

Functional neuromuscular stimulation system using an implantablehydroxyapatite connector and a microprocessor-based portable stimulator

For developing functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) orthoses, percutaneous implants made of sintered hydroxyapatite (HAp) and a microprocessor-based portable stimulator were devised, and related basic studies were carried out. First, a button-shaped HAp was percutaneously implanted up to 23 months in the skin of dogs, and 30 months in human subjects. The HAp was closely contacted with the skin tissue. Then, button-shaped HAp electrical connectors were percutaneously implanted in the skin of rabbits. Sufficient contractions of the calf muscle were elicited by electrical stimuli delivered to intramuscular electrodes through the connector. These results indicated that the HAp electrical connector could be clinically utilized as an implantable skin interface for FNS. The microprocessor-based stimulator capable of processing control command signals and delivering 16-channels of electrical stimuli was developed. Usefulness of the stimulator was demonstrated by applying it to flexor and extensor muscles of the thumb in a C5 quadriplegic patient.     

A facile approach to the fabrication of ultrathin polymer films and application to optical lenses

A facile approach to the fabrication of ultrathin polymer films on a flat or curved substrate is presented. Polymers with unsaturated pendant groups were spin-coated on a photoinitiator tethered surface, which was then photoirradiated and washed with a solvent. The obtained films were uniform, smooth (R_a < 0.2 nm) and exhibited robustness toward solvents. The thickness of the films was determined by the molecular weight of the coated polymer and was not dependent on the initial spin-coated thickness. A mechanism for the formation of the ultrathin film and application to optical lenses is presented.     

Estimation of daily intake of phenols in hospital meal samples

Daily intakes of 12 phenols which are possible endocrine disruptors were estimated in hospital meals from 2000 to 2001. 4-Nonylphenol (4-NP (mix)) and bisphenol A (BPA) were detected at levels of 5.0 to 19.4 ng/g and 0.2 to 1.1 ng/g, respectively. 4-tert-Butylphenol, 4-n-pentylphenol, 4 -tert-pentylphenol, 4-n-hexylphenol, 4-n-heptylphenol and 4-tert-octylphenol were detected at levels of 0.1 to 2.4 microg/g. The daily intakes of 4-NP (mix) and BPA were 5.8 microg/day and 0.42 microg/day, respectively. The daily intakes of other phenols were less than 1 microg/day.     

Neonatal granulocytosis is a postpartum event which is seen in the liver as well as in the blood

In a recent series of studies, we demonstrated that stress in humans and animals, with resultant sympathetic nerve strain, induces severe granulocytosis, because granulocytes carry adrenergic receptors on the surface. Because activated granulocytes produce free radicals and superoxides, they sometimes induce tissue damage if the stress is too strong or continuous. Human neonates are also known to show high levels of granulocytes in the peripheral blood. In this study, we investigated whether such neonatal granulocytosis are a stress-associated response at birth. Both human and mouse materials, before and after birth, were used. The number of leukocytes in the blood, as well as some other factors in the serum, were measured. Although levels of granulocytes were found to be low in fetal humans and mice, they increased sharply after birth. In parallel with this postpartal granulocytosis, transaminases in sera increased transiently. In reference to results of a transient elevation in the levels of catecholamines at birth in mice, all these phenomena resemble stress-associated responses. Indeed, fatty liver and hematopoietic destruction in the liver were also observed in mice and humans. At this time, the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by granulocytes in the liver was evident. These results suggest that neonatal granulocytosis is a postpartum event which results from various stresses (e.g., oxygen stress) at birth. This event may be responsible for such well-known neonatal phenomena as the termination of fetal hematopoiesis in the liver and as neonatal jaundice.     

Development of a frequency-detuned interferometer as a prototype experiment for next-generation gravitational-wave detectors

We report on our prototype experiment that uses a 4-m detuned resonant sideband extraction interferometer with suspended mirrors, which has almost the same configuration as the next-generation, gravitational-wave detectors. We have developed a new control scheme and have succeeded in the operation of such an interferometer with suspended mirrors for the first time ever as far as we know. We believe that this is the first such instrument that can see the radiation pressure signal enhancement, which can improve the sensitivity of next-generation gravitational-wave detectors.