On November 4, 2011, the Cameca NanoSIMS 50L ion microprobe was delivered to Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research. The NanoSIMS is the state-of-the-art instrument for microanalysis by secondary ion mass spectrometry, and offers an extremely fine focusing of a primary ion beam. A spatial resolution of less than 50 nm is achieved using the Cs+ as a primary ion beam, whereas the O- primary ion beam can be focused in about 150-nm resolution. Up to 7 elemental and/or isotopic images can be acquired simultaneously by 7 electron multipliers with ppm-level high sensitivity. This allows us to compare the SIMS images concerning the precise distribution of different isotopes or elements. This performance for imaging with sub-μm spatial resolution is a very unique to the NanoSIMS and provides a new approach to analyze the isotope and/or elemental distributions in samples. Therefore, the JAMSTEC NanoSIMS will be a powerful tool for ion imaging and marine-biology laboratories at Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research and will be used to investigate extraterrestrial, terrestrial and biological samples, including meteorites, Earth rocks and microbial cells in deep and ancient subseafloor sediments obtained by an Integrated Ocean Drilling Program. This paper presents the current achievements for meteorites and biological samples analyzed by the NanoSIMS imaging technique with a sub-μm resolution.

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We have successfully synthesized a range of inorganic nanosheets by chemically exfoliating layered compounds.As-obtained nanosheets can be categorized as a unique class of nanoscale materials, which are characterized by their extremely thin layers of 0.5-3 nm in thickness and very high 2D anisotropy. These colloidal nanosheets can be assembled into highly organized nanostructures such as multilayers and superlattice systems by means of solutionbased processes. This approach allows us to develop the advanced functionalities such as high dielectric performance even at a nanoscale thickness, gigantic magneto-optical property in response to UV-to-visible light, and seed layer function for oriented growth of various crystal films. These materials and techniques show great promise for applications in next-generation electronics.

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The east Japan great earthquake has still made great influences on our daily life and economic activity. Especially, the big problems for the electric power supply and demand have directly affected both of our life and corporate activity. I would like to introduce the prospect of the present electric power supply and demand, and the outline of the related policies. Mid- and long-term energy and environmental strategy is also discussed in this report.

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Amylose, a linear α-1,4 glucan, is expected as one of functional biomaterials in various industries. However, manufacturing of pure amylose has not been achieved due to an extreme difficulty in the purification of amylose from starch. In recent years, we have successfully developed the novel method to completely synthesize amylose using enzymes. Amylose forms a helical structure, in which various organic and inorganic substances can be contained as a guest molecule, resulting in the drastic changes in the physicochemical properties of the guest matters. The unique functions of amylose have been used in a powder form or at a solution state, which frequently set limit to the applications. Herein, we have developed amylase/cellulose composite fiber, AMYCEL^®, to overcome such limitation. In this paper, we report three functions of AMYCEL. The first function is to capture and remove unfavorable compounds. AMYCEL can eliminate the body odor substances such as pelargonic and free fatty acids on the human skin. The second function is the stabilization of unstable molecules. AMYCEL can stably include iodine easy to sublimate, leading to the strong anti-microbial and anti-viral activities. The final function is a slow release of trapped guest molecules. AMYCEL can stably hold menthol at 50%RH and 100°C. With elevated relative humidity and temperature, menthol included inside AMYCEL is gradually released. The releasing speed can be controlled by relative humidity and temperature. A variety of guest molecules can tailor the physicochemical functions of AMYCEL.

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In this report, a nonwoven polyethylene sheet was functionalized with a designed alginate film that can alter the odor properties, in response to the surrounding conditions, from good fragrance such as geraniol to stimulating smell like gaseous acetic acid. As-prepared sheets act as a sensor to provide an alert signal, in the case of acetic acid being generated in response to acid. This intelligent alginate polymer film composed of sodium alginate (Na-Alg), geraniol and sodium acetic acid (CH3COONa) was prepared directly on the nonwoven polyethylene sheet. Optimal conditions for the alginate film preparation were 0.75% or 1.0% Na-Alg solution containing 10%(w/v) CH3COONa. Acetic acid(approximately 3.58 ppm) could be released from the sheet on which 0.3 ml of 1.0 M hydrochloric acid was dropped. We successfully prepared a functional sheet, which can drastically change the odor properties from geraniol to gaseous acetic acid in response to acid.

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Effluent management systems have long been rationalized based on individual chemical compounds in Japan.However, such systems essentially hold difficult problems for the management of hazardous influences of new chemicals and their mixtures. In the fiscal year of 2009, Ministry of the Environment, Japan has started the discussion on the implementation of whole effluent toxicity systems that have already been popular in USA, Korea and other countries. We have conducted some preliminary bio-assays to examine the effluents from several industries including paper mills in Tokushima prefecture using short-term chronic tests adopted in USA. The short-term chronic bio-assays using three organisms such as fish, daphnia and algae could detect significant toxicity in the effluents with a wide range of spectra with high sensitivity. These results provide information much differing from conventional chemical analysis and are directly related to the protection of ecosystems in the receiving water areas.

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Recently, paper-based microfluidic chips have received much attention. These chips are categorized as a new class of point-of-care diagnostic devices that are cheap, easy-to-use, and designed on demand in developing countries. In this paper, we review the fabrication methods, the operation procedures, and the detection methods of paper-based microfluidic chips. Moreover, we describe the present situation and future possibility of paper-based microfluidic chips.

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Porous network structures composed of TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibers(TOCNs) were successfully built up by a simple drying technique in air or oven where aqueous TOCN dispersions were dried on porous supports with mcron or submicron pores. A small amount of cationic surfactant was added to the TOCN dispersion to make hydrophilic TOCN surfaces hydrophobic to some extent. The porous TOCN networks formed inside the individual pores of the support had two-dimensional structures composed both of single and bundled TOCNs. Laser scanning microscopy was subjected to in situ monitoring during the formation of porous TOCN networks, showing that the wet thin films were first formed from the TOCN dispersion, followed by the gradual formation of submicron-sized pores in the films as water evaporated. The new method described here has potential for mass production of functional porous materials from cellulose nanofibers.

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Stone paper is a brand-new material made in Taiwan, and being marketed under a brand name "Keeplus" in Japan. This high performance paper is prepared by the film processing of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) from limestone with high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The content of CaCO3 ranges from 56 to 80% according to the product grades. Both CaCO3and HDPE are very familiar in our daily life. This material is placed on sale in major advanced nations such as Japan, United States of America, England, France, Germany, Italy, Australia, Canada and China. The production of stone paper is not concerned in wood cutting, water consumption and other chemicals such as dyes and bleaching agents in the manufacture process, resulting in less environmental influences. Especially, environmentally-friendly companies have used the stone papers both in domestic and overseas territories. In the future, high resistance to water and rupture strength of the stone paper would become fit for various purposes in use.

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Wet tissue papers and face masks composed of nonwovens have been commercialized around 1980s and 1990s, respectively, in a cosmetic commodity market. As a few decades have passed, these commodities have been recognized in Europe and America, and in recent years cheap imports from abroad have occupied the market. Nevertheless, made-in-Japan nonwoven products have been strongly required overseas. A statement of virtues, e. g. sealing effect of small skin creases on dryness, has been permitted for cosmetic advertisements on July, 2011, and therefore the sheet cosmetics have a positive trend of further business activation. Besides, the limited use of preservatives in cosmetics, e. g.p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters-free products being favorable, has been strictly checked, and thus cosmetic nonwovens have attached importance to further safe sanitation. In this report, we review the basic and advanced functions of nonwovens required for current sheet cosmetics.

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Kochi prefectural Technology Center has five missions as administrative policies, major one of them is to develop high performance papers for repairing cultural assrts, in order to make contribution to Japanese culture using traditional Japanese paper. This article presents one of our activities. In the case of repairing paper-form cultural assets, two totally distinct approaches have been adopted in the East and in Europe and America. Eastern method is to simply exchange the support paper on the back for additional strength while keeping main body as it is. A variety of high performance papers have been used for such types of repair. On the other hand, in Europe and America, old books cmposed of papers printed on both sides must be repaired. Several examples for high performance papers used for reoair in libraries and museums throughout Europe are introduced. At last, I would present a joint research project for repair of paper-form cultural assets that we have taken part in, the principle of paper splitting method and how to reinforce the paper samples using this method.

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