Advanced Industrial Science And Technology Research Articles

Comparison between NIST Graphene and AIST GaAs Quantized Hall Devices.

Several graphene quantized Hall resistance (QHR) devices manufactured at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) were compared to GaAs QHR devices and a 100 Ω standard resistor at the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). Measurements of the 100 Ω resistor with the graphene QHR devices agreed within 5 nΩ/Ω of the values for the 100 Ω resistor obtained through GaAs measurements. The electron density of the graphene devices was adjusted at AIST to restore device properties such that operation was possible at low magnetic flux densities of 4 T to 6 T. This adjustment was accomplished with a functionalization method utilized at NIST, allowing for consistent tunability of the graphene QHR devices with simple annealing. Such a method replaces older and less predictable methods for adjusting graphene for metrological suitability. The milestone results demonstrate the ease with which graphene can be used to make resistance comparison measurements among many National Metrology Institutes.

Development of an All-SFQ Superconducting Field-Programmable Gate Array

Recent advances in fabrication complexity and density-especially for the Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) advanced process 2 (ADP2) process and the MIT Lincoln Lab (MITLL) SFQ5ee process and beyond-allow the implementation of a superconducting field-programmable gate array (SFPGA) with sufficient complexity to host a number of different programmed functions. We discuss design choices for an all single flux quantum SFPGA targeting these modern processes, making heavy use of passive transmission line (PTL) layers they provide. Various configurations for lookup tables, basic logic elements and timing schemes are shown, and a viable switch block implementation is discussed. Academic FPGA electronic design automation (EDA) tools are repurposed for mapping Verilog hardware description language (HDL) functions to the chosen SFPGA design, whilst HDL and electrical simulations are used to show its correct operation. We show simulations for programming and the operation of an SFPGA, and discuss die size requirements for practical implementation.

Ligand Effect on the Stability of Water‐Soluble Iridium Catalysts for High‐Pressure Hydrogen Gas Production by Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by researchers from National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Japan. The image shows the ligand effect on catalyst activity for the formic acid dehydrogenation and a durability of Cp*Ir complex under high‐pressure conditions. Read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/cphc.201900137.

Fujimi’s New SiC CMP Slurry Development

Introduction Since silicon carbide (SiC) is a very hard substrate and is stable both chemically and physically, wafer processing is costly and takes a lot of time. Particularly, in the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, which is the final wafering process, significant improvement in performance such as surface quality and productivity is required for high volume commercial production. At Fujimi, we have developed a high removal rate slurry of over 1.5 μm per hour on the Si-face under neutral pH and conventional CMP processing conditions. We have also proven that the slurry had a nice behavior in removal rate performance based on Prenston equation, that is, removal rate was proportional to the pressure and velocity of substrate. Furthermore, our testing result has shown great surface morphology such as no scratches and no latent scratches beneath the surface. Low surface roughness was achieved under 0.1nm of RMS at 10x10μm area. Fujimi has introduced this new SiC slurry at the Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) as a suitable stock polishing slurry to remove surface damage coming from previous grinding or lapping steps. We have demonstrated the benefit of a two-step CMP process which applies a stock step using the higher removal rate slurry followed by a fine step using our Colloidal silica type slurry. As a result, the combination process could realize to produce the SiC epi-ready wafer with fine quality surface in shorter process time than conventional process [1]. Results and DiscussionIn this study, we will discuss our SiC slurry development technologies. At Fujimi, we can control the size and shape of the abrasive grains. Utilizing our expertise in chemical and additive formulation, we can modify our slurries to meet our customers’ various performance criteria. In Figure 1, it shows a test result example in which the removal rate of the Si-Face was improved. These improved performances depended on the type of additive used in the slurry. Test was performed using substrates of 4-inch 4H-N SiC (4°off) Si-face substrates with exactly the same polishing process and pad condition for all slurries. Slurry A was a result of high speed conventional slurry used by AIST [1] as a reference slurry. Slurry B was a newly developed slurry with improved abrasive grains dispersion. Slurry C was also a newly developed slurry focusing on the improvement of oxidation efficiency. As a result, it was possible to achieve a polishing removal rate over 2 um / hour as well as maintain low surface roughness at the same time. [1] S. Hirano et al., Journal of the Japan Society for Abrasive Technology, 60, (2016)353 Figure 1

Growing quality graphene at low temperatures

To build devices that take advantage of graphene’s unique electrical properties, researchers need large sheets of the material. It’s typically grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on pieces of copper heated to about 1,000 °C, then transferred to another surface, such as a silicon wafer or a plastic film. Ideally, researchers would grow the material right where it’s needed, but the high temperatures necessary to grow high-quality graphene are too extreme, melting other substrates. By designing and building a specialized plasma-blowing device, researchers led by Jaeho Kim and Hiromoto Itagaki at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have overcome this challenge. The new growth technique could make it possible to directly grow the ultrathin electronic material on plastic, silicon circuits, and other surfaces for use in high-performance or flexible electronics (Nano Lett. 2019, DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b03769). A process called plasma-enhanced CVD, which uses microw...

Electrocatalysts for PEM Fuel Cells

AbstractDegradation phenomena of electrocatalysts for proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells and their mechanisms are reviewed. Platinum dissolution and redeposition, carbon‐support corrosion, inhomogeneity during start‐up and cell reversal are discussed as factors that influence the degradation of electrocatalysts with relation to electrode potential. Early research findings at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, are mainly used as a basis of discussion. The development of highly durable electrocatalysts using an oxide support based on the results of degradation studies to suppress electrocatalyst degradation is summarized with a main focus on Pt‐deposited Ti4O7catalysts developed at AIST. The development of high‐CO‐concentration durable anode electrocatalysts is also reviewed. In particular, an electrocatalyst that uses an organic complex as a co‐electrocatalyst with a platinum ruthenium alloy anode electrocatalyst developed at AIST is included as a novel high‐CO‐concentration durable anode electrocatalyst.

Development of Next‐Generation Organic‐Based Solar Cells: Studies on Dye‐Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells

AbstractNext‐generation organic solar cells such as dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are studied at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), and their materials, electronic properties, and fabrication processes are investigated. To enhance the performance of DSSCs, the basic structure of an electron donor, π‐electron linker, and electron acceptor, i.e., D–π–A, is suggested. In addition, special organic dyes containing coumarin, carbazole, and triphenylamine electron donor groups are synthesized to find an effective dye structure that avoids charge recombination at electrode surfaces. Meanwhile, PSCs are manufactured using both a coating method and a laser deposition technique. The results of interfacial studies demonstrate that the level of the conduction band edge (CBE) of a compact TiO2 layer is shifted after TiCl4 treatment, which strongly affects the solar cell performance. Furthermore, a special laser deposition system is developed for the fabrication of the perovskite layers of PSCs, which facilitates the control over the deposition rate of methyl ammonium iodide used as their precursor.

Development of a wide range-operable, rich-lean low-NOx combustor for NH3 fuel gas-turbine power generation

Low-NOx NH3-air combustion power generation technology was developed by using a 50-kWe class micro gas-turbine system at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, for the first time. Based on the global demand for carbon-free power generation as well as recent advances involving gas-turbine technologies, such as heat-regenerative cycles, rapid fuel mixing using strong swirling flows, and two-stage combustion with equivalence ratio control, we developed a low-NOx NH3-air non-premixed combustor for the gas-turbine system. Considering a previously performed numerical analysis, which proved that the NO reduction level depends on the equivalence ratio of the primary combustion zone in a NH3-air swirl burner, an experimental study using a combustor test rig was carried out. Results showed that eliminating air flow through primary dilution holes moves the point of the lowest NO emissions to the lesser fuel flow rate. Based on findings derived by using a test rig, a rich-lean low NOx combustor was newly manufactured for actual gas-turbine operations. As a result, the NH3 single fueled low-NOx combustion gas-turbine power generation using the rich-lean combustion concept succeeded over a wide range of power and rotational speeds, i.e., below 10–40 kWe and 75,000–80,000 rpm, respectively. The NO emissions were reduced to 337 ppm (16% O2), which was about one-third of that of the base system. Simultaneously, unburnt NH3 was reduced significantly, especially at the low electrical power output, which was indicative of the wider operating range with high combustion efficiency. In addition, N2O emissions, which have a large Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 298, were reduced significantly, thus demonstrating the potential of NH3 gas-turbine power generation with low environmental impacts.

Resolution-Enhanced Kendrick Mass Defect Analysis of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Fullerenes in the Diffusion Flame from a Butane Torch.

A modified Kendrick Mass Defect (KMD) analysis was applied to the analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and fullerenes in the diffusion flame from a handheld butane torch. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

A new Landsat 8 cloud discrimination algorithm using thresholding tests

ABSTRACTIn this work, we propose a Cloud Discrimination Algorithm for Landsat 8 (CDAL8) to improve a high-frequency automatic land change detection system developed at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan for large-scale satellite image analysis. Although the land change detection system can process several kinds of satellite remote sensing data, improvements are needed to enable practical applications using Landsat 8 data. Cloud discrimination is a necessary pre-processing step for land cover change detection. Currently, most of the prediction errors on land change detection are caused by the false cloud discrimination results as a pre-processing step. Therefore, we introduce an improved cloud discrimination algorithm (CDAL8) in this study to improve the overall performance of our land change detection system. The algorithm was developed based on a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) cloud mask algorithm and Cloud and Aerosol Unbiased Decision Intellectual Algorithm (CLAUDIA). CDAL8 is distinct in that it switches judgment tests and their thresholds using a threshold brightness temperature and uses separate features in cloud judgment and clear-sky judgment. To evaluate the accuracy of the proposed algorithm, we compared it with the Automated Cloud-Cover Assessment algorithm (ACCA) and Function of Mask (Fmask) version 3.3 using US Geological Survey Landsat 8 cloud cover assessment validation data, which contain 96 cloud masks. Our proposed cloud discrimination algorithm (CDAL8) have promising results with an accuracy of 88.1%, which was greater than that of the ACCA (82.5%) and Fmask (84.6%). Furthermore, we also confirmed that the average accuracy of CDAL8 was approximately 91.2% when low solar elevation scenes were removed.

Lithium Metal Extraction from Seawater

Ping He obtained his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Fudan University in 2009, and later worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. He currently is a Professor of College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Nanjing University, China. His research interests focus on electrochemical functional materials and energy storage systems such as lithium-ion batteries and lithium-air batteries. He has published more than 90 peer-reviewed papers. Haoshen Zhou obtained his bachelor’s degree in Nanjing University in 1985, and received his PhD from the University of Tokyo in 1994. He is the prime senior researcher of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology and the professor in Nanjing University. His research interests include the synthesis of functional materials and their applications in Li-ion batteries, Na-ion batteries, Li-redox flow batteries, metal-air batteries, and new types of batteries/cells. Sixie Yang received his bachelor's degree in 2013 and recently received his PhD degree in materials science and engineering at Nanjing University. During his PhD program, he worked in Prof. Ping He and Prof. Haoshen Zhou's research group studying the reaction mechanisms and electrochemistry in Li-air and Li-CO2 batteries.

Metal–Organic Frameworks for Energy

AbstractSerious environmental problems, growing demand for energy, and the pursuit of environmental‐friendly, sustainable, and effective energy technologies to store and transform clean energy have all drawn great attention recently. As a part of the special issue “Energy Research in National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)” this review systematically summarizes the research progress of metal–organic framework (MOF) composites and derivatives in energy applications, including catalytic CO oxidation, liquid‐phase chemical hydrogen storage, and electrochemical energy storage and conversion. Furthermore, the correlation between MOF‐based structures, synthetic strategies, and their corresponding performances is carefully discussed. The further scope and opportunities, expected improvements and challenges are also discussed. This review will not only benefit development of more feasible protocols to fabricate nanostructures for energy systems but also stimulate further interest in MOF composites and derivatives, for energy applications.

Constructing a Vector Scanning SQUID System

We succeeded in fabricating a vector scanning SQUID sensor, which was optimized to reduce the noise and to enhance the sensitivity by choosing the screening parameter as βL = 1. The sensors were fabricated by a superconductive foundry CRAVITY of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) using AIST-STP2 standard process with the critical current density Jc of Josephson junctions (JJs) 320 A/cm2. Under this condition, the critical current Ic becomes 12.5 µA in the areas of 2.2 µm × 2.2 µm of our SQUID. The sensitivity and resolution of sensors were also improved by reducing inner diameter and increasing the number of the pick-up-coil windings with employing of multi-layer technique. We designed the structure of vector pickup coils, of which the same distance is kept between each coil and the sample surface. In addition, the distance between the coils were just set at an integer multiple of a scanning step so that it becomes convenient in reconstructing a magnetic-field vector at a certain position. The fabricated SQUID sensors were operated properly, and characteristics were in good agreement with our design parameters. In order to construct the vector scanning SQUID microscope, we succeeded in connecting our sensor with a commercial flux-locked loop (FLL) readout circuit (Magnicon Inc., Model XXF-1). The spatial resolution of vector SQUID microscopy can be improved by using an XYZ piezo-driven scanner for the precise control of the pick-up-coil positions over the three-dimensional range of 5 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm with a step size of 10 nm at 4K. A Gifford–McMahon cryocooler with an anti-vibration mechanism will be used to conduct long-time measurements.

30th International Symposium on Superconductivity (ISS2017)

PrefaceIt is our pleasure to report that the Proceedings of the commemorative 30th International Symposium on Superconductivity (ISS2017) held at Iino Hall and Conference Center, Tokyo, Japan, December 13–15, 2017, are now published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS). ISS2017 was organized by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), successively from the previous year. Total of 475 scientists, engineers, students, corporate executives and other participants (127 from abroad) gathered in ISS2017, and fruitful discussions were made to promote superconductor sciences and technologies. Total of 337 papers were presented, which included 6 plenary lectures, 88 invited talks, 29 contributed oral presentations and 214 poster presentations. The papers published in JPCS were categorized into relevant topics in the following four fields; (a) Physics and Chemistry, (b) Wires and Bulk, (c) Electronic Devices, (d) Large Scale System Applications.To ensure the high publication standard mandated by JPCS, every paper was peer reviewed by a reviewer with expertise, and in some cases by two reviewers before it was accepted for publication. As editors of the Proceedings, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the reviewers involved in the evaluation of the papers for their invaluable contribution. Our special thanks go also to session chairs who recommended appropriate reviewers.List of Editors, Organization, Committees are available in this Pdf.

A study of the adaptive gesture interface for the severely physically handicapped

Technology has already been developed that does not require a person to physically touch a mouse or a screen. This technology, such as the Kinect, relies on motion sensors to pick up movements and gestures, using them as inputs. However, these gestures are pre-programmed and actually require the same amount of coordination as any other input through a physical device. This means that they are not immediately useful for those with motor dysfunction. Dr. Ikushi Yoda of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, is working to resolve this problem and aims to provide motion sensors that can allow disabled people to smoothly access computers amongst other devices. Yoda and his interdisciplinary team are working to analyse and categorise a wide variety of gestures from disabled with motor dysfunction. Their aim is to programme these gestures to be recognised by motion-sensing devices as well as to introduce flexibility into the devices to allow for a wider range of detection. In order to devise new systems of input for users with various motor disabilities, Yoda and his team first had to gather data on the sorts of gestures they could create. To document these accurately, Yoda's team monitored a pool of disabled volunteers to collect movement data for classification and analysis. Yoda chose participants that represented a wide range of potential disabilities. This meant many gestures of different types and from different parts of the body could be acquired and analysed. These data were classified according to body part and used to develop a modulised gesture recognition engine. In addition to gathering important data, Yoda is also trying to optimise the research process using relatively cheap motion detection cameras. It is essential that any system eventually employed is at least accessible to the majority of the target disabled users. Yoda and his team have previously developed an interface based on head gestures for individuals with severe cerebral palsy to circumvent their inability to operate their motorised wheelchairs.

3D Integration System Group, Nanoelectronics Research Institute (NeRI), National Institute of Advanced, Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

3D Integration System Group, Nanoelectronics Research Institute (NeRI), National Institute of Advanced, Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

Direct DC 10 V comparison between two programmable Josephson voltage standards made of niobium nitride (NbN)-based and niobium (Nb)-based Josephson junctions

BIPM’s new transportable programmable Josephson voltage standard (PJVS) has been used for an on-site comparison at the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) (NMIJ/AIST, hereafter called just NMIJ unless otherwise noted).This is the first time that an array of niobium-based Josephson junctions with amorphous niobium silicon NbxSi1−x barriers, developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has been directly compared to an array of niobium nitride (NbN)-based junctions (developed by the NMIJ in collaboration with the Nanoelectronics Research Institute (NeRI), AIST).Nominally identical voltages produced by both systems agreed within 5 parts in 1012 (0.05 nV at 10 V) with a combined relative uncertainty of 7.9 × 10−11 (0.79 nV).The low side of the NMIJ apparatus is, by design, referred to the ground potential. An analysis of the systematic errors due to the leakage current to ground was conducted for this ground configuration. The influence of a multi-stage low-pass filter installed at the output measurement leads of the NMIJ primary standard was also investigated. The number of capacitances in parallel in the filter and their insulation resistance have a direct impact on the amplitude of the systematic voltage error introduced by the leakage current, even if the current does not necessarily return to ground. The filtering of the output of the PJVS voltage leads has the positive consequence of protecting the array from external sources of noise. Current noise, when coupled to the array, reduces the width or current range of the quantized voltage steps.The voltage error induced by the leakage current in the filter is an order of magnitude larger than the voltage error in the absence of all filtering, even though the current range of steps is significantly decreased without filtering.

Inter-laboratory comparison between NMIJ and KRISS of calibration capabilities for torque measuring devices in the range from 50 N·m to 2 kN·m

<p class="Abstract">An inter-laboratory comparison of the calibration capability for torque measuring devices (TMDs) was conducted between the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS). Three high-performance torque transducers having rated capacities of 100 N·m, 1 kN·m, and 2 kN·m, and a bridge calibration unit (BN100A) were used as the transfer devices. The 1 kN·m and 2 kN·m transducers had one bridge, but the 100 N·m transducer had two bridges that acquired data more reliably. An identical indicator/amplifier type (DMP40) owned by each laboratory was used. All of the transducers and BN100A were transferred from NMIJ to KRISS. For the comparison, NMIJ used 1 kN·m and 20 kN·m deadweight torque standard machines (TSMs), and KRISS used a 2 kN·m deadweight TSM. In particular, the capability of the 1 kN·m TSM at NMIJ was examined after some improvements. In the calibration range from 50 N·m to 2 kN·m, relative deviations were less than 3.0 × 10<sup>-5</sup> for increasing torques. Sufficiently small deviations were obtained between the calibration results in the two laboratories, as compared with their calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs), which were 3.5 × 10<sup>-5</sup> for the 1 kN·m TSM at NMIJ, 7.0 × 10<sup>-5</sup> for the 20 kN·m TSM at NMIJ, and 5.0 × 10<sup>-5</sup> for the 2 kN·m TSM at KRISS (as relative expanded uncertainties).</p><p class="Abstract"> </p>

Nanoscale Observation of Intact Biological Specimens in Water with High-contrast Imaging by Scanning Electron Assisted Dielectric-impedance Microscopy

Journal Article Nanoscale Observation of Intact Biological Specimens in Water with High-contrast Imaging by Scanning Electron Assisted Dielectric-impedance Microscopy Get access T Ogura, T Ogura Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar T Okada T Okada Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Central 2, Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Microscopy and Microanalysis, Volume 23, Issue S1, 1 July 2017, Pages 1156–1157, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927617006444 Published: 04 August 2017

29th International Symposium on Superconductivity

PrefaceIt is our pleasure to report that the Proceedings of the 29th International Symposium on Superconductivity (ISS2016) held at Tokyo International Forum, Japan, December 13–15, 2016, are now published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS). ISS2016, organized by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), was aimed to gather many scientists, engineers, academic students, corporate executives and other participants from all over the world, and to facilitate fruitful discussions to promote superconductivity technologies. 427 scientists and engineers from 15 countries participated in ISS2016, and the symposium was successfully held. Total of 321 papers were presented, which includes 6 plenary lectures, 38 invited talks, 67 contributed oral presentations and 210 poster presentations. The papers published in JPCS were categorized into the following four fields; (a) Physics and Chemistry, (b) Wires and Bulk, (c) Electronic Devices, (d) Large Scale System Applications, and arranged in such a way that oral presentations come first, followed by poster presentations in relevant topics.To ensure the high publication standard mandated by JPCS, every paper was peer reviewed by a reviewer with expertise, and in some cases by two reviewers before it was accepted for publication. As editors of the Proceedings, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the reviewers involved in the evaluation of the papers for their invaluable contribution. Our special thanks go also to session chairs who recommended appropriate reviewers.List of Editors and Committees are also available in this PDF.