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Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental, and Industrial Technologies

New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization

[2nd Featured Article]

Carbon NanotubesAll about CNTPerspectives on Future TechnologiesKengo Kuma, Architect

IoT[1st Featured Article]

The foundation of the Super Smart Society

02

Technology is Enabling Architecturethat is Closer to Human Beings

Kengo KumaArchitect

The discipline of architecture is currently undergoing a dramatic transformation. Most of the recent technological innovations have been related to computer technology, and against the background of the changes in architecture, a discipline that often feels far removed from IT, at a deep level IT has made the democratization of society possible, in that it is related to a shift from large-scale “technologies” to “small-scale technology.” Even “large-scale technologies” in architecture have been forced to change. The things that most interest me now about the democratization of architecture and the shift from “large-scale technologies” to “small-scale technologies” in architecture are questions about what kind of world this transformation will lead to and how it will change our cities. The most obvious example of the democratization of architecture has been the change in basic building materials “from concrete to wood.” In the 20th century, the basic units of production for concrete were large factories and large companies. Concrete production was inseparably related to industrialized society. Before then, architecture could be assembled by individuals stacking stones and bricks along with quantities of wood that could be carried by hand. I call this democratic architecture. However, when concrete is the main material, architecture can’t be handled by individual people. This not only distances individual people from architecture, it distances it from human beings and an antipathy towards architecture has spread through society. Now it can be said that thanks to modern technology architecture is being democratized again. By making lumber fireproof and combining thin woods using advanced structural calculations, it became possible to build highly earthquake resistant buildings. The University of Tokyo’s Department of Architecture where I teach established the T-ADS (University of Tokyo Advanced Design Studies) program in 2013 with the objective of “democratizing architecture.” While CAD (computer-aided design) revolutionized the way architectural design was performed in the mid-1990s, T-ADS is trying to fundamentally transform everything from how architecture is constructed to the materials used with the help of IT including AI. For example, T-ADS is experimenting with building architectural structures using materials such as waste wood and used coffee grounds. In ways I had never expected, the utilization of natural materials and the recycling of waste materials has been changing the face of an architectural world that was dominated by concrete. As a result of these attempts, natural materials are returning to architecture and the distance between human beings and architecture is narrowing again. I believe the New National Stadium, which is making extensive use of domestically-grown wooden materials, could become a symbol of this new architectural era.

Kengo KumaArchitect and professor at the University of Tokyo. His recent projects include Kabukiza Theatre and FRAC Marseille, and he is working on numerous other projects in progress both domestically and internationally. He is also involved in designing the New National Stadium. He worked on the positive-energy building “HIKARI” in Lyon, France as well, where NEDO is conducting smart community demonstration projects. The books he has written include “Small Architecture / Natural Architecture,” “Kenchikuka, Hashiru,” and many more.

Perspectives on Future TechnologiesDirecting the Future

2017No.63

“Focus NEDO” is the public relations magazine of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), introducing the public to NEDO’ s various projects and technology development activities related to energy, environmental and industrial technologies.

Reporting on Today and Tomorrow’s Energy, Environmental, and Industrial Technology

03Focus NEDO 2017 No.63

Perspectives onFuture TechnologiesKengo Kuma, Architect

1st Featured Article

IoTThe Foundation of theSuper Smart SocietyIoT Technology Creating New Value

Protecting Society from CyberattacksBuilding Safe and Secure Social Infrastructure

Research and Development Hub

Demonstration Experiment

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06

09

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2nd Featured Article

Carbon NanotubesAll about CNT

Easy to understand!News Release CommentaryEnergy-Saving Seawater Desalination Technology Demonstration Project

After Project Follow Up!

NEDO Project Success StoriesPlayback HistoryVol. 3 Hydrogen Production, Transportation,and Storage System Technology Development

NEDO InformationInformation on Upcoming NEDO Events

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Contents

The Vision of a Future IoT SocietySupported by NEDO’s Technology

Super Smart Society

Efficient and effective maintenance and upgrades of

infrastructure

Energy value chain optimization

Intelligent transport systems

Innovative manufacturing systems

Integrated materialdevelopment systems

Regional comprehensive care systems (medical, welfare)

Hospitality systems

New businesses and services

Disaster-resilient society

Smart production systems

Global environmental information platform

Smart food chain systems

04

Providing necessary things and services to the people who need them, when they need them, in the amount they need.Overcoming constraints such as age, gender, location and language to enable everyone to live a vibrant and comfortable life.The key to realize such a “Super Smart Society” is “IoT” (the Internet of Things).NEDO is promoting various projects so Japan can lead the world to realize the “Super Smart Society”.

The concept that “everything in society is connected via internet” is called “IoT” (the Internet of Things). For example, you might gather various types of information such as temperature, humidity, vibration, and acceleration via sensors equipped on devices, transfer and accumulate the information via the internet, and then analyze the data. These network technologies are expected to create new service and business models, and could contribute to solving various social issues. Many countries in the world have developed plans to leverage IoT mainly focused on the manufacturing sector. On the other hand, Japan has announced that our intention is not only to apply IoT in the manufacturing sector but also “expanding IoT in a wide variety of fields, leading to economic growth as well as better health and longevity in society, and even transforming the society” in accordance with the Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan (FY 2016 - 2020). The Japanese government is aiming at realizing a “Super Smart Society” by leveraging IoT in various fields as shown in the chart on P.5. In response to the government policy, NEDO has focused on not only hardware but also software and aimed at promoting cross-sectoral technology development. Also, in addition to the development of individual technologies, in order to create new businesses and services independent from existing businesses NEDO leverages a consortium consisting of various stakeholders such as IoT users, research institutions and companies so that project outcomes can be utilized widely throughout society and to help standardize and communalize the results. Moreover, in order to understand where Japanese technology stands globally, NEDO plans to conduct international technology trend surveys as it pursues projects. In the inaugural year of FY 2016, NEDO has focused on the development of fundamental IoT technology, and will continue to pursue research and development to realize an advanced IoT society by 2030. A wide range of performers including startup ventures, academia, and large corporations have already been working on various NEDO IoT promotion projects. We’ll highlight IoT technologies creating new value starting on P.6.

●Expenditure forecast of Japanese domestic IoT market

Average annual growth rate between 2014 and 2020 is a high level of 16.9%.Source: IDC Japan Press Release “Release of the domestic IoT market forecast by use case and field of industry” (February 23, 2016)

Billion yen ％16,00014,00012,00010,0008,0006,0004,0002,000

0

20.0

15.0

10.0

5.0

0.0

2014-2020 CAGR: 16.9%

Year-over-year growth rate

2014

5,402

13,760

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

●Worldwide IoT market size

0

50

2013

111

131

152174

201229

264

304

737 billion dollars737 billion dollars

129 trillion dollars

2014 2015 2016 20162020

2017 2018 2019 2020（年） 2020 (year)

100

150

200

250

300

350

→予測値

131

IoTデバイス数（億個）

Average

annual growthrate

15.6％

Source: Internet of Things Spending Forecast to Grow 17.9% in 2016 Led by Manufacturing, Transportation, and Utilities Investments, According to New IDC Spending Guide, January 04,2017

IoTThe foundation of the Super Smart Society

1st　 Featured Article

The Vision of a Future IoT SocietySupported by NEDO’s Technology

Super Smart Society

Efficient and effective maintenance and upgrades of

infrastructure

Energy value chain optimization

Intelligent transport systems

Innovative manufacturing systems

Integrated materialdevelopment systems

Regional comprehensive care systems (medical, welfare)

Hospitality systems

New businesses and services

Disaster-resilient society

Smart production systems

Global environmental information platform

Smart food chain systems


First in the World! Smart Manufacturing with Integrated Management of Metal Materials which Can Be Read from the Rear Face of the Metal

N E D OPROJECT

1Phoenix Solution Co., Ltd.

Not readable

Existing tag

Metal Metal

Our metal-specific tag

ReadableInternational patent pending

06

Enabling the recognition of information for any metal productsSignificantly improved efficiency for situational comprehension “RFID” (Radio Frequency Identification), an integrated circuit (IC) which reads information via radio waves to quickly identify the number of items at a location or information on an individual item, has been very popular lately. However, it is not widely used when the work object is made of a metallic material because radio wave interference occurs. Phoenix Solution has created a solution through technological innovation in their metal-specific tags. Their technology has enabled us to read the tag from the backside of the metal, which was impossible before. It is a revolutionary technology based on the conceptual breakthrough of having the radio waves run through the metal object and using it as an antenna. Phoenix Solution won the Semi-Grand Prix in the second “IoT Lab Selection”, which selects superior IoT projects, and a research grant and support have been awarded by NEDO. The company will work on the commercialization of metal-specific tags in various shapes which can be read from the backside of the metal objects. In addition to improving the efficiency of incoming and outgoing deliveries of metal parts and inventory control, it is expected to be developed for a number of different uses such as applying it to vehicles and roadway infrastructure to realize the smart traffic and transportation system.

Significantly improved operational efficiency of manufacturing products involving the handling of metal materials. This can be used for smart-traffic management by attaching a tag on a vehicle. This technology has potential to be applied in various areas including infrastructure management and safety measures.

The black part is the metal-specific tag. A micro tag can be implanted at the head part of the screw.

◀

▼

NED

O PRO

JECT 1

IoT technology creating new value

IoT, the foundation of the Super Smart Society

From the left:

CEOPhoenix Solution Co., Ltd.

Executive Vice President & Head of SalesPhoenix Solution Co., Ltd.

Director & CTOPhoenix Solution Co., Ltd.

Chief Officer, Internet of Things Promotion DepartmentNEDO

Hisao Kanaoka

Koji Wada

Shiro Sugimura

Toshitaka Omiya

A variety of metal-specific tag prototypes readable from the rear face of the metal.Top) pipe-embedded typeMiddle) heat-resistant typeBottom) compact typeThe company is planning to put them to practical use through NEDO’s “Crosscutting Technology Development Project to Promote IoT”

Comparison between existing tags and the newly-developed tag.Left) With existing tags, the tag is not readable because the radio waves are reflected on the surface of the metal.Right) Because the metal itself acts as an antenna, the tag on the backside of the metal is readable.

1st　 Featured Article

　　

Realization of Multifunctional SurfaceInnovative Manufacturing with Printing Technology

N E D OPROJECT

2Japan Advanced Printed Electronics Technology Research Association (JAPERA)

Promptly Detecting the Deterioration of ConcreteEnsuring the Safety of Infrastructure with Preventive Maintenance

N E D OPROJECT

3Osaka University and the University of Tokyo


Developed a practical flexible sheet-like device which functions as a pressure sensor using printing and material technologies. Establishment of a platform for designing and manufacturing tools enhances industrial competitiveness.

Effective maintenance of infrastructure facilities has been realized through a new technology. Through big data analysis of data acquired by sensors, it is possible to understand the tendencies and characteristics of materials and structures and feed that information back into the real world.

Flexible TFT array sheet manufactured using a full-printing process.

Application example of the pressure sensor sheet using flexible TFT: (1) Shelving component for merchandise management by sensing the shape and weight of products.

Application example of the pressure sensor sheet using flexible TFT: (2) A portable electronic piano which can be rolled up.

Application example of the pressure sensor sheet using flexible TFT: (3) Electronic white board with touch-sensitive display.

NED

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JECT 2

Developing a carbon wiring sheet system that can measure planar distortion throughout complex structures

NED

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JECT 3

Sensor nodes

Carbon wiring enabling long-term stable power-supply and communication

Vibration and distortion sensors that can tolerate high-chloride and acidic environments

Applying printing technology to manufacturing electronic devicesChanging every “surface” a multifunctional sensor Printing technology is an eco-friendly process to directly draw a material only onto the area needed. The Japan Advanced Printed Electronics Technology Research Association (JAPERA), a consortium consisting of 16 companies and organizations, is working on the development of electronic devices with printing technology. JAPERA has established material and manufacturing technologies for electronic devices with characteristics such as large-area, light-weight, flat, and flexible. They have developed flexible active-matrix thin film transistor (TFT) array sheets with world-class resolution and fast response as using a full-printing method. By applying this technology, every “surface” can be turned into a sensor or display device and soft, stretch materials can be processed, adding unprecedented value to electronic devices to enable new services and products.

Distributing sensors along a plane at the siteConstant measurement of corrosive conditions in concrete Traditionally, diagnostic imaging and hammering tests have been used to monitor the condition of large infrastructure such as underground cable facilities for electric power transmission. However, it is difficult to measure it constantly with sensors under chloride-damaged or acidic environmental conditions, and occasionally the deterioration rate cannot be determined accurately. Therefore, Osaka University, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, has developed a carbon wiring sheet system to establish IoT sensor nodes for electric distribution and communication infrastructure rated for environmental resistance for at least 50 years, and with cooperation from Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc. they aim to put it into practical use as a monitoring system. They have developed low-cost sensors to detect vibration and distortion as well. The information acquired by the sensors distributed along a plane in the concrete of the infrastructure facilities can be used for big data analysis, and it may lead the discovery of critical information including the deterioration tendencies of infrastructure.

Understanding a Patient’s Condition without ContactCreating a Society Where Home Care Patients Can Live with Peace of Mind

N E D OPROJECT

4Konica Minolta, Inc.

First in the World! Things of New Feel Have Been CreatedInnovative Manufacturing of Soft and Tough Gels

N E D OPROJECT

5Yamagata University, JSR Corporation, and Sunarrow Ltd

08

The patient’s information detected by the core microwave sensor technology will be stored, shared and used through the home medical care support cloud. This reduces the burden for home medical care providers.

Dispensing type of 3D gel printing system used to modeling the finger models.

NED

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JECT 4

NED

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JECT 5

Detect breathing from small body movements

Elderly patient

Microwave sensor analyzes a slight chest movement from breathing and detects breathing patterns.

Microwave sensor

Breathing condition detectedStre

ngth

inde

x fo

r slig

ht

body

mov

emen

ts

Finger models with a similar touch to human skin.

High-accuracy modeling of the complex structure of gels.

IoT technology creating new value

Reducing burden for both patients and nursing/medical care workers by transforming the home medical care system. An increase in home care providers can be expected as an outcome.

Devoloping a novel human-friendly surface with a Innovative manufacturing system on soft materials, such as robot skin to be touched by human. Also devoloping some models of body parts with a similar touch to actual parts of the human body.

Understanding the patient’s condition on a consistent basis without contactSignificantly reducing the burden of home medical care The number of “home care patients” who receive medical care at nursing homes or in their own homes is expected to reach 1.9 million (more than triple the current number) in 2030. Konica Minolta has been working on research and development to establish a system to detect the condition of home care patients’ breathing and sleeping without contact and share the measured data. The core technology is a unique microwave sensor which allows the in-depth understanding of the patient’s breathing and sleeping. Placing this sensor on the ceiling of a room, a call center manages the information obtained on the patient such as breathing rate, sleep characteristics, body temperature, and blood pressure. The burden on patients will be reduced by using the contactless method, and by storing daily measurement data such as body temperature and blood pressure and combining it with a data sharing home medical care platform from medical providers such as home medical care providers, it aims to realize more efficient home medical care.

3D printing of “soft and tough” gels Realizing a new feel with a similar touch to a human body The feel of the interfaces between human and things has advanced and become more various. Yamagata University, JSR, and Sunarrow have been working on research and development of 3D printing technology of soft and tough materials known as gels toward creating a new market based on them. While high-strength gels which contain a lot of water are expected to be applied as materials in interfaces that people touch, its poor workability has been an issue, but the 3D gel printing system has enabled highly accurate modeling. As a result, it has enabled researchers to bring a new sensation to things, and by sharing the sensation through a network it is expected to be applied to various services such as medical care and welfare in the IoT society. In November 2016, a university startup “D-light matter, Inc.” from Yamagata University was started, and it has been steadily working towards putting these gel materials into full practical use.

I channel

Q channel

IoT, the foundation of the Super Smart Society1st　 Featured Article

Supporting the Lives of People with Low VisionExpanding the Visible World

N E D OPROJECT

6QD Laser, Inc.

GAS

¥


Ensuring cybersecurity for critical infrastructure In a Super Smart Society where things are connected via internet, cyber countermeasures become increasingly important. For the “Cross-Ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP)” created by the Cabinet Office of the Government of Japan, which aims to facilitate cross-ministerial collaborations in innovation in science and technology, NEDO has been working on promoting technology development under the theme of “Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure”. In particular, as a countermeasure against cybercrime targeting critical infrastructure such as communication, energy, and transportation systems, NEDO aims to develop technology to detect software manipulation during the manufacturing phase of devices, as well as technology to monitor, analyze and defend the control network during the operation of the device. Also, NEDO will implement the developed security technology throughout society and consider mechanisms to confirm that the technology has been correctly implemented, as well as enhance the security of large-scale systems by developing an information sharing platform technology that works across infrastructure companies.

RGB laser

MEMS mirror

“Retinal projection”

Reflector

Eyeball

Lens

<Mechanism to project images onto the retina>RGB laser makes a color beam that is reflected on a very small vibrating mirror and the reflector to be directly projected onto the retina.

The vision for comprehensively protecting critical infrastructure in a society where everything is connected. With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in mind, NEDO is working on not only technology development but also human resource development.

A prototype of the “retinal imaging laser eyewear”. By installing a projector inside of the frames, a design with no protruding parts was made possible.

NED

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JECT 6

Expanding the range of activities available to people with low vision and enabling them feel social fulfillment and purpose in life. This device has the potential to be used as a new display device for applications such as AR, VR, and enhancing visual function.

Eyeglasses turned into a direct projectorIt may also change the concept of “vision” QD Laser has been working on the development of “retinal imaging laser eyewear”, a pair of eyeglasses equipped with a miniature laser projector inside of the frame to directly draw images onto the retina. By directly scanning weak light on the retina from the projector, the device allows the user to see images without the need to focus them. Used by people with low vision (visually-impaired people who are not completely blind), the glasses allow them to acquire images from the built-in camera or input external digital information as ‘visual’ information. Not only useful as an assistive device for vision in the welfare and medical care context, this technology also has the potential to become a new display device to function as an assistive device in the workplace with AR (augmented reality) technology, to be applied to entertainment with AR/VR (virtual reality) technology, and to expand the visual functions of human beings. The goal is to find practical uses for the system as a new information presentation device in the Super Smart Society.

Protecting society from cyberattacksBuilding safe and secure social infrastructure

Research and Development Platform

Establishing an IoT Open Innovation PlatformMaking a Society Where Anyone Can Bring Ideas to RealityA platform is being established so the cost and human resource bottlenecks for new entrants in the IoT field can be resolved and ideas can be brought into reality.

10

Solving the bottleneck for companies newly entering the IoT field For companies considering a new entry into the IoT field, investment in development and acquiring experienced human resources are bottleneck issues. As one of the things NEDO aims to work on, Director General of the NEDO Internet of Things Promotion Department Itaru Umeda explains, “It is NEDO’s responsibility to support business processes which lead to high-volume production by not only working on the development of individual technologies, but also by building a platform to facilitate problem solving and prototyping samples of electronic device concepts desired for IoT.” Therefore, NEDO has established the “IoT Open Innovation Platform” at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki. Design and manufacturing infrastructure to develop IoT devices will be installed in the existing common use facility. NEDO aims to help expand the range of businesses utilizing IoT technology in the society by letting startup ventures with difficulties introducing devices at their own facilities and non-electronics companies as well as colleges and universities use the platform and allowing them to work on technology development which is hard to accomplish on their own. Director General of AIST Seigo Kanemaru is encouraging wide use of the platform and says,“We have been accumulating research experience

in areas such as semiconductors and sensors essential for IoT devices, as well as a wealth of professional personnel such as researchers and intellectual property coordinators. We support users under a comprehensive system with a vision of facilitating IoT applications resulting from device development. Please feel free to come and speak with us.”

Realizing accelerated development with the support of staff Kikkoman Corporation is one of the companies using the platform as part of a NEDO project. Kikkoman has provided health inspection kits to realize “food safety and security” in the past. When they were considering the development of a plasmonic sensor which enables the detection of a lot of information quickly using optics in order to respond to customers’ requests for a next generation measurement system, they found out about the IoT Open Innovation Platform and applied in collaboration with AIST. Yasukazu Maeda of Kikkoman's Research and Development Division says, “We are utilizing semiconductor manufacturing equipment, which we have never operated before, to prototype the sensor. The staff at the platform not only teach us how to use the equipment but also give us suggestions for improvement.” He feels that the platform enables them to conduct verification more efficiently by applying the results obtained from the experimental prototype to their next prototype.

▲Super cleanroom (SCR). Devices to develop 3-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) using a 3D stacking technology will be installed in FY 2017.▶Nano-processing facility (NPF). Electron beam exposure equipment to draw very fine circuit patterns freely will be installed. Staff of the platform teach researchers how to use the equipment.▼A plasmonic sensor substrate prototyped by Kikkoman Corporation using existing equipment at the NPF.

From the right

Research and Development DivisionKikkoman Corporation

Director General, Department of Electronics and ManufacturingNational Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

Director General, Internet of Things Promotion DepartmentNEDO

Yasukazu Maeda

Seigo Kanemaru

Itaru Umeda



Demonstration Experiment

Through a Visitors Guide Demonstration Experiment at Tōdai-ji Temple,Realizing Exciting Hospitality ExperiencesA service demonstration experiment for foreign tourists using “Clean Beacons”, a communication device with no need for a wired power source, has been launched.


Aiming for the widespread use of energy-saving electronic devices for the IoT era Given expectations that the widespread use of IoT will lead to a significant increase in power consumption, NEDO is conducting the “Clean Device Promotion Program” to make electronic devices with lower power consumption and higher efficiency. As a part of this program, Realize Mobile Communications Corp., a Softbank Group company, Hitachi, Ltd., and Cyber Creative Institute Co., Ltd. have developed “Clean Beacon” devices and have been working together to put them into practical use. A beacon is a communication device that transmits radio waves over a short distance. The newly-developed beacons are a new type that does not require a wired power source – in other words, they operate autonomously without primary batteries or an external power supply. A visitors guide demonstration experiment using the Clean Beacons was started in November 2016 at Tōdai-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture and is due to be completed at the end of March 2017. When visitors who have downloaded the guide app approach the Clean Beacons placed at many locations around the temple grounds, they can automatically receive guide and navigation information on their smartphone. The target users are currently foreign tourists and the app can be used in English, Chinese and Korean. Once a smartphone with the app installed enters an activation spot, visitor guide movies explaining, for

example, the background of the Colossal Hall of the Great Buddha or manners when visiting temples will be played automatically. Rev. Kojo Morimoto, a Director of General Affairs of Tōdai-ji Temple, explains the vision by saying, “We would like to introduce this kind of cutting-edge technology aggressively so visitors from foreign countries can gain familiarity with the Tōdai-ji Temple.” The purpose of this demonstration is to increase the reliability of Clean Beacons and the open platform to achieve the practical use of the system. Wakako Fujimori of Realize Mobile Communications says, “Clean Beacons can be applied for various occasions such as sales promotions and disaster prevention depending on the location the devices are placed. We can establish systems to increase revenue with a diversified set of services as stores and areas become more open.”

New hospitality and services with IoT technology Director General of NEDO’s Internet of Things Promotion Department Naofumi Tsuzuki looks forward to widespread deployment of the clean devices and says, “As we expect to have an increased number of foreign tourists for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, it is very meaningful to disseminate this energy-saving technology and to demonstrate a ‘hospitality system’ which brings visitors an understanding of Japanese culture and customs and meaningful experiences during the event as well.”

▲“Clean Beacon” used in the demonstration experiment. With the “environmental power generation energy management circuit” technology by Hitachi, Ltd., it operates under brightness equivalent to indoor lighting while simultaneously collecting electricity for storage.▼A smartphone displays a menu screen as it receives the radio signal from a beacon. A user can choose and watch movies associated with the beacon.

A conceptual image of future deployment. Groups of beacons in multiple locations are utilized for a wide range of purposes through the external interface of the open platform.

Groups of beacons in multiple areas

Open platformCan be adapted for many services

Visitors Guides

Navigation

Sales Promotion

Games

Disaster Prevention

Safety

From the right

Senior ManagerRealize Mobile Communications Corp.

Director of General Affairs of Tōdai-ji Temple

Director General, Internet of Things Promotion DepartmentNEDO

Wakako Fujimori

Rev. Kojo Morimoto

Naofumi Tsuzuki

NanocarbonIn the 1980s, only two types of carbon allotrope, diamond and graphite, were well known, and three more types of nanocarbon, “fullerene,” “CNT” and “graphene,” were discovered later. The people who discovered fullerene and graphene won the Nobel Prize for their discoveries.

Single-walled CNTCNT has an atomic structure composed of carbon atoms forming a hexagonal spiral array. Molecular structures with one tube composed of a single layer of atoms are called single-walled CNTs (SWCNT), while structures with double-layered, triple-layered and multi-layered structures are called multi-walled CNTs (MWCNT). Compared to MWCNTs, SWCNTs have a larger surface area and better electric and thermal conductivity properties.

12

Carbon Nanotubes

All about CNTA quarter-century has passed since carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were discovered.Given the combination of metallic and semiconductor properties that CNTs possess, they are expected to be used in various ways, and utilizing development results from NEDO projects CNTs are finally proceeding to the commercial mass production phase.

The Trajectory of NEDO Projects towards the Practical Application of CNTs A carbon nanotube is, as its name describes, a material in the form of a tube with a diameter of nanometer-size (one billionth of a meter) composed of carbon atoms. Although the density of a CNT is about half that of aluminum and it is very lightweight, theoretically its maximum tensile strength is more than fifty times that of steel, its maximum electric current density is more than one thousand times that of copper, and its thermal conductivity is more than ten times that of copper, thus it attracts significant attention as an extremely outstanding material. CNTs were discovered in 1991 by Dr.Sumio Iijima, who was a

researcher at NEC’s Tsukuba Research Laboratories at that time, and have become well-known around the world through his paper published in the British science journal Nature. Now in 2016 it has been 25 years since the discovery. To put CNTs into practical use, NEDO has been working on projects for over 18 years, starting with the “Research and Development of Carbon-based Highly Functional Materials Technology” project in FY 1998, and in November 2015 Zeon Corporation, one of the companies that participated in NEDO’s CNT projects, started operation of the first mass-production plant in the world for the manufacture of single-walled CNTs using the SG method. Today progress continues to accelerate. The key to the practical use of single-walled CNTs is the innovative manufacturing technology. As part of NEDO’s “Nanocarbon Application Product Creation Project”, launched in FY 2002, Dr.

Keywords

NEDO begins carbon nanotube-related projects.“Research and Development of Carbon-based Highly Functional Materials Technology”(FY 1998-2001)

Project conducted to establish fundamental technologies to industrialize carbon-based highly functional materials with superior electrical and mechanical properties.

“Nanocarbon Application Product Creation Project”(FY 2002-2005)

Project aimed at building a foundation for materials technologies to draw out physical, chemical and electrical functions in nanocarbon materials along with developing technologies for structural control and mass production.

“Carbon Nanotube FED Project”(FY 2003-2005)

Project focused on the development of a homogeneous electron source as well as panelization and display performance evaluation technologies for the realization of high-performance field emission displays (FEDs) with high definition and low power consumption using CNTs.

eDIPS method development (AIST)

19981991 2002 2003 2004 2006

The super capacitor developed by AIST.

= NEDO project news release

Dr.sumio Iijima discovers CNTs.(research paper published in “Nature”)

2nd　 Featured Article

Under the “Nanocarbon Application Product Creation Project,” AIST and other organizations developed the fundamental technology for the super-growth (SG) CNT production method.

Single-walled CNT synthesized with the SG method developed by AIST. At first they began by producing a 5 mm2 sample, approximately the size of the head of a match.(Credit: AIST)

“Carbon Nanotube Capacitor Development Project”(FY 2006-2010)

Project to develop high output, high energy density double layer electrical capacitors with a long lifespan using CNT instead of activated carbon as the capacitor (a power storage component).

Credit: AIST

Super Growth method (SG method)One of a number of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods used to synthesize single-walled CNTs. It significantly improves the longevity and activity of the catalyst by adding a very small amount of water, and as a result single-walled CNTs with high-purity, long length, a high-specific surface area, and better dispersibility can be produced. The CNTs created through the SG method are called “SGCNTs”.


Kenji Hata of AIST developed a breakthrough fundamental technology called the “Super Growth method (SG method)” for synthesizing single-walled CNTs. Compared to traditional methods for producing single-walled CNTs, it has about 1,000 times better production efficiency and enables the production of 99.98% pure single-walled CNTs.

Expectations for New Materials toward a Low Carbon Emission Society To realize high-volume production, making the surface area of the substrate larger was also a critical issue. Through a manufacturing process that enables mass production without a degradation in quality, the substrate was enlarged from the

original 5-millimeter square size to a 50-centimeter square at the mass production demonstration plant. Starting in FY 2010, applications for the new material have been developed through the “Project for Practical Application of Carbon Nanomaterials for a Low Carbon Emission Society”. Since CNTs are a new type of nanomaterial, NEDO also conducted safety management technology development. These accomplishments have accelerated efforts aimed at mass production and practical applications. Given the strengths of CNTs with their exceptional physical properties, there are many expectations for how the material will be applied to various products throughout society in the future, and from p.14 the result of NEDO projects aimed at creating products that utilize composite components will be introduced.

Keywords

Start of operations of a CNT mass production plant using the SG method (Zeon Corporation)

2009 2010 2011 2013 2014 2015 2016

In November 2015, the world’s first mass production facility for single-walled CNTs using the SG method was established

Image of CFRP products utilizing CNTs.

Image of future applications identified by NEDO

“Project for Practical Application of Carbon Nanomaterials for a Low Carbon Emission Society” (FY 2010-2016)

Establishment of the Technology Research Association for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (TASC)

Development of metallic single-walled CNT buckypaper product (Meijo Nano Carbon Co., Ltd.)Development of high-purity separation method for metallic and semiconducting CNTs (AIST)

Development of resin composite manufacturing method enabling free design of electrical conductivity (Toyohashi University of Technology)Development of conductive rubber using single-walled CNTs (TASC)

TASC and AIST have published “Safety Testing Procedure” and “Guide to Measuring Airborne Carbon Nanotubes in the Workplaces”Development of a compound material composed of CNTs and copper for wire-shaped components (TASC)Efficient high-purity separation of metallic and semiconducting CNTs (TASC, AIST)

Development of a composite material composed of CNT and fluorine resin (Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation)Successful fine wire processing of a single-walled CNT and copper composite (TASC, AIST)Development of a single-walled CNT coating agent enabling coating and printing applications (TASC, AIST)

Development of a special rubber material with the world’s highest level of environmental resistance (TASC, AIST)Improvement of the impact strength of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) material using CNTs - Commercial application in golf clubs - (Mizuno Corporation)

Development of super engineering plastic “PEEK/SGCNT Composite Material” (TASC, AIST)

See p.14Start of mass production of high-performance sheet-type single-walled CNT and rubber composite thermal interface material (TIM) (Zeon Corporation)

See p.15Outcomes of NEDO projects recognized with the “Prizes for Science and Technology” from the Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, as well as the Selection Committee Special Award at the 14th Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Achievement Awards

CNT

Electrical and thermal conductivity

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Highly functional materials field

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Accelerating efforts towards practical applications through NEDO projects!

The Expanding Range of Uses for CNT Composite MaterialsTo take full advantage of the exceptional characteristics of CNTs, the development of composite materials fusing CNTs with other materials is also underway. The development of various applications for the materials is accelerating as well, ranging from everyday products to large-scale industrial applications requiring highly functional materials.

Through a NEDO project, the Technology Research Association for Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (TASC) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have developed a new super engineering plastic called “PEEK/SGCNT Composite Material,” which simultaneously achieved the world’s highest level of heat resistance (450°C) and mechanical strength (1.8 times the flexural strength) and enabled injection molding by adding single-walled CNTs synthesized with the super growth method (SGCNT) to polyether ether ketone (PEEK), a kind of super engineering plastic. Although PEEK alone originally excelled in heat resistance and fatigue resistance characteristics and is widely used in the electrical/electronics, automotive, and aerospace fields, the further improvement of the material’s heat resistance characteristics by adding SGCNTs is drawing attention. This successful new composite material has been realized by developing ultra-high dispersion technology, which continuously breaks up and disperses SGCNTs into the PEEK.

KeywordsSuper engineering plasticGenerally, a plastic resin which can be used continuously under temperature conditions of 100°C and above, has a tensile strength of 50MPa or above, and has superior impact, wear, fatigue and chemical resistance is called “engineering plastic,” and a plastic resin with even higher heat resistance characteristics is called “super engineering plastic.”

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)A chemical agent with a glass transition temperature of 143°C, a melting point as high as 330 to 340°C, and long-term heat resistance at 250°C. It is one of the super engineering plastics receiving attention for its low water absorption and excellent fatigue properties.

Development of Super Engineering Plastic “PEEK/SGCNT Composite Material”

Simultaneously achieved the world’s highest level of heat resistance (450°C) and mechanical strength (1.8 times the flexural strength)

Hosting the “International Symposium on Carbon Nanotube in Commemoration of its Quarter-Century Anniversary (2016-CNT25)” NEDO, along with other partner organizations, co-hosted the “International Symposium on Carbon Nanotube in Commemoration of its Quarter-Century Anniversary (2016-CNT25)” in November 15-18, 2016, in Tokyo. It was an international symposium held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the discovery of CNTs in Japan in 1991, and prominent researchers from around the world and NEDO project researchers gave speeches about the most up-to-date academic research outcomes as well as the latest status on the industrial applications of CNTs.

Raw PEEK (left) and injection-molded PEEK/SGCNT (5wt%) composite material (right)

Comparison of tensile and flexural strengths between PEEK and PEEK/SGCNT composite materials

❶

Expansion of CNT applications

All about CNT2nd　 Featured Article

Application in the automotive and aerospace industries!


In recent years, as the information processing capabilities of semiconductor chips in servers and power devices have increased, the importance of measures to control heat has rapidly gained prominence. Meanwhile, through a NEDO project, Zeon Corporation successfully developed a high-performance pad-type thermal interface material (TIM) composed of single-walled CNTs and rubber following the start of operations of the single-walled CNT mass production plant based on the super growth method in November 2015. Although the TIM developed is in a pad form, the use of SGCNTs to form the heat conduction pathways results in high thermal conductivity and flexibility, resulting in higher heat thermal resistance as well as higher workability and reliability than conventional semi-solid grease-type TIMs. By using the newly developed pad-type TIM as an alternative to grease-type TIMs, we expect to provide advantages such as streamlined fabrication processes and improved productivity of semiconductors.

KeywordThermal Interface Material (TIM)A material used to fill the micro-air-gap in between heat source and heat dissipation materials. Since the layer of air has a thermal insulating effect, a deformable TIM that is thermally conductive and tailored to the form of the heat source and heat dissipation materials is an indispensable component for heat dissipation.

Starting the Mass Production of a High-Performance Pad-Type Thermal Interface Material (TIM) Composed of SGCNTs and Rubber

Successful development of a high-performance pad-type thermal interface material (TIM) that can significantly lower the temperature of semiconductors.

The newly developed pad-type TIM utilizing SGCNTs

An image showing the difference in substrate temperature 30 seconds after heating due to an electrical current (left: a conventional product reaches 38.3°C; right: the newly developed product reaches 30.9°C). This shows confirmation of a suppressed rise in temperature due to the heat dissipation effect.

On sale starting December 2016!A book compiling all sorts of information ranging from the characteristics and history of CNTs to vision of future prospects (edited by NEDO).

Ken KokuboChief Officer and Project ManagerNEDO Materials Technology and Nanotechnology Department

Takuro Kumamoto,Group Leader, X2 ProjectZeon Corporation

Promoting the Development of Potential New Innovations through the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration What is necessary for CNTs to become widely used throughout our society in the future? “The development of killer applications will be the key to practical application,” says Ken Kokubo, Project Manager of NEDO’s Materials Technology and Nanotechnology Department. Takuro Kumamoto, Group Leader of Zeon Corporation, one of the NEDO project participants that started the operation of a SGCNT mass-production plant in November 2015 adds, “After many years of industry-academia-government collaboration we’ve reached this point. We hope to create new materials that connect the special characteristics of CNTs to solving real-world problems.” New innovations aimed at realizing a low-carbon society are moving to a new stage of development.

❶A view of the venue ❷Professor Sumio Iijima of Meijo University giving the keynote lecture ❸Professor Esko I. Kauppinen of Aalto University during the industrial applications session ❹NEDO Executive Director Yoshiteru Sato giving his speech

❷ ❸

❹

Application in servers and power devices!

Easy to understand!News Release

16

Glossary

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)A document summarizing an official agreement between two parties.

Water Plaza KitakyushuIt has the nation’s largest “demonstration plant” for con-ducting operational demon-strations of energy-saving water desalination plant tech-nologies, and a “test bed” for the testing of various water treatment Technology. This is the first facility in Japan to be equipped to facilitate both op-erational demonstrations and equipment testing of this kind.

Conventional seawater desalination methodTechnically referred to as the reverse osmosis mem-brane method (RO mem-brane method). Produces fresh water by filtering sea-water through a reverse os-mos is membrane (RO membrane). Unlike the sys-tem demonstrated in this project, this method filters seawater without dilution.

News Release

News Release18th of November 2016NEDO Launches an Energy-Saving Seawater Desalination Technology Demonstration Project in the Republic of South Africa- Aiming to Resolve Water Shortages through NEDO’s First Demonstration Project in Africa -

NEDO Launches an Energy-Saving Seawater Desalination Technology Demonstration Project in the Republic of South Africa- Aiming to Resolve Water Shortages through NEDO’s First Demonstration Project in Africa -

<Summary> In the Republic of South Africa, serious water shortages have resulted from a devastating drought, and in the city of Durban they are affecting the lives of citizens including restrictions on water supplied to general households. In response, NEDO has agreed with the eThekwini Municipality to launch a demonstration project for energy saving seawater desalination technology to solve the water shortage issues in South Africa by introducing an energy-saving “Integrated Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse System” which was established as part of one of NEDO’s domestic projects. The parties concluded a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the project on November 17. From FY 2009 to FY 2013, NEDO conducted the “Water-Saving and Environmentally-Friendly Water Recycling Project,” a demonstration study of water treatment technologies, and established the “Integrated Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse System” at a large-scale demonstration facility called “Water Plaza Kitakyushu.” This system reduces power consumption by more than 30% compared to the conventional seawater desalination method by utilizing excessive water from the sewage recycling process to dilute seawater and lower the saline concentration. Although some seawater desalination procedures cause issues in the surrounding marine environment because of the high saline concentration of the concentrated seawater discharge, this system uses diluted seawater for the desalination process so the discharge from the procedure has about the same saline concentration as seawater and minimizes the impact on the marine environment.

18th of November 2016 News Releasehttp://www.nedo.go.jp/news/press/AA5_100675.html (Japanese)http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/news/AA5en_100152.html (English)

A special feature that aims to make news releases full of jargon, technical terms and difficult technologies easier to understand by focusing in on the important points.This conveys NEDO’s state-of-the-art technological achievements and activities with an easy-to-understand explanation.

C ommentary

Here are the key points!


Featured Technology

The most common method for desalinating seawater is called the “reverse osmosis membrane method” (RO membrane method). It produces fresh water by applying pressure to seawater to push it through a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) which doesn’t allow any impurities such as salt in the water to pass through. However, with this method the power consumption of the high-pressure (6-7MPa) pump used in the desalination process with the RO membrane is very high and is a significant issue to deal with. Therefore, in this demonstration project researchers used excess water from the sewage recycling process to dilute seawater, thus lowering

the saline concentration and enabling the use of a medium-pressure (3-4MPa) pump for the desalination process and reducing power consumption by more than 30% compared to the conventional method. Also, dumping concentrated seawater with high saline concentrations into the ocean after the desalination process raises some concerns regarding the impact on the marine environment. In this demonstration project, the seawater is diluted first and then desalinated, making possible to keep the saline concentration of the effluent about equivalent to seawater.

Japanese Technology Contributes to Developing the Global Water Infrastructur

Integrated Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse SystemSerious water shortages resulting from devastating droughts have caused problems in various parts of the world. So NEDO aims to contribute to developing global water infrastructure and promoting industrial progress with the power of Japanese technology.

◆ Commentary

On the Seawater Desalination Method

◆ Outlook for the FutureContributing to the Development of Water Infrastructure and the Promotion of Industry in the African Region In the next three years, NEDO will build facilities which enable the production of 6,250 tons of drinking water from the seawater in the surrounding area and reclaimed water at a wastewater treatment plant in the central Durban. Using this project, which is NEDO’s first demonstration project in Africa, as a springboard, NEDO will expand the facilities and link it

to the drinking water supply business in Durban in the future. Ultimately, NEDO aims to contribute to the development of water infrastructure and the promotion of industry in this area by disseminating Japanese technology to the whole of the Republic of South Africa where people are facing serious water shortages and throughout the African region.

Sewage plant

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Integrated Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse System

※１ More than 30% energy savings compared to conventional methods (high-pressure pump: 6-7MPa)※2 Reduced impact on marine environment compared to conventional methods by making the salt concentration similar to seawater

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Overview of the Integrated Seawater Desalination and Water Reuse System

●Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR)A type of sewage and wastewater treatment method. It is a method capable of producing a sustainable supply of high-quality water by using biological treatment to separate activated sludge from treated water before filtration through a membrane filter.

●Ultrafiltration (UF) membraneA type of water treatment membrane with a pore diameter of 0.1µm-2nm.

●Reverse osmosis (RO) membraneA type of water treatment membrane with a pore diameter of 1nm or less which filters only water molecules.

It utilizes the results of NEDO projects previously conducted in Japan.

By using diluted seawater for desalination, it makes the saline concentration of the effluent produced about the same as seawater so the impact on the marine environment is reduced.

Compared to conventional methods, it reduces power consumption by 30% or more during the filtration process and realizes energy savings!

A demonstration facility which can produce 6,250 tons of drinking water per day from seawater and recycled water is being constructed.

“HyGeia-A” installed in one part of the Kaminokura Hydrogen Station (equipment in the back)

18

The “Hydrogen Production, Transportation, and Storage System Technology Development” project aimed to develop prototypes of low-cost equipment and systems necessary for the introduction and popularization of hydrogen energy, and then based on those results conduct durability assessments and other testing through FY 2012. Mitsubishi Kakoki Kaisha, Ltd. participated in the fundamental technology development, where they worked on the development of a small-scale hydrogen generator with an 85% reforming efficiency (80% hydrogen production efficiency) which is half the size of conventional hydrogen generators. Their hydrogen generator has been successfully commercialized as “HyGeia-A”.

Small-Scale, High-Efficiency, Low-Cost Hydrogen Generator for Hydrogen Stations Fuel cell vehicles have a fuel cell that generates electric power from hydrogen and oxygen, which in turn propels the vehicle by driving a motor with the generated power. It is considered an ideal type of ecologically friendly vehicle because it only releases water (as steam) with no air pollutants or carbon dioxide (CO2). However, to popularize fuel cell vehicles, stations are needed for fuel cell vehicles to fill up on hydrogen just like gasoline-fueled vehicles are filled with fuel at gas stations. Thus it was necessary to build a hydrogen supply infrastructure by establishing new “hydrogen stations” to supply hydrogen and adding hydrogen supply equipment to existing gas stations, but to develop the

necessary infrastructure in the limited space available in areas such as the capital region, it was necessary to clarify the specifications required for a small-scale, high-efficiency, low-cost hydrogen generator. To meet these needs, NEDO conducted the “Hydrogen Production, Transportation, and Storage System Technology Development” project, and Mitsubishi Kakoki participated in the “Research and Development of High Efficiency, Low Cost and Small Hydrogen Generator” activity aimed at developing the fundamental technology. Mitsubishi Kakoki, as a engineering company dealing large-scale industrial hydrogen generators for a long time, leveraged its proven history of performance and had already been working on the development of a small-scale on-site hydrogen generator to produce hydrogen from liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas) and city gas since 1998. In the hydrogen production process, hydrogen is produced by a reaction between a hydrocarbon feedstock such as LP gas or city gas with water at high temperatures. This process is called “steam reforming” (Fig. 1). The first step is to compress the feedstock gas and remove sulfur through chemical reaction (desulfurization). Then the desulfurized gas is sent, along with steam generated utilizing waste heat, to the reformer to generate “reformed gas,” which is mostly composed of hydrogen. After that, more hydrogen is generated by sending the reformed gas to a CO Shift converter where it reacts with carbon monoxide (CO) and steam. Since this “converted gas” contains water, CO2, CO and methane as impurities in addition to hydrogen, it is refined through a process called “Pressure Swing

What is “Hydrogen Production, Transportation, and Storage System Technology Development”? In preparation for the upcoming growth in fuel cell vehicles and the hydrogen supply infrastructure market, from FY 2008 and FY 2012 NEDO conducted technology development for the production, transportation, storage and filling of hydrogen through industry-academia-government collaborations with companies across various industries including gas, oil, steel and valve manufacture, universities, and The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan. This project established a foothold for the development of hydrogen infrastructure through the technology development for low-cost and highly durable equipment and systems, the development of enabling technologies, the development of next-generation technologies, the formulation of scenarios, and feasibility studies.

The results of NEDO projects are utilized in manufacturing processes used by companies and final products available for consumers. In this series we look at untold stories of how technology development projects scaled the high, difficult wall to successful commercialization and what came after, summarizing past articles in “NEDO Project Success Stories.”

NEDOPROJECTSUCCESS STORIESVol 3.Hydrogen Production, Transportation, and Storage System Technology DevelopmentDeveloping a Small-Scale, High-Performance Hydrogen Generators for Hydrogen Stations to Prepare for the Popularization of Fuel Cell Vehicles

Project

Follow Up!

Playback

History

Measurement of temperature profile

Combustion in the burnerOverview of reformer

Simulation analysis

Size of reformer: 1/5

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Demineralized water

Compressor

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Shiftconverter

Air blower Off-gas holder

Product hydrogen

Flow diagram

A reformer, the heart of the hydrogen generator

Fig. 2The burner was also developed so that it could be manufactured internally. (Photo credit: Mitsubishi Kakoki)

Fig. 1Hydrogen generation flow diagram of HyGeia-A


Adsorption (PSA)” to remove the impurities and high-purity hydrogen is produced. “HyGeia-A” even burns the gas emitted during the PSA process, which includes impurities, in the reformer’s burner to generate the heat needed for steam-reforming and make use of it without waste. Through these processes, hydrogen gas with an extremely high purity of 99.999% is generated. The pressure of the generated hydrogen gas is then increased and the compressed gas is supplied to fuel cell vehicles. Realizing a Compact, Low-Cost Reformer with High Energy Efficiency The first issue they worked on solving was how to raise the efficiency of the “reformer”, the heart of the hydrogen generator. Masahiko Uchiyama, HyGeia Team Manager, Corporate Planning Group, Business Development Division, Mitsubishi Kakoki, said they aimed to lower the steam per carbon (S/C) ratio. The S/C ratio is the proportion of steam used in the process to the amount of carbon (number of moles) contained in the feedstock such as methane. In case of a city gas feedstock, the S/C ratio is usually around 3.0, and the steam consumed by “steam reforming” accounts for about half the quantity. “The energy efficiency can be raised by reducing the water consumption and lowering the S/C ratio. However, if the S/C ratio gets too low, powdered carbon is generated inside the reformer which can clog the equipment. We aimed at making the S/C ratio as low as possible without causing such problems,” Uchiyama explained. Uchiyama and his team focused on the catalyst used for the reforming. One of the candidates examined was ruthenium, which is known not to generate very much powdered carbon, but they decided to try a nickel-based catalyst available at a lower cost. After spending 4,000 hours on long-term testing, they confirmed that a nickel-based catalyst can suppress the powdered carbon generation. This enabled a decrease in the S/C ratio for use of a city gas feedstock from the original 3.0 to 2.5 or less using the new equipment design. There was another challenge for the reformer though. Hiroyuki Taniguchi, HyGeia Team Manager, Corporate Planning Group, Business Development Division, Mitsubishi Kakoki who engaged in the development of hydrogen generator along with Uchiyama, recalled

that, “The burner used in the existing equipment was a product purchased from another company, so if we were to adopt it as it was we had to face the issue that the cost flexibility of the design would be limited. We didn’t have an expert on combustion in our company at that time so we decided to develop it on our own.” If the burner could be manufactured internally, the design for the whole reactor could be more flexible. “We realized if we install the burner at a lower position it provides more space and enables us to reduce the size of the unit,” Taniguchi explained. (Fig. 2) They also altered the original “regenerative burner” method that was being used. While a regenerative burner has high exhaust heat recovery efficiency, it required a large size burner and the structure was complex. They decided to adopt a simpler burner method because they could achieve a combustion temperature similar to that of a regenerative burner by adding a heater. As a result, they managed to reduce the floor space occupied by equipment generating 300m3 per hour of hydrogen down to 24m2. This is less than half the footprint of Mitsubishi Kakoki’s existing products.

Promoting the Popularization of Hydrogen Stations by Lowering the Hydrogen Production Cost The “HyGeia-A” unit that was developed has been installed and in operation at “Senju Hydrogen Station (Arakawa, Tokyo)” operated by Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. and “Kaminokura Hydrogen Station (Nagoya, Aichi)” operated by JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation since FY 2011 as part of NEDO’s “Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Demonstration project” awarded to the Association of Hydrogen Supply and Utilization Technology (HySUT). Since the production cost of hydrogen directly contributes to the retail price, it is desirable to continue further lowering the cost, but “HyGeia-A” is the equipment that contributes to the advancement of the popularization of hydrogen in the society by generating hydrogen efficiently. As of FY 2016, NEDO has been contributing to the diffusion of hydrogen stations through pursuing specifications matched to the diffusion period of fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen stations as well as achieving further reductions in cost and size.

Fuel cell vehicle prototypes used at the headquarters of Toyota Motor Corporation come to Kaminokura Hydrogen Station to fill the hydrogen. The cruising range with a full-charge is over 500 kilometers.

In “NEDO Project Success Stories,” we interview the developers including corporations involved in the project and post success stories on the website.

http://nedo.go.jp/content/100799089.pdf.

MUZA Kawasaki Central Tower, 1310 Omiya-cho, Saiwai-kuKawasaki City, Kanagawa 212-8554 JapanTel: +81-44-520-5100 Fax: +81-44-520-5103URL: http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/index.html March 2017 (1st Edition)

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