POLYMERS Vol.58　No.8 August 2009
POLYMERS　Vol.58　No.8
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COVER STORY
Water / Polymer Systems: Applied Fields
Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account
Mehr Licht ! Hiroyuki AOKI
<Abstract>I have struggled with the scarcity of light in my research life with near-field optical microscopy and achieved the direct observation of a single molecule, which provides indispensable information on the polymer structure at the single chain level. For the further understanding of polymer systems, I am still seeking the light with a motto of “Mehr Licht !”.
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COVER STORY: Highlight Reviews
Foresight into the New Horizon of Ultra Pure Water Koji YAMANAKA
<Abstract>The definition, properties, application fields and purification facilities of ultra pure water are overviewed. The recent achievements in the technologies of water recycling and the reductions in the consumption of chemicals for ultra pure water production are also described. Then the ion adsorption filter for removing ppt level of ionic impurities from ultra pure water, and subsequently issue of the functionalized ultra pure water for precision cleaning in the fields of semiconductor and flat panel displays are described as the recent achievements in ultra pure water technology.
Keywords: Ultra Pure Water / Ion Adsorption Filter / Water Recycle / Functionalized Ultra Pure Water
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Effect of the Water on the Degradation of Polymers Yoshito OHTAKE
<Abstract>It is few that the water is made to deteriorate the polymer directly. However, when an antioxidant is dissolved in the water, the polymer deteriorates easily, and the polymer life shortens considerably.
The residual chlorine and the metallic ions in the water diffuse with the water into the polymer and promote additionally the degradation of the polymer.
Keywords: Degradation / Residual Chlorine / Antioxidant / Dissolution / Polymer Life
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The Structure and Function of Antifreeze Protein, and Synthetic Polymers Showing the Same Properties Hidehisa KAWAHARA
<Abstract>Various organisms, which can survive in a cold environment, can produce antifreeze protein (AFP). AFP has the ability of ice crystal control and lowering of the freeze temperature in intra- and outercellular space.
These AFPs have various structure types and functions but contain, however, always a partial structure that can bind with the prism or basal plane of an ice crystal. Also, some synthetic polymers show the same activity as that of AFP. The applications of AFPs and these synthetic polymers are expected to be used in various industries.
Keywords: Antifreeze Protein / Antifreeze Glycoprotein / Biomacromolecule / Poly(vinyl aclcohol) / Thermal Hysteresis / Ice Recrystallization
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COVER STORY: Topics and Products
Self-Regulating Functional Fiber “MRT Fiber” Togi SUZUKI
<Abstract>MRT fiber is a moisture-absorbing elastic fiber consisting of polyetherester elastomer containing PBT, PEG and ionic co-monomer and is reversibly expanded or contracted by absorption or release of moisture. Fabric comprising of MRT fiber has revolutionary self-regulating function and gives great wearing comfort by means of spontaneous transformation in response to sweating.
Keywords: MRT Fiber / Moisture Absorbing / Elastic Fiber / Polyetherester Elastomer / Self-Regulating Function / Wearing Comfort / Spontaneous Transformation
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Water Transport in Polymer Electrolyte Membranes, as a Key Factor for Low-Cost Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) Mitsutaka ABE
<Abstract>The connectivity of water channels in polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) was investigated by AFM and TEM measurements. The results suggest that it is imperative to control the anisotropic property of PEM for more favorable usage of water in fuel cells as well as avoiding undesirable obstacles on the surface.
Keywords: Fuel Cell / Polymer Electrolyte Membrane / Water Transport / Water Diffusion
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Water-Borne Paints as a Disperse System Masatoshi OHATA
<Abstract>Disperse systems like water-borne paints are easy to design resins with a stereoscopic structure and effortless to separate cross-linking agents from reactants. Two double-layered acrylic emulsion resins and polyether-modified polycarbodiimide have been applied for binders and cross-linking agents of water-borne paints, respectively.
Keywords: Water-Borne Paint / Disperse System / Double-Layered Acrylic Emulsion / Carbodiimide
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Control of the Texture of Water by Water Soluble Polymeric Thickeners Atsushi SOGABE
<Abstract>We developed two kinds of microgel thickeners to control the texture of water. The first is based on agar and prepared by crushing the bulk gel mechanically. The second thickener is composed of acrylamide-based materials and synthesized by inverse microemulsion polymerization. Both microgels give smooth but without sticky feeling.
Keywords: Microgel / Agar / Emulsion Polymerization / Thickener
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High Performance Concrete with High-Polymer Compounds Mitsutaka HAYAKAWA
<Abstract>Some high-polymer compounds enable to make more workable concrete with lower water content. They are called superplasticizer and are essential to make high-fluidity concrete and high-strength concrete. A brief state-of-the-art report on the high performance concrete with superplasticizer is presented.
Keywords: High-Fluidity Concrete / High-Strength Concrete / Superplasticizer
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Lowering Moisture Absorption of Epoxy Resin by Incorporation of Condensed Poly-Nuclear Aromatic Structure Masashi KAJI
<Abstract> Cured polymers obtained from epoxy resins incorporating condensed poly-nuclear aromatic structures, such as naphthalene and anthracene skeletons, showed considerable lower moisture absorption compared to those from benzene based polymers, in addition to a higher Tg and lower thermal expansion. Furthermore, the polymers kept higher Tg and mechanical strength in the course of moisture absorption.
Keywords: Epoxy Resin / Naphthalene / Anthracene / Thermal Stability / Flexural Strength
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RO Membranes and the Application for Seawater Desalination Tomomi OHARA
<Abstract>Reverse osmosis (RO) technique including the seawater desalination is now an indispensable technology as one of the approach to the worldwide aquatic environmental problem. RO membrane performance has been improved through morphology control and chemical structure control of the skin layer. Characterization methods of the membranes are also described.
Keywords: Reverse Osmosis / Membrane / Interfacial Polymerization / AFM
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Front-Line Polymer Science
Tuning Liquid Crystal Laser Light Hideo TAKEZOE
<Abstract>Liquid crystal dye lasers using cholesteric liquid crystals are reviewed. First we describe the basic principle of liquid crystal lasers, i.e., distributed feedback lasers and defect-mode lasers. Then, particular attention is paid to wavelength tunability. After introducing several methods to control the helical pitch, we first describe position-sensitive wavelength tunability over a whole visible wavelength range. Then, RGB (red, green, and blue) simultaneous lasing is demonstrated based on a dye-doped nematic liquid crystal layer sandwiched by super-structured films consisting of single-pitched thin cholestric liquid crystal layers and thin polyvinylalcohol films.
Keywords: Liquid Crystal / Laser / Wavelength Tuning / Distributed Feedback Laser / Defect Mode Laser
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