| POLYMERS Vol.61 No.2 |
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COVER STORY
Success Stories of Research and Developmentin Companies |
| COVER STORY |
| Dreams Come True, If You Never Give Up? | Hidenobu MUROFUSHI |
| <Abstract>
I have been aiming to succeed for 17 years in the business of POF (Plastic Optical
Fiber), which is made of perfluorinated amorphous polymer. There were
many twists and turns, but I still now believe dreams come true. In this
paper, I describe my history of POF development, and why perfluorinated
polymer is suitable for high performance POF. I also introduce our new
POF product “FONTEX®”. It is fully compatible with the next-generation
HDTV and large volume data communication for PC networks due to its high-speed
characteristics at 10 Gbps and above. In addition, FONTEX still works
even when knotted or bent. Therefore, FONTEX is the reliable, easy and
safe optical fiber, which is capable of stable high-speed data transmission
with a certain level of rough handling. Directions for the evolution
into new ventures. Keywords: Perfluorinated Polymer / Prof. Yasuhiro KOIKE / Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) / CYTOP |
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| Development of Telechelic Polyacrylate by Living Radical Polymerization | Yoshiki NAKAGAWA |
| <Abstract> We succeeded to develop well-controlled telechelic polyacrylate by a novel polymerization
technology that we call Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP),
which was the world-first commercialization of such a product. It was
achieved by a combination of polymer synthesis and organic synthesis,
and collaboration with synthetic chemists and chemical process engineers. Keywords: Telechelic / Polyacrylate / End-Functional Group / ATRP / CRP / LRP |
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| Development and Application of High-Strength Polyester Nanofiber | Mie KAMIYAMA |
| <Abstract> We
have the world’s first 700 nano meter ultra-fine polyester nanofiber
by continuous research and development and state-of-art nano technology.
The new “Sea/Island” composite spinning technology has solved the problem
of unstable quality associated with conventional mass-production nanofibers.
“Sea/island” composite spinning achieves the high-strength polyester
nanofiber based on conjugated (2 components) spinning theory. The separation
process between sea-islands components is successful with 1000 times
faster in alkali solution resolution sea polymer (modified polyester)
than island polymer (polyester). Nano fiber has very large surface area,
absorption, distribution, filtration effect, which are suitable for a
variety of applications, including functional sportswear, inner wear,
skin care products, filters, precision grinding cloth, etc. Keywords: Conjugated Spinning Theory / Sea-Island Cross Section Fiber / Alkali Solution Resolution / Nano-Size Effect |
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| Memoirs of the Development of Ideal 3D-TV | Rieko FUKUSHIMA |
| <Abstract> We
have commercialized world’s first glasses-free digital 3D television
at the end of 2010. I take a look back at three development stages. In
the early stage after maternity leave, I enjoyed painting the picture
of ideal 3D display in one's own way. In the pre-mass-production stage,
I was able to overcome many difficulties with the aid of the cooperation
with many coworkers. Finally, I had a delightful commercial stage, which
was greatly influenced by the market trends. Keywords: Display / 3D / Viewing Area / Television / Productization |
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| Advanced Reverse Osmosis Membrane with Fine Pore Structure - Development and Industrialization | Masahiro HENMI |
| <Abstract> RO
membrane technologies have made great progress in seawater and brackish
water desalination field, both energy saving and water quality improvement
have been two major subjects. Today, the energy consumption in RO membrane
seawater desalination process is less than one tenth, compared to those
of the 1970's. However, advanced membranes are still required to achieve
lower cost, lower energy consumption and higher water quality. In order to obtain further excellent performance, Toray has been executing fundamental research for RO membranes by investigating physical and chemical properties through PALS (Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy) study, Computer chemistry and TEM (Transmission electron microscopy) analysis, which has resulted in the advanced RO membranes with high flux, high rejection, excellent chemical durability and so on. |
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| New Business Development Derived from the Existing Core Technologies | Yuzo TODA |
| <Abstract> For
success in new business, we need three conditions. The 1st condition is the potential capability, which is the so called seeds and resources such as skills, brands and capital etc. The 2nd condition is a demand for the business, which is the so-called needs, competency, and rationality to enter the market. The 3rd condition is a willingness to establish a new business, which is supported by a mission and passion. The 3rd one is the most important one to keep a continuous motivation in the company. Fujifilm accumulated a lot of technologies that can be applied to health care business fields. The products has a limited lifetime but skills and technologies are unlimited if they are competitive enough. Keywords: Product Life Time and Technology Life Time / Three Success Factors of New Business / Organizational Goal and Personal Target / Formulation / Targeting and Delivery / Motto of Researcher / Speech of Steve Jobs at Stanford Univ. |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Go to a Simple Road | Kazuya YAMAMOTO |
| <Abstract> I have been looking for “Simple method” since my research started. I believe now the simple way and thinking are necessary for not only the research but also the education. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Construction of a Poly(ethyleneglycol) Chain Tethered on a Surface | Yukio NAGASAKI |
| <Abstract> Non-biofouling
surfaces constitute one of the most important subjects in sensitively
and selectively detecting biomolecular events. Poly(ethylene glycol)
(PEG) chains tethered on substrate surfaces are well known to reduce
non-biofouling characteristics. Synthesis of versatile types of heterobifunctional
PEGs, which equipsPEG with a functional end group and another functional
group at the other chain end, are reported. The heterobifunctional PEGs
are useful for surface modifications and bioconjugations. Protein adsorption
onto a PEG-chain-tethered surface is strongly influenced by the density
of the PEG chain and is almost completely suppressed by the successive
treatment of longer PEG chains (5 kDa) followed by the treatment of PEG
(2 kDa) (mixed PEG tethered-chain surface) because of a significant increase
in PEG chain density. To modify versatile substrate surface, PEG possessing
pentaethylenehexamine at one end (N6-PEG) was prepared via a reductive
amination reaction of aldehyde-ended PEG with pentaethylenehexamine. Using N6-PEG, antibody/PEG co-immobilization was conducted on a substrate
possessing active ester groups. It is interesting to note that the PEG
tethered chain functions act not only as a non-fouling agent but also
improve immune response. Thus, it is promising as a high-performance
biointerface for versatile applications. Keywords: Poly(ethylene glycol) / Polymer Brush / Tethered Chain Surface / Biointerface / Non-biofouling / Protein Adsorption / Heterobiofunctional PEG / Biosensor |
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