| POLYMERS Vol.62 No.12 |
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COVER STORY
Fantastic Gifts of Polymer –the Second Season– |
| COVER STORY: Topics and Products |
| Story Behind the Development of the Best Seller Lunch Box with GEL | Hiroyuki TSUKESHIBA |
| <Abstract> The lunch box named “GEL-COOL”, which has a refrigent inside the lid made of “GEL”, is the best selling lunch box in Japanese famous department stores in summer time. It has been sold over 600,000 since 2006. This is the first product of GEL-Design Inc., which is one of the venture companies of Hokkaido Univ. Keywords: GEL / Lunch Box / Refrigent / Venture Company / Hokkaido Univ. / The Best Seller |
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| Development of Polyglycolic Acid as Unique and Advanced Eco Material that will Reduce Environmental Impact and Find Application for Shale Gas Drilling Technology | Hiroyuki SATO |
| <Abstract> We have established the world’s first industrial scale production technology of high molecular weight polyglycolic acid (PGA). The technology employs the ring-opening polymerization process of glycolide (GL). However, traditional GL synthesis by bulk depolymerization of glycolic acid oligomer has shown industrial limitation. Our innovation, which utilizes a new solvent for GL synthesis, resolves past yield and purity deficiencies allowing a scalable production method. Furthermore, in the production of high molecular weight PGA, the sequential melt-solid polymerization method of very high purity GL was invented. This method was suitable for the production of a well defined polymer. Besides well known PGA as biodegradable polymer uses for sutures and medical devices, several new value-added industrial applications have been identified that exploit the very high mechanical strength, gas barrier, and degradation properties. PGA, as unique and advanced eco material, will reduce environmental impact and find applications for shale gas drilling technology. Keywords: Polyglycolic Acid (PGA) / Glycolide (GL) / Depolymerizaation / Ring-Opening Polymerization / Mechanical Strength / Gas Barrier / Bio-Degaradable / Shale Gas |
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| Polymer Materials as Support for Daily Life | Ikuko TOKI |
| <Abstract> This is a Season’s Greeting and Christmas Present for you. Keywords: Tooth Brush / Tooth Paste / Laundry Detergent / Polyacetal / Daily Commodity |
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| Visible Light Active Photocatalysts [V-CAT TM] | Yoshio KIMURA, Takeshi OHWAKI |
| <Abstract> Toyota Central R&D Labs., Inc. has designed and developed novel photocatalysts active under visible light illumination based upon a new concept of anion doping such as nitrogen ions into substitutional sites of titanium dioxides (TiO2-xNx). Furthermore, TCRDL has improved photocatalytic activities of the photocatalysts by supporting transition metal compounds on TiO2-xNx and developed various key technologies such as size control of the powders and dispersion for practical applications. Toyota Tsusho Corporation has commercialized successfully the visible light active photocatalysts under the brand name of “V-CAT”. Many companies, Toyota Tsusho Co. and TCRDL have cooperatively developed new functional products. Presently, V-CAT photocatalysts have been widely used for applications in fibers and films for deodorants, antibacterial, antifouling and neutralizing VOCs harmful to human health etc. The applications made available with the appearance of the visible light active photocatalysts will be expanded dramatically for use in welfare and living environments. Keywords: Visible Light Photocatalyst / Fiber / Film / Environmental Purification |
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| Novel Thermal Expansion Fire-Proofing Material and its Application | Norio NUMATA |
| <Abstract> We have developed a new thermal expansion fire-proofing material. It is a thin sheet that has a thickness of 0.5-2 mm, consisting of thermal expansive graphite and several kinds of fire retardant. If exposed to fire, it will expand in an instant and a rigid expansion layer will be formed in high temperature (>200℃). Significant fire-resistant performance is demonstrated by the high insulation property of this expansion. The data of this material expanding 10 times and 30 times are shown; the expansion property is freely controllable by its composition ratio. Moreover, since the sheet itself has a pressure sensitive adhesive property, it is easy to laminate it with other materials. Furthermore, you can bend and cut it easily, since it is a flexible sheet or a tape-shape. This material is applied as the fire-resistant steel frame covering, and wall/floor penetration seal material. Keywords: Thermal Expansion / Fire-Proofing / Intumescent Material / Fi-Block / Adhesive Tape |
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| Development of Novel Cyclic Carbodiimide | Shinichiro SHOJI |
| <Abstract> Carbodiimides have been widely used as a dehydrogenative condensation or cross-linking agent. Recently, they have been commercialized as an end-capping agent for polymer, especially polyesters. However, the conventional carbodiimides can generate harmful isocyanate gas in an extrusion compounding process for the end capping of polyesters. Therefore, it worsens work environment. This environmental issue was our first motivation to develop new carbodiimides. We have succeeded to invent the innovative molecular design concept and to develop novel cyclic carbodiimides that do not generate gases. In the process of development, we have found that the specific cyclic carbodiimides do not generate harmful isocyanate gas in the process of end-capping, because the isocyanate is immobilized at the end of the polymer chain. Moreover, the designed cyclic carbodiimides show much higher performance to the hydrolysis resistance of polylactic acid than the conventional ones. Furthermore, we have succeeded to establish the mass-production technology of our cyclic carbodiimides. We are confident that we can provide solutions for our customers using the cyclic carbodiimides. Keywords: Carbodiimide / Isocyanate / Gas / Polyester / Hydrolysis / Polyester / Cyclic Structure |
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| Polymer Science and I: A Personal Account |
| Everything will Work Out | Toshikazu SAKAGUCHI |
| <Abstract> I often think that I might be able to manage. The attitude leads me to work actively. At the same time, I easily strike a compromise on encountering a difficulty. If this goes on, I cannot achieve growth or make a discovery. I might have to take an uncompromising stance. |
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| Front-Line Polymer Science |
| Smart Photonic Crystal Hydrogels for Biosensing Applications | Ye Baofen, Tian Tian, Lu Jie, Cheng Yao, Zhao Yuanjin, and Gu Zhongze |
| <Abstract> Smart hydrogels are a most interesting class of ‘soft polymer’ with high water content, the ability to swell rapidly and excellent biocompatibility. These hydrogel materials have found important applications in the biomedical domain. In this review paper, we will provide up-to-date research concerning the development of these responsive hydrogel materials for biosensor applications. We will focus on studies of photonic crystal hydrogels, in which the hydrogel materials were married with ordered nanostructures. Examples of photonic crystal hydrogels for sensing various types of analytes will be presented. Prospects for the future development of these remarkable hydrogel materials will also be presented. We do hope that this review will promote communication between biology, bionics, chemistry, optical physics and material science. Keywords: Smart Hydrogel / Sensing / Photonic Crystal / Colloidal Crystal |
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