Volume 2, 2026
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Substituent Effects on Electrocyclic Reactions: Ultrafast Ring-Opening of α-Phellandrene Stimulated by Impulsively Excited Molecular Vibrations
Zhiyi Zhou, Kenichiro Saita, Yusuke Minegishi, Tetsuya Taketsugu, and Taro Sekikawa*
Green Conversion of Palm Oil Wastes into Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG) for Renewable Energy Diversification in Malaysia
This collaborative research aims to enhance the production and upgrading of bio-compressed natural gas (Bio-CNG) by effectively utilizing two major byproducts generated from Malaysia’s palm oil industry: palm oil mill effluent (POME) and empty fruit bunches (EFB). Specifically, the Japanese team will develop and support the operation of anaerobic digestion processes, conduct microbial community analyses, and apply machine-learning-based data-driven modelling to improve process stability and enable rapid and precise optimization of CO2 adsorbent performance. The Malaysian team will optimize pretreatment and fermentation conditions for EFB and lead the development and evaluation of gas separation technologies using EFB-derived biochar. Through collaborative research between the two countries, the project is expected to contribute to establishing a renewable energy technology platform that supports Malaysia’s transition toward a decarbonized energy society
Mamoru Oshiki, and Adeline Seak May CHUA
Networked Exchange, United Strength for Stronger Partnerships between Japan and ASEAN (NEXUS) 2026.1〜2028.12
Evaluation of Phosphorus Release from Lake Sediments Using Passive Sampling and Phosphate Oxygen Isotope Analysis
In eutrophic lakes, the persistent high phosphorus concentration in lake water poses a significant problem. This study employs passive sampling techniques and phosphorus oxygen isotope analysis to identify the sources supplying phosphorus to the lake water. This approach will also reveal contributions from lake sediments, which have not been evaluated previously. This research is expected to contribute to the assessment and conservation of lake water environments.
Akira Hafuka, Takuya Ishida, and Kazuto Sano
The Sumitomo Foundation, Grant for Environmental Research Projects 2025.11.01～2026.11.30
Development of Ethical Mining Technologies to Achieve Responsible Mineral Sourcing: The Future of Mining Development Enabled by Blockchain
Assistant Professor Okada of Hokkaido University, with support from the JST Sakura Science Program, will invite eight faculty members and students from Aksum University in Ethiopia. Using blockchain and GIS, they will examine new technological frameworks for ensuring transparency in responsible mineral sourcing and for environmentally conscious resource development through joint research, practical exercises, and presentations of results.
Sakura Science Exchange Program 2026.2.4~2026.2.18
Characterizing the Settlement of Activated Sludge Based on AI-Assisted Analysis of Moving and Still Images
In the final process of wastewater treatment, the settleability of activated sludge, a mass of microorganisms responsible for the adsorption and decomposition of pollutants, is important. In order to contribute to the improvement of the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants in rural areas and developing countries, which have problems in terms of economical human resources, this study proposed a low-cost settleability diagnosis method that uses AI-based technology to analyze still images of activated sludge using inexpensive digital microscopes and moving images of activated sludge settling using smartphone camera functions.
Yuki Nakaya, Kai Sugino, Shota Ishizaki, Reiko Hirano, Shuhei Noda, Shinobu Moniwa, Yukio Hiraoka, and Hisashi Satoh
Protium enrichment by polymer electrolyte fuel cell with hydrogen gas circulation
A polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) equipped with a gas recirculation system was employed for deuterium separation. Incorporating a hydrogen gas tank into the gas recirculation line achieved significant hydrogen concentration. During fuel cell operation, hydrogen concentration in the gas increased, yielding a high separation factor. This improvement in separation efficiency is thought to result from enhanced separation efficiency via gas-phase chemical exchange reactions.
Toranosuke Nago, Mikito Ueda, and Hisayoshi Matsushima
SH wave scattering in Eringen’s nonlocal elastic solid using the method of fundamental solutions
Eringen’s nonlocal elastic solid is a mechanical model that enables the analysis of phenomena difficult to describe using classical elasticity. This study analyzed wave scattering in nonlocal elastic solids using the method of fundamental solutions, a meshfree numerical method. An analytical representation of the traction operator specific to nonlocal elasticity was derived, and scattering characteristics relevant to ultrasonic nondestructive testing were evaluated.
Akira Furukawa, Taizo Maruyama, Takahiro Saitoh, Sohichi Hirose, Davinder Kumar, Dilbag Singh, and Sushil K. Tomar
Self-organized luminous pattern formation observed above the anode surface of a DC glow discharge in pure He
To elucidate the mechanism of self-organization phenomena in luminescence observed on the anode surface during atmospheric pressure direct current glow discharge generation, we investigated luminescence patterns while varying pressure in a pure He environment. The results revealed that luminescence patterns appear when the product of pressure p and electrode distance d (pd) is high. Moving forward, we will connect this to reaction-diffusion systems, a method used in mathematics to obtain self-organization phenomena.
Toshiaki Miyazaki, Jan Kuhfeld, Koichi Sasaki, and Naoki Shirai
Reliable pathfinding problems for a correlated network: A linear programming problem in a hypergraph
Kenetsu Uchida, Yifan Wang, and Ryuichi Tani
European Journal of Operational Research Volume 326, Issue 2, 16 October 2025, Pages 234-254
Broadband Phase Retardation with Palladium Coated Mirrors for M-edge XMCD in the 40–70 eV Range
Furkan Aksay, and Taro Sekikawa