Hydrogen Storage Alloy―A Material That Stores and Releases Hydrogen
Hydrogen storage alloys are important materials that can absorb and release hydrogen, making them essential for energy storage and fuel cells. Recently, they have gained attention in the clean energy sector, and they are widely used in automobiles, industrial equipment, and energy supply systems. Below are specific companies and product applications.
1. Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota manufactures fuel cell vehicles using hydrogen storage alloys at its Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The vehicle "MIRAI" uses fuel cell technology and can travel up to 650 km on a single charge. In 2020, Toyota exceeded a cumulative sales total of 11,000 units for this technology, solidifying its leadership in achieving a hydrogen energy society.
2. Panasonic Corporation
At its plant in Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture, Panasonic uses hydrogen storage alloys in the production of home fuel cells known as "Ene-Farm." This system produces both electricity and heat using hydrogen, and by 2021, it had been installed in about 3 million households. Panasonic's production capacity reaches 500,000 units per year, dominating the household energy supply market.
3. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has developed industrial fuel cells using hydrogen storage alloys at its Kobe Shipyard in Kobe City. In 2022, a large-scale industrial fuel cell system was introduced in Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture, switching the factory's energy supply to a hydrogen-based system, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 3,500 tons annually. This technology contributes to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in the heavy industry sector.
4. Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda manufactures fuel cell bikes equipped with hydrogen storage alloys at its Sayama plant in Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture. The "Honda Clarity" fuel cell bike can travel approximately 200 km on a single charge. By 2023, cumulative sales for the new model reached 15,000 units, reinforcing Honda's commitment to clean mobility.
These companies, through the use of hydrogen storage alloys, are promoting the sustainable use of energy, with further technological developments expected in the future.
Showing posts with label Eco-Material. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eco-Material. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
History of Powder coating technology (1950-2020)
The 1950s
- Beginning of development: Powder coating technology was first developed in the 1950s. Initially, the focus was on applications for electrical insulation. The United States and Germany were the main centers of development.
1960s
- Early commercial use: In the 1960s, commercial use began, primarily in industrial applications. Thermosetting powder coatings baked at high temperatures were developed and used to improve corrosion and wear resistance of metal products.
1970s
- Technological Improvements and Diffusion: In the 1970s, the application of powder coatings was greatly improved with the introduction of electrostatic coating technology. This enabled powder coatings to adhere more evenly to the object, improving coating quality. With this innovation, the market for powder coatings began to expand.
The 1980s
- Environmental Considerations: In the 1980s, powder coatings began to attract attention as an environmentally friendly paint. Because they do not contain solvents, they do not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and their advantages were recognized as environmental regulations became more stringent.
1990s
- Technology Diversification: In the 1990s, new technologies were developed, such as ultraviolet (UV)-curable powder coatings and low-temperature curable powder coatings, which could be applied to heat-sensitive materials such as wood and plastics.
2000s and Beyond
- Global Market Expansion: Since the 2000s, the market for powder coatings has expanded rapidly, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. With the advance of technological innovations, powder coatings are widely used in a variety of fields, including automobiles, home appliances, and building materials.
Latest Trends
- Sustainability and Innovation: In the 2020s, powder coatings using recycled materials and more environmentally friendly technologies will be the focus. Companies such as Kansai Paint are establishing new production facilities and strengthening technology development
Powder coating technology is projected to grow substantially from 2024 to 2032. Below are the main points of the forecast
- Market expansion: The market size is estimated to be about $15.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach about $26.3 billion by 2032. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% ( Global Market Insights Inc.).
- Growth drivers: The introduction of cold curing powders, lower application costs compared to liquid coatings, and strong prospects in the furniture industry are driving growth ( Global Market Insights Inc.).
- Regional growth: Asia Pacific is leading the market, which is expected to reach approximately $9.1 billion in 2023 and $16.3 billion in 2032. Rapid industrialization and urbanization are supporting this growth ( Grand View Research ) ( American Coatings Association ).
- Technological innovation: Improved weatherability, advances in color matching technology, and the use of recyclable materials. In particular, the introduction of UV-curable and NIR-curable powder coatings is creating new market opportunities ( AmericanCoatingsAssociation ).
Monday, August 5, 2024
Current and Future Issues in Eco-Material Research: 1995年06月
Current and Future Issues in Eco-Material Research: 1995年06月
Current and Future Issues in Eco-Material Research
Eco-materials refer to a new approach in material development. Traditional material development has focused on economic efficiency and the convenience of mass production, aiming to achieve the required functions by combining materials. However, eco-materials fundamentally reexamine this from an environmental protection perspective. Instead of considering environmental impacts after the product is made, eco-materials aim to coexist with the environment from the development stage of materials, including the manufacturing process, and to increase the recycling rate of products.
Efforts in America and Europe
Research on the environmental impact of materials began in America in the 1970s. At that time, the main issues were the increase in disposable containers like PET bottles and styrofoam and their relationship to energy consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) summarized the "Resource and Environmental Profile Analysis" in 1974. In the 1980s, interest in environmental issues grew in Europe, leading to concepts like eco-products and green products, which aim to develop products with low environmental impact. This trend also reached Japan, where products emphasizing environmental considerations, like eco-mark products, appeared. However, the lack of clear standards and definitions for evaluating environmental impacts prevented a thorough reexamination of production technologies and material development.
Definition of Eco-Materials and Research Projects
The term eco-materials was coined in 1990 by the Rare Metal Research Committee of the Frontier Science and Technology Research Association. In 1995, the Eco-Material Research Committee of the same association summarized a report proposing specific developments of materials that do not generate waste and consider resource depletion, defining eco-materials as "sustainable as long as humanity continues to exist."
From the fiscal year 1993, the Science and Technology Agency's coordination funds for promoting science and technology have been used for joint research by industry, academia, and government. The "Eco-Material Development Project" involves research institutions under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Environment Agency, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in collaboration with RIKEN, the University of Tokyo, Tsukuba University, and six companies, including Nippon Steel Corporation and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
Research Themes and Specific Achievements
The main research themes of this project are as follows:
1. Design of materials considering material circulation
2. Development of technologies to enhance the functions of natural materials and utilize untapped functions
3. Establishment of evaluation indicators for developed materials
For example, the National Institute for Materials Science is researching new materials to replace styrofoam by using clay (smectite) found in weathered volcanic ash. The National Institute for Environmental Studies is reducing additive elements in steel, of which 46 million tons become scrap annually. The Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has developed a technology to compress and mold wood with high-temperature and high-pressure steam to achieve plastic-like precision.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The background of eco-material research includes the recognition that resources are not inexhaustible. For example, producing titanium requires a large amount of energy, and the world's reserves could be exhausted in just 27 years. Therefore, establishing an efficient recycling system is essential. Research on material development must go hand in hand with the establishment of recycling systems. Additionally, preventing the generation of highly environmentally burdensome substances like carbon dioxide, which is a major cause of global warming, must also be considered within the scope of eco-material research.
Current and Future Issues in Eco-Material Research
Eco-materials refer to a new approach in material development. Traditional material development has focused on economic efficiency and the convenience of mass production, aiming to achieve the required functions by combining materials. However, eco-materials fundamentally reexamine this from an environmental protection perspective. Instead of considering environmental impacts after the product is made, eco-materials aim to coexist with the environment from the development stage of materials, including the manufacturing process, and to increase the recycling rate of products.
Efforts in America and Europe
Research on the environmental impact of materials began in America in the 1970s. At that time, the main issues were the increase in disposable containers like PET bottles and styrofoam and their relationship to energy consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) summarized the "Resource and Environmental Profile Analysis" in 1974. In the 1980s, interest in environmental issues grew in Europe, leading to concepts like eco-products and green products, which aim to develop products with low environmental impact. This trend also reached Japan, where products emphasizing environmental considerations, like eco-mark products, appeared. However, the lack of clear standards and definitions for evaluating environmental impacts prevented a thorough reexamination of production technologies and material development.
Definition of Eco-Materials and Research Projects
The term eco-materials was coined in 1990 by the Rare Metal Research Committee of the Frontier Science and Technology Research Association. In 1995, the Eco-Material Research Committee of the same association summarized a report proposing specific developments of materials that do not generate waste and consider resource depletion, defining eco-materials as "sustainable as long as humanity continues to exist."
From the fiscal year 1993, the Science and Technology Agency's coordination funds for promoting science and technology have been used for joint research by industry, academia, and government. The "Eco-Material Development Project" involves research institutions under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Environment Agency, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in collaboration with RIKEN, the University of Tokyo, Tsukuba University, and six companies, including Nippon Steel Corporation and Mitsubishi Materials Corporation.
Research Themes and Specific Achievements
The main research themes of this project are as follows:
1. Design of materials considering material circulation
2. Development of technologies to enhance the functions of natural materials and utilize untapped functions
3. Establishment of evaluation indicators for developed materials
For example, the National Institute for Materials Science is researching new materials to replace styrofoam by using clay (smectite) found in weathered volcanic ash. The National Institute for Environmental Studies is reducing additive elements in steel, of which 46 million tons become scrap annually. The Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has developed a technology to compress and mold wood with high-temperature and high-pressure steam to achieve plastic-like precision.
Future Prospects and Challenges
The background of eco-material research includes the recognition that resources are not inexhaustible. For example, producing titanium requires a large amount of energy, and the world's reserves could be exhausted in just 27 years. Therefore, establishing an efficient recycling system is essential. Research on material development must go hand in hand with the establishment of recycling systems. Additionally, preventing the generation of highly environmentally burdensome substances like carbon dioxide, which is a major cause of global warming, must also be considered within the scope of eco-material research.
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