Latest news with #HiroshimaUniversity
Asahi Shimbun
a day ago
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
Silicon carbide chips created to work in extreme heat, radiation
HIROSHIMA—Researchers said they have developed a durable silicon carbide-based semiconductor that enables electronic devices to function in extreme conditions, such as at crippled nuclear power plants and outer space. The new chip was produced by Hiroshima University and Phenitec Semiconductor Corp. Silicon carbide (SiC), comprising silicon and carbon, has higher thermal and electronic properties than traditional silicon used in chips. SiC semiconductors can operate in temperatures of 500 degrees and after absorbing radiation exceeding 1,000 kilograys. Normal silicon chips are designed to withstand temperatures of 150 degrees and radiation absorption of up to 1 kilogray. Shinichiro Kuroki, professor of electronic systems at the university's Research Institute for Semiconductor Engineering who led the project, underlined the importance of developing such high-performance semiconductors. 'As one of the most urgent tasks, we need to develop chips that can carry out the decommissioning work at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant,' Kuroki said at a recent news conference. 'The new chips are expected to play an important role in other industrial applications, as well.' The university and Phenitec Semiconductor, which is based in Okayama Prefecture, joined forces in May 2024 to design and make a prototype of the SiC chips. The tie-up reflects a growing urgency to transfer the technology to a private-sector company for mass production for a wide range of products. The front-end, or wafer, process was completed in April, with Phenitec handing the prototype wafer to the university. The project has received funding from the central government as a program aimed at advancing scientific research and development at key universities in local regions. SiC-based semiconductors are also expected to reduce the need for cooling systems in integrated-circuit components in electric vehicles and to be used for space exploration probes, including on Venus. Hiroyuki Ishii, president of Phenitec, hailed the completion of the prototype at the news conference. 'There are several stages toward the production of integrated circuits and we have made a big step forward,' he said. 'We hope to bring the new chips to commercial applications.'
South China Morning Post
26-05-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Plague of flying pests adds to Osaka World Expo's woes in Japan
Japan 's 2025 World Expo in Osaka has been bugged by a string of mishaps since its opening in mid-April – the latest being a plague of mosquito-like insects known as midges. Swarms of these insects have been attracted to the wooden walls and pillars of the 'Grand Ring', a centrepiece of the expo and its main thoroughfare. Visitors have been forced to fend the flying insects off to avoid swallowing or inhaling them, raising concerns about potential health risks. 'They landed on the bread I was eating. There are so many of them around and it's disgusting,' said Toma Masatani, a 23-year-old graduate school student visiting the expo with friends from Saitama, near Tokyo, as quoted by Kyodo news agency. Expo organisers have identified the insects as chironomids, a species that does not bite or suck blood, according to The Japan News. However, their dead bodies can pose a health hazard: inhaling or ingesting them can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions. 'Wearing a face mask is advisable for those with asthma,' said Koichiro Kawai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University specialising in the species, in an interview with Kyodo. Experts predict the infestation will persist until late autumn. The bugs are believed to have spawned in the Water Plaza, a large seawater storage area on the expo grounds, which is built on reclaimed land over a former landfill.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Health
- Straits Times
Swarming insects causing distress at Osaka World Expo
While they pose no threat, dead midges can cause asthma and other allergic reactions if inhaled. PHOTO: EPA-EFE OSAKA - Swarms of midges have become a headache at the Osaka World Expo, causing visitors to cringe and raising concerns about possible health issues. The small flies have been found on walls and the pillars of the wooden Grand Ring encircling many of the pavilions, with people forced to fight them off to avoid swallowing them. 'It shocked me when they landed on the bread I was eating. There are so many of them around and it's disgusting,' said Mr Toma Masatani, a 23-year-old graduate school student visiting the expo with friends from Saitama, near Tokyo. While the midges at the expo do not bite, dead ones can cause asthma and other allergic reactions if inhaled. 'Wearing a face mask is advisable for those with asthma,' said Professor Koichiro Kawai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University specialising in the species. He added that electronic insect killers and insecticides are effective in getting rid of them. The insects are believed to be emerging from the Water Plaza in the southern part of the venue, where seawater is stored. Noting they are possibly of marine origin, Prof Kawai said they could persist until the end of autumn. The expo organiser is taking action, spraying insecticide in locations where the midges are spotted, treating areas where rainwater tends to accumulate with a growth inhibitor and installing insect repellent lights. Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura has also sought cooperation from insecticide maker Earth Corp to counter the midges. KYODO NEWS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Japan Today
25-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Today
Swarming insects causing distress at Osaka Expo
Swarming midges appear near an elevator at the Grand Ring, a major attraction at the World Exposition on the Yumeshima artificial island in Osaka, on May 21. Swarms of midges have become a headache at the World Exposition in Osaka, causing visitors to cringe and raising concerns about possible health issues. The small flies have been found on walls and the pillars of the wooden Grand Ring encircling many of the pavilions, with people forced to fight them off to avoid swallowing them. "It shocked me when they landed on the bread I was eating. There are so many of them around and it's disgusting," said Toma Masatani, a 23-year-old graduate school student visiting the expo with friends from Saitama. While the midges at the expo do not bite, dead ones can cause asthma and other allergic reactions if inhaled. "Wearing a face mask is advisable for those with asthma," said Koichiro Kawai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University specializing in the species. He added that electronic insect killers and insecticides are effective in getting rid of them. The insects are believed to be emerging from the Water Plaza in the southern part of the venue, where seawater is stored. Noting they are possibly of marine origin, Kawai said they could persist until the end of autumn. The expo organizer is taking action, spraying insecticide in locations where the midges are spotted, treating areas where rainwater tends to accumulate with a growth inhibitor and installing insect repellent lights. Osaka Gov Hirofumi Yoshimura has also sought cooperation from insecticide maker Earth Corp to counter the midges. "We will fulfill our role of contributing to the expo's success by utilizing the knowledge and technology we have cultivated," the company said. © KYODO
The Mainichi
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Mainichi
Swarming insects causing distress at World Exposition in Osaka
OSAKA (Kyodo) -- Swarms of midges have become a headache at the World Exposition in Osaka, causing visitors to cringe and raising concerns about possible health issues. The small flies have been found on walls and the pillars of the wooden Grand Ring encircling many of the pavilions, with people forced to fight them off to avoid swallowing them. "It shocked me when they landed on the bread I was eating. There are so many of them around and it's disgusting," said Toma Masatani, a 23-year-old graduate school student visiting the expo with friends from Saitama, near Tokyo. While the midges at the expo do not bite, dead ones can cause asthma and other allergic reactions if inhaled. "Wearing a face mask is advisable for those with asthma," said Koichiro Kawai, a professor emeritus at Hiroshima University specializing in the species. He added that electronic insect killers and insecticides are effective in getting rid of them. The insects are believed to be emerging from the Water Plaza in the southern part of the venue, where seawater is stored. Noting they are possibly of marine origin, Kawai said they could persist until the end of autumn. The expo organizer is taking action, spraying insecticide in locations where the midges are spotted, treating areas where rainwater tends to accumulate with a growth inhibitor and installing insect repellent lights. Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura has also sought cooperation from insecticide maker Earth Corp. to counter the midges. "We will fulfill our role of contributing to the expo's success by utilizing the knowledge and technology we have cultivated," the company said.
