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A special issue of Technologies (ISSN 2227-7080). This special issue belongs to the section "Innovations in Materials Processing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2018) | Viewed by 58395

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Prof. Dr. Hidemitsu Furukawa

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Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Yamagata University, Yonezawa, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Interests: 3D printing; soft robotics; gels; food; light scattering
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Prof. Dr. Bungo Ochiai

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Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Interests: polymer chemistry; organic–inorganic hybrid material; green chemistry
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Dr. Ajit Khosla

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Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Interests: flexible sensors and electronics; 3D-printed sensors and systems; 3D and 4D printing; hybrid materials; MEMS/NEMS; nanocomposites
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Dr. Masato Makino

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Guest Editor

Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Yamagata University, Yamagata 992-8510, Japan
Interests: microhydrodynamics; soft matter physics; 3D printing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are planning to publish a Special Issue on "Smart System" for the International Conference of Smart Systems Engineering (SmaSys2017, http://smasys.yz.yamagata-u.ac.jp/2017/) which was held on October 12–13, 2017, in Yonezawa, Japan. The issue “Smart System” provides opportunities for collaboration across a wide range of fields and technologies related to emerging smart systems. The smart system covers broad scientific and engineering fields. It consists of organic materials, biomaterials, electrical engineering, mechanical systems, green materials, tour engineering, engineering education, etc.

All the participants of SmaSys2017 and their colleagues, especially the students, are encouraged to submit to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Hidemitsu Furukawa
Prof. Dr. Bungo Ochiai
Dr. Ajit Khosla
Dr. Masato Makino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Technologies is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

organic materials, organic electronics and organic device
biomaterials, biomedical and biosystems engineering
electrical engineering and informatics
mechanical systems engineering
smart flexible structures and systems
green materials and processing
tourism engineering with agriculture and foods
new engineering education

Related Special Issue

Smart Systems (SmaSys2022) in Technologies (5 articles)

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 6663 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Basic Study of Ventilation Using Semi-Transparent Organic Photovoltaic Sheets for Solar Chimney Systems

by Kishio Hidaka, Akari Miyazawa, Hong Hu, Kazuya Mitsuji, Yasuo Nagai, Naoki Yoshimoto and Yuko Suenaga

Technologies 2018, 6(4), 93; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6040093 - 09 Oct 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4261

Abstract

An energy-efficient building ventilation system is presented that integrates semi-transparent organic photovoltaic (OPV) technology and solar chimney technology. It achieved a wind velocity of 0.25 m/s and electric power generation of about 1.03 W at an artificial light intensity of 320 W/m², which corresponds to cloudy weather. These results support the basic study of systems combining ventilation and power generation. The integration of solar chimney ventilation with OPV power generation could be a promising system for energy savings in the future. The proposed integration could contribute to the generation of sustainable and renewable energy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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15 pages, 2835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of TiO₂-Poly(3-Chloro-2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate) Nanocomposite for Selective Adsorption and Degradation of Dyes

by M. Shamim Hossan and Bungo Ochiai

Technologies 2018, 6(4), 92; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6040092 - 02 Oct 2018

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5184

Abstract

We report a new nanocomposite TiO₂-poly(3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate) (TiO₂-PCHPMA) for selective adsorption/degradation of cationic dyes and degradation of anionic dyes. TiO₂-PCHPMA was prepared by free radical polymerization of CHPMA in the presence of TiO₂ modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate. TiO₂-PCHPMA adsorbed cationic methylene blue (MB), but did not adsorb anionic methyl orange (MO) in their aqueous solutions. The adsorption efficiency for MB reached 99% within 5 min at 28 °C, and adsorbed MB could be recycled in 96% efficiency. The adsorption accelerated degradation of MB under UV irradiation. The degradation of anionic MO proceeded completely with TiO₂-PCHPMA under UV irradiation, and the efficiency was not affected by the PCHPMA layer. TiO₂-PCHPMA is potentially applicable as a material capable of selective removal and recovery of cationic dyes, and degradation of other dyes from industrial effluents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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8 pages, 1194 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Enormously Low Frictional Surface on Tough Hydrogels Simply Created by Laser-Cutting Process

by Kazunari Yoshida, Hikaru Yahagi, Masato Wada, Toshiki Kameyama, Masaru Kawakami, Hidemitsu Furukawa and Koshi Adachi

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 82; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030082 - 24 Aug 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5304

Abstract

We measured the friction forces and calculated the friction coefficients of non-processed and laser-processed surfaces of a double network hydrogel (DN gel), which is one of the more famous high-strength gels. The results indicate that laser processing has the ability to reduce the friction coefficients of the gel surfaces. The observation of gel surfaces suggests that the cause of friction reduction is a change in the roughness of the gel surfaces due to laser processing. This finding is expected to lead us to further understanding of the physicochemical properties of hydrogels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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8 pages, 727 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Reversible Gelation System for Hydrazine Based on Polymer Absorbent

by Bungo Ochiai and Yohei Shimada

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 80; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030080 - 20 Aug 2018

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4242

Abstract

Reversible absorbents for safe storage of toxic hydrazine were developed. Various cross-linked polar polymers were examined as absorbents for hydrazine and its 35% aqueous solution, and structurally similar polymers were found to be suitable for effective absorption. Namely, cross-linked polyacrylamide (CPAM) was most effective among examined various hydrophilic polymers. CPAM absorbed 43- and 31-fold heavier amounts of absolute hydrazine and 35% aqueous solution, respectively, by simple soaking. Absorbed hydrazine could be quantitatively released either by N₂ gas flow and compression, and the resulting absorbent reabsorbed hydrazine without loss of the absorption ability. The absorption ability was higher than conventional covalent storages, and the release protocol, without dissolution of the absorbent, are suitable for storage systems in hydrazine fuel cells. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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11 pages, 1274 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Suppression Method for Elution of F⁻, [B(OH)₄]⁻, AsO₄³⁻, and CrO₄²⁻ from Industrial Wastes Using Some Inhibitors and Crushed Stone Powder

by Xiaoxu Kuang, Atsuki Sentoku, Atsushi Sasaki and Masatoshi Endo

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 79; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030079 - 19 Aug 2018

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4197

Abstract

The disposal and the reuse of industrial wastes have become increasingly difficult due to the elution of hazardous anions, such as F⁻, [B(OH)₄]⁻, AsO₄³⁻, and CrO₄²⁻. Effective methods for removing hazardous ions and reusing solid wastes are urgently required. In this study, Ca(OH)₂, MgCl₂, and BaCl₂ were added to reduce the elution concentrations of F, B, As, and Cr by coprecipitating insoluble inorganic salts. After this, ordinary Portland cement (OPC) was added to the ion exchange and solidified with these hazardous ion-containing substances. The addition of crushed stone powder (CSP), which was a by-product of the process of crushing aggregates or sawing stone, inhibited the elution of hazardous ions and improved the inhibition effect of OPC. The elution concentrations of F, B, As, and Cr were successfully reduced from their maximum elution concentration of 10 mg/L to below the environmental standards values of Japan. A simultaneous inhibition method for the elution of F, B, As, and Cr from industrial wastes has been developed successfully and would be able to promote the reuse and recycling of CSP and other industrial wastes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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12 pages, 4041 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Ion-Exchange Characteristics of Cesium in Natural Japanese Rocks

by Takuya Miura, Atsushi Sasaki and Masatoshi Endo

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 78; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030078 - 17 Aug 2018

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4265

Abstract

A large amount of soil was contaminated by radioactive cesium due to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan in 2011. The adsorption behavior of cesium ions (Cs⁺) is strongly influenced by numerous factors, including the components, structure and weathering conditions of natural soil. The adsorption and ion exchange characteristics of Cs⁺ ions onto and from natural Japanese rocks with well-known components were studied. Cs⁺ adsorption onto volcanic rocks (0.9–5.3 mg/g) occurred more easily than that onto plutonic rocks (0.7–0.8 mg/g) due to differences in crystallinity. In addition, the adsorption quantity of cesium increased with increasing lattice water content and content of ion-exchangeable cations in the rock samples. The cesium adsorption ability of rock was inhibited by seawater and coexisting ions in the solution. Cesium adsorption quantities onto andosol, containing the corrosion products, increased approximately 2.7-fold with increasing pH from neutral to basic. Cesium desorption differed depending on the type of salt used, and the desorption rates were highest with ammonium salts. Cs⁺ desorption from regions such as the soil interlayer and the pores were inhibited by melting of the rock surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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8 pages, 1482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of 1,5-anhydroglucitol as a Biomarker for Diabetes Using an Organic Field-Effect Transistor-Based Biosensor

by Hiroyuki Furusawa, Yusuke Ichimura, Kuniaki Nagamine, Rei Shiwaku, Hiroyuki Matsui and Shizuo Tokito

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 77; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030077 - 15 Aug 2018

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 6117

Abstract

Sensor devices that can be fabricated on a flexible plastic film produced at a low cost using inkjet-printing technology are suitable for point-of-care applications. An organic field-effect transistor (OFET)-based biosensor can function as a potentiometric electrochemical sensor. To investigate the usefulness of an OFET-based biosensor, we demonstrated the detection of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) and glucose, which are monosaccharides used as biomarkers of diabetes. An OFET-based biosensor combined with a Prussian blue (PB) electrode, modified with glucose oxidase (GOx) or pyranose oxidase (POx), was utilized for the detection of the monosaccharides. When the GOx- or POx-PB electrode was immersed in glucose solution at the determined concentration, shifts in the low-voltage direction of transfer characteristic curves of the OFET were observed to be dependent on the glucose concentrations in the range of 0–10 mM. For 1,5-AG, the curve shifts were observed only with the POx-PB electrode. Detection of glucose and 1,5-AG was achieved in a substrate-specific manner of the enzymes on the printed OFET-biosensor. Although further improvements are required in the detection concentration range, the plastic-filmOFET-biosensors will enable the measurement of not only diabetes biomarkers but also various other biomarkers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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11 pages, 3629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Evaluation on the Traffic State of an Urban Gated Community by Opening the Micro-Inter-Road Network

by Lin Dong, Akira Rinoshika and Zhixian Tang

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 71; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030071 - 31 Jul 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4387

Abstract

The opening of a gated community to expand the micro-road network in an urban traffic system is an importance research topic related to urban congestion. To satisfy the demands of opening an early choosing case, this paper proposes a comprehensive selection framework on qualified communities and their appropriate opening times by describing the traffic state at the boundary road network accurately. The traffic entropy model and fuzzy c-means (FCM) method are used in this paper. In the framework, a new opening evaluation entropy model is built using basic theory of the thermodynamic traffic entropy method. The traffic state entropy values of the boundary road network and entropy production are calculated to determinate the opening time. In addition, a specific fuzzy range evaluation standard at a preset gated community is drawn with an FCM algorithm to verify the opening determination. A case study based on the traffic information in a simulated gated community in Shanghai is evaluated and proves that the findings of opening evaluation are in accordance with the actual situation. It is found that the micro-inter-road network of a gated community should be opened as the entropy value reaches 2.5. As the travel time is less than 20 s, the correlation between the opening entropy value and the journey delay time exhibits a good linear correlation, which indicates smooth traffic flow. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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9 pages, 3123 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tactile Feels in Grasping/Cutting Processes with Scissors

by Mioto Waga, Yuuki Aita, Junichi Noma and Yoshimune Nonomura

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 66; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030066 - 14 Jul 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5337

Abstract

Understanding the dynamic phenomena in grasping/cutting processes with scissors is important for the design of surgical robots and virtual reality systems. Here, we show the relationship between the mechanical stimuli and tactile sensations when forceps or scissors are used. Nineteen subjects grasped or cut objects and evaluated the tactile sensations in each of the processes. To conduct the tactile and mechanical evaluation simultaneously, subjects operated scissors that were fixed to a mechanical evaluation system. When subjects grasped urethane resin, stainless steel plate, and adhesive tape, soft, hard, and sticky feels were perceived, respectively. Dry, hard, and creaking feels were perceived in the paper cutting process. In addition, we observed four characteristic tangential force profiles in the processes. Regression analysis suggests the following findings: Hardness is perceived by the change of force and blade movement when the scissors make contact with the object. Stickiness is caused by the increase and decrease of force at the moment of peeling when the scissors break contact with the object. The cutting sensation is affected by fine force fluctuations during the scissors closing and the rapidly decreased force at the moment of cutting completion. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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10 pages, 1482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Detection of Odorant Molecules in the Gaseous Phase Using α-, β-, and γ-Cyclodextrin Films on a Quartz Crystal Microbalance

by Kai Sasaki, Hiroyuki Furusawa, Kuniaki Nagamine and Shizuo Tokito

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 63; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030063 - 06 Jul 2018

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4819

Abstract

There is an interest in sensors for the detection of odorant molecules in the gaseous phase, especially those related to the fragrance of fruits, because odorant sensing is useful for on-site quality control of agricultural products. Previously, gas-chromatographic methods requiring bench-top devices were used for odorant-molecule detection. Herein, we report an odorant sensor based on cyclodextrins (CDs) as a stable odorant receptor, using a highly mass-sensitive and quantitative 27-MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) device, which has the advantage of possible incorporation into portable devices. When ethyl butyrate (a model odorant molecule for fruit fragrances) was flowed onto a QCM plate modified with α-, β-, or γ-CD network films, a decrease in frequency was observed (corresponding to an increase in mass), owing to the capture of odorant molecules by CD molecules. The CD films were capable of capturing and releasing odorant molecules, depending on the type of CD (α-, β-, or γ-CD). Thus, these sensors are reusable for odorant-molecule sensing, and are applicable to pattern recognition of odorant molecules. Thus, sensors based on CD films combined with a QCM handheld device could be applied to monitoring the condition of fruits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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11 pages, 3417 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural Formation of Cyclic Olefin Copolymer (COC) Films as Revealed by Real Time Retardation Measurements during Fast Stretching Process

by Yoshinori Hashimoto and Hiroshi Ito

Technologies 2018, 6(3), 60; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6030060 - 29 Jun 2018

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 4986

Abstract

This work reports on an experimental study of the fast stretching of a cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) film. We measured the stress retardation of the polymer film during fast stretching and identified a relationship between stress and birefringence. This relationship indicates that the film obeys the stress optical rule (SOR) at the onset of stretching. At slower stretching speeds, the stress optical constant (SOC) settles at a certain value. With faster stretching speeds, SOC values approach the photo-elastic constant (PEC). Our study also investigated the effects of stretching temperatures and stretching modes for both uniaxial stretching and biaxial stretching. We applied techniques of thermal analysis to evaluate higher order structures after fast stretching. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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8 pages, 2983 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Morphology Control of Nanocrystallized C₆₀ Thin Films Prepared by Poor Solvent Immersion

by Kazuki Umemoto, Masaki Takeda, Yuki Tezuka, Miho Doi, Bozhang Lyu and Akito Masuhara

Technologies 2018, 6(2), 51; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/technologies6020051 - 20 May 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4463

Abstract

Nanocrystallized C₆₀ thin films of such as hexagonal, plate-like, and rod-like morphologies were recrystallized by poor solvent immersion, employing 1-propanol, 2-propanol, and butanol respectively. A C₆₀ thin film fabricated by evaporation was immersed in the poor solvent, partially dissolving the surface C₆₀. This was followed by the solvent rapidly reaching a supersaturated state, resulting in the induced recrystallization of the C₆₀. C₆₀ fine high-density crystals were successfully prepared using propanol, with crystal sizes varying between 84 and 141 nm by changing the immersion time. In addition, due to the 1-propanol recrystallizing solvated crystals which were formed through interactions between the solvent and the C₆₀, uniform C₆₀ fine crystals were obtained by the formation of a large number of nucleation sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart Systems)

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