Energy Saving Technology-2 (SiC)

A unique structure of a defect of the SiC crystal, called a screw dislocation, has been shown through the evaluation of the structure of the screw dislocation, which is made by using LACBED (large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction). 

As known, the SiC-based power device is one of the next generation power devices.

The screw dislocation is known as one of the defects that the SiC crystal has. 

An inverter including the SiC power device having such a defect inevitably suffers from degradation of its performance. 

It has been recognized that the direction in which the screw dislocation extends is the same as of the displacement of the crystal. 

The screw dislocation extends within and through the crystal. 

It has been indicated that the screw dislocation is a unique dislocation in that it contains a displacement having the direction (axis “a”) vertical to the axis “c” along which the defect extends, in addition to the axis “c”. 

Such a defect has been inexplicitly been explained, however.  September, 2012, JFCC, TOYOTA, and TOYOTA Central R&D Labs

To learn more, feel free to contact us at rvtpe01@hotmail.co.jp

Solar energy technology-2 (artificial photosynthesis)

Another aritificial photosynthesis system for generating a formic acid by using water and CO2 under sunlight, developed by Panasonic. The system is entirely constructed with inorganic materials. Its construction is simple.
The solar energy conversion efficiency is 0.2%, comparable with that of the photosynthesis of a plant. The inorganic material to be synthesized is selectable. Photoelectrode = nitride semiconductor, and electrode for generating the organic material = metal catalysis. Panasonic, July 2012
To learn more, feel free to contact us at rvtpe01@hotmail.co.jp

Co-Sponsors:
* Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), Kyoto University
* Strategic International Research Cooperative Program (Finland-Japan), JST
* Academy of Finland

Energy Saving technology-1 (SiC)

Significant energy-saving effect of SiC power devices.  Energy consumption saved is equivalent to the power of 7 to 8 nuclear power plants.
 

As known, the power devices are currently used in a variety of fields, including air conditioners, automobiles and power plants. If the current power  devices, which are used in Japan, are all replaced with SiC power devices, the energy consumption saved is equivalent to the power of 7 to 8 nuclear power plants (This is  shown by the calculation).    The SiC power devices were incorporated into  the inverters of the  railway vehicle being under test, by Mitsubishi Electric last autumn, and are called  next generation power  devices.  The SiC power device can withstand much higher voltage and much larger current when compared with conventional silicon type power device, and suffers from significantly much less power loss than of the conventional power  device. 

To learn more, feel free to contact us at rvtpe01@hotmail.co.jp

Solar energy technology-1 (artificial photosynthesis)

The artificial photosynthesis converts solar energy into an intended organic material and stores it. The technology will provide excellent, effective solutions to environmental, energy and food issues. 

Toyota succeeded in continuously synthesizing a formic acid by using water and CO2 under sunlight. CO2 reduction photocatalysis and photocatalysis are combined with a proton exchange membrane interlocated between them. The solar energy conversion efficiency is 0.04%, about 1/5 of that of the photosynthesis of a plant. TOYOTA, Semtember 2011. More > rvtpe01@hotmail.co.jp

Toyota’s power supply systems FCV bus

Toyota developed a power supply system for supplying electric power from an FCV (fuel cell vehicle) bus to an external load, for example, home appliances. The system contains two AC outlets (AC100 V, 1.5 kW) and is capable of supplying a maximum of 3 kW power for 100 hours or longer. Toyota is developing another power supply system (V2H system), which supplies power from the FCV bus through electric wires installed in the building. The V2H system has a maximum of 9.8 kW output power and is capable of supplying power continuously for 50 hours, which is equivalent to the lighting power of around 5 days in a gym. To learn more, feel free to contact us at rvtpe01@hotmail.co.jp

Solar energy technologies for next-generation energy

In my view as the result of reading recent technical news in Japan, one of the next -generation major energy sources is the solar energy. 

Some artificial photosynthesis technologies have been newsed recently.  The technologies reported in those items of news are still around the stage of empirically showing the possibility to practical use of the technologies.  Those technologies emerged from AIST, Osaka University, Toyota Central R & D Labs., and Panasonic. 

In the view of utilizing the solar energy, the magnesium fuel cell is the most advanced in technology.  The Mg fuel cell has been substantially in the practical use stage.  See http://p.tl/Xjy7 and http://p.tl/GmMA

Hydrogen refueling station collocating with gas station to be demonstration-tested

JX Nippon Oil & Energy Corporation will conduct a hydrogen refueling demonstration test during a period from Feb. 2013 to March 2016. In the test, a hydrogen refueling station collocates with a normal gas station. The test will grasp and understand problems through actual hydrogen refueling service towards the 2015 FCV commercialization. Two ways to refuel the FCVs with hydrogen gas will be employed; one way is based the self-refueling and the other way is based on the serviceman refueling. This type of demonstration test is the first in Japan. Japan is behind schedule in hydrogen refueling infrastructure installation. The installation retardation is due to some legal controls. The government has announced to remove those legal controls and also to build a number of hydrogen refueling stations. >> More