{"result":true,"data":"{\"articles\":[{\"id\":4110,\"title\":\"AI Reveals How Coating Thickness Changes the Link Between Surface Roughness and Pitting Resistance\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20261007image.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology identify a thickness-dependent interaction in steam-grown protective films on aluminum alloy

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Pitting corrosion can threaten the durability of aluminum components. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, used interpretable machine learning to reveal a critical shift in how surface morphology affects steam-coated aluminum. The model identified a thickness-dependent change in this interaction near 2,200 nm, or 2.2 µm, within a specific roughness range. The findings suggest directions for coating design and further experimental validation.

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Localized pitting corrosion can cause sudden failure in aluminum components even when overall corrosion rates are low. Steam coating offers a water-vapor-based route to protective boehmite films, but processing simultaneously changes film thickness, surface morphology, crystallinity, and substrate defects. These intertwined changes make it difficult to determine which physical features govern corrosion resistance and how coatings should be optimized.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Takahiro Ishizaki and Master's student Kei Masuhara from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, used an interpretable machine-learning framework to examine 90 steam-coated A6061-T6 aluminum specimens. Four descriptors—film thickness (FT), surface morphology (SQ), crystallite size (CS), and substrate dislocation density index—were analyzed using Random Forest, Shapley Additive Explanations, and Accumulated Local Effects. Their findings were published online in the journal npj Materials Degradation on August 18, 2026.

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The researchers assessed pitting resistance by measuring the pitting potential—the voltage at which localized corrosion begins—in a 5 wt.% sodium chloride solution at room temperature. Higher values indicate greater resistance to pitting under these test conditions. Surface morphology was quantified as the root-mean-square surface height, a measure of surface roughness denoted as SQ.

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“We wanted to understand which features of the coating most strongly affect its ability to prevent pitting corrosion,” says Prof. Ishizaki. “Our analysis showed that the importance of these features changes as the coating grows.” The machine-learning model predicted corrosion resistance more accurately than a model based only on coating temperature and treatment time.

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The analysis identified surface roughness and film thickness as the leading descriptors in the model. For specimens with SQ values of approximately 600–1,080 nm, the modeled interaction between roughness and thickness changed from positive to negative near a film thickness of 2,200 nm. This reversal concerns the interaction between the two descriptors, rather than the overall corrosion resistance of every coating above or below that thickness. The same reversal was not observed in the lower-roughness range.

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The researchers interpret this pattern as a possible change in what surface roughness represents during film growth. In thinner coatings, roughness may reflect the development of protective coverage. In thicker coatings, it may instead be associated with structural irregularities that provide pathways for corrosive species. These interpretations remain hypotheses requiring further experimental testing. The analysis also identified a region-dependent interaction between surface roughness and CS, suggesting that their combination matters more than a simple “larger is better” rule.

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These findings suggest directions for optimizing water-vapor-based protective coatings on lightweight aluminum alloys. Considering film thickness and surface roughness together could help guide future coating development. The descriptors were obtained using X-ray diffraction, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and cross-sectional electron microscopy. With further validation, such measurements could support data-driven coating assessment and quality control.

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“The key insight is that higher roughness should not automatically be considered beneficial or harmful,” says Prof. Ishizaki. “Its meaning depends on the film-growth regime. Our model suggests a change near 2,200 nm within the higher-roughness range examined. This shows why coating design needs to consider how physical features interact.” A Monte Carlo analysis estimated that uncertainty in descriptor measurements contributed approximately 0.080 V to prediction variability, compared with an overall model RMSE of 0.292 V. This suggests that measurement uncertainty alone cannot explain the remaining prediction error.

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Overall, the study demonstrates how interpretable machine learning can reveal physically meaningful regime changes in complex coating systems rather than simply predicting corrosion behavior. The identified SQ–FT transition and other region-dependent interactions provide model-supported hypotheses for future experimental validation, and may offer a transferable strategy for other interface-controlled materials, including environmental barrier coatings and battery interphases.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Interpretable machine learning reveals a morphological regime shift governing pitting resistance in steam-coated boehmite films

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Journal:

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npj Materials Degradation

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DOI:

\\n		10.1038/s41529-026-00862-0
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Additional information for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:

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18 August 2026

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Method of Research:

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Computational simulation/modeling

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Subject of Research: Animals

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Not applicable

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

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Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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About Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from SIT, Japan

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Prof. Takahiro Ishizaki is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan. He received his Ph.D. from Waseda University in 2004, and has more than 20 years of experience in materials science and engineering research. His research interests include surface chemistry, electrochemistry, surface engineering, corrosion, coating technology, nanomaterials, and the synthesis and characterization of functional materials. He has authored 171 publications, which have received more than 4,700 citations, with an h-index of 36. His current research includes carbon synthesis for Li–air batteries and the development of functional energy materials.

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Funding Information

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This research was supported by the Adaptable and Seamless Technology Transfer Program through Target-driven R&D (A-STEP) from Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Grant Number JPMJTR23RJ.

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

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Title: Interpretable AI Links Surface Roughness and Film Thickness to Pitting Resistance
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Caption:Decoupling of physics-informed descriptors revealing a model-supported transition near FT ≈ 2,200 nm in the higher-morphology regime.

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An interpretable machine-learning framework relates four physical descriptors—film thickness (FT), surface roughness (SQ), crystallite size (CS), and substrate dislocation density index (FS)—to the pitting potential of steam-coated aluminum alloy. Random Forest modeling, SHAP, and Accumulated Local Effects analyses were used to examine descriptor importance and interactions. Within the higher-roughness range studied, the modeled SQ–FT interaction changed sign near FT ≈ 2,200 nm. The proposed shift from protective coverage to defect-related transport pathways is a model-supported interpretation requiring further experimental validation.
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Credit:  Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from SIT, Japan 
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Source Link: NA
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License Type: Original content
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Usage restrictions:Credit must be given to the creator.
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   \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/10/9 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/10/9 16:02:33\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20261009-7985-101.html\"},{\"id\":4099,\"title\":\"Molecular Simulations Reveal How an Enzyme’s Shape Guides Molecular Recognition\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260929_Image.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology show that enzyme shape influences ligand retention and compound-specific sugar preference

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Pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylase adopts different conformations that influence how it interacts with molecules. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, used molecular dynamics simulations to show that closed conformations retain ligands more strongly than open ones and that sugar preference varies by compound and conformation, highlighting enzyme flexibility as an important consideration for drug design, artificial nucleoside synthesis, and greener biocatalytic manufacturing, and provide a framework for future enzyme engineering and inhibitor-design studies.

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Enzymes are often described as molecular machines that recognize and process specific molecules. However, they are not rigid structures. Their shapes can change, and these changes can affect how molecules enter, interact with, and remain within their active sites.

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Pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylase (PyNP) is an enzyme involved in the production of nucleic-acid building blocks. It is relevant to the design of anticancer, antiviral, and antibacterial drugs and can also be used to synthesize artificial nucleosides. However, the molecular basis of how its changing shape affects molecular recognition has remained unclear.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Akihiko Hatano, along with researcher Kousei Takeshima from the Course of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Materials Science and Chemistry, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, investigated how different shapes of PyNP from Bacillus subtilis influence ligand retention and sugar preference. The team used all-atom molecular dynamics simulations across four conformational states, 13 structural probes, and molecular dynamics trajectories totaling 15.6 microseconds of simulation time. Their findings were published online in the journal ACS Omega on September 12, 2026.

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For many years, the researchers have used this enzyme to synthesize artificial nucleosides and asked why changing the sugar can alter the reaction. “We wanted to understand this question from the perspective of atomic-scale motions that experiments alone cannot reveal,” said Prof. Hatano. “This led us to examine how the enzyme and its bound molecules behave across different structural states.”

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The researchers first examined how the enzyme’s active-site pocket changes as the protein moves between different conformations. They found that the pocket expanded by approximately 1.4-fold between the most closed and most open states.

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The simulations then revealed a relationship between enzyme shape and ligand retention. Across the simulations, 75.6% of trajectories in the closed group retained ligands in a bound state, compared with 55.1% in the open group, indicating that enzyme shape influences ligand retention.

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The researchers also found that ribose- and 2′-deoxyribose-containing compounds did not show a universal preference. Instead, sugar preference depended on both the individual compound and the enzyme’s conformation. The researchers also observed distinct sugar-ring conformations: ribose occupied the North (C3′-endo) conformation for 64.3% of the sampled time, whereas 2′-deoxyribose occupied the South (C2′-endo) conformation for 57.9%. This difference was strongest for the unsubstituted compound and became smaller as the 6-position substituent grew larger.

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A residue called Tyr165 emerged as a moving “lid” over the active site, particularly in the closed reference structure. Removing this residue in additional simulations reduced ligand retention, supporting the proposed lid mechanism at the computational level. However, the strongest Tyr165 signal came mainly from a closed structure belonging to a related species, so confirmation using a closed-state structure from B. subtilis is still needed.

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The findings could have broader value for pharmaceutical and biotechnological research. PyNP is also used to synthesize fluorescently labeled nucleosides and stable-isotope-labeled nucleic acids. Understanding how enzyme shape affects molecular capture could help researchers design inhibitors and efficient enzymatic synthesis routes, while supporting greener manufacturing.

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“Enzymes should not be viewed as single, static structures when we think about molecular recognition,” said Prof. Hatano. “Our results show that different conformations can change how compounds are retained and how sugar-related preferences emerge.” The study points to future calculations and experiments to determine how these interactions relate to the chemical steps.

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Overall, the study demonstrates how examining multiple enzyme conformations with molecular simulations can reveal binding behavior that a single static structure may miss. By showing that ligand retention and sugar preference depend on molecular identity and enzyme shape, the work provides a framework for dynamic substrate recognition and future enzyme engineering, inhibitor design, and sustainable biocatalytic synthesis.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Conformation- and Compound-Dependence of Ribose/2′-Deoxyribose Retention Patterns in Pyrimidine-Nucleoside Phosphorylase from Bacillus subtilis: A Four-Structure Molecular Dynamics Study

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Journal:

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ACS Omega

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DOI:

\\n		10.1021/acsomega.6c08499
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Additional information for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:

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12 September 2026

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Method of Research:

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Computational simulation/modeling

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Subject of Research: Animals

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Not Applicable

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:

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The authors declare no competing financial interest.

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

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Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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About Professor Akihiko Hatano from SIT, Japan

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Prof. Akihiko Hatano is a Professor at the Course of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Department of Materials Science and Chemistry, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan. Working within materials science, chemistry, and regional environmental systems, his research focus spans analytical and applied chemistry, including advanced chip sensors for chemical detection. With deep skills and expertise in specialized fields like thiols, his impactful academic contributions include 37 publications and 537 citations. He consistently drives sustainable engineering and green technology by understanding molecular-level mechanisms, advancing biochemical synthesis, and developing innovative green manufacturing applications for modern diagnostics and industries.

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Funding Information

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This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Grant Number JP21K05315.

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

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\\\"20260929_Image\\\"
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Title: Molecular Dynamics Reveal an Enzyme in Motion
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Caption:　Molecular dynamics simulations of pyrimidine-nucleoside phosphorylase from Bacillus subtilis compare four conformational states, showing how changes in the enzyme’s active-site shape influence ligand retention and molecular recognition.

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Credit: Professor Akihiko Hatano from SIT, Japan 
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Source Link: NA
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License Type: Original content
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Usage restrictions:Credit must be given to the creator.
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   \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/29 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/29 12:00:05\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260929-7985-101_1_1.html\"},{\"id\":4104,\"title\":\"Shibaura Institute of Technology Establishes Basic Policy on Customer Harassment\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-1\",\"label\":\"Information\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260219_001.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Shibaura Institute of Technology has established the “Basic Policy on Customer Harassment at Shibaura Institute of Technology” to protect the safety and dignity of our faculty and staff and to maintain a safe and appropriate environment for education, research, and other operations. We value the relationships of trust we have built with everyone associated with us and will continue to respond sincerely and appropriately to legitimate opinions and requests. At the same time, in order to protect the safety and dignity of our faculty and staff, we will take a firm and appropriate approach to conduct that exceeds what is considered socially acceptable and adversely affects the working environment of our faculty and staff. Such conduct includes abusive language, intimidating behavior, prolonged detention, unreasonable demands, and defamatory or abusive posts on social media and other online platforms. Depending on the circumstances, we may suspend or terminate our response to such conduct and may take measures including restricting the use of our facilities or prohibiting entry to our campuses. When necessary, we may also work in cooperation with the police, legal counsel, and other relevant authorities. We kindly ask for your understanding of the purpose of this policy and for your cooperation in ensuring the smooth conduct of our education, research, and other operations.
Basic Policy　https://surl.jp/jEnzUEvu

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Contact
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SIT General Affairs and Secretary Section
〒135-8548  3-7-5 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo
TEL：03-5859-7010
E-mail：somu@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp
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\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/28 9:43:44\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/28 11:34:52\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260930-7010-001.html\"},{\"id\":4090,\"title\":\"Stress-Assisted Conductivity Retention in High-Iodine LiBH₄ Thin Films\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260924image1.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers develop a multilayer method that enables high-iodine LiBH₄ thin films while improving room-temperature ionic conductivity

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Solid electrolytes are promising materials for safer, more compact all-solid-state batteries, but producing smooth thin films with high ionic conductivity remains challenging. In a recent study, researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, developed a multilayer method using lithium borohydride and lithium iodide to create high-iodine thin films. Their approach improved iodine incorporation, maintained relatively smooth surfaces, and produced good room-temperature ionic conductivity, opening new possibilities for thin-film solid electrolytes.

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All-solid-state lithium batteries require solid materials that allow lithium ions to move efficiently. Lithium borohydride (LiBH₄) is a promising material for this purpose because its high-temperature hexagonal phase supports rapid lithium-ion transport. Introducing iodide into LiBH₄ can stabilize this conductive phase at lower temperatures, but producing smooth films with enough iodine has been difficult. Earlier methods added only about 8% iodine and often produced rough surfaces, limiting their usefulness in thin-film devices.

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To address this challenge, a research team led by Ph.D. student Erika Fukushi and Professor Hiroyuki Oguchi from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Tokyo, Japan, developed a multilayer method. They deposited thin layers of lithium iodide and LiBH₄ one after another at room temperature, then heated them so the layers could mix through interdiffusion. This approach allowed the researchers to add more iodine while keeping the films relatively smooth. Their findings were made available online on May 27, 2026, and were published in Volume 11, Issue 22 of the journal ACS Omega on June 09, 2026.

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“By depositing LiBH₄ and lithium iodide separately, we can overcome the different vapor pressures that previously limited iodine incorporation,” says Ms. Fukushi. “The multilayer design also lets us control composition through individual layer thicknesses while keeping deposition at room temperature, which helps suppress island-like growth seen in films deposited at higher temperatures.”

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After heating, the separate layers had largely mixed together, with SEM/EDS indicating extensive interdiffusion and large-area compositional homogeneity, although some local iodine-rich regions remained. The new films contained iodide substitution levels of 20–40% (x = 0.20–0.40), a substantial increase from the previous limit of about 8%. They also remained relatively flat compared with films made using higher-temperature methods, which often developed uneven, island-like surfaces. This combination of composition control and surface smoothness could facilitate systematic studies of electrode/solid-electrolyte interfaces.

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The films exhibited enhanced lithium-ion conductivity, with the best room-temperature conductivity reaching 4.9 × 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. This value is comparable to or higher than that of widely used thin-film solid electrolytes such as LiPON. However, adding too much iodine reduced conductivity, suggesting that there is an optimal iodine level. At excessive concentrations, iodide can obstruct lithium-ion migration pathways through site blocking and iodine-induced lattice strain or expansion.

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The researchers also found that some films continued to exhibit high ionic conductivity as they cooled after heating. This behavior gradually weakened over about one week, suggesting that the films temporarily retained a high-conductivity, metastable state. The effect may result from stresses at the film–substrate interface, which could hinder the structural changes normally associated with cooling.

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“The conductivity retention is especially interesting because it shows that thin films can behave differently from bulk materials,” says Ms. Fukushi. “Interfacial constraints may provide a way to tune how a conductive state is retained, and future experiments varying the substrate and film thickness could help clarify this effect.”

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Overall, the study presents a practical way to make smooth, iodine-rich LiBH₄ films with useful room-temperature conductivity. These films may eventually be applicable to thin-film solid-state batteries and small electrochemical devices. Further research is needed to test their performance with battery electrodes, evaluate long-term stability, and determine how their interfaces affect charge and discharge behavior.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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High-Iodine Li(BH4)1–xIx Thin Films Enabled by Multilayer Interdiffusion and Exhibiting Stress-Assisted Conductivity Retention

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Journal:

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ACS Omega

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DOI:

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10.1021/acsomega.5c13516

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Additional information for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:

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9 June 2026

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Method of Research:

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Experimental study

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Subject of Research: Animals

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Not Applicable

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:

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The authors declare no competing financial interest.

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

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Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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About Erika Fukushi from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Ms. Erika Fukushi is a Doctoral course student in the Department of Regional Environment Systems, Graduate School of Engineering and Science, at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. She works in the Energy Materials Creation Chemistry Laboratory led by Professor Hiroyuki Oguchi at SIT. Her research focuses on inorganic materials science, with interests spanning perovskite hydrides and solid electrolytes. Through her doctoral research, Fukushi investigates materials and fabrication approaches relevant to energy technologies. Her work explores compositionally tunable solid electrolytes and thin-film materials, contributing to understanding their structure, ionic transport, and applications in electrochemical devices and all-solid-state battery systems.

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Funding Information

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This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Numbers JP25KJ2092, JP25K01883, and JP24K21249, as well as by the Fujikura Foundation and the S-SPIRE project at Shibaura Institute of Technology.

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

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\\\"20260924image1\\\"
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Title: Multilayer interdiffusion enables high-iodine Li(BH4)1−xIx thin films
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Caption: Schematic illustration of Li(BH4)1−xIx thin-film synthesis: LiI deposition, alternating LiI/LiBH4 multilayer fabrication, and iodine interdiffusion during postannealing.
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Credit: Erika Fukushi from SIT, Japan 
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Source Link: https://pubs.acs.org/acsodf/article/11/22/32356/5184537/High-Iodine-Li-BH4-1-xIx-Thin-Films-Enabled-by
License Type: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator. Only noncommercial uses of the work are permitted. No derivatives or adaptations of the work are permitted.
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   \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/24 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/24 12:00:06\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260924-7985-101.html\"},{\"id\":4088,\"title\":\"Balancing Alkalinity and Strength in Construction Soil by Optimizing Aeration Timing\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Press_Release_Image_6.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"Researchers identify when sealed curing helps strength and when immediate aeration best supports neutralization of stabilized construction-generated soil
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Stabilized construction-generated soil is often too alkaline for reuse, while neutralization depends on curing conditions. Although aeration curing is the cheapest way to lower alkalinity, there has been no guidance on when to begin it. Now, researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology reveal that immediate aeration is preferable when neutralization is the priority, whereas a sealed period is useful when added strength is needed, providing a practical scheduling framework for soil-recycling operations.

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Title: Effect of sealed-curing duration on aeration curing of stabilized soil 

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Caption: Researchers propose a compact process-selection framework linking sealed duration, aeration duration, binder chemistry, and performance targets for reuse of construction-generated soil. It states that immediate aeration is preferred when neutralization is the main goal, whereas sealing before aeration can be used when greater strength is required.

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Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

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Source Link: NA

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License Type: Original content

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Usage restrictions: Cannot be reused without permission.

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Construction-generated soil is one of the largest by-product streams from construction, yet its reuse can be limited after stabilization with cement- or lime-based binders. These binders improve workability and strength but generate calcium hydroxide, raising pore-solution pH to strongly alkaline levels that can inhibit plant growth and threaten surrounding water quality. Aeration curing offers a low-cost route to reduce this alkalinity by exposing treated soil to atmospheric carbon dioxide, which converts calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate. However, there is a lack of quantitative guidance on when aeration should begin after binder mixing.

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To address this gap, a research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, has examined whether the sealed-curing period between binder mixing and aeration changes subsequent neutralization and strength. The team compared two binders with contrasting reaction kinetics, a quicklime-rich lime-based binder, which generates most of its calcium hydroxide rapidly through slaking, and ordinary Portland cement (OPC), which releases calcium hydroxide progressively during hydration. This study was made available online on August 13, 2026, and will be published in Volume 32 of Results in Engineering on December 01, 2026.

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“While construction-generated soil is produced in far larger volumes, its reuse rate lags due to the strong alkalinity, which inhibits plant growth and threatens water quality. The cheapest way to lower the alkalinity is aeration curing, however, there has been no quantitative basis for deciding when to begin it. Our study addresses this gap, providing quantitative guide for scheduling aeration curing,” says Prof. Inazumi.

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The researchers prepared an adjusted mixed soil containing construction sludge and dewatered water-treatment sludge cake in a 2:1 volume ratio. The lime-based binder was added at 89.0 g/L and OPC at 95.0 g/L. After mixing, lime-treated samples were sealed for 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days, while OPC-treated samples were sealed for 0, 1, 4, and 7 days. All samples were then aerated for 28 days. Soil-suspension pH was measured at 48-hour intervals, with a final measurement on day 28, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) was measured using three specimens for each condition.

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The two binder systems behaved differently during neutralization. For the quicklime-rich binder, the duration of sealing had essentially no effect on either the rate or magnitude of pH reduction, and all cases converged to a terminal pH of approximately 11.4. For OPC, longer sealing produced a faster pH decrease during the first few days of aeration. Yet when the pH data were re-plotted against total elapsed time since mixing, the different OPC cases collapsed onto the same trajectory and converged to a terminal pH of approximately 9.9. This showed that sealing did not add neutralizing capacity; it merely shifted part of the process in time.

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In contrast, strength benefited from sealing. For both binders, 28-day UCS increased monotonically with sealed-curing duration. A 7-day seal increased UCS by approximately 15–18%. Within the tested 0–7-day range, the increase corresponded to an apparent gain of roughly 2% of the no-seal strength per additional sealed day, although the researchers caution that this preliminary relationship should not be extrapolated beyond the tested conditions.

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The study also identified a practical lower limit to aeration-based neutralization. The terminal pH values were consistent with calcium carbonate-bicarbonate buffering, which resists further pH decline. Therefore, neither longer sealing nor longer aeration can necessarily reduce pH below the binder-specific plateau. If a required reuse criterion lies below that plateau, operators may need to change the binder or its dosage rather than extend curing time. This decoupling enables sealed and aeration durations to be optimized independently.

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“The most direct application is in the scheduling of soil-processing yards that receive construction sludge and excavated soil stabilized with cement or lime. Our study, by showing that a post-mixing seal adds no neutralizing capacity, allows yards to remove an unnecessary step, shortening processing time, and freeing land in dense urban regions where space is scarce,” says Prof. Inazumi.

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The proposed approach could support more efficient reuse of construction-generated soil, reduce reliance on virgin fill and disposal, and improve the practicality of low-cost atmospheric carbonation in circular construction workflows.

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“Raising the reuse rate of construction-generated soil may directly contribute to circular-economy legislation and to the Sustainable Development Goals 11, 12, and 13,” concludes Prof. Inazumi.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:
\\nTiming aeration curing to balance neutralization and strength in stabilized construction-generated soil
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Journal:
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Results in Engineering

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DOI:    
\\n10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112466 
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Additional information for EurekAlert  

\\nLatest Article Publication Date: 1 December 2026
Method of Research:                           Experimental study 
Subject of Research:                           Not applicable 
Conflicts of Interest Statement:The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\nShibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world. 

Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/
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About Professor Shinya Inazumi from SIT, Japan

\\nDr. Shinya Inazumi is a Professor in the College of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, and leads the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, where research focuses on sustainable ground and infrastructure solutions. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University. His research interests span civil and geotechnical engineering, geo-disaster mitigation, and AI applications in infrastructure planning. As an established author with hundreds of publications, he has also been recognized with prestigious awards for research excellence in geotechnical and environmental engineering.
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Funding Information

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

\\nE-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp
Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

 \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/17 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/17 12:00:06\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/202600917-7070-001.html\"},{\"id\":4080,\"title\":\"Tiny Crystal Pores Trigger Selective CO₂ and Benzene Recognition\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260915Image_1.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology develop an adaptive crystal that selectively captures CO₂ and recognizes similar molecules

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Chemical separation can be energy-intensive when molecules have similar sizes and properties. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, developed an interlayer adaptive crystal that changes its spacing to recognize specific molecules. The crystal showed appreciable CO₂ uptake at pressures as low as 2.0 Pa (195 K) and selectively separated CO₂ from nitrogen and methane at 303 K, even under highly humid conditions. It also preferentially captured benzene over several similar molecules, offering a new approach to molecular separation.

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Chemical separation is among the most energy-intensive operations in modern industry, with separation processes such as distillation estimated to account for approximately 10–15% of global energy consumption, creating a need for efficient approaches to carbon capture and purification. Conventional porous materials often rely on pore size and adsorption strength, which can struggle to distinguish molecules with similar dimensions. The researchers therefore explored whether a crystal could adapt its internal space to incoming molecules.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Akiko Hori, together with graduate students Masahiro Abe and Tomoki Jitsukata from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, and Professor Ryotaro Matsuda from Nagoya University, Japan, developed an interlayer adaptive crystal (LAC). The material is made of thin layers that can move apart when certain molecules approach. Their findings were published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition on August 24, 2026.

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“Rather than relying only on molecular size, we focused on the characteristic negative quadrupole moment of CO₂ and sought to use electrostatic complementarity as a new principle for selective separation,” says Prof. Hori. “The layered crystal unexpectedly showed that its interlayer space could expand in response to guest molecules.”

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In its guest-free state, the crystal contains ultramicropores measuring about 2.6 Å across. These spaces are too small to serve as conventional pathways for CO₂, yet they act as triggers. Fluorinated aromatic surfaces create positively polarized regions that favor molecules with complementary electrostatic distributions. When a suitable guest approaches, the layers move apart, allowing larger molecules to enter.

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This adaptive behavior was especially striking for CO₂. At 195 K, appreciable CO₂ uptake was observed at pressures as low as 2.0 Pa, reaching about 0.2 molecules per [Zn(L)Py]₂ unit at 26 Pa and about 2.0 molecules per unit at 98 kPa. Even at 298 K, the uptake remained substantial at 0.58 mol mol⁻¹ near 98 kPa. CO₂ inclusion caused reversible expansion along the a-axis, showing that adsorption involved structural adaptation rather than filling the original ultramicropores.

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The material also distinguished CO₂ from nitrogen and methane. At 303 K, CO₂ was retained longer than both gases. Under dry conditions, its breakthrough delay was about 60 seconds relative to nitrogen and 52 seconds relative to methane. This selectivity remained under highly humid conditions, with CO₂ uptake of 0.25 mol mol⁻¹ for CO₂/N₂ and 0.21 mol mol⁻¹ for CO₂/CH₄. These findings point to usefulness for gas purification.

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The crystal could also recognize larger organic molecules. Although benzene is about 5.9 Å across, more than twice the intrinsic pore diameter, it entered the expanded crystal. When exposed to an equimolar benzene–hexafluorobenzene mixture, the crystal almost quantitatively incorporated benzene, reaching about 97% of its benzene-inclusion capacity, while no evidence of hexafluorobenzene insertion was observed. Benzene was also strongly favored over cyclohexane and cyclohexene in competitive experiments, demonstrating recognition based on electrostatic complementarity rather than molecular size alone.

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“Chemical separations often depend on rigid pores or energy-intensive processes, but our crystal responds directly to favorable interactions with selected molecules,” says Prof. Hori. “This adaptive mechanism could provide a route toward more energy-efficient CO₂ capture and the separation of closely related organic compounds that are difficult to distinguish by conventional methods.”

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Overall, the study establishes interlayer adaptive crystals as a new approach to molecular recognition, combining porous-material uptake with molecular-crystal precision. Fluorinated surfaces guide guest recognition and trigger reversible layer expansion, enabling CO2 uptake at very low pressure, selective separation from nitrogen and methane under highly humid conditions, and selective benzene recognition. The concept could support CO₂ purification, organic-compound separation, controlled molecular transport, confined reactions, and guest-responsive materials.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Low-Pressure CO2 and Aromatic Recognition by Interlayer Adaptive Crystal of π-Hole-Functionalized Zn(II) Coordination Sheets

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Journal:

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Angewandte Chemie International Edition

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DOI:

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10.1002/anie.4090353

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Additional information for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:

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24 August 2026

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Method of Research:

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Experimental study

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Subject of Research: Animals

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Not Applicable

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:

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The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

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Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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About Professor Akiko Hori from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

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Dr. Akiko Hori is a Professor at the Department of Applied Chemistry, SIT, Japan. She heads the Laboratory of Molecular Assemblies. Her research is focused on crystal engineering and supramolecular chemistry based on the combination of inorganic and organic materials. Her lab also explores related research topics, including design and environmental applications of coordination compounds, molecular recognition, and gas adsorption in molecular crystalline states, as well as the photo-functionality and dynamic transformation of crystals in response to external stimuli.

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Funding Information

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This work was supported by Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research B, 23K21122 of JSPS KAKENHI and S-SPIRE project of Shibaura Institute of Technology (A.H.).

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image1

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Title: Interlayer Adaptive Crystal Enables Selective CO₂ and Benzene Recognition
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Caption: A perfluorinated Zn(II) coordination sheet forms an interlayer adaptive crystal in which tiny ultramicropores trigger guest-induced expansion. Electrostatic interactions enable selective CO₂ uptake over N₂ and CH₄ and preferential benzene inclusion.
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Credit: Professor Akiko Hori from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan 
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Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.4090353
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License Type: CC BY 4.0
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Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.
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image2

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Title: Interlayer Adaptive Crystal Enables Low-Pressure CO₂ Capture
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Caption: A perfluorinated Zn(II) coordination crystal forms layered structures with ultramicropores that act as electrostatic triggers for guest-induced expansion. The adaptive interlayer space enables uptake of CO₂, N₂, CH₄, and benzene, including CO₂ uptake at very low pressures.
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Credit: Professor Akiko Hori from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan 
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Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.4090353
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License Type: CC BY 4.0
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Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.
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image3

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Title: Adaptive Crystal Selectively Recognizes Benzene 
Caption: The interlayer adaptive crystal preferentially incorporates benzene from mixtures with hexafluorobenzene and other competing molecules, including cyclohexene and cyclohexane. Electrostatic interactions between the fluorinated crystal surfaces and guest molecules drive selective recognition and reversible guest incorporation.
Credit: Professor Akiko Hori from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan 
Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.4090353
License Type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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  \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/15 9:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/15 9:43:46\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260915-7985-101_1.html\"},{\"id\":4075,\"title\":\"Designing Plastic Containers for Easier Recycling with Terahertz Technology\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Image_2.png\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a THz-based framework that improves plastic identifiability while preserving usability

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Plastic packaging can be difficult to sort when different polymers look similar, limiting high-quality recycling. Researchers from Japan have developed a THz-based design framework that incorporates material identifiability into plastic container design. A soba container created using the framework showed stable THz transmittance while maintaining usability and transport efficiency. The approach could support everyday packaging designed for easier recycling without compromising practical functions, appearance, or handling.

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Plastic packaging is designed around appearance, convenience, and function, but what happens after disposal is often considered separately—yet managing this waste is key to building a circular economy, since good recycling requires sorting plastics correctly by type.  Transparent polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene, for example, can be difficult to distinguish visually, making accurate separation challenging.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Mr. Juniya Yoshihara, a master’s graduate student, together with Professor Tadao Tanabe and Professor Mitsuhiro Shigeri from the Department of Engineering and Design, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, developed a design framework incorporating terahertz (THz) sensing into plastic packaging design. The researchers focused on transparent soba noodle containers and considered material identification alongside geometry, consumer needs, and transport efficiency. “We wanted to rethink packaging design so that recyclability becomes part of the design process while everyday usability and practical requirements are retained,” says Mr. Yoshihara. The study was made available online on July 16, 2026, and will be published in Volume 32 of the journal Results in Engineering on December 01, 2026.

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The research began with a community-based collection experiment in Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Residents brought washed transparent food containers to a collection site equipped with an automated identification system. Among 383 collected samples, most were correctly identified, but some were misclassified. Analysis suggested that container shape and surface structure contributed to THz signal variations. The fixed model was not retrained during collection, providing an independent field-test evaluation under real-world conditions.

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The researchers then explored how geometry could support stable identification. They created different bottom surface shapes and evaluated their THz transmission alongside image-based measures of complexity. The results showed that ribs, slopes, grooves, and other uneven features could affect measurements. A stable, flat region at the center helped provide a more consistent area for THz sensing, particularly when measurements were sensitive to shape.

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Using these findings, the team developed four prototype soba containers. One prototype offered a strong balance between identification performance and practical use. It combined a regular triangular bottom pattern with a central flat area while retaining an uneven surface that could help prevent noodles from becoming soggy. The design also incorporated spaces for condiments and dipping sauce and considered how the container could be held during recycling.

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A small survey indicated favorable impressions of the selected design, including durability, handling, and innovative appearance. The final container was designed for easy handling and placement that directs the central sensing area toward the identification system. Its stacking arrangement also allowed more containers to be transported together than the general container used for comparison.

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Importantly, the final design maintained stable THz transmission while preserving the practical functions expected from a food container. The findings demonstrate that recycling considerations need not come at the expense of usability, appearance, or transport efficiency. Instead, sensing requirements can become part of product development itself.

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“By integrating sensing considerations into product geometry, we can explore packaging that is easier to identify after disposal without giving up its familiar functions,” says Mr. Yoshihara. The study points toward a broader shift in sustainable product development in which recyclability is considered alongside everyday performance from the beginning.

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Overall, the study presents a case-based framework combining THz sensing, machine learning, image analysis, and product design to improve material identifiability after disposal. While further validation is needed across different packaging types, materials, and real-world conditions, the approach could support everyday products designed for more efficient resource recycling and reduced environmental impact.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Designing a Sustainable Plastic Container Based on Terahertz Spectroscopy

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Journal

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Results in Engineering
 

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DOI:

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10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112028

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Authors

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About Mr. Juniya Yoshihara from SIT, Japan

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Mr. Juniya Yoshihara is a master’s graduate student and researcher in the Department of Engineering and Design at SIT, Japan. He is a member of the Design Process Laboratory (Shigeri Lab), where he focuses on design projects for everyday products. For this research, he studied and applied terahertz technology developed in the Recycle Design Laboratory (Tanabe Lab) within the same department. His work explores how advanced technologies can be incorporated into product design to support recycling and sustainability. He aims to develop practical design approaches that address environmental challenges while maintaining everyday product functionality and usability.

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https://banbutsusekkeikatei.studio.site/
https://recycledesignsit.com/

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Funding Information

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This research was partly supported by a grant from the Fuji Seal Packaging Foundation.

\\n    \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/9 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/9 13:11:06\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260909_7070_718.html\"},{\"id\":4068,\"title\":\"New Low-Temperature Coating Strategy for Tougher and Conductive Lightweight Magnesium\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Press_Release_Image20260902.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers develop a low-temperature steam-assisted process that gives magnesium alloys durable, conductive spinel coatings for harsh acidic environments

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Magnesium alloys are among the lightest structural metals available, but their poor corrosion resistance and electrically insulating surface films have limited their use in energy devices. Now, researchers have developed a low-temperature Steam-Assisted Solvothermal process combined with calcination that converts a magnesium hydroxide precursor into a robust, conductive MgFe₂O₄ spinel coating. The coating combines excellent corrosion resistance with electrical conductivity, making lightweight magnesium more suitable for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and other energy applications.

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Magnesium alloys are attractive for advanced energy technologies because of their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. However, despite being the lightest structural metals available, they corrode rapidly in acidic environments, while their native oxides and conventional protective coatings are electrically insulating. This combination has limited their use in demanding applications such as polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs), where components must resist corrosion while efficiently conducting electricity. Overcoming this longstanding trade-off has remained a major challenge in surface engineering.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, developed an innovative two-step Steam-Assisted Solvothermal (SAS) process. The method first forms a dense magnesium hydroxide [Mg(OH)2] precursor through steam treatment, converts it into a magnesium ferrite (MgFe₂O₄) layer via solvothermal growth, and finally applies calcination at 773 K to yield a highly crystalline spinel coating. Unlike conventional ceramic synthesis, which requires temperatures above 1,300 K, the new approach achieves conversion at just 453 K, thereby avoiding thermal damage to the magnesium substrate. The study was made available online on July 13, 2026, and will be published in Volume 536 of the journal Surface and Coatings Technology on September 15, 2026.

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The coating forms through a controlled dissolution-precipitation mechanism. During solvothermal treatment, the Mg(OH)2 precursor partially dissolves, releasing magnesium ions that react with iron species to grow MgFe₂O₄ directly on the alloy surface. This topotactic-like conversion produces a dense, continuous spinel layer instead of the unstable hydroxide coatings commonly produced by hydrothermal methods. Subsequent calcination at 773 K further enhances crystallinity, promotes particle coalescence, and strengthens grain connections, thereby producing a highly dense and ordered ceramic coating.

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Electrochemical testing demonstrated remarkable performance. The optimized coating prepared at 453 K exhibited an ultralow corrosion current density of approximately 2.42 × 10⁻⁸ A cm⁻² in sulfuric acid at pH 3, significantly outperforming untreated AZ91D magnesium alloy and conventional layered double hydroxide coatings. The continuous MgFe₂O₄ network also achieved a sheet resistance of 4.40 × 10⁶ Ω/sq., creating conductive pathways that overcome the insulating nature of native magnesium oxides. Long-term immersion tests further showed that the coating remained chemically stable while suppressing iron ion release even after 200 hours in acidic solution.

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“Our objective was to overcome the long-standing conflict between corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity on magnesium alloys without exposing the substrate to damaging high temperatures,” says Prof. Ishizaki. “By combining steam conversion with solvothermal growth, we created a highly crystalline spinel coating through controlled interfacial reactions at temperatures compatible with lightweight magnesium.”

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The researchers believe the technology could expand the use of magnesium alloys in clean-energy systems. Lightweight coated magnesium components could replace heavier stainless steel, titanium, or carbon composite bipolar plates and interconnects in PEFCs, reducing system weight while maintaining durability in acidic operating environments. The approach could also benefit hydrogen-powered vehicles, aerospace technologies, and industrial systems requiring corrosion-resistant conductive surfaces. This strategy demonstrates how rational interfacial chemical design can tailor multifunctional ceramic coatings on reactive metals. The researchers expect further optimization of coating adhesion and pore sealing to extend long-term durability for practical energy applications.

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Overall, the SAS process provides a practical low-temperature route for producing robust, electrically conductive MgFe₂O₄ spinel coatings directly on magnesium alloys. By eliminating the need for extremely high-temperature ceramic synthesis while delivering outstanding corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity, this environmentally benign surface engineering strategy opens new opportunities for lightweight materials in next-generation energy storage and conversion technologies, supporting more efficient hydrogen fuel cells and progress toward a decarbonized society.

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“Our innovation holds significant potential for next-generation energy conversion and storage systems in the automotive and aerospace sectors and offers a protective and conductive ceramic coating for various magnesium components exposed to aggressive acidic industrial processing environments,” concludes Prof. Ishizaki.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Synergistic mechanism of steam-assisted conversion and solvothermal growth for tailoring robust and conductive MgFe2O4 spinel layers on AZ91D alloys

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Journal:

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Surface and Coatings Technology

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DOI:

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10.1016/j.surfcoat.2026.133760

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Additional information for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:

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15 September 2026

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Method of Research:

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Experimental study

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Subject of Research: Animals

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Not Applicable

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:

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There are no conflicts to declare.

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

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Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

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Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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About Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from SIT, Japan

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Dr. Takahiro Ishizaki is a Professor at the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. He received his Ph.D. from Waseda University, Japan, in 2004. His research focuses on surface chemistry, electrochemistry, functional material synthesis, materials chemistry, corrosion protection, and advanced surface engineering. His expertise includes coating technology, surface characterization, surface analysis, nanomaterials, and advanced coatings. Since January 2023, he has served as Director of the Japan Flux Growth Research Association. He has published 170 papers, with over 4,700 citations.

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Funding Information

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The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Light Metal Educational Foundation, Inc., Japan.

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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Title: Steam-assisted low-temperature synthesis creates a durable conductive spinel coating on magnesium alloy
Caption: Schematic of the two-step Steam-Assisted Solvothermal process converting a Mg(OH)₂ precursor into a dense MgFe₂O₄ spinel coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy. FE-SEM, EDS, and electrochemical analyses confirm the coating's dense and continuous structure, uniform elemental distribution, and enhanced corrosion resistance in acidic environments.
Credit: Prof. TakahiroIshizaki from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source Link: NA
License Type: Original content
Usage restrictions: Cannot be reused without permission

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\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/7 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/7 12:00:05\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260907-7985-101.html\"},{\"id\":4046,\"title\":\"New Framework for Paper-Based Helical Origami Wearable Sensors to Conform to Body Shapes\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Press_Release_Image_4.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

A new parametric design framework transforms flat paper sheets into self-folding helical sensors that measure biosignals without straps or adhesives

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Paper-based sensors offer a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to conventional polymer-based wearables, but designing customized devices for different body shapes remains challenging. Now, researchers have developed a paper-based wearable sensor platform that transforms flat sheets of paper into self-folding helical structures that conform to the body. By integrating copper tape electrodes, the device measures biosignals with performance comparable to conventional strap-based sensors. The approach enables low-cost fabrication of disposable wearables for sensing applications.

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Wearable sensors, such as wristbands, rings, and adhesive patches, are becoming increasingly common for healthcare monitoring, fitness tracking, and human–machine interaction. While most wearable devices are made from flexible polymers or textiles, paper-based sensors are emerging as a cheaper and more sustainable alternatives. Such sensors could be used for applications such as medical diagnosis or detecting contaminants and toxins, and could be safely discarded after use.

Now, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Hiroki Shigemune, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, along with Mr. Yugo Takashima, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, have developed a parametric design tool that transforms flat sheets of paper into self-folding, helical wearable sensors. The new approach integrating copper tape electrodes allow sensors to automatically conform to the desired dimensions of a body part without straps or adhesives and can help measure biosignals. The study was made available online on July 25, 2026, and was published in Volume 5, Issue 7 of the journal Advanced Sensor Research on July 01, 2026.

“We were inspired by the way climbing vines naturally wrap around supports in a helical form and adapt to their shape. By combining this concept with our paper self-folding technology, we developed a parametric design tool that converts the desired dimensions of a body part, such as finger, wrist, or arm, into a printable 2D pattern to generate a customized self-folding paper wearable device,” says Dr. Shigemune.

The fabrication process begins by printing self-folding patterns onto a flat sheet of paper using a standard inkjet printer. The printed patterns cause the paper to bend and fold automatically along predefined crease lines. By arranging these crease lines at an angle, the individual folds gradually form a 3D helical structure that conforms to the wearer’s body while remaining flexible enough to accommodate movement.

The researchers created two software tools to produce these wearables. One generates the printing pattern and previews the final 3D structure, while the other automatically creates a customized printing pattern based on the desired dimensions of the wearable. Users simply enter the desired dimensions—such as the diameter and length needed to fit a finger or forearm—and the software calculates the paper dimensions and generates the corresponding printing pattern.

Using this approach, the researchers successfully fabricated wearable devices for both fingers and forearms that closely matched their intended designs, with their dimensions differing within 5% from the target values. They then demonstrated the sensing capability using a finger-mounted device, which measured triboelectric signals and galvanic skin response with performance comparable to that of conventional strap-based wearable sensors.

These findings demonstrate that paper, digital design, and inkjet printing can be combined to rapidly produce customized wearable sensors on demand. By combining sustainable materials with a simple software-guided design process, the approach could enable low-cost, disposable wearable electronics. The researchers note that further testing is needed to evaluate the sensor’s practical use. However, the results demonstrate the potential of this approach for developing scalable and personalized wearable electronics.

“Our software-to-print approach holds great potential in point-of-care or decentralized short-term monitoring of physiological signals, such as galvanic skin response. Because the devices can be designed on demand to fit different body parts, the approach could enable rapid, low-cost, environmentally friendly fabrication of single-use sensors for clinical, homecare, and field settings, as well as for touch sensing and human–machine interfaces,” concludes Dr. Shigemune.

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Wearable sensors, such as wristbands, rings, and adhesive patches, are becoming increasingly common for healthcare monitoring, fitness tracking, and human–machine interaction. While most wearable devices are made from flexible polymers or textiles, paper-based sensors are emerging as a cheaper and more sustainable alternatives. Such sensors could be used for applications such as medical diagnosis or detecting contaminants and toxins, and could be safely discarded after use.

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Now, a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Hiroki Shigemune, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, along with Mr. Yugo Takashima, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, have developed a parametric design tool that transforms flat sheets of paper into self-folding, helical wearable sensors. The new approach integrating copper tape electrodes allow sensors to automatically conform to the desired dimensions of a body part without straps or adhesives and can help measure biosignals. The study was made available online on July 25, 2026, and was published in Volume 5, Issue 7 of the journal Advanced Sensor Research on July 01, 2026.

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“We were inspired by the way climbing vines naturally wrap around supports in a helical form and adapt to their shape. By combining this concept with our paper self-folding technology, we developed a parametric design tool that converts the desired dimensions of a body part, such as finger, wrist, or arm, into a printable 2D pattern to generate a customized self-folding paper wearable device,” says Dr. Shigemune.

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The fabrication process begins by printing self-folding patterns onto a flat sheet of paper using a standard inkjet printer. The printed patterns cause the paper to bend and fold automatically along predefined crease lines. By arranging these crease lines at an angle, the individual folds gradually form a 3D helical structure that conforms to the wearer’s body while remaining flexible enough to accommodate movement.

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The researchers created two software tools to produce these wearables. One generates the printing pattern and previews the final 3D structure, while the other automatically creates a customized printing pattern based on the desired dimensions of the wearable. Users simply enter the desired dimensions—such as the diameter and length needed to fit a finger or forearm—and the software calculates the paper dimensions and generates the corresponding printing pattern.

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Using this approach, the researchers successfully fabricated wearable devices for both fingers and forearms that closely matched their intended designs, with their dimensions differing within 5% from the target values. They then demonstrated the sensing capability using a finger-mounted device, which measured triboelectric signals and galvanic skin response with performance comparable to that of conventional strap-based wearable sensors.

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These findings demonstrate that paper, digital design, and inkjet printing can be combined to rapidly produce customized wearable sensors on demand. By combining sustainable materials with a simple software-guided design process, the approach could enable low-cost, disposable wearable electronics. The researchers note that further testing is needed to evaluate the sensor’s practical use. However, the results demonstrate the potential of this approach for developing scalable and personalized wearable electronics.

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“Our software-to-print approach holds great potential in point-of-care or decentralized short-term monitoring of physiological signals, such as galvanic skin response. Because the devices can be designed on demand to fit different body parts, the approach could enable rapid, low-cost, environmentally friendly fabrication of single-use sensors for clinical, homecare, and field settings, as well as for touch sensing and human–machine interfaces,” concludes Dr. Shigemune.

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Title: Parametric design software for self-folding helical paper wearable sensors
                                                                                                                                                                  Caption: The software-to-print approach allows users to provide the desired dimensions of the wearable device, which automatically creates the paper design and printing pattern needed for fabrication, enabling rapid customization without trial and error. This approach could contribute to scalable and personalized wearable electronics, particularly for disposable or sensing applications
Credit: Dr. Hiroki Shigemune from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source Link: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adsr.70182
License Type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Design Software for Helical Origami Wearable Devices Fitting Body Shapes Utilizing Parametric Design

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Journal

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Advanced Sensor Research 

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DOI:

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10.1002/adsr.70182

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Authors

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About Dr. Hiroki Shigemune from SIT, Japan

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Dr. Hiroki Shigemune is an Associate Professor at the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. He earned his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering from Waseda University, Japan, in 2018, and has over 90 peer-reviewed publications to date. His research mainly focuses on soft robotics, paper-based mechatronics, and smart materials. His work explores technologies including energy-driven actuators, electronic devices, and innovative sensing platforms designed to enhance everyday life.

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Funding Information

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This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP22K14226 and JP24H00728.

\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/3 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/3 12:00:04\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/2026903_7070_148.html\"},{\"id\":4048,\"title\":\"Laser-Printed Touch Interface Turns Finger Motion into Digital Inputs\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Image_8.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan develop a low-cost touch interface that recognizes finger movements and users

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Touch interfaces in devices typically require power, wiring, and specialized components, limiting where they can be used. Researchers from Japan have developed a touch interface that can be made by printing toner patterns onto a PVC sheet with a conventional laser printer. The sheet can recognize finger movements, patterns, characters, and users, while remaining stable after 1,000 sliding cycles. The approach could enable inexpensive, customizable controls for wearable and Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

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Title: Laser-printed PVC sheet enables triboelectric touch input
Caption: A conventional laser printer forms a thin toner film on a PVC sheet, creating patterned exposed regions that control triboelectric signal generation during finger sliding. The toner-printed sheet showed no significant waveform degradation after 1,000 sliding cycles.
Credit: Hiroki Shigemune from SIT, Japan
Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2026.112165
License Type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator. 

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Touchscreens and other touch-based controls, from smartphones and tablets to smart devices and wearable electronics, have become part of everyday life. However, many touch interfaces depend on batteries, external power, electrodes, and wiring, which can increase costs and make them difficult to install in places where conventional electronics are impractical. Finding a simpler way to create touch-sensitive controls could therefore open new possibilities for wearable devices and the growing Internet of Things (IoT).

Addressing this challenge, a research team led by Associate Professor Hiroki Shigemune and master's student Haruki Higoshi from the Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, developed a single-electrode touch interface that can be created simply by printing patterns onto a PVC sheet with a conventional laser printer. When a person slides a finger across the printed surface, the interaction between the finger and the different areas of the sheet produces electrical signals based on the triboelectric effects (charge transfer between objects when they contact or slide against each other) of the human body. The sheet itself does not require electrical wiring or electrodes. The study was available online on June 27, 2026, and published in Volume 156 of the journal Nano Energy on September 01, 2026.

The researchers found that the design of the printed pattern could determine the signals produced by different finger movements. This allowed the team to recognize the direction and speed of a sliding finger and to create simple controls using different printed patterns. The researchers also demonstrated binary input, including a system that could convert a sequence such as 1010 into the decimal number 10. The interface remained mechanically stable through 1,000 sliding cycles, with no significant changes in the shape or strength of its signals.

“The toner pattern functions as a geometric mask that controls where the skin directly contacts PVC, thereby controlling the timing and polarity of the potential response,” explains Prof. Shigemune. In simpler terms, the printed pattern acts like a set of invisible instructions for the sheet, determining how it responds when someone touches and slides a finger across it. Changing the pattern can therefore change what the interface does, without requiring a completely different electronic device.

The team next tested whether the same approach could recognize more complex inputs. Using machine learning, the system identified seven different printed patterns with 97.1% accuracy and recognized all 26 alphabet characters with 89.2% accuracy. It also distinguished between seven participants, achieving 97.1% accuracy in identifying users. Differences in how people interact with the surface, including finger pressure, sliding speed, contact angle, and contact stability, were reflected in the signals. These findings suggest that the technology could potentially be used not only for controls but also for personalized or security-related interfaces.

“Our approach offers a low-cost, wiring-free platform in which the input function can be changed simply by modifying the printed pattern,” says Prof. Shigemune. This flexibility could make the technology useful for a range of applications, including wearable controls attached to clothing or the body, IoT devices, keyboards, game controllers, and smartphone operation. It could also support user-authentication functions by distinguishing between individual users.

Overall, the study shows how an everyday office technology, a laser printer, could be used to create a new kind of interactive surface. By combining simple printing with signals naturally generated during finger movement, the approach offers a low-cost and customizable alternative for touch-based input. The researchers believe it could contribute to future wearable electronics, IoT systems, consumer devices, and security applications, while further work will explore performance under more demanding real-world conditions.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Toner-printed pattern recognition system based on triboelectricity of human body for human-computer interaction

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Journal

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Nano Energy

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DOI:

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10.1016/j.nanoen.2026.112165

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Authors

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About Associate Professor Hiroki Shigemune from SIT, Japan

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Prof. Hiroki Shigemune is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Tokyo, Japan, where he has served since 2021. He is also the Director and Head of the Active Functional Devices Laboratory at SIT. His research interests span mechatronics, actuators, printing technologies, soft robotics, soft actuators, active matter, origami engineering, microfluidics, and printable circuits. His work focuses on developing flexible devices, functional materials, and fabrication technologies for next-generation engineering applications. He has authored 98 publications and received 859 citations, reflecting his contributions to advanced functional device research.

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Funding Information

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This study was supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant Number JP24H00728.

\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/2 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/2 12:00:04\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260902_7070_727_151.html\"},{\"id\":4052,\"title\":\"New High-Temperature, High-Pressure Isotope Ratio Analysis Method for Halogenated Compounds\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/SITNG_150.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

Researchers develop a custom liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry device capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion

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Halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) are widely used in industrial and consumer products, but some are highly persistent and difficult to analyze and manage. In a new study, researchers have developed an innovative approach for carbon isotope ratio analysis of these compounds, which has been previously difficult. This approach will help track the source and environmental pathways of such pollutants, contributing to the development of effective management strategies.

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Title: Proposed high-temperature, high-pressure LC-IRMS device
Caption: The proposeds high-tempearture, high-pressure platform enables precise and accurate δ13C analysis of a wide range of chlorinated and brominated compounds.
Credit: Professor Hiroto Kawashima from SIT, Japan
Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2026.346061
License Type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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Halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) have been used in a wide range of products, including disinfection by-products (DBPs), pesticides, refrigerants, and industrial chemicals. Because of their persistence, tendency for bioaccumulation, and toxicity, HOCs have been recognized as contaminants of global concern. HOC exposure has been implicated in several health effects in humans. For example, haloacetic acids, a major class of DBPs, have been reported to increase the risk of bladder cancer. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including trifluoroacetic acid, are another class of persistent HOCs that are highly resistant to degradation.

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Conventional approaches for their environmental monitoring mainly rely on concentration measurements and offer limited information about pollution sources and environmental transformation processes. An effective approach for uncovering environmental behavior is carbon isotope analysis, traditionally conducted using gas- or liquid chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC-IRMS and LC-IRMS, respectively). Carbon isotope ratios (δ¹³C) can provide information about the origin and production history of chemicals, as even the same compound can have different δ¹³C values depending on its production process. Indeed, δ13C analysis has been reliably used to detect food fraud. However, δ13C analysis of HOCs containing strong carbon–chlorine or carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds remain challenging because their oxidation is difficult under conventional LC-IRMS combustion conditions, where oxidation is carried out near 99°C.

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To address this challenge, a research team led by Professor Hiroto Kawashima from the Department of Bioscience and Engineering, College of Systems Engineering and Science at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, in collaboration with researcher from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan, has developed an innovative interface capable of high-temperature, high-pressure combustion, enabling accurate and precise δ¹³C analysis of several halogenated compounds. “We developed a custom-built high-temperature, high-pressure combustion interface for LC-IRMS,” explains Prof. Kawashima. “This unique system enables stable carbon isotope analysis of a wide range of halogenated compounds, providing a new tool for source identification and fate analysis.” The team included Mr. Sota Maehara from SIT and Dr. Sachi Taniyasu from AIST. Their study was made available online on August 02, 2026, and will be published in Volume 1421 of Analytica Chimica Acta on November 01, 2026.

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To perform δ13C analysis of water-soluble halogenated compounds, the researchers developed a custom LC-IRMS interface. Specifically, an LC system with a post-column pump was connected to an IRMS via a high-temperature, high-pressure combustion interface. To achieve high-temperature oxidation, the researchers modified the combustion heater, while a back-pressure regulator maintained a pressure of 5.2 MPa throughout the flow path. Sodium persulfate was used as an oxidant to promote combustion, and the resulting products were subsequently cooled and processed for isotope ratio measurement.

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Experiments revealed that the modified LC-IRMS interface successfully achieved oxidation of chlorinated and brominated compounds, including trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and tribromoacetic acid, with δ13C values within 1‰ of reference values over both negative and positive isotope ranges, and recoveries close to 100% across a wide range of temperatures ranging from 300–600°C. In contrast, fluorinated compounds proved more difficult to analyze with high precision because of the exceptional strength and thermal stability of C–F bonds, resulting in lower recoveries. Based on the above results, the optimized oxidation temperature of LC-IRMS was determined to be 500°C.

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The researchers also evaluated the effects of sample concentration. The results showed that a minimum concentration of 500 mg/L was required for measurements to become possible under the tested conditions. Reliable isotope measurements also required approximately 50–60 nanomoles of carbon or more. Because environmental concentrations of TCA can be substantially lower than the concentrations required by the current method, further improvements such as sample pre-concentration will be necessary for direct analysis of environmental samples.

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Additionally, the researchers further tested this high-temperature, high-pressure analysis platform by evaluating δ13C values of 19 samples, including 15 types of halogenated compounds. The results demonstrated highly precise, accurate, and reproducible measurements for chlorinated compounds, brominated compounds, and oxidation-resistant aromatic chlorinated compounds. Fluorinated compounds, on the other hand, could only be analyzed effectively when only one C–F bond was present. Notably, the results also showed that even for the same compound, δ13C could differ based on its origin and production process, necessitating caution.

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“In the future, our platform has the potential to support environmental monitoring, source identification, and the development of more effective strategies for managing persistent pollutants,\\\" explains Prof. Kawashima. “Furthermore, because the combustion interface was custom-built in-house, it has a significantly lower cost than commercial options, making it more accessible for other laboratories seeking to expand their analytical capabilities for halogenated compounds. Although challenges remain, further optimizations will improve oxidation efficiency and expand applicability to a wide range of halogenated compounds.”

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By establishing a high-temperature, high-pressure platform for δ¹³C analysis of halogenated compounds, this study offers a foundation for future applications of LC-IRMS to environmental source identification, source apportionment, and degradation studies.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:

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Measurement of stable isotope ratios of halogenated organic compounds by liquid chromatographic, high-temperature combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry

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Journal:

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Analytica Chimica Acta

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DOI:

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10.1016/j.aca.2026.346061

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Additional infotmation for EurekAlert

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Latest Article Publication Date:\\n

01 November 2026

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Method of Research:\\n

Experimental study

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Subject of Research:\\n

NA

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:\\n

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Hiroto Kawashima reports financial support was provided by Government of Japan Ministry of Education Culture Sports Science and Technology. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

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Authors

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About Professor Hiroto Kawashima from SIT, Japan

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Dr. Hiroto Kawashima is a Professor in the Department of Bioscience and Engineering at the College of Systems Engineering and Science, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, and collaborates with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology. He earned his Ph.D. from Yokohama National University and has over 20 years of research experience in environmental and analytical chemistry. His research focuses on stable isotope analysis and pollutant source identification using mass spectrometry. He has authored 45 papers with 728 citations to his credit.

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Laboratory Web: https://kawashima-lab.labby.jp/

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Funding Information

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This work was supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) No. 21H04929 from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan.

\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/1 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/1 12:00:05\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260901_7070_51.html\"},{\"id\":4065,\"title\":\"SIT Commencement and Matriculation Ceremony Fall 2026\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-1\",\"label\":\"Information\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20250925q.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"SIT Commencement and Matriculation Ceremony Fall 2026 will be held on the following dates and times.
Details will be announced separately to graduates and matriculating students.
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Date and Time

\\nSIT Commencement Fall 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. and scheduled to end at 11:00 a.m.

SIT Matriculation Ceremony Fall 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
Ceremony begins at 11:15 a.m. and scheduled to end at 12:00 p.m.
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Venue

\\nLecture Hall, 6th floor, Multi-activity Building, Toyosu Campus
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Inquiries

\\nShibaura Institute of Technology, Academic Affairs Division, Toyosu Campus
3-7-5 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8548, Japan (2nd Floor, Toyosu Campus Classroom Building)
E-mail:tgakuji@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/9/1 9:52:22\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/9/1 15:14:48\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260925.html\"},{\"id\":4050,\"title\":\"Towards More Reliable Shaft Resistance Prediction for Bored Piles\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/Image_1_2.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"Researchers conduct full-scale instrumented load tests to develop field-calibrated design correlations for large-diameter bored piles
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Shaft resistance of large-diameter bored piles is commonly estimated using empirical adhesion (α) and friction (β) factors, but their values vary widely and remain poorly defined for intermediate geomaterials (IGMs). In a new study, researchers developed field-calibrated empirical correlations by back-analyzing 20 instrumented static load tests. The proposed equations improve prediction of shaft resistance in clay, sand, and IGMs, enabling more reliable and economical foundation design in soil–rock transition environments.

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Title: Adhesion factors for clay and IGM clay

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Caption: Adhesion factors generally decrease with increasing normalized undrained shear strength. IGM clay forms the upper envelope of the clay response, indicating its transitional behavior between ordinary clay and weak rock.

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Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

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Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112199

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License Type: CC BY 4.0

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Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator

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Large-diameter bored piles are widely used to support heavy structural loads in infrastructure projects such as high-rise buildings, bridges, and ports constructed on thick soil deposits overlying weak or weathered rock formations. In these settings, a significant portion of their load-bearing capacity is provided by shaft resistance mobilized along clay and sand layers. Accurate estimation of shaft resistance is therefore essential for effective foundation design, ensuring structural safety while improving the understanding of pile–soil interaction.

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Shaft resistance of bored piles is commonly estimated using empirical design approaches, such as the adhesion factor (α) method for cohesive soils and the friction factor (β) method for cohesionless soils. These methods relate shaft resistance to basic soil strength parameters. However, the values of α and β reported in the literature vary considerably due to the influence of soil type, geological conditions, construction technique, and stress history. Moreover, studies only focus on ordinary soils, overlooking the behavior of intermediate geomaterials (IGMs)—the stiff transitional soils that lie between ordinary ground and weak rock, thereby limiting the applicability of conventional design parameters to these soils.

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To address this gap, a research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from the College of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, conducted instrumented static pile load tests to investigate shaft resistance of large-diameter bored piles embedded in clay and sand layers overlying weak rock formations. “Our study tackles one of civil engineering's most common yet uncertain problems: predicting how much load the shaft of a large bored pile can carry in layered ground,” explains Prof. Inazumi. “Drawing on 20 full-scale instrumented load tests along a 180-km infrastructure corridor, in this study, we evaluate shaft resistance layer by layer, delivering field-calibrated design correlations.” Their study was made available online on July 25, 2026, and published in Volume 32 of Results in Engineering on December 1, 2026.

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The study was conducted in the northeastern region of Thailand, where a total of 158 boreholes were drilled at an average spacing of about 1.1–1.2 km per borehole, over a 180-km-long stretch. The soil profile investigation was conducted using the Standard Penetration Test. The bored piles were constructed using a wet process with bentonite slurry. A total of 20 instrumented static load tests were conducted with maximum applied loads ranging from 16.25 to 25 meganewtons, corresponding to 2.5 times the allowable working load. The piles were embedded in layered ground comprising either clay or sand overlying weak siltstone or sandstone. Static load tests were instrumented using vibrating-wire strain gauges and extensometer rods to monitor load transfer along the pile shaft.

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Layer-by-layer strain-gauge measurements were used to create a dataset of unit shaft resistance. The dataset included 32 clay and IGM clay layers and 10 sand and IGM sand layers. Furthermore, representative maximum shaft resistance values were selected from fully mobilized layers, based on a mobilization criterion derived from layer-specific stress-displacement curves.

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Using this dataset, the researchers back-calculated α values for the 32 clay and IGM clay layers and β values for the 10 sand and IGM sand layers, which were subsequently used to derive empirical correlations for each parameter. The calculated α values ranged from 0.11 to 1.04, decreasing with increasing normalized undrained shear strength. The empirical equation for α obtained in the study offers a practical mid-range estimate for clays overlying weak rock. Notably, comparison of α values for clay, IGM clay, and weak rock revealed a gradual transition, indicating that IGM clay behaves as an intermediate material between ordinary clay and weak rock, approaching the upper envelope of clay behavior.

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The calculated β values ranged from 0.45 to 1.06 across the investigated sand layers, and the proposed empirical equation showed good agreement with existing correlations reported in the literature. Furthermore, β values obtained for IGM sand followed the same overall trend, suggesting that conventional β-method formulations can also be applied to IGM sand when stress history and site-specific ground conditions are appropriately considered.

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The findings of this study offer crucial insights for the detailed design of large-diameter bored piles for use in soil-rock transition environments. Importantly, the findings demonstrate that IGMs should not be treated the same as conventional soils without considering transitional behavior. The researchers further suggest that a normalized undrained strength of approximately 10 can serve as a practical reference for identifying the transition from IGM clay to weak rock.

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“The most direct application of our research lies in the design of foundations for heavy infrastructure built on thick soil deposits overlying weak or weathered rock, which are common across Southeast Asia and many other regions worldwide,” notes Prof. Inazumi. “The empirical correlations presented in this study can be readily applied by engineers to produce more reliable capacity estimates during the preliminary design stage without costly additional testing. Improved estimation of shaft resistance can enable the use of shorter piles and less concrete, reducing construction costs while supporting safer infrastructure development.”

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By replacing guesswork with field-verified evidence, this study offers engineers practical tools for designing safer and more economical large-diameter bored pile foundations in complex soil-rock transition environments.

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Reference

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Title of original paper:
\\nShaft adhesion and friction factors for large-diameter bored piles in clay, sand, and intermediate geomaterials: Back-analysis from instrumented load tests
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Journal:
\\nResults in Engineering
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DOI:    
\\n10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112199
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Additional information for EurekAlert  

\\nLatest Article Publication Date: 1 December 2026
Method of Research:                           Experimental study 
Subject of Research:                           Not applicable 
Conflicts of Interest Statement:The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
\\n

About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\nShibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world. 

Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/
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About Professor Shinya Inazumi from SIT, Japan

\\nDr. Shinya Inazumi is a Professor in the College of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, and leads the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, where research focuses on sustainable ground and infrastructure solutions. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Kyoto University. His research interests span civil and geotechnical engineering, geo-disaster mitigation, and AI applications in infrastructure planning. As an established author with hundreds of publications, he has also been recognized with prestigious awards for research excellence in geotechnical and environmental engineering.
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Funding Information

\\nThe authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
\\n

Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

\\nE-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp
Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/
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Title: Friction factors for sand and IGM sand

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Caption: The friction factors for IGM sand follow the same overall trend as those for sand, indicating that conventional friction-factor formulations may also be applicable to IGM sand when stress history and site-specific ground conditions are properly considered.

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Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan

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Source Link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2026.112199

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License Type: CC BY 4.0

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Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator

\\n \",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/8/31 0:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/8/31 9:50:03\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/202600831-7070-001.html\"},{\"id\":4040,\"title\":\"Synergistic LaCoO₃–Co₃O₄ Composite Approaches Platinum-Level Oxygen Catalysis Without Precious Metals\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/202607281001.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers have developed a platinum-free heterostructured oxide catalyst for high-energy lithium–oxygen batteries

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Lithium–oxygen batteries have great potential as next-generation energy storage devices; however, sluggish oxygen reactions have long hindered their commercial adoption. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a heterostructured lanthanum cobalt oxide-cobalt oxide composite that accelerates these reactions, achieving outstanding bifunctional catalytic performance with a record-low potential gap of just 1.14 V. The platinum-free catalyst could allow longer-range electric vehicles and extended-endurance drones, offering a cost-effective and sustainable path toward next-generation energy storage. 

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An electric vehicle that never needs recharging on a cross-country trip. Drones that fly for hours without landing. These scenarios demand energy storage far beyond what lithium-ion batteries can deliver—and lithium–oxygen batteries (LOBs) have long promised to bridge this gap. With a theoretical energy density up to ten times higher than lithium-ion technology, LOBs could revolutionize electric mobility. Yet one fundamental obstacle has prevented their commercial adoption: the notoriously slow and inefficient electrochemical oxygen reactions that cause significant energy losses during charging and discharging.

In an effort to bridge this gap, Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, and his team investigated whether engineering a heterostructured composite catalyst could overcome one of the biggest obstacles facing LOBs. The researchers developed a highly efficient bifunctional catalyst capable of accelerating both oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions that govern battery performance by uniformly combining the perovskite oxide lanthanum cobalt oxide (LaCoO3) with the spinel oxide cobalt oxide (Co3O4). Their findings were published in Volume 16, Issue 23 of the RSC Advances journal on April 22, 2026.

Explaining the motivation behind the study, Prof. Ishizaki says, “We were fundamentally motivated by the critical kinetic bottleneck holding back the realization of LOBs, namely the notoriously slow and inefficient electrochemical reactions involving oxygen gas.” He further adds, “While individual perovskite (LaCoO₃) and spinel (Co₃O₄) oxides were already known to possess decent catalytic properties independently, their intimate combination into a well-defined interfacial composite specifically tailored for lithium–oxygen systems had received little systematic attention. The question of whether their synergistic interaction could unlock performance beyond what either material achieves alone was what we set out to answer.”

To investigate this possibility, the researchers synthesized LaCoO3, Co3O4, and a composite of the two materials using a scalable coprecipitation method. They then systematically compared their structural and electrochemical properties using advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electrochemical analyses. The team evaluated each material’s performance as a bifunctional catalyst by measuring its ability to power oxygen evolution during charging as well as oxygen reduction during discharging. The electronic interactions responsible for the catalytic activity were also examined. 

Among all the synthesized materials, the composite catalyst delivered the best overall performance, with an exceptionally narrow potential gap of just 1.14 V, a key indicator of highly efficient bifunctional catalysis. Remarkably, this outstanding performance was achieved despite the composite exhibiting the lowest electrochemical surface area among all tested materials. This counterintuitive result reveals that catalytic performance is governed not by the quantity of active surface sites, but by the quality of their electronic structure—a finding that fundamentally challenges conventional catalyst design principles. The composite catalyst also outperformed commercial ruthenium oxide during the oxygen evolution reaction while exhibiting oxygen reduction activity approaching that of platinum-based catalysts. According to Prof. Ishizaki, “The primary and most immediate application of these findings lies in the development of highly efficient air cathodes for next-generation LOBs, which could ultimately power long-range electric vehicles and extended-endurance drones that require energy capacities far exceeding what current lithium-ion technology can provide. While urban air mobility remains a longer-term aspiration, this work represents a critical step toward realizing the transformative potential of LOBs.” The researchers attribute this exceptional performance to the synergistic interaction between the two metal oxides, which created abundant oxygen vacancies and optimized the material’s electronic structure, enabling oxygen reactions to proceed much more smoothly. 

Beyond LOBs, the newly developed catalyst holds great promise for a wide range of clean energy technologies. Since it is composed of non-precious lanthanum and cobalt instead of expensive noble metals, it offers a cost-effective and sustainable alternative for future energy devices. Its excellent oxygen evolution performance also suggests potential applicability in green hydrogen production via water electrolysis, though further investigation in that direction is needed. Furthermore, its efficient bifunctional catalytic activity holds promise for enabling large-scale metal¬¬–air batteries and reversible fuel cells for storing renewable energy generated from solar and wind sources. 
 
Overall, the study provides a strategy for overcoming one of the long-standing challenges limiting next-generation battery technology. “By dramatically narrowing the potential gap between charging and discharging to just 1.14 V, this catalyst directly tackles the kinetic inefficiency of oxygen reactions that has long stood as a critical barrier to practical LOBs,” says Prof. Ishizaki. Such advances could pave the way for safer, longer-lasting, and significantly more efficient energy storage systems. 

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Reference

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
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Title of original paper:

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Synergistic LaCoO3@Co3O4 bifunctional catalyst for efficient oxygen evolution and reduction: achieving low polarization

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Journal:

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RSC Advances

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DOI:

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10.1039/d5ra09353h

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Author(s) name
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Akihito Shio, Hayato Takada, Yuna Fujiwara, Taketo Imamura, Toshiki Iwato, Kouki Yamamoto, Gasidit Panomsuwan, and Takahiro Ishizaki

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Authors

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About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\nTakahiro Ishizaki is a Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. He holds a Doctor of Engineering degree and has over 20 years of research experience in materials science. Before joining SIT, he served as a postdoctoral research associate and assistant professor at Nagoya University, and as a research scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. He has authored more than 160 scientific publications, with an h-index of 34 and over 4,700 citations. His research focuses on electrochemistry, surface chemistry, nanomaterials, energy storage materials, corrosion-resistant coatings, and functional materials for green technologies. He currently leads research on next-generation battery materials, carbon-based energy materials, and AI-driven materials development, contributing to sustainable energy solutions and advanced materials for green transformation. \\n


Funding Information

\\n

Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

\\n

E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

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\\n
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\\\"202607281001\\\"
\\n
\\n

Title: Heterostructured lanthanum cobalt oxide-cobalt oxide composite catalyst enhances performance of lithium–oxygen batteries
Caption: A team of researchers has developed a low-cost heterostructured cobalt-based catalyst that improves lithium–oxygen battery performance, advancing future clean energy storage.
Credit: Professor Takahiro Ishizaki from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source Link: https://pubs.rsc.org/ra/article/16/23/20616/1243327/Synergistic-LaCoO3-Co3O4-bifunctional-catalyst-for
License Type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/8/4 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/8/4 12:00:04\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260731-7985-101.html\"},{\"id\":4025,\"title\":\"New Perception-Based Technology Brings AR Glasses Closer to Real Life\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/SITNG_141_image1.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

Researchers develop a perception-driven display strategy that balances real-world brightness and virtual image quality

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A new study developed a perception-driven display method that dynamically balances the visibility of real and virtual content in optical see-through augmented reality glasses. By combining polarization blending with real-time analysis of human visual perception, the system enhances real-scene brightness while preserving virtual object appearance. User studies and a benchtop prototype demonstrated improved performance under changing lighting conditions. The findings may support safer, more practical, and photorealistic AR applications across multiple industries.

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\\\"SITNG_141_image1\\\"
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Title: Mask balancing for tackling the poor see-through transparency in existing OC-OSTHMDs
Caption: Occlusion-capable optical see-through head-mounted displays (OC-OSTHMDs) with mask balancing show the optimized visibility for both the real and virtual images.
Credit: Assistant Professor Xiaodan Hu from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source link: https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2026.3679903
License type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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\\\"SITNG_141_image2\\\"\\n

Title: Perception-driven mask balancing dynamically controls the visibility of real and virtual scenes in augmented reality (AR) displays
Caption: Researchers developed a perception-driven mask balancing method that adjusts the transmission of the passed vision, masked vision, and virtual image by controlling the cross-angle between a polarizing beam splitter and a balancing linear polarizer, improving real-world visibility while preserving virtual content quality.
Credit: Assistant Professor Xiaodan Hu from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source link: https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2026.3679903
License type: CC BY 4.0
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

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Optical see-through augmented reality (AR) glasses are designed to overlay digital information onto the real world, but improving the realism of virtual objects often comes at a cost. Existing occlusion technologies physically block part of the incoming light, reducing the brightness of the real environment and making everyday tasks more challenging. Overcoming this balance between virtual realism and real-world visibility is a key hurdle for next-generation AR systems.

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Addressing this challenge, a research team including Assistant Professor Xiaodan Hu, the key contributor to the project, from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, in collaboration with Dr. Yan Zhang and Professor Xubo Yang from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China, and Professor Kiyoshi Kiyokawa from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Japan, developed a perception-driven display strategy that jointly considers human visual perception and real-world lighting conditions. Instead of relying solely on hardware improvements, the researchers introduced a mask balancing method that dynamically adjusts the visibility of real and virtual scenes according to what users can actually perceive. This paper was made available online on April 8, 2026, and published in Volume 32, Issue 5 of IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG), one of the leading journals in visualization, virtual and augmented reality, and computer graphics, on May 1, 2026.

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The proposed method combines a polarized component that supports pixel-level occlusion with another polarized component that bypasses the optical system and preserves the natural brightness of the real world. By adjusting the cross-angle between a polarizing beam splitter and a linear polarizer, the system dynamically blends these two views. Real-time eye-tracking and scene analysis estimate the visibility of both the environment and virtual objects, allowing the display to continuously optimize the balance between them.

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To establish perceptual thresholds, the researchers conducted a series of user studies. Experiments involving 12 participants quantified how much contrast was required for users to recognize textures in virtual objects, while another study with 24 participants evaluated the perception of lighting effects. The team then integrated these findings into a dynamic balancing strategy and validated it with a benchtop prototype. A final user study with 12 participants demonstrated that the system improved real-world visibility while maintaining a convincing appearance for virtual content across different illumination conditions.

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\\\"Our research demonstrates that human visual perception can be used to dynamically balance the visibility of the real world and virtual content,\\\" said Prof. Hu. \\\"By adapting the display according to what users can actually perceive, our method improves real-world visibility while preserving the appearance of virtual objects under different lighting conditions.\\\"

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The study also highlights a broader shift in AR display design. Rather than optimizing optical hardware alone, the researchers show that understanding how people perceive visual information can lead to more effective display control strategies. This perception-driven approach could help future AR glasses present virtual objects that blend more naturally into the real world while maintaining user safety and comfort.

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Potential applications extend well beyond consumer electronics. Future optical see-through AR systems could support industrial maintenance, medical assistance, education, navigation, and remote collaboration, where users must simultaneously monitor their surroundings and interact with digital information. By preserving both real-world awareness and virtual image quality, the technology could make AR devices more practical for demanding real-world environments.

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\\\"In our previous research titled ‘Perception-driven soft-edge occlusion for optical see-through head-mounted displays,’ we found that human perception of AR displays can differ significantly from predictions based solely on optical measurements,\\\" said Prof. Hu. \\\"This inspired us to explore AR displays from a perceptual perspective because future AR glasses should be designed not only according to optical performance but also according to how humans actually perceive visual information.\\\"

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Overall, the researchers believe that integrating perception science with display engineering may help overcome one of the most persistent barriers to widespread AR adoption. By leveraging human visual characteristics instead of depending entirely on hardware improvements, future systems may achieve more natural, photorealistic, and user-friendly AR experiences.

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Reference

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
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Title of original paper:

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Mask Balancing: Perception-Driven Dynamic Visibility Enhancement for Occlusion-Capable Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Displays

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Journal:

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IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics

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DOI:

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10.1109/TVCG.2026.3679903

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Additional infotmation for EurekAlert

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
Latest Article Publication Date:\\n

01 May 2026

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Method of Research:\\n

Experimental study 

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Subject of Research:\\n

People 

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Conflicts of Interest Statement:\\n

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. 

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Authors

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About Assistant Professor Xiaodan Hu

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Xiaodan Hu works as an Assistant Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan, where she directs the Augmented Imaging and Displays (AID) Laboratory. Before this, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Graz University of Technology in Austria. She also serves as a commissioned instructor at the Cybernetics and Reality Engineering Lab (CARE Lab) at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan, where she received her Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in Information Science under the supervision of Professor Kiyoshi Kiyokawa. Her research focuses on occlusion-capable optical see-through head-mounted displays, vision augmentation, and visual perception.

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Funding Information

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This work was funded by the Shanghai Pujiang Program (grant number: 23PJ1406800).

\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/7/17 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/7/22 8:20:14\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260717_7070_51.html\"},{\"id\":4038,\"title\":\"AGH University of Krakow and Shibaura Institute of Technology Hold Symposium on Energy and Environmental Engineering\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-4\",\"label\":\"Global\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/%E9%96%8B%E4%BC%9A%E5%BC%8F%E5%BE%8C%E9%9B%86%E5%90%88%E5%86%99%E7%9C%9F.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"

From July 13 to 15, 2026, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) hosted the SIT–AGH Symposium on Energy and Environmental Engineering at its Toyosu Campus.

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The symposium was organized as part of the master's double degree program between AGH University of Krakow, Poland and SIT. Focusing on the fields of energy and environmental engineering, faculty members and students from both universities presented their latest research achievements. Over the course of the three-day event, participants attended keynote lectures, invited lectures, oral presentations, and poster presentations, fostering lively discussions and academic exchange.

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The opening ceremony on the first day featured welcoming remarks by Professor Tadahiro Hasegawa, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Science at SIT, who expressed his expectations for the continued development of research collaboration between the two universities. Throughout the symposium, students presented their research in oral and poster sessions, engaging in active discussions that strengthened academic exchange among young researchers. At the closing ceremony on the final day, awards were presented to students who delivered outstanding oral and poster presentations. The symposium concluded successfully, providing a valuable opportunity to further deepen the partnership between the two institutions.

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This symposium was made possible with the support of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). We would like to express our sincere gratitude to NAWA for its invaluable support.

\\n \\n
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\\\"長谷川先生\\\"Professor Tadahiro Hasegawa, Dean of the Graduate School of Engineering and Science at SIT
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\\\"招待講演1.1\\\"
Invited Lecture by Dr. Paweł Gładysz
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\\\"開会式後集合写真\\\"Group Photo after the Opening Ceremony
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\\\"ポスター発表1.1\\\"
Poster Presentation
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\\\"表彰式の様子１\\\"Scenes from the Award Ceremony
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\\\"表彰式の様子２.3\\\"
Scenes from the Award Ceremony
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\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/7/15 16:44:22\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/7/15 17:01:21\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260715-7140-002.html\"},{\"id\":4020,\"title\":\"Vice President of Universite de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN, France) visited our university\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-4\",\"label\":\"Global\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/UNICAEN_1.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"A delegation from the Universite de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), France, visited our Toyosu Campus. Building on their long-standing academic partnership, this visit served as a valuable opportunity to further deepen the relationship and promote future exchanges between the two universities.
During the visit, discussions were held on past collaborative activities between the two universities, including student exchange and joint research.

The participants also exchanged ideas on further strengthening future academic and student exchange, as well as joint research.

\\\"UNICAEN_1\\\"




























Photo: Vice President of UNICAEN Dr. Christophe Rochais [left], Vice President of UNICAEN Dr. Eric Leroy du Cardonnoy [center], and President of SIT Dr. Jun YAMADA [right]



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Photo (from left)：Director of International Programs Center SIT Dr. Masaomi KIMURA, Vice President of UNICAEN Dr. Christophe Rochais, Vice President of UNICAEN Dr. Eric Leroy du Cardonnoy, and Associate Professor of UNICAEN Dr. Julien Gibelin


About Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN)
Founded in 1432, UNICAEN is one of Europe's oldest universities, based in the Normandy region of France with approximately 33,000 students.
Caen Normandie Website
\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/7/14 14:37:05\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/7/14 18:49:57\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/Vice_Presidentt_of_Universite_Caen_Norma.html\"},{\"id\":3994,\"title\":\"New Analysis Framework for Developing Stronger Foundations During Urban Redevelopment\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260630_001.png\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
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Researchers present a comprehensive framework for evaluating and alleviating drilling instability during replacement of piles in building foundations

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Urban redevelopment in densely populated areas often involves removing existing piles, backfilling boreholes, and installing new piles. Strength differences between backfilled soil and original ground can lead to drilling deviations, compromising building integrity and leading to economic losses. However, current countermeasures are based on experience-based judgements. In a new study, researchers present a new quantitative framework for evaluating drilling instability induced by backfilling, offering practical guidelines for improving resource efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.

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Urban redevelopment in densely populated areas often requires demolition and replacement of aging buildings. As buildings are replaced, existing foundation piles must be removed, leaving cylindrical voids that must be backfilled prior to installation of new cast-in piles. However, with backfilled soil, it is difficult to achieve the same ground properties as the undisturbed original ground due to limited space, depth constraints, and compaction issues. Strict construction schedules further limit sufficient backfill consolidation.

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These differences between the backfilled and native ground can create significant geotechnical challenges during subsequent pile installation. When drilling for new piles occurs  near or partially through backfill zones, inadequate consolidation can lead to inclined drilling. This arises from the strength differences between the backfilled soil and the original ground, resulting in unbalanced force application at pin joints in drilling equipment. As a result, piles can become inclined, with field observations reporting deviations exceeding 10 millimeters per meter of depth.

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Such deviations have severe structural and economic consequences: inclined piles do not have required bearing capacity, posing safety concerns and necessitating costly corrective measures. Corrective actions, including re-drilling and pile re-installation, can shift schedules by weeks and months and generate additional material costs. In congested urban sites, remediation may be difficult or impossible, necessitating redesign of the entire foundation system. Despite the significance of this issue, current preventive measures remain largely empirical and may result in either overly conservative or insufficiently robust specifications.

\\n

 

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To address this gap, a research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from the College of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan developed the first quantitative framework to predict drilling stability in backfilled ground during urban redevelopment. “Our framework transforms what was previously an experience-based judgment into a measurable design problem,” explains Prof. Inazumi. “By employing finite element analysis integrated with the shear strength reduction method, our approach clearly reveals how strength differences in backfilled soil and surrounding native soil can misalign drilling equipment.” Their study was made available online on May 12, 2026, and published in Volume 30 of the journal Results in Engineering in June 01, 2026.

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The proposed framework includes three main components. The first component involves parametric analysis with systematic variation of backfilled ground strength. Specifically, the researchers considered five parametric cases where the backfilled-to-native soil strength ratio was set at 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2. In addition, they considered both sandy and clayey soils for the original ground.

\\n

 

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Second, the team adopted an advanced numerical methodology combining three-dimensional elastoplastic finite element analysis (FEA) and shear strength reduction  method (SRM). In SRM, soil shear strength parameters are reduced by a strength reduction factor until failure occurs within the finite element model. Finally, the framework enables analytical evaluation of heterogeneous ground conditions by considering vertical drilling loads in scenarios where the drilling equipment penetrates both backfilled and original ground.

\\n

 

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The analysis revealed key mechanisms responsible for inclined drilling. Inclined drilling was found to occur when asymmetric shear failure develops in weaker ground. For backfilled-to-native soil strength ratios below 0.9, the plastic strain and surface displacement on the weaker side were significantly larger than on the weaker side, indicating a high likelihood of drilling deviation. Strength ratios above 0.9 reduced this asymmetry to acceptable levels. Furthermore, clayey soils were more susceptible to drilling instability than sandy soils for the same strength ratios when backfilled ground strength was weaker.

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Based on these results, and considering additional safety margins, the researchers propose the design criterion for backfilled ground strength to be at least 1.1 times the original ground strength. They also presented target friction angles and backfilling material properties for both sandy and clayey original ground. Additionally, they also outlined alternative mitigation strategies, including drilling procedure modifications and ground improvement techniques, for scenarios where increasing strength ratios might be technically challenging or economically infeasible.

\\n

 

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“While the design criterion proposed in our study serves as a general guideline, the proposed integrated FEA-SRM approach can be effectively applied as a site-specific evaluation tool for redevelopment projects in dense cities,” remarks Prof. Inazumi. “This study offers clear targets for material selection, quality control, and a scientific basis for updating engineering guidelines and construction practices, which will ultimately reduce the need for re-drilling, remedial work, and delays.”

\\n

 

\\n

By helping engineers better manage the risks associated with pile replacement and foundation reconstruction, the findings in this study could contribute to safer, more efficient, and sustainable urban renewal practices.

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Reference

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
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Title of original paper:

\\n		\\n

Quantitative assessment of drilling stability in backfilled soils for

\\n

sustainable urban building redevelopment

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Journal:

\\n		\\n

Results in Engineering

\\n
\\n

DOI:

\\n		\\n

10.1016/j.rineng.2026.110978 

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Additional information for EurekAlert

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
\\n

Latest Article Publication Date:

\\n		01 June  2026
Method of Research:\\n

Computational simulation/modelling

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Subject of Research: AnimalsNA
Conflicts of Interest Statement:\\n

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

\\n
\\n

Authors

\\n

About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\n

Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

\\n

Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

\\n

 

\\n

About Professor Shinya Inazumi from SIT, Japan

\\n

Prof. Shinya Inazumi is a distinguished Professor at the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. He earned his Ph.D. degree from Kyoto University in 2003. Renowned for his contributions to geotechnical and geo-disaster engineering, his research spans social infrastructure engineering, geo-information studies, and disaster mitigation. Prof. Inazumi has authored over 300 scholarly publications and actively serves on numerous academic and professional committees. His pioneering work has earned him multiple awards, recognizing his leadership and innovation in the field. Prof. Inazumi remains at the forefront of advancing resilient infrastructure and sustainable engineering practices in Japan and beyond.

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Funding Information

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Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

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E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

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Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

\\n \\n
\\n
\\n
\\\"20260630_001\\\"
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\\n

Title: How strength differences between backfilled and original ground affect pile installation
Caption: Strenght differences between backfilled soil and original ground can lead to inlined drilling and unserviceable piles. The framework proposed in the study offers practical guidelines to develop backfill specifications, improve resilience, and sustainability during foundation renewal programs.
Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology
Source Link: NA
License Type: Original content
Usage restrictions: Cannot be reused without permission

\\n
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\\n
\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/7/8 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/7/8 12:00:06\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260703-7070-001.html\"},{\"id\":4011,\"title\":\"New Field-Tested Design Framework Improves Bored Pile Foundations in Weathered Rock\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260705_001.png\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
\\n

Analysis of 20 instrumented pile load tests shows that weathering-adjusted rock strength enables more reliable bored pile foundation design

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Large bored piles are widely used to support bridges, high-rise buildings, and transport infrastructure, but estimating their capacity in weathered rock remains uncertain. Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology analyzed 20 instrumented static load tests on piles socketed in weathered siltstone and sandstone. Their findings provide field-calibrated adhesion factors and weathering-adjusted shaft-resistance correlations, enabling safer, more economical foundation designs while reducing unnecessary concrete and steel use.

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Large-diameter bored piles are essential for major infrastructure, from elevated railways and long-span bridges to high-rise buildings. Yet, when these piles extend into weak, weathered sedimentary rocks such as siltstone and sandstone, engineers face a persistent design challenge: the rock behaves neither like conventional soil nor like strong, intact rock. Instead, its load-bearing capacity depends heavily on in-situ weathering, fracturing, and the interaction between the pile and the surrounding rock. Many current design methods estimate shaft resistance using the uniaxial compressive strength of intact rock. However, intact rock strength alone does not accurately represent the weaker, weathered rock mass surrounding a pile socket. As a result, engineers may adopt overly conservative designs, leading to larger pile diameters, greater pile lengths, increased material use, and higher construction costs.

\\n

 

\\n

To address this gap, a research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, developed empirical design correlations for bored piles installed in weathered siltstone and sandstone. The study was made available online on June 15, 2026, and will be published in Volume 31 of the Results in Engineering journal on September 1, 2026. The team analyzed data from 20 instrumented static axial load tests on bored piles with diameters of 1.2–1.5 m and lengths of 9.3–36.0 m. “The combined effects of rock weathering, in-situ rock strength, and adhesion factor (α) on the shaft resistance of bored piles in weak rock remain poorly understood, motivating the need for further site-specific empirical studies,” said Prof. Inazumi.

\\n

 

\\n

All piles were constructed using the wet-process method and equipped with strain gauges and extensometers, allowing the researchers to measure unit shaft resistance and layer displacement along the pile depth. For weak rock layers where the measured displacement did not reach 5 mm, the team used hyperbolic fitting to estimate shaft resistance at this representative working displacement. A key aspect of the study was the explicit incorporation of rock weathering. The researchers adjusted the intact rock strength using a weathering-based reduction factor to calculate an equivalent in-situ rock strength. This enabled them to compare conventional estimates based on intact rock strength with weathering-adjusted estimates that more accurately reflected field conditions at the pile-rock interface.

\\n

 

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The results revealed clear differences between the two rock types. For siltstone, 11 layers yielded adhesion factors ranging from 0.08 to 0.42, whereas six sandstone layers showed adhesion factors between 0.04 and 0.10. In practical terms, siltstone mobilized adhesion factors roughly twice those of sandstone under comparable conditions. Moreover, the weathering-adjusted correlations reduced prediction bias and variability compared with estimates based solely on intact rock strength. The proposed framework can be applied in two stages. During preliminary design, engineers can estimate shaft resistance using intact rock strength and rock type. During detailed design, they can incorporate the degree of weathering along the pile socket, calculate weathering-adjusted rock strength, and apply the proposed adhesion-factor correlations. This provides a more field-calibrated pathway from subsurface investigation to foundation design.

\\n

 

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The findings are especially relevant for bridges, high-rise buildings, retaining structures, quay walls, transportation hubs, water-treatment plants, and energy facilities built on weak sedimentary rock profiles. By improving confidence in shaft-resistance estimates, the approach can help reduce unnecessary overdesign while maintaining safety and serviceability. “The proposed empirical correlations provide a field-based framework for estimating the shaft resistance of large-diameter bored piles in weak sedimentary rock formations, highlighting the importance of explicitly accounting for rock weathering in pile design,” notes Prof. Inazumi.

\\n

 

\\n

The authors caution that the proposed correlations should be applied only within the tested geological conditions and parameter ranges, and that additional validation is needed for other weak rock types such as mudstone and shale. Nevertheless, the study offers a practical, field-based framework for improving foundation design in weathered sedimentary rock formations. By enabling more reliable estimates of pile capacity, it has the potential to support safer infrastructure while reducing unnecessary material use and construction costs.

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Reference

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
\\n

Title of original paper:

\\n		\\n

Adhesion factors for bored piles in weathered siltstone and sandstone based on instrumented load tests

\\n
\\n

Journal:

\\n		\\n

Results in Engineering

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\\n

DOI:

\\n		\\n

10.1016/j.rineng.2026.111565

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\\n

Additional information for EurekAlert

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
\\n

Latest Article Publication Date:

\\n		01 September 2026
Method of Research:\\n

Experimental study

\\n
Subject of Research: AnimalsNot applicable
Conflicts of Interest Statement:\\n

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
 

\\n
\\n

Authors

\\n

About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\n

Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

\\n

Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

\\n

 

\\n

About Professor Shinya Inazumi from SIT, Japan

\\n

Dr. Shinya Inazumi is a Professor at the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan, where he leads the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory. He obtained his Master’s and PhD degrees in Engineering from Kyoto University in 2000 and 2003, respectively. With over two decades of academic and research experience, he has authored more than 250 journal papers. His research focuses on geotechnical engineering, geo-disaster mitigation, sustainable social infrastructure, soil and ground improvement, numerical simulations, and AI applications in infrastructure planning. His notable achievements include best paper recognition at GEOMATE 2023 and editorial board honors.

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Funding Information

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NA

\\n

 

\\n

Media Contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

\\n

E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

\\n

Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

\\n

 image

\\n \\n
\\n
\\n
\\\"20260705_001\\\"
\\n
\\n

Title: Data-driven adhesion factors for safer and more efficient bored pile design in weathered siltstone and sandstone
Caption: Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology analyzed instrumented load-test data from large-diameter bored piles in weathered siltstone and sandstone to develop practical adhesion factors and shaft-resistance correlations for foundation design.
Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source link: N/A
License Type: Original content
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

\\n
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\\n
\",\"new_window\":\"0\",\"link_url\":\"\",\"pdf_url\":\"\",\"publish_date\":\"2026/7/7 12:00:00\",\"modified_date\":\"2026/7/7 12:00:06\",\"permalink\":\"/en/headline/detail/20260705-7070-001.html\"},{\"id\":4004,\"title\":\"Winged Composite Pile System for Better Waste Management and Enhanced Uplift Resistance\",\"category\":[{\"basename\":\"news-13\",\"label\":\"Research\"}],\"output\":[{\"basename\":\"press_en\",\"label\":\"NEWS-PRESS RELEASE\"}],\"thumbnail_image_url\":\"/assets/20260704_001.jpg\",\"thumbnail_image_alt\":\"\",\"link_division\":\"text\",\"meta_description\":\"\",\"text\":\"
\\n

Researchers develop a winged composite pile system that recycles excavated soil while improving foundation uplift resistance

\\n

 

\\n

Contemporary civil engineering practices highlight the need for safer, more reliable, uplift-resistant foundations for lifeline infrastructure and also seek solutions for environmental and social problems associated with surplus soil from construction projects. Using surplus construction soil, researchers have developed a winged composite pile system that can enhance uplift resistance. This approach supports cleaner and safer construction practices, helping projects achieve environmental goals without sacrificing structural integrity.

\\n

 

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Management of surplus soil, often produced in large volumes at construction projects, represents a significant challenge in Japan. National statistics and recent incidents revealed that the utilization of surplus soil on-site lags far behind that of other construction byproducts. Improper disposal of surplus has resulted in slope failures, groundwater contamination, and land subsidence in residential areas, underscoring soil waste as a real environmental concern rather than a simple logistical issue.

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Contemporary civil engineering practices also highlight the need for safer, more reliable, uplift-resistant foundations for lifeline infrastructure to mitigate natural disasters and high-wind events. However, current technical guidance for expanded-base piles under uplift is highly limited, particularly when low-strength recycled backfill is utilized.

\\n

 

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To address these two pressing challenges, a research team led by Professor Shinya Inazumi from the College of Engineering, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, developed a winged composite pile system using construction surplus soil. “Our concept emerged from discussions with industry partners who sought structural reliability and sustainable site management. Additionally, rather than using ad hoc solutions, we also wanted to provide engineers with quantitative, mechanism-based design guidance,” mentioned Prof. Inazumi, explaining the motivation behind this study. The study was published in Volume 33 of the journal Cleaner Engineering and Technology on June 5, 2026.

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The proposed system consists of a winged steel pipe pile installed inside a permanent steel casing. Instead of filling the space around the pile with newly supplied material, the annular gap is backfilled with construction surplus soil generated during excavation.

\\n

 

\\n

To test the concept, the researchers conducted 224 three-dimensional elasto-plastic finite element analyses. They varied pile length, shaft diameter, and expanded wing diameter to understand how each factor influenced uplift resistance. The surrounding ground was modelled as dense sandy soil, while the surplus soil backfill was modelled as loose sandy soil, representing typical site soil condition and excavated soil characteristics, respectively.

\\n

 

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The analysis revealed the optimal wing diameter for different pile lengths. For 10 m piles, the optimal wing diameter was approximately 1.6–1.7 m, shifted to 1.9–2.0 m for 15–20 m piles. Beyond the optimal wing diameter, the uplift resistance decreased as the gap between the wing and casing became too narrow, limiting the soil shear zone that provides resistance.

\\n

Surprisingly, shaft diameter had little effect on uplift resistance. Across shaft diameters from 0.2 m to 0.6 m, the variation in maximum uplift resistance remained within 10%. This has important design as well as recycling implications. Because uplift resistance is controlled mainly by the wing rather than the shaft, engineers may be able to reduce shaft diameter, lower steel use, and increase the volume of surplus soil that can be reused inside the casing without significantly compromising uplift capacity.

\\n

 

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The findings of this study facilitate the design and construction of foundations for transmission towers and similar structures affected by wind uplift and overturning moments. Utilizing winged composite pile systems will allow engineers to substitute imported materials with surplus on-site soil, optimizing uplift resistance while meeting recycling goals. This system is particularly suited for greenfield infrastructure developments and upgrades to aging power and telecommunications networks with limited land. Additionally, it can also be applied to renewable energy facilities.

\\n

 

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This technology supports circular economy concepts through on-site soil management and reducing transport waste, helping projects achieve environmental goals without sacrificing structural integrity.

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Prof. Inazumi highlights, “Our research demonstrates that high-performance foundations and responsible soil management can coexist, countering the trend of off-site surplus soil disposal that harms the environment.”

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Overall, the study proposes a system that can tackle two challenges observed in modern construction projects. By reusing excavated soil directly within the foundation system, winged composite piles can reduce off-site soil transport, minimize waste, and support cleaner and safer construction practices.

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Reference

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
\\n

Title of original paper:

\\n		\\n

On-site recycling of construction surplus soil in winged composite piles for enhanced uplift resistance

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\\n

Journal:

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Cleaner Engineering and Technology

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\\n

DOI:

\\n		\\n

10.1016/j.clet.2026.101244

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Additional information for EurekAlert

\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n\\n
\\n

Latest Article Publication Date:

\\n		5 June 2026
Method of Research:\\n

Experimental Study

\\n
Subject of Research: AnimalsNot applicable
Conflicts of Interest Statement:\\n

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. 

\\n
\\n

Authors

\\n

About Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\n

Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT) is a private university with campuses in Tokyo and Saitama. Since the establishment of its predecessor, Tokyo Higher School of Industry and Commerce, in 1927, it has maintained “learning through practice” as its philosophy in the education of engineers. SIT was the only private science and engineering university selected for the Top Global University Project sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and had received support from the ministry for 10 years starting from the 2014 academic year. Its motto, “Nurturing engineers who learn from society and contribute to society,” reflects its mission of fostering scientists and engineers who can contribute to the sustainable growth of the world by exposing their over 9,500 students to culturally diverse environments, where they learn to cope, collaborate, and relate with fellow students from around the world.

\\n

Website: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

\\n

 

\\n

About Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan

\\n

Professor Shinya Inazumi is a Professor at Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan. He graduated from Kyoto University in 2003. His laboratory, the Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory, focuses on the development and management of sustainable soil-based social infrastructure in harmony with the natural and social environment. His laboratory utilizes simulation techniques, along with data science and artificial intelligence, for its research. He has more than 200 publications and is a recipient of multiple awards. He is a member of multiple academic societies, including the Japan Society of Civil Engineers and the Geotechnical Society of Japan.

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Funding Information

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N/A

\\n

 

\\n

Media contact: Kohei Tsuchiya

\\n

E-mail: koho@ow.shibaura-it.ac.jp 　

\\n

Web: https://www.shibaura-it.ac.jp/en/

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 image

\\n \\n
\\n
\\n
\\\"20260704_001\\\"
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\\n

Title: Recycled winged composite pile system to reduce soil waste and enhance uplift strength
Caption: Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a winged composite pile system, utiliizng construction surplus soil that can improve uplift resistance, support cleaner and safer construction practices.
Credit: Professor Shinya Inazumi from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan
Source link: N/A
License type: Original content
Usage restrictions: Credit must be given to the creator.

\\n
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\\n
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