The authors have been developing a mechano-electric artificial myocardial assist system (artificial myocardium) which is capable of supporting natural contractile functions from the outside of the ventricle without blood contacting surface. In this study, a nano-tech covalent type shape memory alloy fibre (Biometal, Toki Corp, Japan) was employed and the parallel-link structured myocardial assist device was developed. And basic characteristics of the system were examined in a mechanical circulatory system as well as in animal experiments using goats. The contractile functions were evaluated with the mock circulatory system that simulated systemic circulation with a silicone left ventricular model and an aortic afterload. Hemodynamic performance was also examined in goats. Prior to the measurement, the artificial myocardial assist device was installed into the goat's thoracic cavity and attached onto the ventricular wall. As a result, the system could be installed successfully without severe complications related to the heating, and the aortic flow rate was increased by 15% and the systolic left ventricular pressure was elevated by 7% under the cardiac output condition of 3L/min in a goat. And those values were elevated by the improvement of the design which was capable of the natural morphological myocardial tissue streamlines. Therefore it was indicated that the effective assistance might be achieved by the contraction by the newly-designed artificial myocardial assist system using Biometal. Moreover it was suggested that the assistance gain might be obtained by the optimised configuration design along with the natural anatomical myocardial stream line.

The authors have been developing an artificial myocardium, which is capable of supporting natural contractile function from the outside of the ventricle. The system was originally designed by using sophisticated covalent shape memory alloy fibres, and the surface did not implicate blood compatibility. The purpose of our study on the development of artificial myocardium was to achieve the assistance of myocardial functional reproduction by the integrative small mechanical elements without sensors, so that the effective circulatory support could be accomplished. In this study, the authors fabricated the prototype artificial myocardial assist unit composed of the sophisticated shape memory alloy fibre (Biometal), the diameter of which was 100 microns, and examined the mechanical response by using pulse width modulation (PWM) control method in each unit. Prior to the evaluation of dynamic characteristics, the relationship between strain and electric resistance and also the initial response of each unit were obtained. The component for the PWM control was designed in order to regulate the myocardial contractile function, which consisted of an originally-designed RISC microcomputer with the input of displacement, and its output signal was controlled by pulse wave modulation method. As a result, the optimal PWM parameters were confirmed and the fibrous displacement was successfully regulated under the different heat transfer conditions simulating internal body temperature as well as bias tensile loading. Then it was indicated that this control theory might be applied for more sophisticated ventricular passive or active restraint by the artificial myocardium on physiological demand.

Suppose that you look Arabic numerals on transparent glass windows or in the air. Which does it mean ‘85’ or ‘28’? You end up watching the mirrored images when you view from back side. This paper shows a one‐way observable display for aero signage whose images are floating in the air. To solve mirrored image problems of an aero signage, the authors have utilized dye‐doped prisms and total internal reflection in optics. You know that water is generally clear and transparent but the water in a bath tub is little blue. The color changes depending on the depth of water. The deeper, the darker water becomes blue. This is the reason why some color is generated in the dye‐doped material. The authors put the letterings made by intaglio printings for arranging dye‐doped tiny prisms on a glass window. You can watch these colored letterforms from front and transparent pixels from back. Moreover the authors discuss a one‐way observable edgeilluminated window signage display which enables us to observe light emitting signs in the dark night without requiring external illuminating lights.

Low alloy TRIP steel is expected to be applied to automobile bodies because of its high strength, high ductility, and excellent impact properties and press formability. It has been reported that the low alloy TRIP steel of hydrogen embrittlement resistance is improved by utilizing the hydrogen storage characteristics of highly stable retained austenite. Therefore, for the purpose of increasing the volume fraction of retained austenite, it was produced at various cooling rates below the martensite transformation start temperature. As a result, the volume fraction of retained austenite increased, and then the effect of hydrogen embrittlement decreased. The matrix phase and retained austenite is refined with decrees of the cooling rate. It is considered that the size and surface area of the retained austenite also affected the improvement of hydrogen embrittlement resistance.

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