JTW Digest, April 15, 2024

Author

Eldar Syzdykov
April 15, 2024

Innovative Thermal Management for Semiconductors Inspired by Japanese Textile Patterns

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a novel thermal management technology for semiconductors, inspired by traditional Japanese clothing patterns like the Seigaiha. They have created a nanostructure that can reverse the anisotropy (directionality) of heat conduction based on temperature changes.

At room temperature, heat transfer in the nanostructure is diffusive, with phonons (heat-carrying particles) scattering randomly. However, at temperatures below 80K (-193°C), the phonons exhibit quasi-ballistic behavior, traveling more directionally along the nanostructure. This change in phonon behavior causes the anisotropy of thermal conductivity to reverse by 90 degrees.

The researchers believe this technology can be applied to the heat management of advanced semiconductors, which generate significant heat. By controlling the directionality of heat flow, it can help improve the performance, reliability, and lifespan of electronic devices. Further research into nanowire network structures and materials is expected to enable the realization of this anisotropic thermal conduction even at room temperature.

Innovative Ultrasonic Inspection Drones Boost Efficiency and Reduce Manpower

Blue Innovation has developed a new service that uses spherical flying drones equipped with specialized ultrasonic measurement devices to inspect the thickness of various structures remotely. The "ELIOS3" drone can attach ultrasonic probes and a laser pointer to precisely target and measure the thickness of inspection objects.

In an experiment to measure the thickness of a ship's ballast tank, the new drone-based service was able to reduce the inspection work time by 15,000 hours compared to the traditional method. The work that previously required 16 or more people was reduced to just 2 people, greatly improving efficiency.

This innovative ultrasonic measurement service using spherical drones can be applied to a wide range of industries, such as plants, infrastructure facilities, automobile and aircraft factories, and ship docks. By eliminating the need for scaffolding and special equipment, the new service achieves low-cost and highly efficient thickness inspections, contributing to the optimization of various industrial processes.

Groundbreaking Fetal Surgery in Japan Treats Congenital Spinal Nerve Disorder

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully performed pioneering fetal surgery in Japan to treat myelomeningocele, an incurable congenital disease that distorts the nerves in the spine and impairs brain and motor functions in fetuses.

The research group, led by Masayuki Endo, Deputy Director of the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center at Osaka University Hospital, has been treating six fetuses with this condition since April three years ago. They made small incisions and conducted surgical procedures to correct the nerve distortion in the fetal spine.

While one of the children died shortly after birth due to an infection, four children were born safely, and the researchers were able to suppress some of the brain symptoms in these children. Another child is expected to be born in the future.

According to the group, performing surgery on the fetus while still in the womb improves symptoms more effectively than surgery after birth. This approach is widely practiced in Europe and the United States, but this is the first time it has been done in Japan.

The group plans to continue performing these surgeries to confirm their safety and effectiveness, with the goal of putting this groundbreaking fetal treatment technology into practical use as early as three years from now.

Japan's Smartphone Competition Promotion Law Targets Apple and Google's App Store Dominance

The Japanese government is introducing a new "Smartphone Competition Promotion Bill" to regulate the dominance of major tech giants, primarily Apple and Google, in the smartphone operating system and app store markets.

The key points of the new law include:

1. Requiring Apple and Google to open up their app stores to competition, prohibiting acts that interfere with other companies providing app stores.

2. Mandating the development of a system that allows users to easily change the default app settings on their smartphones.

3. Prohibiting the preferential display of the tech giants' own services in search results over other companies.

4. Imposing a "surcharge" of up to 20% of domestic sales in the targeted areas for violations, significantly higher than the basic 10% under the Antimonopoly Act. The surcharge can be raised to 30% for repeated offenses.

The government aims to have the bill approved by the Cabinet and enacted in the current Diet session, hoping to rectify the problematic behavior of large tech firms and promote competition in the app market.

While the new law aims to address concerns over Apple and Google's app store dominance, there are also considerations to ensure user safety as the market is opened up to more providers.