Digital Media Center

In Japan, the concentrations of nitrogen and sulfur dioxides have declined since the 1970s due to environmental regulations and increasing public awareness. However, the concentrations of photochemical oxidants have continued to increase gradually since the 1980s, contributing to persistent photochemical smog. In this study, we used a round-bottom flask as a simplified smog chamber to simulate reactions between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Trace amounts of ozone and aldehydes were observed as secondary products. While many educational resources address atmospheric chemistry, most focus on simulations or data interpretation. Few allow students to observe actual photochemical reactions. To address this gap, we developed a hands-on experiment using accessible materials to visualize smog formation.

Most of the Earth’s water is in the seas, with only a small fraction of freshwater being suitable for consumption. In fact, at the present, 2.2 billion people cannot ensure safety in drinking water. An effective approach to solve this problem is to convert sea water into fresh water. To achieve this, the focus of this study is on Bacterial Cellulose made by Komagataeibacter sucrofermentans which is a type of acetic acid bacteria. These bacteria are commonly encountered in our daily lives, and are utilized in the production of vinegar. Prior research has shown that bacterial cellulose is a semipermeable membrane. Using this fact, we aim to chemically modify bacterial cellulose to impart ion-exchange properties and to convert seawater into freshwater through electrolysis. The success of this study will contribute to solving SDG 6 “Clean water and sanitation”, to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for individuals.

This project investigates the efficacy of cushioning paper derived from durian peel mixed with activated carbon in retarding ripening and providing mangoes’ shock protection. Utilizing durian peels sourced from community leftovers, the fibers are extracted through boiling and subsequently combined with activated charcoal powder in varying proportions (5%, 10%, and 15% by weight of fibers) and finally molded using a paper sieve. In conclusion, the developed cushioning paper demonstrates the ability to retard ripening processes effectively while offering superior shock protection. These findings underscore the potential of utilizing agricultural waste for sustainable packaging solutions in the food industry.