Global warming and the risks of nuclear power generation highlight the need for eco-friendly renewable energy. Wave power generation, if widely adopted, could significantly benefit Japan, an island nation surrounded by the sea. This study examines a pendulum-type wave power generation device known for its efficiency and environmental friendliness.

Microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, pose significant environmental and health risks. Originating from the breakdown of larger plastics or industrial production, these particles contaminate ecosystems, affecting plants, animals, and humans. This study examines their impact on three biological models: aquatic organisms (Daphnia spp.), plants (Lolium perenne L. and Hordeum vulgare L.), and human intestinal cells (Caco-2 cells).

In this study, we engineered a biosensor that expressed lacZ gene, encoding β-galactosidase, which is an enzyme used as a reporter. The detection of blue β-galactosidase activity after incubation with 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside (X-gal) solution acts as a visible readout for the development of biosensors for rapid, sensitive and quantitative detection of microplastic.

Coastal dams are crucial in preventing wave overtopping and mitigating coastal flooding. The three commonly used coastal dam structures are vertical seawalls, curved seawalls, and riprap dams. Along with these, we designed three more dam models (triangular, zigzag, and inverted triangle) for this investigation, possessing characteristics similar to the aforementioned commonly used dams. Through this research, we used such physical models to understand how different dam designs affect seawater overtopping by either creating in-phase waves or redirecting wave impact and diffusing wave energy to create antiphase waves.

The demand for lithium has more than doubled over the past eight years, primarily due to the growth of lithium-ion batteries, which now represent a market valued at $40 billion. Lithium is extracted from minerals and brines; however, the extraction processes are complex and energy-intensive. From 2018 to 2019, lithium consumption surged by 18%, raising concerns about the potential depletion of existing lithium reserves. Consequently, technologies to recycle lithium from used lithium-ion batteries are currently being developed.

In the UK, during 2023, around 7.7 million single-use vapes were purchased each week. With 11% of adults in the UK vaping regularly, it poses the question: how were the 400 million vapes purchased in 2023 disposed of? One study found that 83% of vape users were not disposing of them in a correct and sustainable manner, with 7% of vape users admitting to dropping the vapes on the street. As a result, we questioned how any remaining e-liquid within the vapes would affect invertebrates, should it leak into an aquatic environment.

Balanophora species are known for their medicinal properties, with reported effects including HIV inhibition, hypoglycemia control, anti-inflammatory activity, and analgesic properties. Balanophora in Thailand was first scientifically documented in the Flora of Thailand (Vol. 2, Part 2) by Hansen (1972b), which recorded five taxa. However, many herbarium specimens remained unidentified or misidentified, signaling the need for a comprehensive taxonomic revision. Recent research efforts at MWIT have revisited these specimens, leading to the discovery of a new species record for Thailand, Balanophora papuana Schltr. (Sakdapipanich et al., 2024, Fig. 1). This finding indicates the importance of continuous exploration and taxonomic investigation in biodiversity-rich regions such as Thailand. By reconstructing a dichotomous key for Thai or all Balanophora species, our study contributes significantly to future botanical research and conservation efforts.

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.

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.

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.

Our cryptographic system is rooted in Amidakuji, which is a Japanese game for assigning jobs by lot. Players begin on top and swap lines on “direction-changer” bars, yielding diverse outputs. The game’s permutation guarantees distinct maps and no overlap. Group theory augments Amidakuji’s structure and cryptographic use. Unlike other permutation-based cryptographic methods, which often rely on simple cyclic or transposition-based permutations, Amidakuji permutations exhibit structured randomness due to their dependency on interconnected paths. This structure makes it harder to predict outputs without knowing the exact Amidakuji configuration.