In this blog post, we will examine the environmental and economic challenges of biofuels—which have long been touted as an eco-friendly energy source—and consider the direction the sustainable biofuel industry should take to move beyond its reliance on conventional first-generation biofuels.   As concerns about environmental pollution—which has been accelerating since the Industrial...

In this blog post, I examined social perceptions of tattoos and safety concerns surrounding tattooing, and reflected on the challenges that must be addressed and the expected benefits during the process of legalizing tattooing.   What comes to mind when you see someone with a tattoo while walking down the street? Just 20 years ago, most people would have responded with comments like “They...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the basic structure of flash memory and the differences between SLC and MLC technologies, and explore how multi-level cell technology has evolved to increase storage density.   We live in the information age. Vast amounts of information are digitized and exchanged at a rapid pace. We no longer have to sit in front of a bulky computer to access information...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the impact of “additive-free” food marketing on consumers and the food industry—focusing on the example of synthetic sodium nitrite—not only from scientific and biological perspectives but also from ethical and social ones.   With the launch of “THE Healthy Ham” in 2010, an “additive-free” craze began sweeping through South Korea’s processed food industry...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the causes and symptoms of hallux valgus, the risks associated with certain lifestyle habits, and methods for prevention and treatment—and explore what you should focus on to protect your foot health in your daily life.   With the widespread use of high heels and pointed-toe shoes, feet—regardless of gender—are under a great deal of pressure. In addition, as...

In this blog post, we’ll explore the principles behind wireless charging—which emerged as a solution to the inconvenience of cables—as well as the characteristics of magnetic resonance and magnetic induction methods. We’ll also examine the potential of wireless charging technology as it expands beyond smartphones to encompass a wide range of electronic devices and everyday environments.  ...

In this blog post, I’ll explore why people feel compassion and discomfort when they see someone hitting or kicking a robot, and discuss how we should think about ethical standards for treating robots in comparison to our ethical feelings toward animals.   How is kicking a robot—which is neither human nor animal—any different from kicking a soccer ball? Even though we may think of them as...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the evolution of speech recognition and synthesis technologies and explore the challenges robots must overcome to understand human speech and engage in natural conversation.   “I’m sorry, Dave. Unfortunately, I cannot carry out that command.” Anyone who has seen Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ will likely remember this line...

In this blog post, we’ll examine the journey of drones—which were originally developed for military use—to their current applications across various fields, as well as how they work, their utility, and the technical and social challenges that need to be addressed in the future.   Recently, the global logistics company Amazon announced plans to implement drone-based deliveries. The plan is to...

In this blog post, we’ll examine how the size and shape of the pupil are regulated, how the pupil’s shape affects the light entering the eye, and, as a result, how the pupil’s shape contributes to an animal’s survival.   Animals gather visual information through their eyes. In particular, the pupil and iris—which are responsible for the first stage of visual information processing—play...