In this blog post, we will examine the value and limitations of nuclear power by exploring why countries around the world continue to utilize nuclear power even after the Fukushima nuclear accident, as well as its economic viability, greenhouse gas reduction effects, energy security, safety, and the issue of spent nuclear fuel.   The 7th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand...

In this blog post, we’ll examine how epigenetics has led to a new understanding of the relationship between genes and the environment, and explore why it’s important to provide the public with accurate information so that epigenetics can be put to good use in various fields, including medicine, agriculture, child-rearing, and living environments.   How do genes and the environment work...

In this blog post, we’ll explore how the enzymes that aid digestion in our bodies are used in laundry, the principles, advantages, and limitations of enzyme detergents, and the potential for advancements in enzyme engineering.   We eat meals to gain the energy needed to study or exercise. The reason food provides us with energy is that countless enzymes in our bodies break down food into...

In this blog post, we’ll explore what chemical and biological engineering—a field that bridges various disciplines such as process engineering, applied chemistry, biotechnology, materials science, energy, and the environment, all based on chemistry and biology—studies and how it is applied in our daily lives.   My major is Chemical and Biological Engineering. Most people who encounter the...

In this blog post, we’ll explore the principles behind shape-memory alloys—which return to their original shape in response to temperature changes—as well as the characteristics of Nitinol, a representative material, and its various applications and limitations.   Generally, metals have an elastic limit—that is, a limit beyond which they cannot return to their original shape through elastic...

In this blog post, we’ll explore the principles, history, and future role of control engineering, which powers various sectors of modern industry, ranging from smartphones to robots, semiconductors, artificial organs, and smart grids.   A man wearing a black turtleneck and jeans steps onto the stage. He soon pulls out a simple, futuristic-looking device and holds it up for the audience to...

In this blog post, we’ll explore whether fusion power can establish itself as a future energy source by examining everything from the principles of nuclear fusion—the process by which the Sun generates energy—to the characteristics of magnetic confinement and inertial confinement methods, as well as recent achievements in fusion research and the challenges that remain.   What is the Sun’s...

In this blog post, we’ll take a detailed look at the subsea drilling process—from drilling wells to extract oil and natural gas buried beneath the seabed to protecting those wells using techniques such as wellbore lining, casing, and cementing, and finally connecting them to production facilities.   In modern society, oil remains a vital energy resource and industrial raw material. From fuel...

In this blog post, we’ll explore everything from the basic oil and gas production processes at offshore plants to why simulation is crucial in offshore plant design, and how to optimize using Aspen HYSYS.   Offshore resources such as oil and natural gas lie buried deep beneath the seabed. Various offshore facilities are used to explore, drill, produce, and process these resources. Offshore...

In this blog post, we’ll explore the evolution of aircraft propulsion systems—from humanity’s longing for flight to piston engines, propellers, turbojets, turboprops, turbofans, and ramjets—and examine how this progression led to space propulsion technology.   The fact that people have constantly strived to reach the sky can even be found in Greek mythology. The story of Icarus, who flew...