In this blog post, we’ll explore what octane rating is—an important performance indicator for gasoline—how it relates to engine knocking, and what distinguishes regular gasoline from premium gasoline.   Now that cars have become an essential means of transportation in daily life, gasoline prices have a significant impact on the expenses of households that own cars. Drivers often compare...

In this blog post, we’ll examine what actually exploded during the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, how hydrogen was generated and destroyed the reactor building, and what lessons this accident taught us about nuclear power plant safety.   How Do Explosions Occur at Nuclear Power Plants? What kinds of explosion accidents can occur at a nuclear power plant? Generally, an...

In this blog post, we will examine the long-term effects of the Fukushima nuclear accident and explore the scientific verification and ongoing monitoring necessary to accurately understand radiation risks, as well as the roles of the government and citizens.   When the International Olympic Committee selected Tokyo as the host city for the Summer Olympics, there were concerns about whether...

In this blog post, we will examine the causes of the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant and the enhanced safety measures implemented since then, and explore the perspectives from which we should evaluate the risks and safety of nuclear power.   Questions About Nuclear Safety Raised by the Fukushima Accident In the past, a severe nuclear accident occurred in Fukushima...

In this blog post, we will examine the safety debates surrounding nuclear power that have arisen since the Fukushima accident, as well as South Korea’s energy security, nuclear power plant exports, and the potential for expanding renewable energy. We will also explore what role nuclear power can play in future electricity policy.   In the past, South Korea has repeatedly experienced power...

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...