• IHI Corporation

The increased demand for crude oil accompanying industrialization in emerging economies is pushing up the price of crude oil. In response to this increased demand, the development of offshore oil and gas fields in the open sea and deep waters is moving forward, where until recently extraction was not economically feasible. Offshore energy plants are advancing the development of offshore oil and gas fields that are attracting a growing interest worldwide.

• IHI Corporation

Environmentally friendly electric vehicles are continuing their rise in popularity. However, many think connecting power cables to electric vehicles is cumbersome. Wireless charging technology is one way to alleviate this concern. We are developing a system that automatically charges electric vehicles while they are parked in parking lots.

• IHI Plant Construction Co., Ltd.

In March 2013 IHI Plant Construction Co., Ltd. (IPC) began operation of the Tatsuno Solar Power Station as an independent power producer. This initiative of our photovoltaic power plant construction company is aimed at developing more efficient operation methods and maintenance technologies. Based on previous experience and achievements in providing power boilers and various plants, IPC will offer complete services in the field of renewable energy — both in photovoltaic and wind power generation.

• IHI Corporation

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear power plant safety issues that subsequently arose, the energy supply and demand balance in Japan is in a delicate state. Given this situation, in order to maintain comfortable lifestyles, stable plant and energy management is required that allows for balanced and optimal use of renewable energy and existing fossil fuels.

• YANAGIHARA Arisa, HATANAKA Hiroaki, TAGAMI Minoru, TODA Katsuya, NAKAMURA Yoshihiko

Steel-concrete composite structures, such as steel-concrete composite slabs and rigid connections between piers and beams, have been widely adopted in recent years due to their durability and economic efficiency. However, it is impossible to examine the boundary between steel plates and concrete visually after concrete casting because of the presence of steel plates surrounding the concrete. To solve this issue, a method to discriminate between filled and unfilled areas in concrete using low-frequency ultrasound has been developed and its application to actual bridges has commenced.

• OHUCHIDA Satoshi, TAMAKI Hideaki, KAWAKUBO Tomoki, YAMADA Kiwamu, MARUYAMA Masakazu

In the design process of turbomachinery, it is important to understand and predict the internal flow since it directly influences product performance. There are many design tools that can be used to visualize the internal flow and one of the best in recent years is numerical simulation. However, simulation is still not a practically applicable tool for predicting the occurrence of unstable flow, which is of primary concern in turbo compressors. To overcome this difficulty, developing measurement techniques will play an important role in addition to the development of large scale simulations. In this article, a flow velocity measurement technique called PIV developed relatively recently is discussed and measurement results of rotating stall phenomenon in centrifugal compressor vaneless diffusers are introduced.

• YOSHIHISA Kumiko, YOSHIMURA Akihiko, SHIBAMORI Yasuhiro, FUCHIGAMI Kenji, KUBOTA Nobuhiko

Plastics that have a hydrophobic surface are generally given printable or adhesive properties through the modification of their surfaces to be hydrophilic. Although conventional surface modification methods such as corona discharge treatment provide the hydrophilic property, long-lasting hydrophilic surface has been hardly obtained. Therefore, we studied the modification process of plastic samples by using microwave plasma irradiation to achieve a long-lasting hydrophilic surface. We optimized the conditions of the plasma treatment and developed a process consisting of a two-step treatment using argon plasma and argon/oxygen plasma. It was established that the two-step plasma processing technology gave plastic surfaces hydrophilicity lasting at least 80 days and more.

• TAKAMURA Kaoru

A variety of discussions on how energy should be supplied in Japan have been continuing since last year's Great East Japan Earthquake and resulting tsunami. A quick review of the optimal energy mix is needed, based on the principle that energy should not be wasted. In the USA, there has been an expansion in power generation making use of the specific features of aero-derivative gas turbines. This paper gives an overview of the US aeroderivative gas turbine market and considers the prospects for the expansion of this market in Japan.