Panasonic Declares Environmental Initiatives at 'Eco Ideas Factory Biwako'

Kusatsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan, June 5, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, today announced an environmental statement that outlines the company's mid- and long-term environmental management plans. The Kusatsu Factory of Matsushita Home Appliances Company (HA Company) in Shiga Prefecture was named the "Eco Ideas Factory Biwako" (Lake Biwa). The Eco Ideas Factory will help to realize three of Panasonic's pivotal eco concepts: "eco ideas for manufacturing," "eco ideas for products," and "eco ideas for everybody, everywhere."

The environmental statement includes three main themes - harmonious coexistence with the global environment, contribution as a global company to local communities, and implementation of ecological lifestyles as member residents of communities.

HA Company, a division company of Matsushita, has just completed consolidating its headquarters and engineering departments at Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture in March 2008. Environmental issues have long been a company priority and the company recently renewed its commitment to the environment. As part of Panasonic, the company will be expected to implement mid- and long-term environmental programs centering on the Eco Ideas Factory Biwako and later expanding these commitments to its global sites. The company has set the following targets to implement Panasonic's environmental statement.

1. Eco Ideas for Manufacturing

HA Company's entire manufacturing processes will be reviewed, including design and manufacturing methods by focusing on casting, air-pressing, molding and coating processes. The target is to eliminate 29,000 tons of CO2 emissions between the end of March 2007 and March 2010 (FY 2007 to FY 2010). This amount corresponds to a 23% reduction in CO2 emissions per basic unit.

2. Eco Ideas for Products

HA Company will continue to develop more energy-efficient products to encourage consumers to use eco-friendly products. The final aim is to cut household CO2 emissions. Core environmental technologies include the heat pump core technologies that enable efficient energy use, heat insulation core technologies that reduce energy waste, and energy creation core technologies that provide new energy sources for home use fuel cell cogeneration systems.

With regards to the five products (air conditioners, refrigerators, rice cookers, microwave ovens, and hygienic toilet seats) listed in the Energy Conservation Performance Catalog issued by the Energy Conservation Center, Japan, in FY 2010, HA Company will increase the number of models with high energy-saving performance and eliminate those of lower performance.

3. Eco Ideas for Everybody, Everywhere

HA Company plans to fulfill this commitment through environmental education, closer contact with regional communities, creation of a better environment, and the spread of environmental awareness.

(1) Environmental education
The company will hold eco factory tours for students to encourage them to think about the global environment and experience energy-saving technologies for themselves. There will also be dietary education programs to provide children the opportunities to understand the importance of eating locally produced seasonal foods, which leads to an ecologically sustainable diet.

(2) Closer contact with regional communities
The Lake Biwa Eco-Ideas Club, a non-profit organization (NPO), has been established to help preserve the water quality of Lake Biwa and, together with the local residents, to protect its ecosystem.

HA Company also holds environmental meetings with neighborhood associations and participates with local residents in clean-up campaigns organized by communities and the Kusatsu City Children's Convention for the Environment.

Another community initiative is to collect used cooking oil from the company cafeteria and employees' households to be turned into biofuel for trucks and local bus transportation.

(3) Creation of a better environment
To create a factory open to community residents, the company plans to enrich the green environment within factory premises. This year, the sports ground adjacent to the factory will be transformed into a multi-purpose facility and will be made available for sporting and other social events held by nearby communities.

(4) Spreading environmental awareness
Here, the main initiative of HA Company is the promotion of the "Love the Earth Citizens' Campaign." This campaign consists of ideas such as the "Household Eco-account Book Program" and other environmental volunteer activities.

Toyota Develops Advanced Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle; TOYOTA FCHV-adv, with New Toyota FC Stack, Earns Vehicle-type Certification

Tokyo, June 6, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today that it has developed a fuel cell hybrid vehicle equipped with the newly designed high-performance Toyota FC Stack. The "TOYOTA FCHV-adv"[1] acquired vehicle-type certification from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on June 3.

During development, TMC analyzed results and data from various utilization studies by the Japan Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Demonstration Project organized by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, tests conducted by the California Fuel Cell Partnership in the United States and cold-weather tests in Timmins, Canada. TMC also repeatedly carried out basic research to get to the core of technical problems as they arose. Based on the results gained from these studies, the TOYOTA FCHV-adv's fuel cell system was enhanced to further improve cruising distance and low-temperature starts, which had presented obstacles to widespread fuel cell vehicle use.

The building block of the Toyota FC Stack is the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), where engineers focused on the basic problem of internally produced water interfering with electrical generation within the MEA at low temperatures. Fundamental research, such as internal visualization tests, was carried out to understand the behavior and amount of water generated in the fuel cell, allowing engineers to optimize the MEA design to improve low-temperature startup. As a result, the TOYOTA FCHV-adv can start and operate in cold regions at temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, meaning the vehicle can be used in a wider variety of conditions and climates.

In addition, fuel efficiency was improved by 25% through improving fuel cell unit performance, enhancing the regenerative brake system and reducing energy consumed by the auxiliary system. Further changes include incorporating degradation control for the electrode catalyst and improving fuel cell durability. Furthermore, equipping the vehicle with TMC-developed 70Mpa high-pressure hydrogen tanks makes it possible to travel approximately 830km[2] on a single fueling - performance that more than doubles that of the TOYOTA FCHV-adv's predecessor, the TOYOTA FCHV.

While steadily conducting research and development to resolve issues such as how to improve the durability and reduce costs of the Toyota FC Stack, TMC is working with government, energy companies and other concerned parties to actively bring about widespread fuel cell vehicle use.

A Toyota FCHV-adv is to be provided as a test-ride vehicle at the Environmental Showcase within the International Media Center during the July 7-9 Hokkaido Toyako Summit.


JCN.

Sony, U.S. Cable Firms to Make TVs without Set-Top Boxes

New York, May 28, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Japan's Sony Corp. <6758> and six major U.S. cable operators have agreed on the joint development of digital television sets that will allow consumers to dispense with set-top boxes, a U.S. industry group said Tuesday.

The six firms are Comcast Corp., Time Warner Cable Inc., Cox Communications Inc., Charter Communications, Cablevision Systems Corp. and Bright House Networks, according to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association.

Sony and the U.S. operators will unify standards for digital video distribution and promote digital cable-ready products compatible with interactive services such as video on demand, the association said.

The six companies provide services to more than 82 pct of all U.S. cable subscribers, according to the association.

JCN.

Sharp to Launch Solar Cells with Highest Conversion Rate

Tokyo, June 4, 2008 (Jiji Press) - Sharp Corp. <6753> said Wednesday that it is set to launch residential polycrystalline solar cell panels with what the firm claims to be the industry's highest solar-to-electric conversion rate.

The new product, Sunvista, will be released on June 18, coming in five models.

The solar panels can cut losses in power collection as they have three main electrodes compared with two in conventional products. The electrodes are thinner so that the surface of the panels to absorb light are expanded, while low-reflection glass is used for the panels.

As a result, the most efficient model boasts a conversion rate of 14.4 pct, better than 13.7 pct for a Kyocera Corp. <6971> product, which represents the highest rate at present.

The conversion rates for the four other models range from 10.1 pct to 13.9 pct.

The panels are likely to retail at between 46,410 yen and 99,330 yen per unit. Sharp aims to produce 17,000 units per month.

JCN.

Wii Fit

Wii Fit is a video game developed by Nintendo for the Wii console.^[5] Previously revealed under the name Wii Health Pack,^[6] it was announced under its current title at Nintendo's E3 press conference on July 11, 2007 by famed video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto.^[7]

At Nintendo's media briefing, it was demonstrated by Miyamoto, Reggie Fils-Aime and other participants. Like the rest of the Wii Series, Wii Fit integrates Miis into its presentation and gameplay. An exercise game, Wii Fit consists primarily of exercise activities utilizing the Wii Balance Board peripheral.

Wii Fit was released in Japan on December 1, 2007, in Europe on April 25, 2008,^[2] May 8, 2008 in Australia^[3] and May 21, 2008 in North America.^[4] In North America, Wii Fit was launched on May 19, 2008 with an exclusive release at the Nintendo World Store in New York City.^[4]

^Wikipedia.

Honda develops walking assist device

TOKYO —Honda Motor Co said Monday it has developed a prototype of a walking assist device for supporting the elderly and others with weakened leg muscles. The device is designed to be worn with a belt around the hips and thighs.

It is equipped with sensors for measuring the hip angle so that optimal assistance will be provided from the motors around the thighs. The device helps lengthen the user’s stride and facilitates walking. The device is based on the company’s ASIMO humanoid robot technology.

JapanToday.

Panasonic Develops New Fuel Cell Cogeneration System for Home Use; World's Highest Power-generation Capability, Durability and Environmental Benefits

Tokyo, Japan, Apr 15, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Panasonic, the leading brand by which Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. is known, today announced it has developed a home-use polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration system. The cogeneration system features the world's highest power-generating efficiency of up to 39% Lower Heating Value(LHV), durability of 40,000 operation hours and 4,000 start-stop times, and a predicted lifetime of over 10 years.

Panasonic has strived to achieve its vision of "living in harmony with the environment." With this goal as a motivator, the company has now developed a home-use fuel cell cogeneration system that is planned for early commercialization as a next-generation energy supply system.

Based on the results of large-scale field testing conducted between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2008**, a new system has been developed with upgraded energy-saving features and enhanced reliability. Further field testing is scheduled in fiscal 2009 ending March 31, 2009.

When installed in an ordinary household, the new system can reduce primary energy consumption by 22% (about 1.4 times more than the conventional system) and can cut CO2 emissions by 12% based on the basic unit for all power sources. With year-round operation, it can save 3,262 kWh of primary energy and reduce CO2 emissions by 330 kg. The new system
can reduce CO2 emissions by 37% based on the basic unit for thermal power source. With year-round operation, it can cut CO2 emissions by1,175 kg.

The three-year field tests also found that the system was often operated in a power output range between 500 W and 1 kW in ordinary households. Within this practical use range, the new system has achieved drastically improved power-generating efficiency compared to conventional systems. The Panasonic system has achieved the world's highest power-generating efficiencies 39% (LHV) at 750 W; 38% or higher in the 500 W - 1 kW range and 34% at 300 W. The system has also satisfied durability requirements for home-use equipment.

In the conventional system, the fuel processing device is not as efficient and inverter efficiency drops toward its lower output ranges. As a result, the power-generating efficiency of the conventional system is the highest at its higher ratings, and falls with decreasing output.

Panasonic has made the system feasible by using cell stack technology that employs highly-durable Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA), fuel processing technology that allows stable operation in a wide range at high efficiency and low-loss boost inverter technology.

Panasonic will install production equipment for the new system in its plant in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and will start manufacturing from June this year. In fiscal 2010, further investments will be made to start a full-scale commercialization of this system as a new environmental business that creates a new energy source.

JCNNetwork.

Robotic-suit facility being built in Tsukuba

TSUKUBA —Cyberdyne Inc on Wednesday broke ground on a new lab in Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, to develop a robotic suit aimed at helping people with disabilities to move their limbs. The lab will double as a manufacturing plant and is due to begin turning out 400-500 units of the suit each year from October, with annual output rising to several tens of thousands of units over the next several years, according to the technology venture founded by researchers headed by Professor Yoshiyuki Sankai of the University of Tsukuba.

Company has tied up with Daiwa House Industry Co to rent out the new product to consumers and healthcare institutions. The robotic suit is called HAL, which stands for hybrid assistive limb. It covers both sides of the user’s body and weighs about 23 kilograms. When a person tries to move his or her limbs, the brain transmits neural signals to the muscles. Sensors attached to the suit pick up weak biopotential signals that filter through the surface of the skin in the process, which in turn activate either one of the two power units for the upper or the lower body to move the wearer’s limbs in line with the muscular movements willed by the brain, the company explains.

In addition to helping people with disabilities to walk and perform other physical tasks, HAL can also be used to lighten the load on workers performing heavy manual work, a Cyberdyne official said.

The product comes with a rechargeable 100-volt battery pack that powers the suit for about two hours and 40 minutes, the official added.

Monthly rental fees for the biped model will likely be around 200,000 yen or less for health organizations and 100,000 yen or less for individual customers.

The company says that it has received inquiries about the suit from several hundred people, including muscular dystrophy sufferers.

‘‘We want to take our business worldwide,’’ says Professor Sankai, president of Cyberdyne.

JapanToday.

Toray to build world's biggest carbon fiber plant

TOKYO — Toray Industries Inc will build the world’s biggest carbon fiber plant to meet growing demand from the aircraft, automobiles and other industries. The new plant, to be located in Masaki, Ehime Prefecture, southwestern Japan, is slated to begin operations as early as 2010 with an annual capacity of 4,000 tons, company officials say.

By the end of 2012, Toray’s annual carbon fiber output capacity will increase 1.7-fold from the current level to more than 30,000 tons.

Toray is developing the carbon fiber components for use in the tail of the first Japanese-made small passenger jetliner now development by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. The new plant will make not only high-performance but also general-purpose carbon fibers.

JapanToday.com

Sony Bravia E4000 HDTV is an Art Piece, Really!

The Sony Bravia E4000 has been created to look like a picture frame, so that it looks great on your wall. When guests are around, you can create a photo slideshow, turning it into the most expensive photo frame of 2008. Of course, we love the idea and we love how thin the TV seems to be. However, when watching movies, it feels like the white frame could be distracting (the aluminum frame of my current HDTV certainly is). Fortunately, several frame colors are available.

Highlights

• 26”, 32” or 40” LCD 10-bit display
• Frame colors: Midnight Sky, Aluminum, Dark walnut, Pearly White
• 1080p
• Analog/Digital TV Tuner
• 3x HDMI ports, VGA Port
• USB photo viewer

Article from Ubergizmo.

Mitsubishi, Fuji to test electric vehicles in U.S.

NEW YORK — Mitsubishi Motors Corp and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd, the maker of Subaru vehicles, unveiled their plans Thursday to conduct city-road testing of their electric vehicles in the United States after this summer. Mitsubishi is set to launch street testing of its MiEV electric vehicle this fall, apparently in cooperation with several electric power companies in the U.S. West Coast.

Equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack, the Mitsubishi MiEV is capable of running 160 kilometers per charge. Fuji Heavy plans to carry out street testing of its R1e electric car for about three months from this summer, along with the New York Power Authority.

JapanToday.

New chip detects biological terrorism

TOKYO — A three-party Japanese team announced Monday that it has jointly developed a DNA chip capable of swiftly detecting and identifying pathogenic agents in the event of a biological terrorist attack. The three-party team consists of the National Research Institute of Police Science, a National Police Agency organization, the state-run Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and Toshiba Corp.

The new DNA chip, which was developed by combining the pathogenic organism detection technologies of the research institute and the university with Toshiba's DNA detection technology, is capable of identifying about 20 pathogenic organisms including anthrax bacteria.

The new system only takes about an hour to identify more than one pathogenic organism used in a bioterrorism attack, much quicker than the several hours required by existing technologies for collection, analysis and identification of an agent.

On the new DNA chip, around 20 DNA elements are arrayed on a glass substrate measuring 35 millimeters long, 50 mm wide and 10 mm thick.

The DNA chip, which uses Toshiba's electric current-detection technology, identifies a pathogenic agent after a sample of the agent collected at an attack site is placed on it.The National Research Institute of Police Science said the new DNA chip will be helpful in preventing further contamination, providing appropriate treatment and arranging swift evacuations.

JapanToday.

The Toyota iQ boost Toyota's eco-credentials

Toyota iQ

Toyota has wasted no time in turning its tiny, eco-friendly iQ concept car into a production reality.

A finished prototype was unveiled at Geneva, just six months after the original iQ was shown at the 2007 Frankfurt show. And it'll be on sale before the end of the year, said Toyota Motor Europe senior vice-president Andrea Formica.

As short as a Smart, but wider, Formica said iQ was “the world's smallest four-seater passenger car. Its clever seating configuration takes three adults plus a child, in less than 3 metres.”

Carpages UK.

Japan to boost power generation from waste, end dumping in landfills

TOKYO — The Environment Ministry decided Monday to boost annual power generation from waste by 50% over the next five years through fiscal 2012 as well as abolish direct dumping into landfills as part of its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, ministry officials said.

By expanding waste power generation, the ministry aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels such as petroleum. Under the method, electricity can be produced with the heat from the incineration of waste, and no carbon dioxide will be newly emitted just for the power generation.

JapanToday.