Promoting green innovation

To promote green innovation, AIST is developing technologies for increased use of alternative energy technologies, such as renewable energy sources that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (energy creation), high-density storage of energy (energy storage), highly efficient conversion and use of energy (energy saving), effective utilization of energy resources, and evaluation and reduction of environmental risks.

New Research Results

Development of a New Treatment Process for Ironworks Wastewater Containing High Concentrations of Nitrate

Researchers in AIST, in collaboration with JFE Steel Corporation and Kurita Water Industries Ltd, developed a treatment process for ironworks wastewater containing high concentrations of nitrate by combining nitrogen gas aeration, methanol addition, and the membrane bioreactor.
Nitrate contained in wastewater can cause eutrophication of rivers, lakes, and marshes, as well as contamination of soil and groundwater, thus appropriate treatment is needed to prevent its release into the environment. This research developed a new wastewater treatment process using nitrogen gas aeration as the existing ironworks infrastructure. A demonstration test using a 4,000-L pilot was successful in efficiently treating ironworks wastewater containing more than 6,000 mg/L of nitrate. In addition, microbial analysis revealed that a denitrifying bacterium was involved in the effective nitrate removal. This new process is expected to be used in various industrial sectors where the treatment of wastewater with high nitrate concentrations is a problem.

Schematic of the nitrogen gas aerated anaerobic membrane bioreactor

Development of an Efficient and Stable Catalyst for Ammonia Synthesis even under Fluctuating Hydrogen Supply Conditionst

Researchers in AIST developed a new catalyst that was suitable for integrated process of electrolytic hydrogen production and ammonia synthesis using renewable energy.
This catalyst consists of ruthenium (Ru) and cesium (Cs) supported on the single-walled carbon nanotubes produced by the super-growth method (termed SGCNT). This Cs-Ru/SGCNT catalyst can stably synthesize ammonia even under fluctuated operations conditions, particularly those with fast stop and resume to meet the supply of electrolytic hydrogen production. In addition, the ammonia yield was 1.5 times higher than the reported catalysts in the literature even though the reaction temperature and pressure were lower than the conventional conditions. The electrolytic hydrogen production is highly related to the supply of renewable energy affected by the weather and geographic conditions. However, this catalyst can integrate electrolytic hydrogen production and mild ammonia synthesis using renewable electricity and its products, which might largely reduce carbon footprint and thus provide an alternative way for green ammonia synthesis.

Integration of hydrolytic hydrogen production with ammonia synthesis using renewable energy

Open Innovation Laboratory

Since FY 2016, as a part of the “Open Innovation Arena concept” promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), AIST has created the concept of “open innovation laboratories” (OILs), collaborative research bases located on university campuses, and has been engaged in their provision. We are planning to establish more than ten OILs by FY 2020.

AIST will merge the basic research carried out at universities, etc. with AISTʼs goal-oriented basic research and applied technology development, and will promote bridging research and evelopment and industry by the establishment of OILs.

Cooperative Research Laboratories

In order to conduct research and development more closely related to strategies of companies, we have established collaborative research laboratories, bearing partner company names.

Partner companies provide their researchers and funding, and AIST provides research resources, such as its researchers, research facilities, and intellectual property. The loaned researchers of companies and AIST researchers jointly conduct research and development.

By setting up cooperative research laboratories, we will accelerate the commercialization of our goal-oriented basic research and application research with partner companies.