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

Demonstrating Performance of Organic Liquid Fertilizer Made by Microorganisms in Hydroponic Tomato Cultivation

Researchers at AIST, in collaboration with IAI Incorporated, the Industrial Research Institute of Shizuoka Prefecture, Numazu Technical Support Center and Shizuoka University, have demonstrated that organic liquid fertilizer made from food processing wastewater can be used in hydroponic tomato cultivation.
IAI had developed the system for producing organic liquid fertilizer with AIST and the other members. Yet, the performance of the produced organic liquid fertilizer had not been evaluated in detail. For the evaluation, the performance of the organic liquid fertilizer produced was compared with that of a commercially available chemical liquid fertilizer, by hydroponically cultivating tomatoes using them respectively. In general, it is known that chemical fertilizers, whose nutrient content can be easily adjusted, have higher plant growth efficiency than organic fertilizers. However, the organic liquid fertilizer produced in this study showed a fertilization effect equivalent to that of the chemical fertilizer (Using the organic fertilizer resulted in some plant parts growing approximately 10% more than when the chemical fertilizer was used). This organic liquid fertilizer contains microorganisms. It was suggested that some of the microorganisms may settle on tomato roots and form a biofilm, thereby preventing infection by other undesirable microorganisms. This technology contributes to the realization of a sustainable society by promoting nitrogen resource recycling through the use of waste-derived fertilizers.

Demonstrating the performance of organic liquid fertilizer made from food processing wastewater with microbial capability in hydroponic tomato cultivation

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

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.