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As the national metrology institute (NMI), we are focusing on the development and dissemination of measurement standards, promotion of measurement standards utilization, development of measurement technologies related to measurement standards, legal metrology work and training of experts. Our activity covers engineering, physical, material, and chemical measurement standards. It also covers development of measurement and analytical instrumentation. We also coordinate international activities on metrology standards as a national representative.
In collaboration with CHINO Corporation, AIST researchers developed a flat-plate blackbody device that serves as a precise and accurate temperature reference for thermography for non-contact body temperature measurement. The collaboration team fabricated a black-resin material having a surface microstructure that is extremely close to an ideal blackbody (emissivity of 1) in a range of infrared wavelengths. On the basis of Planck’s law, the flat-plate blackbody device can precisely and accurately correlate temperature in the body temperature range and infrared radiation level. This enables thermography performance tests, evaluation of error factors such as the influence of the measurement target and the surrounding environment, and on-site calibration of temperature readings. Precise and accurate measurement of body surface temperature by thermography is expected to contribute to improving the reliability of non-contact body temperature measurement.
Prototype flat-plate blackbody device (left), electron microscope image of blackbody plate surface (center), and example of thermal image (right)
AIST researchers clarified for the first time that the “thermoinductive effect”, in which heat flow occurs locally and temporarily in the direction opposite to the temperature difference at both ends of a material. This research theoretically analyzed the flow of heat in solid materials due to electric current based on the heat conduction equation, and clarified from the exact solution the conditions for manifestation of the “thermoinductive effect” in which heat flow in the direction opposite to the temperature difference at both ends of a material occurs in the center part of the material at a given moment. Furthermore, theory-based optimization of the current frequency enabled demonstration of the “thermoinductive effect” in thermoelectric materials. This achievement opens a path to unprecedented local thermal control technology for solid materials. Application is expected to efficient local cooling and heat dissipation technology for places where heat concentrates such as inside small and integrated electronic components, which was previously a challenge.
Conceptual diagram of “thermoinductive effect” of this research (left) and results of proof-of-principle experiment (right)
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