At this site technical articles published at the YOKOGAWA technical report are introduced.
Technical Report
Current Trends in Battery Development and CO2 Emissions Reduction for Automobiles
- Yasuo Ishiguro*1
*1Former Senior General Manager of Toyota Motor Corporation
Anti-counterfeiting Measure Based on Magnetic Flux Density for Lithium-ion Batteries
- Masahito Tsukano*1
- Naoki Noguchi*1
- Minako Terao*1
- Miwa Tobita*1
- Kazuma Takenaka*1
- Jun Okano*2
- Yukiko Onoue*3
- Kaoru Omichi*2
- Yuki Tominaga*2
*1 Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
*2 Innovative Research Excellence, Power Unit & Energy, Honda R&D Co., Ltd.
*3 Corporate Strategy Operations, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
This research proposes principles of an anti-counterfeiting measure based on magnetic flux density for lithium-ion batteries. Manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries is expected to increase with the growing use of electric vehicles as a countermeasure to global warming. However, those batteries are likely to be targets for theft or replacement with counterfeits because they contain rare materials. In this research, we verified that batteries generate magnetic flux density that is unique to the manufacturer or to even individual batteries since errors in assembly cause changes in this parameter. Throughout the experiment, we found that prismatic cells generate magnetic flux density corresponding to the product type whereas individually unique magnetic flux density was observed for battery packs with cylindrical cells. These principles are applicable as an anticounterfeiting measure since the uniqueness is hard to reproduce in counterfeits.
- Akira Kiyoto*1
*1 P&W Solution Division, Yokogawa Products Headquarters
We first released an online thickness gauge for sheet manufacturing processes in 1962, and have been contributing to improving the quality and productivity of sheet products such as papers and films while advancing sheet manufacturing measurement and control technology up to the present day. In recent years, the shift to electric vehicles has led to booming investment in manufacturing plants for secondary batteries, including lithium-ion batteries. Our products are in wide use, including the WEBFREX NV online thickness gauge, which measures the thickness of separator sheets used in secondary batteries, and the WEBFREX3ES online thickness gauge, which measures the amount of coating in the battery electrode sheets.
With the expanding secondary battery market, in 2023 we released the frame QC1F16 for WEBFREX NV online thickness gauge used for films that is compatible with the laws and regulations of various countries and the Internet of Things, making a major contribution to the measurement of separator sheet thickness. Various issues have arisen in measuring the coating amount of electrode sheets, such as reducing the environmental impact, improving safety, and raising efficiency. Therefore, we have developed the new OpreX Battery Web Gauge ES-5 as a successor to the WEBFREX3ES to address these issues. This article introduces this new measurement technology.
CT1000S AC/DC Split Core Current Sensor
- Hiroyuki Ishida*1
- Hiroyuki Degawa*2
- Hiroki Minami*1
*1 Decarbonization Business Division, Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation
*2 Common Technology & QA Division, Yokogawa Test & Measurement Corporation
The CT1000S AC/DC split-core current sensor with a split sensor part has been developed. It has a rated current of 1000 A, an operating temperature range of −40 to 85°C, an amplitude accuracy (0.1 Hz to 100 Hz) of ±0.2% of reading and ±0.01% of full scale, and a frequency bandwidth of DC to 300 kHz (−3 dB). Despite having a divisible structure, it is a high-accuracy, high-bandwidth voltage output current sensor for split-core type current sensors.
The divisible structure of the sensor part allows a cable to be easily threaded through its measurement through-hole, making it possible to measure currents in applications where the cable cannot be disconnected. To improve measurement reproducibility, the sensor is designed to be placed stably on the floor, screw holes are provided to fix the current sensor body, and a conductor position adjuster can limit the cable position.
This paper introduces the features of the CT1000S AC/DC split-core current sensor and the technologies realized in its development.
- Tomonari Suyama*1
*1 Strategic System Solutions Department, Global Application Data Management Center, Digital Strategy Headquarters
As overseas sales have rapidly expanded since 2000, Yokogawa Electric Corporation has established One Global Yokogawa as its medium-term management plan and has implemented “integration of group information systems” as a measure to unify management infrastructure in order to achieve globally consolidated management. Along with this measure, we have also worked on “standardization of business processes” and “unification of systems and mechanisms”. Previously, business processes and systems were distributed among individual companies, but in April 2006, the Yokogawa Global System Project (YGSP) was launched to define global templates that standardized business processes and systems. We began global implementation of a core system based on this template. Since 2018, we have completed the implementation at locations accounting for 90% of control business sales and business processes. Systems and data were integrated on a global single instance. As a result, we succeeded in reducing maintenance costs by 60%. We reduced management work by unifying master data, and we also reduced operational working hours by building a global support system including offshore sites. On the other hand, new issues have arisen, such as the increase in processing time due to the increase in the amount of data and the time required to investigate the extent of the impact on the system when attempting to extend functionality. Therefore, we are utilizing the latest IT technology centered on the most recent version of SAP S/4HANA, which has an in-memory database as its core, and we are quickly configuring an optimal system to increase business flexibility. Moreover, by striving to standardize and optimize global operations and digitally connect customers, partners, and employees, our goal is to build a digital value chain and create a competitive advantage that cannot be easily replicated by other companies. This paper provides an overview of our efforts to achieve this goal.
Effective Utilization of Carbon Dioxide through Biomethanation
- Makoto Kawano*1
- Kohei Ikeura*2
- Minako Terao*3
- Hiroyuki Kimura*2
*1 Project Design Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
*2 School of Integrated Science and Technology, Shizuoka University
*3 Sensing R&D Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
Methanation is a technology for synthesizing methane, the main component of natural gas, from hydrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is contained in exhaust gases generated from various sources and can be separated and recovered from these gases. Utilization of recovered CO2 as a raw material will lead to carbon recycling. Methanation is positioned as a promising technology for realizing carbon recycling and could be one of the components for realizing a decarbonized society. We have been working on the technological development of biomethanation systems to produce methane through the metabolic functions of microbes. This paper presents findings obtained through culture experiments using hydrogenotrophic methanogens, which produce methane from hydrogen and CO2, and microbial communities containing hydrogenotrophic methanogens. We also discuss the future research and development of biomethanation systems.
Quantitative Monitoring of Solvent Concentration and Moisture Content in Flow Synthesis
- Yusuke Hattori*1
- Yasuyuki Suzuki*1
*1 Life Research & Development Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
In this work, with the aim of quantitatively monitoring solvent concentration and moisture content in synthesis processes, a micro-flow cell and regression model of near-infrared (NIR) spectra were developed and utilized for monitoring peptide synthesis. The flow cell was designed to have sufficient resistance to pressure and sufficient displacement efficiency of the reaction fluid. The regression models employed the partial least squares regression method. The quantified concentration of each solvent and moisture content were equivalent to the theoretical values with low standard deviations. The standard deviation of moisture content was 10 ppm. Even a tiny amount of water can have a critical adverse impact on some chemical reactions. Therefore, strict control of moisture content is required. The proposed method for monitoring solvent concentration and moisture content can be simultaneously conducted with monitoring of other reaction factors, such as reaction products. The present results indicate the utility of this method for in-line spectroscopic monitoring of synthesis processes.
- Ryutaro Akiyoshi*1
*1 Life Research & Development Department, Innovation Center, Marketing Headquarters
The production of regenerative medicine products requires continuous monitoring of the culture process and its quality, while avoiding microbial contamination and destruction of cells. In this study, a new method was developed to monitor the undifferentiated state of stem cells by non-destructive cell image analysis, eliminating the need for conventional destructive methods. Machine learning algorithms were used to predict the expression levels of undifferentiated markers such as Oct3/4 and Nanog without physical contact. The method is based on training data from iPSC images acquired by bright-field microscopy and assessments by destructive methods such as quantitative PCR and immunostaining. The application of unsupervised and semi-supervised models enables accurate prediction of the undifferentiated state using image analysis alone. This approach contributes not only to stem cell research, but also to real-time monitoring and new quality control methods for regenerative medicine products.
New Products