Showing papers by "Toyota published in 2006"
TL;DR: A review of nylon 6-clay hybrid (NCH) nanocomposites can be found in this paper, where a few wt.-% of silicate is randomly and homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix.
Abstract: Summary: More than twenty years have passed since we invented PCN, in which only a few wt.-% of silicate is randomly and homogeneously dispersed in the polymer matrix. When molded, these nanocomposites show superior properties compared to those of pristine polymers. The number of papers on PCN has increased rapidly in recent years, reaching over 500 in 2005 alone. Being pioneers of this new technology, we review its history relative to the following epochal events:
In 1985 we invented nylon 6-clay hybrid (NCH), the first PCN.
In 1989, cars equipped with a NCH part were launched.
In 1997, Gilman found revolutionary fire retardancy in NCH.
In 1997, a PP-clay nanocomposite was prepared using a compatibilizer.
In 1998, a compounding method for producing PCN was completed.
In 2002, Haraguchi invented a revolutionary nanocomposite hydrogel.
So far, only nylon-clay nanocomposites have been used in practice, but other PCN will become increasingly useful in the future.
SEM of etched NCH film.
732 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the sintering inhibition mechanism of Pt in a Pt/ceria-based oxide catalyst under oxidizing condition at high temperature using X-ray absorption analysis.
545 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a method to detect the presence of a tumor in the human brain using the PhysRevB database, which was created on 2015-03-03, modified on 2017-05-12.
Abstract: Note: Times Cited: 251 Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-206012doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.74.045126View record in Web of Science URL: ://WOS:000239426800043 Record created on 2015-03-03, modified on 2017-05-12
454 citations
03 Apr 2006
284 citations
15 Aug 2006
TL;DR: Variable contact angle values around the gas-liquid-solid contact-line as well as their dynamic change during the droplet shape deformation process, have allowed estimation of the adhesion force between the liquid droplet and the solid surface and successful prediction of the separation line.
Abstract: The detachment of liquid droplets from porous material surfaces used with proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells under the influence of a cross-flowing air is investigated computationally and experimentally. CCD images taken on a purpose-built transparent fuel cell have revealed that the water produced within the PEM is forming droplets on the surface of the gas-diffusion layer. These droplets are swept away if the velocity of the flowing air is above a critical value for a given droplet size. Static and dynamic contact angle measurements for three different carbon gas-diffusion layer materials obtained inside a transparent air-channel test model have been used as input to the numerical model; the latter is based on a Navier-Stokes equations flow solver incorporating the volume of fluid (VOF) two-phase flow methodology. Variable contact angle values around the gas-liquid-solid contact-line as well as their dynamic change during the droplet shape deformation process, have allowed estimation of the adhesion force between the liquid droplet and the solid surface and successful prediction of the separation line at which droplets loose their contact from the solid surface under the influence of the air stream flowing around them. Parametric studies highlight the relevant importance of various factors affecting the detachment of the liquid droplets from the solid surface.
264 citations
245 citations
TL;DR: Toyota developed a hybrid system for large SUVs in 2005 as mentioned in this paper, which included the development of a high-speed traction drive motor achieving a significant increase in power weight ratio.
Abstract: Toyota Motor Corporation developed in 2005 a new hybrid system for a large SUV. This system included the new development of a high-speed traction drive motor achieving a significant increase in power weight ratio. This paper provides an overview of the hybrid system, discusses the characteristics required of a traction drive motor, and presents the technologies employed in the developed motor.
227 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a vehicle dynamics integrated control algorithm using an on-line non-linear optimization method is proposed for 4-wheel-distributed steering and 4wheeldistributed traction/braking systems.
Abstract: In this article, vehicle dynamics integrated control algorithm using an on-line non-linear optimization method is proposed for 4-wheel-distributed steering and 4-wheel-distributed traction/braking systems. The proposed distribution algorithm minimizes work load of each tire, which is controlled to become the same value. The global optimality of the convergent solution of the recursive algorithm can be proved by extension to convex problems. This implies that theoretical limited performance of vehicle dynamics integrated control is clarified. Furthermore, the effect of this vehicle dynamics control for the 4-wheel-distributed steering and 4-wheel-distributed traction/braking systems is demonstrated by simulation to compare with the combination of the various actuators.
223 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the formation condition of an intermediate compound of LiBH4 during the partial dehydriding reaction and its local atomistic structure have been experimentally investigated, and the Raman spectra indicate that the bending and stretching modes of the compound appear at lower and higher frequencies, respectively, as compared to those of Li BH4.
Abstract: The formation condition of an intermediate compound of LiBH4 during the partial dehydriding reaction and its local atomistic structure have been experimentally investigated. LiBH4 changes into an intermediate compound accompanying the release of approximately 11mass% of hydrogen at 700–730K. The Raman spectra indicate that the B–H bending and stretching modes of the compound appear at lower and higher frequencies, respectively, as compared to those of LiBH4. These features are consistent with the theoretical calculation on the monoclinic Li2B12H12, consisting of Li+ and [B12H12]2− ions, as a possible intermediate compound of LiBH4.
221 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the microstructural development of crystalline-oriented (K 0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN)-based piezoelectric ceramics during sintering was investigated.
Abstract: The microstructural development of crystalline-oriented (K0.5Na0.5)NbO3 (KNN)-based piezoelectric ceramics during sintering was investigated. The addition of CuO as a sintering aid was found to be effective for fabricating highly oriented and dense KNN ceramics. KNN specimens containing 0.5–1.0 mol% CuO sintered at 1100°C for 1 h were found to have relative densities and pseudo-cubic {100} orientation degrees of 95% or higher. In the early stages of sintering, KNN is formed in the reaction between complementary reactants NaNbO3 and KNbO3, after which oriented grain growth proceeds at a relative density of more than 90%. In addition, the results of transmission electron microscopy observation showed that textured KNN ceramics have a unique pectinate-like domain structure with domain walls consisting of {101} planes.
201 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between orthorhombic and tetragonal has been developed, which exhibits a piezoelectric actuator constant d 33 of 230 pm/V, 2.34 times that of pure (K 0.5 Na0.5 )NbO 3 (KNN).
Abstract: A new solid solution system, namely {(K 0.5 Na 0.5 ) 1− x Li x }(Nb 1− y Ta y )O 3 , with full density, a large piezoelectric constant and high stability has been developed. The system has a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) between orthorhombic and tetragonal. The MPB gives the largest piezoelectric d constant at {(K 0.5 Na 0.5 ) 0.97 Li 0.03 }(Nb 0.8 Ta 0.2 )O 3 , which exhibits a piezoelectric actuator constant d 33 of 230 pm/V, 2.34 times that of pure (K 0.5 Na 0.5 )NbO 3 (KNN). Also, it gives a piezoelectric coupling Kp value (0.505), a dielectric constant (1256), and an elastic compliance (10.9 TPa−1 ) 1.51, 2.93, and 1.14 times those of pure KNN, respectively. The long-term stability of the dielectric loss was demonstrated to be far superior to that of pure KNN.
TL;DR: In this paper, the detailed crystallization kinetics and morphology of neat PLA and a mixture were studied by using polarized optical microscopy, light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, and wide-angle X-ray diffraction analyses.
16 Oct 2006
TL;DR: This poster presents a probabilistic simulation of the response of the immune system to EMT and shows clear patterns in response to EMMARM, including high levels of “good” and “bad” responses.
Abstract: Note: Times Cited: 110 Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-206017doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.74.075110View record in Web of Science URL: ://WOS:000240238800042 Record created on 2015-03-03, modified on 2017-05-12
TL;DR: In this article, the thermoelectric properties of the Heusler-type alloys with compositions $0.05$ at around room temperature were investigated. And it was concluded that doping of heavier atoms such as Ge reduces more effectively the lattice thermal conductivity while retaining the low electrical resistivity as well as the large Seebeck coefficient.
Abstract: We report on the thermoelectric properties of the Heusler-type ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}{\mathrm{VAl}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ge}}_{x}$ alloys with compositions $0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}0.20$. While ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}\mathrm{VAl}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}(x=0)$ exhibits a semiconductorlike behavior in electrical resistivity, a slight substitution of Ge for Al causes a significant decrease in the low-temperature resistivity and a large enhancement in the Seebeck coefficient, reaching $\ensuremath{-}130\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\mu}}\mathrm{V}∕\mathrm{K}$ for $x=0.05$ at around room temperature. Comparison with the ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}{\mathrm{VAl}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Si}}_{x}$ system demonstrates that the compositional variation of the Seebeck coefficient falls on a universal curve irrespective of the doping elements (Ge and Si), both of which are isoelectronic elements. The net effect of doping is most likely to cause a rigid-bandlike shift of the Fermi level from the central region in the pseudogap. In spite of a similar decrease in the electrical resistivity with composition of Ge and Si, the thermal conductivity decreases more rapidly for the Ge substitution. It is concluded that doping of heavier atoms such as Ge reduces more effectively the lattice thermal conductivity while retaining the low electrical resistivity as well as the large Seebeck coefficient.
TL;DR: In this paper, the crystal structure of a pure Ca ionic complex was determined by powder x-ray diffraction measurement, and it was found to be orthorhombic with space group Fddd.
Abstract: We have prepared pure $\mathrm{Ca}{(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4})}_{2}$ without any solvent adducts and determined its structural parameters by powder x-ray diffraction measurement. The crystal structure of $\mathrm{Ca}{(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4})}_{2}$ is found to be orthorhombic with space group $Fddd$ (No. 70). Using this structural information, the first-principles calculations have been performed to investigate the fundamental properties of $\mathrm{Ca}{(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4})}_{2}$. The interaction between Ca atoms and $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ complexes has an ionic character while the internal bonding of $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ is essentially covalent. It is confirmed that $\mathrm{Ca}{(\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{H}}_{4})}_{2}$ obeys the linear relationship between the heat of formation and the Pauling electronegativity of the cation, which has been proposed in a previous study [Nakamori et al., Phys. Rev. B 74, 045126 (2006)].
TL;DR: LiMnPO 4 was synthesized using a sol-gel method and tested as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries as mentioned in this paper, achieving reversible capacities of 156 mAh/g at C/100 and 134 mAh /g at c/10.
Abstract: LiMnPO 4 was synthesized using a sol-gel method and tested as a cathode material for lithium ion batteries. After calcination at temperatures between 520 and 570°C particle sizes in the range of 140 to 160 nm were achieved. Subsequent dry ballmilling reduced the diameter to 130 ± 10 nm. Reversible capacities of 156 mAh/g at C/100 and 134 mAh/g at C/10 were measured. At 92 and 79% of the theoretical values, respectively, these are the highest values reported to data for this material. At faster charging rates, the electrochemical performance was found to be improved when smaller particles were used.
Patent•
09 Oct 2006TL;DR: In this paper, an apparatus for facilitating the safe operation of a vehicle comprises a sensor system, a sensor signal to object identifier, and a world model implemented using, for example, a MIMO algorithm such as a spiking neuron algorithm.
Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the safe operation of a vehicle comprises a sensor system, a sensor signal to object identifier, and a world model implemented using, for example, a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) algorithm such as a spiking neuron algorithm. Alerts may be provided to the vehicle operator under several conditions, such as the identification of a collision risk between the vehicle and an object, identification of a vehicle risk due to excessive uncertainty in the predicted vehicle path, or identification of an object risk due to excessive uncertainty in a predicted object path.
TL;DR: In this article, a theoretical model is suggested describing nanodisturbances as nanoscale dipoles of non-conventional partial dislocations with arbitrary, non-quantized Burgers vectors.
TL;DR: In this article, Nitrogen-doped TiO 2 (TiO 2− x N x ) photocatalysts loaded with various transition metal ions, including Cu, Pt, Ni, Zn and La, were prepared using a wet impregnation method.
Abstract: Nitrogen-doped TiO 2 (TiO 2− x N x ) photocatalysts loaded with various transition metal ions, including Cu, Pt, Ni, Zn and La, were prepared using a wet impregnation method. Photocatalytic activity of the catalysts under visible light irradiation ( λ > 410 nm) for acetaldehyde oxidation was examined. As a result, it was found that photocatalytic activity over TiO 2− x N x (concentration of nitrogen was found to be ∼0.25 at.%) was markedly enhanced by Cu or Pt loading, while Ni, Zn or La loaded TiO 2− x N x showed similar photodegradation rate to the bare TiO 2− x N x . Among them, the enhancement effect of Cu ion was found highest. The optimum concentration of Cu was found to be 0.5 wt%, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray induced Auger electron spectroscopy (XAES) analyses suggested the presence of Cu 2 O or Cu hydroxides on the catalyst surface. In terms of the long-term stability of the catalysts, it was confirmed that more than 2100 μmol of CO 2 was produced when acetaldehyde was continuously photooxidized over 1100 μmol of Cu loaded TiO 2− x N x under visible light for 100 consecutive days (>410 nm, 0.9 mW/cm 2 , in a 1 L vessel).
Patent•
24 Oct 2006TL;DR: In this article, a parking support device for easily and quickly moving or rotating a target parking frame to an appropriate position is presented, which includes a target position setting unit configured to set a target location at which a vehicle is to be parked with a target frame superimposed on an actual image displaying an area surrounding the vehicle.
Abstract: To provide a parking support device for easily and quickly moving or rotating a target parking frame to an appropriate position. The parking support device includes a target parking position setting unit configured to set a target parking position at which a vehicle is to be parked with a target parking frame superimposed on an actual image displaying an area surrounding the vehicle. The parking support device guides the vehicle to the target parking position set by the target parking position setting unit. The target parking position setting unit moves the target parking frame initially displayed on a touch display to a position indicated by a coordinate point determined by a touch operation.
TL;DR: This work constructed a metabolically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae that produces D-lactate efficiently and obtained the possibility of a new approach for pure d-lactic acid production without a neutralizing process compared with other techniques involving lactic acid bacteria and transgenic Escherichia coli.
Patent•
15 Mar 2006TL;DR: In this paper, a control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor connected to the power transmission member, is presented.
Abstract: A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor connected to the power transmitting member. The control apparatus, which permits size reduction of the vehicular drive system, or improvements of fuel economy and vehicle drivability, includes a switching clutch or switching brake for switching a the differential mechanism between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, to enable the drive system to have both of an advantage of a fuel economy improvement of a transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, and an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency of a gear type power transmitting device. The control apparatus includes an engine-torque-variation restriction control operable in the continuously-variable shifting state of the differential mechanism, to control an electric path torque, for restricting a variation of the torque to be transmitted to the power transmitting member, irrespective of a variation of the engine torque, so that the engine torque variation to be transmitted to drive wheels is restricted to improve the vehicle drivability.
TL;DR: By using Markov model, the system state transition process can be clearly illustrated, and furthermore, the solutions of system availability and reliability are obtained based on this.
TL;DR: A newly developed three-dimensional (3D) finite element head-neck model was presented in order to investigate the biomechanical responses of the brain-spinal cord complex to find the relationship between the restraint conditions and CNS injuries.
Abstract: Injuries of the human brain and spinal cord associated with the central nervous system (CNS) are seen in automotive accidents. CNS injuries are generally categorized into severe injuries (AIS 3+). However, it is not clear how the restraint conditions affect the CNS injuries. This paper presents a newly developed three-dimensional (3D) finite element head-neck model in order to investigate the biomechanical responses of the brain-spinal cord complex. The head model consists of the scalp, skull, and a detailed description of the brain including the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem with distinct white and gray matter, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF), sagittal sinus, dura, pia, arachnoid, meninx, falx cerebri, and tentorium. Additionally, the neck model consists of the cervical vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, muscles, ligaments, spinal cord with white and gray matter, cervical pia, and CSF. The two models were linked together to construct a finite element (FE) model of the brain-spinal cord complex. The material stiffness and failure properties of porcine cervical pia mater were measured from uniaxial tensile tests with various strain rates at Yamaguchi University. The head-neck model was validated against three sets of brain test data obtained by Nahum et al. (1977), Trosseille et al. (1992), and Hardy et al. (2001) and two sets of neck test data obtained from Thunnissen et al. (1995) and Pintar et al. (1995). Additionally, a series of parametric studies were conducted to investigate the effects of restraint conditions on CNS injuries. The injury criteria for brain injuries were based on Cumulative Strain Damage Measure, while those for spinal cord injuries were based on the ultimate strains of the spinal cord and pia mater. It was found that the brain-spinal cord model was useful to investigate the relationship between the restraint conditions and CNS injuries.
TL;DR: A driver identification method based on the driving behavior signals that are observed while the driver is following another vehicle is proposed, and the driver's operation signals were found to be better than road environment signals and car behavior signals.
Abstract: In this paper, we propose a driver identification method that is based on the driving behavior signals that are observed while the driver is following another vehicle. Driving behavior signals, such as the use of the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, vehicle velocity, and distance from the vehicle in front, were measured using a driving simulator. We compared the identification rate obtained using different identification models. As a result, we found the Gaussian Mixture Model to be superior to the Helly model and the optimal velocity model. Also, the driver's operation signals were found to be better than road environment signals and car behavior signals for the Gaussian Mixture Model. The identification rate for thirty driver using actual vehicle driving in a city area was 73%.
TL;DR: Results obtained indicate that toluene, weakly adsorbed on the catalyst surface, is initially photooxidized to benzaldehyde which adsorbs onto the TiO(2-x)N(x) surface more strongly, leading to the formation of ring-opening products such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes.
Abstract: We report the photooxidation of toluene over nitrogen doped TiO2 (TiO2−xNx) under visible light irradiation. The photocatalytic oxidation of toluene in air over TiO2−xNx powders was studied using diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS), gas chromatography (GC), ion chromatography (IC), and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), focusing on the photocatalytic decomposition processes of toluene. Results obtained indicate that toluene, weakly adsorbed on the catalyst surface, is initially photooxidized to benzaldehyde which adsorbs onto the TiO2−xNx surface more strongly, leading to the formation of ring-opening products such as carboxylic acids and aldehydes. No gaseous intermediates were detected during the photooxidation. Major intermediates adsorbed at the catalyst surface were oxalic acid, (COOH)2, acetic acid, CH3COOH, formic acid, HCOOH, and pyruvic acid, CH3COCOOH, whereas more complicated carboxylic species, including propionic acid, CH3CH2COOH, isovaleric acid, (CH3)2CHCH2COOH, and succinic acid, (CH2COOH)2, were also found in the early stage of the photooxidation. These intermediate products were gradually photodegraded to CO2 and H2O under visible light irradiation.
TL;DR: A metabolically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has both pyruvate decarboxylase genes disrupted in the genetic background to express two copies of the bovine L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene shows lactate productivity improvement as much as 1.5 times higher than the previous strain and the production yield is the highest value for a lactic acid-producing yeast yet reported.
Abstract: A plant- and crop-based renewable plastic, poly-lactic acid (PLA), is receiving attention as a new material for a sustainable society in place of petroleum-based plastics. We constructed a metabolically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae that has both pyruvate decarboxylase genes (PDC1 and PDC5) disrupted in the genetic background to express two copies of the bovine L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) gene. With this recombinant, the yield of lactate was 82.3 g/liter, up to 81.5% of the glucose being transformed into lactic acid on neutralizing cultivation, although pdc1 pdc5 double disruption led to ineffective decreases in cell growth and fermentation speed. This strain showed lactate productivity improvement as much as 1.5 times higher than the previous strain. This production yield is the highest value for a lactic acid-producing yeast yet reported.
Patent•
31 Oct 2006TL;DR: In this article, an object detection device, including an imaging unit mounted on a movable body, calculates an image displacement of a partial image between two images captured by the imaging unit at different times, and performs detection processing to detect an object in an image based on at least the image displacement.
Abstract: An object detection device, including: an imaging unit (400) that is mounted on a movable body; an object detection unit (201) that calculates an image displacement of a partial image between two images captured by the imaging unit (400) at different times, and performs detection processing to detect an object in an image based on at least the image displacement; and a control unit (201) that changes a manner of performing the detection processing based on a position in the image in a lateral direction of the movable body.
20 Aug 2006
TL;DR: The proposed method for estimating the ego-motion of the vehicle and for detecting moving objects on roads by using a vehicle mounted monocular camera is able to detect moving objects such as vehicles and pedestrians.
Abstract: This paper proposes a method for estimating the ego-motion of the vehicle and for detecting moving objects on roads by using a vehicle mounted monocular camera. There are two problems in ego-motion estimation. Firstly, a typical road scene contains moving objects such as other vehicles. Secondly, roads display fewer feature points compared to the number associated with background structures. In our approach, ego-motion is estimated from the correspondences of feature points extracted from various regions other than those in which objects are moving. After estimating the ego-motion, the three dimensional structure of the scene is reconstructed and any moving objects are detected. In our experiments, it has been shown that the proposed method is able to detect moving objects such as vehicles and pedestrians