Conducting basic research and development in energy conservation, clean energy, and detection and detoxification of hazardous substancesCooperating on global environmental protection initiatives through providing environmental technology for international joint studiesEnvironmental technology R&D
One of the key elements of the NTT Group Ecology Program
21, which outlines the NTT Group's basic approach to environmental
protection activities, is R&D in advanced environmental
technology. Led by NTT Laboratories, we conduct basic
research and development in various fields including energy
conservation, clean energy, and the detection and detoxification
of hazardous substances.
We also contribute to environmental protection initiatives of other
countries such as Chile and the Philippines through actively
providing our environmental technology for joint research.
Initiatives
Energy conservation
Developing silicon single-electron devices
NTT Basic Research Laboratories is conducting R&D in single-
electron devices that work by controlling the movements
of single electrons, using stable and easily processed silicon.
One aspect of this research is development of the world's first
method for creating single-electron transistors for use in electrical
circuits, with the aim of applying such technology to the
production of high performance integrated circuits. Since circuits
using single-electron transistors function on far fewer
electrons than conventional circuits and deliver high performance,
they can reduce power consumption by about 10,000 times.
And since they can also be made at least 100 times smaller than conventional circuits, they enable the creation of ultra-compact circuits
with ultra-low energy consumption.
Experimental study of differential quality power supply systems
NTT FACILITIES is developing a power supply system that could lead to energy consumption efficiencies by distributing power of different qualities.
A steady supply of high quality power without a second of interruption or fluctuation in voltage is essential for equipment such as data processing servers and medical equipment at hospitals.
At present, customers often install private power generators or equip individual devices with uninterruptible power supply systems (UPS) to prepare against power outages and stabilize voltage, but such measures take up space, increase costs, and involve the inefficient use of storage batteries.
In a research project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), NTT FACILITIES began an experimental study of power supply systems that distribute power of different qualities. A function-integrated high-quality power supply unit that combines power conversion systems and storage batteries is installed at a differential quality power supply center that distributes high quality power within power receiving facilities and through private lines in a specific area.
NTT FACILITIES is conducting this commissioned project in joint cooperation with NTT Building Technology Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, and Sendai City. In the project, NTT FACILITIES supplies five types of high-quality power from its originally developed high-quality power supply system to research facilities at Tohoku Fukushi University, hospitals, social welfare facilities, and a high school and water treatment plant in Sendai City. NTT Building Technology Institute is responsible for collating the evaluations of all of the participants in this research project.
Clean energy
Development of a clean, high-performance backup power system
Backup power systems are essential components in an age
of ubiquitous broadband communications, supplying power to
servers and other critical equipment in the event of power outages
caused by disasters and other unforeseen circumstances. For over 50 years, conventional backup power systems have used leadacid batteries, which are not only heavy and take up a lot of space, but also need to be disposed of carefully since they contain lead, which is harmful to human health.
NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories developed a backup power system that uses newly developed nickel metal-hydride batteries instead of lead-acid batteries. Nickel metal-hydride batteries are smaller and lighter than lead-acid batteries, twice as long-lasting, and since they are completely free of lead, are clean and environment-friendly.
Sensors
Development of simulation technology to calculate the diffusion and flow of air pollutants
NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories has developed a localized atmospheric environment simulator that can calculate the diffusion and flow of air pollutants, taking into account the topography as well as the height and shape of buildings.
The focus of atmospheric environmental issues is shifting from widespread pollution problems towards more localized living environment and health risks experienced by residents. Local pollution problems deriving from so-called "street canyon effects" caused by building, road construction and other urban development are a matter of particular concern.
The localized atmospheric environment simulator is designed to assess the environment on a street corner scale, evaluating local atmospheric conditions over an area of 100 m to 1 km diameter.
The system allows three-dimensional calculation of temperature, humidity, and the diffusion and flow of airborne pollutants with respect to topography as well as the height and shape of buildings, making it possible to calculate the distribution of temperature, humidity, car exhaust emissions, heat emitted by buildings, and other aspects in an urban environment where wind flows are complex.
Efforts are being made to apply this system to uses such as environmental assessment studies prior to the construction of high-rise buildings and roads, and the forecasting of photochemical smog in specific localities.
Application of cedar pollen prediction system to predict airborne mine dust in Chile
Over approximately a year, the NTT Laboratories performed joint experiments covering four themes with the state-run copper company in Chile. One of these themes was the application of a cedar pollen sensor developed by NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories as a system for monitoring dust generated by mining.
Open-pit mining produces huge amounts of dust inside the pit due to blasting and the movements of heavy machinery and trucks transporting copper ore. Since this dust carries toxic heavy metals and can spread to the city 20 km away depending on weather conditions, concerns were raised regarding environmental impacts and health hazards, but because the areas around the mine heavily affected by dust were 3000 m above sea level and unsuitable for the use of conventional dust monitoring systems, it had not been possible to perform a detailed environmental assessment.
The dust sensors used in this joint experiment were a kind of particle counter designed to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions. Five dust sensors were placed around the mining site to monitor dust concentration around the clock. All of the sensors worked perfectly during the approximately 10-month evaluation period, enabling the first ever detailed dust assessment carried out at the mine, including records of daily and seasonal fluctuations in dust.
Based on this achievement, NTT will continue to perfect the dust sensor as a technology to support both environmental issues and business, and will also work on the development of an integrated prediction system based on weather conditions.
Detoxification
Successful fabrication of light emitting diodes with the world's shortest wavelengths and their possible use in detoxification of toxic substances
NTT Basic Research Laboratories has succeeded in fabricating light emitting diodes (LEDs) with the world's shortest wavelengths at 210 nanometers (nm) in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) range.
As DUV light is effective in decomposing toxic substances, there are hopes that it can be used to chemically decompose and detoxify dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), and other toxic substances.
At present, the only available DUV light sources are gas sources such as mercury lamps and gas lasers, but these have their own problems. Mercury lamps use mercury, itself a toxic substance, while gas lasers need a gas supply and both mercury lamps and gas lasers are bulky and inefficient.
NTT Basic Research Laboratories used aluminum nitride (AIN) to create the DUV LED. Although AIN was theoretically expected to emit light in the shortest wavelengths, the high densities of crystalline defects and high impurity concentrations had made the fabrication of AIN LEDs difficult. In this study, NTT Basic Research Laboratories overcame these problems, developing technologies for producing high-purity AIN and becoming the first in the world to successfully develop the required p- and n-type doping technology and fabricate AIN DUV LEDs.
Expectations are high for the use of DUV LEDs in a wide range of other fields in addition to decomposing dioxin and other toxic substances, including medicine, sanitation, biotechnology, advanced information technology, nanotechnology, and other environmental applications.
Assessment
Participation in environmental projects in the Philippines
As part of its international cooperation efforts, NTT EAST participated in joint research in the Philippines on atmospheric environment assessment using an atmospheric environment multi-sensing system developed by NTT Energy and Environment Systems Laboratories.
The center of Manila, the capital of the Philippines, suffers from serious air pollution owing to an explosion in vehicle traffic fueled by population growth and modernization brought on by economic development. The largest single cause of this air pollution is NO2 and other atmospheric pollutants emitted by jeepneys (share taxis), trucks, and other vehicles using diesel engines.
This research project aimed to evaluate the atmospheric environment by combining sensor technology for the real-time monitoring of air pollution and weather conditions with traffic volume and flow simulation data. NTT EAST contributed by inviting engineers from the joint research organization in the Philippines to Japan, and by dispatching members of the NTT EAST International Office to the Philippines to help install sensors and measure atmospheric pollution levels.
