Museum of MEXT Special Exhibition

Sports Exhibit Room

National University Special Exhibition: University of Tsukuba

Term

 July 2, 2012 – end of September 2012

Organization

University of Tsukuba

Theme

100th anniversary since Japan’s first participation in the Olympics, Relationship between Jigoro Kano and the University of Tsukuba

Summary

100th anniversary since Japan’s first participation in the Olympics, Relationship between Jigoro Kano and the University of Tsukuba

The year of 2012 marks the 100th anniversary since Japan first participated in the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, the 5th Olympiad. Also, it is the year of the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 20th Olympiad, scheduled in London from July 27.

Jigoro Kano, who served as principal of Tokyo Higher Normal School, the predecessor of the University of Tsukuba, led the Japanese national team as a captain at the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games 100 years ago. Two athletes from Japan competed at the Stockholm Olympics. One of them was Mr. Shiso Kanaguri, a student of Tokyo Higher Normal School, who competed in the marathon.

Thereafter, many athletes from the University of Tsukuba have won medals at the Olympics. Mr. Sawao Kato (gymnast) has won a total of eight gold medals, which is Japan’s highest Olympics medal count ever. Ms. Ayumi Tanimoto (judoist) captured two consecutive gold medals. In this year, many students and graduates of the University of Tsukuba are competing in games such as judo and soccer at the 2012 London Olympics.

The University of Tsukuba, furthermore, has been selected as one of the “Research Development Project” implementation groups of the “Team Nippon Multi Support Project” initiated by MEXT. The project aims to provide strategic and comprehensive support to top-level athletes to win medals at the Olympics.

The Special Exhibition now taking place at the Museum of MEXT introduces precious items pertaining to the history of the strong ties between the University of Tsukuba and the Olympics as well as the recent projects currently being implemented.

Main items of exhibit

<Historical Exhibit>
1)  Panel on the history of Jigoro Kano and the Olympics, calligraphy works of Jigoro Kano
2)  Tabi socks worn by Shiso Kanaguri (marathon runner)
3)  Gold medals won by Sawao Kato (gymnast)
4)  Trophy awarded to Sawao Kato representing one of the top 25 athletes of the 20 century

<Recent Projects>
5)  Photo panel of Nadeshiko Japan, Japan women’s national soccer team members, Kozue Ando and Saki Kumagai
6)  Signed soccer balls by Kozue Ando and Saki Kumagai
7)  Photo panel of judo athletes chosen to compete in the 2012 London Olympics
8)  Shikishi board signed by judoists chosen to compete in the 2012 London Olympics: Akari Ogata, Tomoko Fukumi, Mika Sugimoto, Hiroaki Hiraoka
9)  Panel introducing the University of Tsukuba’s R & D project of the “Team Nippon Multi Support Project” initiated by MEXT.
10) Fencing grips developed for fencing athletes. Information on their manufacturing process by the University of Tsukuba’s “Team Nippon Multi Support Project” initiated by MEXT.

Science and Technology Exhibit Room

National University Special Exhibition: University of Tsukuba

Term

July 2, 2012 – end of September 2012

Organization

University of Tsukuba

Theme

Turning Japan into an oil-producing nation !

Summary

Turning Japan into an oil-producing nation !

With the world' s increasing interest towards renewable energy, biofuels produced from algae have been garnering considerable attention. The prospects for algal biomass energy are great, as algae do not compete with other food crops, and has a characteristic trait of high production efficiency.

At University of Tsukuba, research on manufacturing oils from Aurantiochytrium and Botryococcus microalgae is currently underway. Many oils produced by algae are usually composed of triglicerols. Because the oils of Aurantiochytrium and Botryococcus are comprised of hydrocarbons, there' s an advantage of directly using them as liquid fuel. They can also be used as the raw materials for producing plastics. There are, furthermore, other prospects in which the high-quality oil produced by these algae may be applied to health and beauty care products.

The Special Exhibition now taking place at the Museum of MEXT introduces the cutting-edge research on algal biomass energy now being carried out at the University of Tsukuba. Along with introducing basic research and technological developments in algal biomass energy, application of this technology to industry and movements towards its standardization in society are introduced through exhibits and additional explanations of refined samples. Japan may be very well be near to becoming an oil producing nation.

Main items of exhibit

1) Exhibit of actual samples
- Refining process of extracting oil from Botryococcus
- Refining process of extracting oil from Aurantiochytrium

2) Video screen display
- Introduction of the University of Tsukuba' s research on algal biomass fuel

3) Panel
- Explanation on algae which has helped to evolve the earth' s present environment over the last 3 billion years, and which has helped create the basis for our ecosystems.
- Explanation on our growing need for energy (i.e. global warming, drying out of fossil fuels)
- Introduction to Aurantiochytrium and Botryococcus microalgae
- Four possible future applications of algal biomass fuel.

National University Special Exhibition: University of Yamanashi

Term

July 2, 2012 – end of September 2012

Organization

University of Yamanashi

Theme

Cutting-edge research and development of materials for fuel cells – towards the widespread proliferation of fuel cells .

Summary

Cutting-edge research and development of materials for fuel cells – towards the widespread proliferation of fuel cells.

In order to establish a stable and efficient energy supply, as well as help to solve the problem of global warming, the practical use of fuel cells has been garnering considerable attention. With the aim of realizing the wide-scale use of fuel cells, the University of Yamanashi is carrying out research to develop the elucidation of deterioration mechanisms, synthesizing high performance and low cost catalysts , as well as studying new fuel cell materials including electrolyte membranes and membrane electrode assemblies (MEA)

The Special Exhibition now taking place at the Museum of MEXT introduces current research by the University of Yamanashi.

Main items of exhibit

1) Exhibit of actual samples
- Fuel cell model kit
- Fuel cell composition elements, development samples (polymer electrolyte fuel cell,  sulfonated polyether-hydrocarbon type polymer electrolyte membrane, metal monolithic catalyst for 1 kilowatt class residential polymer electrolyte fuel cells)
- Cell stack and component materials for fuel cell separator
- Model of a fuel reformer for hydrogen gas production (model as well as an actual sample device used to manufacture hydrogen gas by natural gas reforming)
- Hydrogen assisted bicycle (bicycle using a hydrogen fuel cell )

2) Video screen display
- Introduction to state-of-the-art developments in fuel cells

3) Panel
- Structure of the fuel cells
- Positive aspects for households and the planet in using the fuel cells
- A clean energy society which can be realized by the fuel cells
- The HiPer-FC (High Performance Fuel Cell) Project and the future plans of constructing a research center for fuel cell nanomaterial research
- Basic nanomaterial research to create high performance fuel cells through the fusion of the elucidation of the deterioration mechanisms and nanotechnology