食肉の新鮮度を評価する電気化学的マイクロ分析システムの開発

科学研究費助成事業 研究成果報告書：基盤研究(C)2015-2017課題番号 : 15K0077

Measurement of impact pressure and bruising of apple fruit using pressure-sensitive film technique

Impact pressure and bruising of apple fruit were measured by means of a pressure-sensitive film technique, in order to develop methods for assessing and predicting bruising of apples resulting from impact loads during the course of transport and handling. Results of impact tests with apples indicate that when the fruits are dropped from different heights onto different impacting surfaces, the bruise area and volume could be assessed and predicted by regression models based on the impact force obtained from the pressure-sensitive film (FPSF). The coefficients of determination (R2) for bruise area and bruise volume were found to be 0.91 and 0.95, respectively

Application of Stirling cooler to food processing: Feasibility study on butter churning

The Stirling cycle engine was invented almost 190 years ago. In this study, the reverse Stirling cycle is investigated for use in refrigeration. This type of cycle is referred to as Stirling cooling or cooler. An experimental free-piston Stirling cooler (FPSC) was constructed and the effects of the device parameters in relation to the performance of the cooler were studied; the equipment was then experimentally applied to churning butter. Two effect parameters, namely, the size of the displacer involving heat regeneration and the volume of the working fluid (air) were studied. The results indicated that a larger displacer resulted in a lower temperature in the cooler. When the working fluid volume was large or the compression ratio was high, the cooling effect was enhanced. It was concluded that by churning butter using the Stirling cooler, coagulation of the butter occurred more rapidly than when the contral was used in the process; the water content of the butter obtained was lower and the fat content was higher using the Stirling cooler. This implies that the feasibility of using the Stirling cooler for churning butter is high

開発途上国の農業機械化促進に有効な技術・知識移転に関する調査研究

JlCA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Tsukuba International Center has implemented a continuous human resource development scheme of technical cooperation through Farm mechanization training (FMT) courses since 1964. This has formed part of an on-going ODA commitment and is subject to the administrative officials and agricultural engineers from representative for developing countries.This study was undertaken with the aim of supporting future dedevelopment of the FMT courses. The surveys were conducted for participants after their return to verify the impact of the FMT courses on agricultural mechanization in developing countries. After years of study, it was confirmed that the participants transferred their knowledge and technology, acquired during FMT courses. To elucidate the mechanisms by which knowledge and technology transfers activities in developing countries occurred by participants, the authors considered the information via four transfer types based on farm mechanization promotion levels in developing countries.Moreover, it was found that one important factor generated was the development of an informal network (FMK-net: Farm mechanization knowledge network) between participants and experts in agricultural machinery through transfer activities. The creation of a network between FMK-net and the enterprises, together with FMT, was found to be one of efficient model for overseas expansion, especially for Japanese small and medium sized enterprises. This finding was based on the results of the visiting surveys and actual networking activities between FMK-net and the Enterprises. It is argued that these models can be used to help develop new types of knowledge and technology transfers in agricultural mechanization for developing countries

Optimal Layout Design for Agricultural Facility Using Simulated Annealing

[Keywords] combinatorial optimization problem, rational construction, simulated annealing, agricultural facility, optimal layout design In this study, optimal layout design approach was used to solve problems related to site layout design of agricultural facilities such as refrigeration house, grading and packing house and warehouse. A basic program to support the rational construction of such facilities using Simulated Annealing (SA), one heuristic algorithm and one solution for combinatorial optimization problems, was coded in C language (Satake(1999)). Layout design simulations were carried out to obtain information for the development of a program for solving practical problems. And, to clarify the feasibility of applying SA to the optimal layout design problems, the layout design simulation using the hill climbing (HC), which is another heuristic algorithm, was carried out for comparison with SA. As a result of the comparison with the optimum solution by HC, the value of cost evaluation by SA using exponential annealing was lower than that of hill climbing