Sumitomo Riko Co. Ltd. (TYO:5191) has been working in recent years to develop a driver monitoring system. And now the company has created a prototype that can be fitted to seats. Able to be fitted to all kinds of vehicles, this prototype driver monitoring system serves to acquire information regarding the driver’s vitals – such as heartbeat and breathing –...
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) has developed a range of new silicone materials for heat dissipation, and is targeting these toward use in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). With the global automotive sector moving toward electrification at an increasing pace, the market is seeing more advanced and diverse demands for heat countermeasures in the likes of lithium-ion...
Zeon Corp. (TYO:4205) has used single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to develop a masterbatch that significantly improves the conductivity of silicone rubber. Compounds using this new masterbatch are being targeted toward use in medical equipment that can help limit the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and similar conditions. Zeon is pursuing joint research here alongside Novation Solutions LLC (NovationSi), a U.S.-based manufacturer...
Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd. (TYO:4063) has developed a first-of-its-kind low-density moldable silicone for producing lighter rubber molded parts with the company’s Liquid Injection Molding System (LIMS). The conventional method of making silicone rubber more lightweight has been to add a blowing agent to millable silicone rubber to shape it into a sponge, but Shin-Etsu Chemical’s new product does away with...
Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. (TYO:7282) has worked with the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Frontier Sciences to develop a cross-linking technology that enables stronger synthetic rubber. Rubber using this technology not only offers better physical strength against impacts and friction but is also resistant to rupturing. The new technology works by chemically integrating a polyrotaxane – a polymer with...
Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. recently announced the development of a new grade under its Keiju line of silicone rubber films, giving customers the option to access a more heat-resistant option than was available with existing grades. Born from Mitsubishi Chemical’s proprietary processing technologies, Keiju is notable for being very thin with a high level of precision in thickness. Further, it offers...
