Investigations and studies are conducted seeking for a CO2 fixation method improved by utilizing the photosynthesizing function of higher vegetation. Details of higher vegetation genes are being disclosed thanks to the rapid progress of studies making use of molecular biological techniques, and the application of the genetic mechanism to scientific and technological fields is becoming increasingly feasible. In particular, the role of the CO2 fixation enzyme RuBisCO has been elucidated almost completely. It has been learned that, in terms of photosynthesizing capability, the C{sub 4} plants (corn etc.) are 2-3 times higher than the C{sub 3} plants (rice, wheat, etc.), and 5-10 times higher than the CAM plants (cactuses etc.). Studies are also under way about the rice genome so that a photosynthesizing capability so high as that of the C{sub 4} plants may be endowed the rice plant. The metabolism and control of useful substances produced in the CO2 fixation process etc. in the higher ...
To use such sites very effectively, pile foundations will be used for soil stabilization and for important structures for the prevention of subsidence. Negative friction that may ensue from the differential settlement of the soil has to be prevented. Measures against gas will include gas collecting and exhausting facilities in the lower parts of structures, natural and forced exhaust systems, and gas detection/warning units. For revegetation, plants strong against bad soil should be selected, they should be protected from generated gas with protecting sheets or the like, and a thick layer of vegetation-capable soil needs to be laid. Replacement, compaction, and solidification are the fundamentals of soil improvement at wastes final treatment locations and of soil-related pollution prevention in the vicinity of the newly produced sites. Across the country, the service life expectancy is approximately 7-8 years for general wastes and approximately 2.3 years for industrial wastes, and ...
Technology is being developed for preparing functional materials by synthesizing new functional peptides in which non-natural amino acid needed for the functional manifestation is introduced, and by modifying the surface of a base plate such as silica glass by using such peptides. Activities were conducted in the three areas of (1) creation of functional molecules, (2) materialization technology, and (3) comprehensive investigation and research; the activities were carried out independently and parallelly in the first two areas. In (1), design technique for the structures and functions of peptides was developed, as were conformational control technique, synthesis of peptides having optical/electronic functions, peptide synthesis by an enzyme method, and R and D on introduction of non-natural amino acid into peptides; in (2), element technologies were developed such as substrate forming technique (pattern forming and thin film forming technology), substrate modification technique, ...