Abstract: The present invention provides a foam body suitable for producing a cultured meat having a good texture. The foam body of the present invention includes alginic acid and/or an alginate. The foam body has an elastic modulus M, as determined by a test, of 8×104 Pa or less. In the test, the foam body is immersed in 22±3° C. water for 4 hours to prepare a specimen having a post-immersion thickness of 5±1 mm. Stress and strain caused in the specimen are measured by applying a load to the specimen for 5 seconds to compress the specimen in a thickness direction at 0.5 mm/sec. A stress caused in the specimen when the specimen is compressed by 10% of an initial thickness is determined, and a value obtained by dividing the stress by a corresponding strain is determined as the elastic modulus M.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foam body suitable for producing a cultured meat having a good texture. The foam body of the present invention includes alginic acid and/or an alginate. The foam body has an elastic modulus M, as determined by a test, of 8×104 Pa or less. In the test, the foam body is immersed in 22±3° C. water for 4 hours to prepare a specimen having a post-immersion thickness of 5±1 mm. Stress and strain caused in the specimen are measured by applying a load to the specimen for 5 seconds to compress the specimen in a thickness direction at 0.5 mm/sec. A stress caused in the specimen when the specimen is compressed by 10% of an initial thickness is determined, and a value obtained by dividing the stress by a corresponding strain is determined as the elastic modulus M.

Abstract: A method for producing a spiral wound separation membrane element includes preparing a composite semipermeable membrane having a skin layer on the surface of a porous support. The method further includes forming on the skin layer a protective layer containing 35 mg/m2 or more of an anionic polyvinyl alcohol to prepare a protective layer-equipped composite semipermeable membrane, preparing an unwashed spiral wound separation membrane element from the protective layer-equipped composite semipermeable membrane, and passing wash water through the unwashed spiral wound separation membrane element to remove the protective layer on the skin layer.

Abstract: The production method of the present invention includes: a first fermentation step of adding at least one microorganism selected from yeast, Escherichia coli, and bacteria of the genus Corynebacterium to a first concentrated sugar solution to ferment the first concentrated sugar solution and subjecting the resulting first fermented solution to solid-liquid separation, the first concentrated sugar solution being obtained by using a nanofiltration membrane and/or a reverse osmosis membrane to concentrate a sugar solution obtained using a herbaceous plant of the family Gramineae or Cucurbitaceae as a raw material; and a second fermentation step of adding a second concentrated sugar solution to a solid component obtained in the first fermentation step to ferment the second concentrated sugar solution with the microorganism used in the first fermentation step, and subjecting the resulting second fermented solution to solid-liquid separation.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a spiral wound separation membrane element that is capable of maintaining the membrane performance of a composite semipermeable membrane before processing into an element and has excellent membrane performance. This method for producing a spiral wound separation membrane element includes: a step for preparing a composite semipermeable membrane having a skin layer on the surface of a porous support; a step for forming on the skin layer a protective layer containing 35 mg/m2 or more of an anionic polyvinyl alcohol to prepare a protective layer-equipped composite semipermeable membrane; a step for preparing an unwashed spiral wound separation membrane element using the protective layer-equipped composite semipermeable membrane; and a step for passing wash water through the unwashed spiral wound separation membrane element to remove the protective layer on the skin layer.

Abstract: The retardation film of the present invention contains a thermoplastic polymer having at least a side chain component (A) oriented in a direction substantially orthogonal to a slow axis, and the absorption edge wavelength (?cut-off) of the side chain component (A) is 330 nm or more, and an in-plane retardation value (Re[450]) at a wavelength of 450 nm is smaller than that (Re[650]) at a wavelength of 650 nm. In the above-mentioned retardation film, the difference (?Re650-450=Re[650]?Re[450]) between the in-plane retardation value (Re[650]) at a wavelength of 650 nm and the in-plane retardation value (Re[450]) at a wavelength of 450 nm is preferably 10 nm or more. The retardation film of the present invention exhibits optical characteristics in which the in-plane birefringence is large and the difference between a retardation value on the short wavelength side and a retardation value on the long wavelength side is large.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: A separation membrane module includes: a pressure container having a tubular shape; a plurality of separation membrane elements loaded in the pressure container so as to be aligned in the axial direction of the pressure container; and a coupling member coupling together the separation membrane elements adjacent to each other. The separation membrane element includes a central tube and a pair of end members 3A and 3B fixed to both end portions of the central tube. The coupling member 5A is configured to be engaged with at least one of the end members 3A and 3B located on both sides of the coupling member 5A. In addition, a sensor is mounted in the coupling member 5A.

Abstract: Provided is a separation membrane module including: a tubular pressure container 7 in which a raw liquid is filtered through a separation membrane to produce a permeate liquid; and an internal member 5A provided in the pressure container 7. The internal member 5A is equipped with a sensor for detecting characteristics of at least one of the raw liquid and the permeate liquid. A detected signal generated by the sensor is transmitted from an antenna 65. The internal member 5A has an antenna holding portion 54 in which the antenna 65 is embedded. A gap between the antenna holding portion 54 and an inner peripheral surface 7a of the pressure container 7 is sealed with a sealing member 42.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a composite semipermeable membrane having an excellent resistance property to contamination, particularly an excellent resistance property to microbial contamination, and a water treatment method using the composite semipermeable membrane. The present invention relates to a composite semipermeable membrane comprising a skin layer formed on the surface of a porous support and containing a polyamide-based resin obtained by reacting a polyfunctional amine component with a polyfunctional acid halide component, wherein an antibacterial layer containing a silver-based antibacterial agent and a polymer component is formed on the skin layer directly or with other layer interposed therebetween, and the weight ratio between the silver-based antibacterial agent and the polymer component in the antibacterial layer is 55:45 to 95:5 (silver-based antibacterial agent:polymer component).

Abstract: Provided are a membrane filtering device managing system by which the membrane filtering device can be managed with a better precision and membrane filtering device for use therein, as well as to a membrane filtering device managing method. At least two sensors of an electric conductivity sensor 11, a flow rate sensor 13, and a pressure sensor 15 are provided in at least two membrane elements 10 provided in a membrane filtering device 50. A managing device 200 obtains data from the at least two sensor, and compares the data with comparison data that represents a correlative relationship between a position along the axial line direction in the membrane filtering device 50 and a standard value obtained from the at least two sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to specify the cause of change occurring in the membrane filtering device 50 more definitely, and to carried out a suitable maintenance in accordance with the cause, so that the membrane filtering device 50 can be managed with a higher precision.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a membrane filtration device able to supply electric power to a sensor under various conditions, including situations in which a plant is not operating. The membrane filtration device of the present invention comprises a membrane element for generating a permeate by filtering a liquid to be filtered through a filtration membrane, and includes a pressure-resistant container for containing the membrane element, a sensor for sensing the properties of the liquid flowing through the membrane filtration device, an electric-power-generating unit for generating electric power, and a primary battery. The sensor, the electric-power-generating unit, and the primary battery are provided inside the pressure-resistant container.

Abstract: A submodule is used to know exactly fouling of a membrane surface in a separation membrane module. The membrane separation apparatus of the present invention includes: a separation membrane module (1) configured to produce at least a permeate fluid from a feed fluid; and at least one submodule (2) having a separation membrane (23) made of the same material as a separation membrane in the separation membrane module (1). A deposition member (22) is provided on a surface of the separation membrane (23) in the submodule (2), and the feed fluid is supplied onto the surface.

Abstract: Provided are a spiral type membrane element that can re-collect the electric power that is used in a good manner, and a spiral type membrane filtering device having the same. The spiral type membrane element comprises a power generating section that generates electric power by using a liquid, and an electric power outputting section that outputs, either in a wired manner or in a wireless manner, the electric power supplied from said power generating section. The electric power that is generated in the power generating section using the liquid (raw water, permeated water, or concentrated water) can be output from the electric power outputting section in a wired manner or in a wireless manner. Therefore, the electric power that is output from the aforesaid electric power outputting section can be used in an electric component disposed outside or can be stored into a capacitor section disposed outside.

Abstract: A process for producing a microporous polymeric object to improve the degree of freedom for its various properties, compared to conventional processes, includes: mixing a block copolymer made of three or more kinds of segments with a polymer, wherein one or more of the segments are made of monomer units having a first functional group forming ionic and/or hydrogen bond, the segments constitute a co-continuous structure having mutually-independent and continuous regions due to a phase separation based on incompatibility between the segments, and the polymer has, at other than polymer chain terminals, a second functional group forming such bond with the first functional group, thereby allowing the segments to associate with the polymer at many points; forming a co-continuous structure including a region composed of the polymer and the segments due to the phase separation; and removing the polymer from the region by weakening the bond between the functional groups.

Abstract: A process for producing a microporous polymeric object to improve the degree of freedom for its various properties, compared to conventional processes, includes: mixing a block copolymer made of three or more kinds of segments with a polymer, wherein one or more of the segments are made of monomer units having a first functional group forming ionic and/or hydrogen bond, the segments constitute a co-continuous structure having mutually-independent and continuous regions due to a phase separation based on incompatibility between the segments, and the polymer has, at other than polymer chain terminals, a second functional group forming such bond with the first functional group, thereby allowing the segments to associate with the polymer at many points; forming a co-continuous structure including a region composed of the polymer and the segments due to the phase separation; and removing the polymer from the region by weakening the bond between the functional groups.

Abstract: A process for producing a microporous polymeric object to improve the degree of freedom for its various properties, compared to conventional processes, includes: mixing a block copolymer made of three or more kinds of segments with a polymer, wherein one or more of the segments are made of monomer units having a first functional group forming ionic and/or hydrogen bond, the segments constitute a co-continuous structure having mutually-independent and continuous regions due to a phase separation based on incompatibility between the segments, and the polymer has, at other than polymer chain terminals, a second functional group forming such bond with the first functional group, thereby allowing the segments to associate with the polymer at many points; forming a co-continuous structure including a region composed of the polymer and the segments due to the phase separation; and removing the polymer from the region by weakening the bond between the functional groups.

Abstract: A feed side passage material is provided in which sufficient antibacterial activity is obtained even in the spaces among constituent yarns and which hence can effectively prevent biofouling. Also provided is a spiral separation-membrane element employing the feed side passage material. The feed side passage material, which is for use in a spiral separation-membrane element, is a feed side passage material in a net form constituted of yarns (1 and 2) containing a chlorophenol compound antibacterial. The spiral separation-membrane element comprises a perforated hollow core tube and, wound therearound, one or more separation membranes, one or more feed side passage materials, and one or more permeate side passage materials. The element is characterized in that the feed side passage materials each is said feed side passage material.

Abstract: Provided are a spiral type membrane element that can re-collect the electric power that is used in a good manner, and a spiral type membrane filtering device having the same. The spiral type membrane element comprises a power generating section that generates electric power by using a liquid, and an electric power outputting section that outputs, either in a wired manner or in a wireless manner, the electric power supplied from said power generating section. The electric power that is generated in the power generating section using the liquid (raw water, permeated water, or concentrated water) can be output from the electric power outputting section in a wired manner or in a wireless manner. Therefore, the electric power that is output from the aforesaid electric power outputting section can be used in an electric component disposed outside or can be stored into a capacitor section disposed outside.

Abstract: Provided are a spiral type membrane filtering device by which an electric component can be re-used and a mounting member, as well as a membrane filtering device managing system and a membrane filtering device managing method using the same. An interconnector (42) attachable and detachable to a membrane element is provided with a sensor that detects the property of liquid such as raw water or permeated water that flows within a membrane filtering device, or a power generating section (26). Therefore, even if the membrane element is to be replaced, the sensor or the power generating section (26) can be re-used by re-mounting the interconnector 42 onto a new membrane element. Also, since there is no need to add a change to the membrane element, a conventional membrane element can be used as it is.