Papers by Author: Takashi Watanabe

Abstract: Carbon-supported PtRuRh nanoparticles, PtRuRh/C, were prepared by an impregnation method as a new anode catalyst with a high activity for ethanol oxidation in a direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC). PtRuRh (2:1:1)/C, of which the metal loading and the metal particle diameter was 40 wt% and 6.7 nm, respectively, with the metal composition of 2:1:1 for Pt:Ru:Rh, showed a higher oxidation current at a certain electrode potential compared to that of PtRu (1:1)/C and Pt/C prepared in a similar manner. The DEFC with PtRuRh (2:1:1)/C as the anode catalyst generated about a 1.5 times and 3 times higher electric power compared to that of PtRu (1:1)/C and Pt/C, respectively, with 2M ethanol.

Abstract: In order to know efficiently the impact behavior of the actual size sand cushion under rock fall, to achieve a lot of impact experiments under various conditions or to analyze those phenomena by use of reliable accurate methods is generally required. However, there is difficulty in many cases to achieve experiments because of financial reason. Therefore, the analysis method to reproduce full-scale impact behavior is indispensable. From this point of view, we have developed Distinct Element Method. The method to model the body to collide like a rock fall by an assembly of many small elements and the method to present a sand cushion as an assembly of many elements which have different size with randomness were shown. The validity of this method was shown by the comparison with experimental results.