CENTRAL JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY Annual Report 2007

Developing New Earthquake Resistant Construction Methods
It is characteristic that stores and offices exist below the elevated tracks of the Tokaido
Shinkansen since the Tokaido Shinkansen travels through the densely populated area of
Tokyo and Osaka. In order to engage in construction in these areas we strived to develop
new earthquake reinforcement construction methods. As a result, we co-developed “steel
panel assembly reinforcement construction methods” and “damper brace construction
methods” with related companies. Since these methods are superior in practice they are
being applied to elevated track columns that exist within stores around stations.
Discovery of a New Technology to manufacture “Metal-Oxide Thin Film”
In the course of researching photo catalysts as part of our “challenging new fields”, we
discovered a new technology to manufacture at low cost and high quality “metal-oxide
thin film” that is widely used in thin displays and touch panel displays, which are in high
demand as of late, and solar cells.
Since this new technology has great versatility because it enables the manufacture of
various metal and allow mixture oxide thin film, it can be applied to a wide variety of
fields.
We are continuing development aimed at practical use.
Steel Panel Assembly Reinforcement Method
Success in Development of Superconducting Electromagnets that utilize
MgB2 (Magnesium Diboride)
In cooperation with Hitachi, Ltd., JR Central has co-developed a superconducting coil
(500mm in diameter) larger than conventional coils by employing MgB2 superconducting
wire which has gained much attention as of late as a new metal superconducting
material. Using this coil, we succeeded in conducting the world’s first test that makes it
function as a superconducting magnet that uses the conduction cooling method that
employs a freezer without requiring liquid coolant like liquid helium.
As a result of this test, we were able to prove that MgB2 superconducting wire can be
applied to practical systems and we are continuing research and development that aims
to enlarge the size of the coil and to produce a higher magnetic field. By continuing this
research and development, we expect to be able to apply the technology to
superconducting fly wheels, MRI medical diagnosis equipment and so on.
Production Technology for Metal Oxide Thin Film
Conventional manufacturing
process
(complicated and high cost)
Process employing new technology
(simple and low cost)
Overview of the Superconducting Coil Testing Device
Substrate
Pressure reduction
of apparatus interior
Plasma generation
High-vacuum
medium
Raw material
Plasma
Special metal
complex solution
Coating
Coating apparatus
Deposition
on substrate
Calcination
Formation of metal
oxide thin film
Substrate
Sputtering equipment
(several billion yen)
Formation of metal
oxide thin film
cost reduction in billions of yen
Kiln (electric furnace)
several tens of million of yen)
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