FUJI ELECTRIC JOURNAL 2003 Vol.76-No.7

Special Issue for 80th Anniversary of Fuji Electric's Establishment

Innovative Power Electronics Technology
Hidetoshi Umida
Power electronics technology contributes to energy-savings by controlling electrical energy. Further technical innovation, however, is required if power electronics is to play an important role in solving global environment problems. This paper describes the challenges that must be overcome in order to achieve breakthroughs in power electronics technology and Fuji Electric's efforts in leading-edge technological development.

Fuji Electric's General-purpose Inverter Aims to be No. 1
Masaru Yamazoe
Twenty-seven years have passed since Fuji Electric first introduced its general-purpose inverter to the world. This paper looks back on the products and technology over the course of those years and also describes the requirements and technical trends of future general-purpose inverters and the goals for Fuji Electric's general-purpose inverter. With the environment as an ever-important concern, future Fuji Electric general-purpose inverters will aim to be noiseless and free from all specified toxic substances. Fuji Electric will also aim to make its general-purpose inverters efficient on a cost/performance basis, providing them with a high level of performance and functionality capable of supporting a diversifying array of applications and providing improved ease of maintenance.

Fuji Power Semiconductor Devices Aim for Higher Performance and Higher Functionality
Hisao Shigekane
In making an analogy between an electronic system and the human body, it can be said that power devices are used in a manner similar to muscle controllers. Fuji Electric has commercialized the Super FAP-G series of power MOSFETs and the 5th generation U-series of IGBTs, which were developed to realize lower power loss. To configure the ideal "muscle," Fuji Electric produces and supplies intelligent power devices such as IPM devices for industrial applications, M-POWER devices for switching mode power supplies, and Smart Power MOSFETs for automotive applications. In addition, Fuji Electric is planning product launches for Super Junction Power MOSFETs and Reverse Blocking IGBTs in the near future.

Power Supply IC Technology Contributes to Smaller Size and Lower Power Consumption of Electronic Equipment
Eiji Kuroda
Power supply technology is an important technology for lowering the power consumption of electronic equipment and making that equipment smaller and lighter weight. The ICs responsible for controlling such power supply units are increasingly being required to have lower current consumption, higher level of integration, built-in power devices, etc. In response to these trends, Fuji Electric is promoting a shift from bipolar to CMOS technology. This paper describes the technology and product development up to now, as well as the technology for lowering on-resistance and integrating the inductor into a single unit, which will be the focus in the future.

Water Treatment for Safe and Good-tasting Water
Hiroshi Hoshikawa
The ability to provide a stable supply of safe and good-tasting water to residents is the most important objective of a water system. In recent years, however, water source pollution has worsened especially in large urban areas, and the problems of odorous compounds, trihalomethane, and cryptosporidium have arisen and have become problems of public concern. These problems cannot be solved with existing water purification processes, and therefore Fuji Electric has developed an ozonation and biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment system. Focusing on this system, a water quality analyzer for system monitoring and control and a membrane filtration system for advanced water purification are described.

Leading-edge Technology for Fuel Cells
Akitoshi Seya
Based on the results of know-how gleaned from basic research, simulation techniques, and a long history of successful operation, Fuji Electric has utilized phosphoric acid fuel cells in practical applications and both the initial performance and operating results have been extremely favorable. Moreover, based on the advanced technology acquired from phosphoric acid fuel cells, Fuji Electric is promoting development of stationary polymer electrolyte fuel cells and is coordinating development of leading-edge technology with product development in order to realize practical applications of these polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Fuji Electric aims to develop these leading-edge fuel cell technologies into key technologies for an earth-friendly society.

Features and Prospects of Solar Cells Formed on a Film Substrate
Tomoyoshi Kamoshita
This paper describes the features, current status of development and prospects for solar cells formed on a film substrate. Use of a film substrate enables a roll-to-roll process to be used during manufacture, and this is a great advantage for mass production. Stabilized efficiency of over 8% was achieved during deposition of a photoelectric transfer layer at a rate of 30 nm/min. This result shows promise for mass production and practical use. Leveraging their features of light weight, flexibility and good appearance, solar cells have been integrated with roofing materials, and a product lineup of these roofing modules is introduced.

Eco-management by the Fuji Electric Group
Masanori Tsuji
Environmental activities have come to be evaluated on the basis of green procurement and environmental management. In the EU, there is an urgency to tighten environmental regulations for products, such as by prohibiting the use of toxic chemical substances. Such environmental activities must be implemented as a group effort that unites all departments in support of the environmental conservation efforts and environment-conscious product developments. Furthermore, these actions must be implemented from a global perspective. In response to these relevant problems of today, Fuji Electric has taken the initiative to reevaluate its basic policy and framework for promoting environmental preservation, to promote group activities for environmental conservation, and to intensify its efforts to develop environment-conscious products.

Fabrication of High Efficiency OLED Displays with the CCM Method
Kenya Sakurai
This paper summarizes the development status of Fuji Electric's OLED panels. By utilizing a full-colorization technique known as the color conversion method (CCM), Fuji Electric has realized a display that provides top-ranked lifespan and appearance. Optimization of the carrier balance of elements, moisture removal, and innovative antimoisture measures are presented as issues related to a longer panel lifespan. Issues relating to practical applications, such as techniques to enhance contrast without attaching a circular polarizer to the screen and efforts to prevent leaks, which are one type of screen defects, are also described. Using these techniques, the superiority of CCM fullcolor OLED technology is demonstrated.

Development of Granular-type Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Media
Akihiro Otsuka
Magnetic recording media, which has been used in practical applications since 1956, has advanced technologically to achieve higher density, smaller size and lower price. As a result of these advances, the market for magnetic recording media has grown and magnetic recording media is presently the mainstream media used for external memory in the computer industry. Although limitations to longitudinal recording technology have begun to become evident, perpendicular recording technology breaks through those limitations and is expected to drive additional market growth. At the end of 2002, Fuji Electric succeeded in developing granular-type perpendicular magnetic recording media having the highest areal density level in the world. By 2005, perpendicular recording technology is expected to become the mainstream type of external memory in not only the computer industry but in other industries as well. This paper describes the current status of Fuji Electric's development of perpendicular recording media.

Sensor Technology to Protect a Safe and Comfortable Society
Yujiro Kitaide
Fuji Electric has thus far developed and provided unique sensor components, including a device that uses a semiconductor strain sensor, a radiation monitor, and various types of FA sensors. Based on the key concepts of safety and comfort, Fuji Electric intends to develop proprietary sensory device technology and sensor system technology that is designed for usability, and to provide sensors that are useful for society. The types of sensors described in this paper include biosensors that are useful for ensuring a safe water supply and sanitary food distribution, and current sensors that monitor energy usage.

Low Voltage Switching Devices that Target the Global Market
Yasutoshi Ide
The pursuits of smaller size, higher performance and easier operation have been major trends in the development of low voltage switching devices and these general trends will continue. Fuji Electric has been providing unique products that conform to these trends and meet market requirements. Recently, it is becoming important to focus on new development trends such as meeting the challenges of globalization and creating environment-conscious products. This paper introduces Fuji Electric's new products and describes how we reflect new market requirements and trends in our new products.

IT-driven Evolution of Remote Monitoring and Maintenance Systems for Onsite Equipment
Tetsuhito Watanabe
Efficient facilities management is strongly desired at manufacturing and production facilities and at sites of retail sales equipment such as vending machines and in-store displays in order to improve efficiency, decrease power consumption and cut costs. The application of Internet technology makes it possible to remotely monitor and maintain these facilities and equipment. This paper presents overviews of the MICREX-SX integrated controller, the Internet connection function in vending machines, software technology to achieve network compatibility, Java technology, and embedded security technology.

Information Technology Applied to Vending Machines Helps to Create Commercial Amenity Space
Masami Takada
Focusing on the field of food distribution, in which vending machines such as typical automated machines, cash machines and cold chain machines are used in combination, this paper describes the current state and future prospects regarding the application of information technology (IT) to create commercial amenity space. The evolution of vending machines is described from the perspective of the application of IT. Advances in networking and control methods are also discussed and an integrated service system that spans the entire lifecycle is presented. The 21st century is considered to be a new era for vending machines, and concepts for next-generation vending machines are also presented.

Future Solutions for the Manufacturing Industry
Yoshitake Matsuura
In response to diversifying needs of the market, digital engineering technology has been utilized by the manufacturing industry in recent years to shorten the time-to-market for new products. Moreover, in the near future, with expansion of the Asian market as a trigger, it is expected that the capability for simultaneous production and sales throughout the world will become an essential element of a competitive strategy to secure market share. This paper presents business solutions developed by Fuji Electric to support flexible operation of the production line and to significantly reduce the duration of pilot production.

Plant Service that Meet Various Customer Needs
-- Newly Proposed Plant Service --
Kiyoshi Yoshida
Aiming for stable plant operation and lower operating cost, Fuji Electric provides medium and long-term service solutions that span the lifecycle of a plant. The solutions include such services as scheduled maintenance, boosting operating efficiency, and assessment of the remaining lifespan. This paper presents new maintenance techniques and remaining lifespan assessment techniques, a new business model as typified by an ESCO-type service, and support tools such as an efficiency- boosting plant operation support system. In addition, the current status and future outlook for Fuji Electric's IT-driven customer service center, which centrally positions the plant service business, is also presented.

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