What can be done with optical technology for the realization of a sustainable global environment?

Hamamatsu Photonics aims not only to provide products, but also to contribute to the Hamamatsu the realization of a sustainable global environment through optical technology. Recognizing that harmony with the environment, society, and economy is a critical priority, we are working on a variety of initiatives using optical technology toward a future in issue, in which the earth, people and all life coexist in an ideal balance.

To learn more about our commitment to the environment, please visit Sustainability - Environment.

Case studies

Water quality analysis

Radiation measurement

Contribution to the recycling of plastic resources

While plastics used in daily necessities such as automobiles, home appliances, and plastic bottles make our lives more comfortable, environmental problems caused by plastic waste are becoming more serious.

Plastics can be made of a single material, such as plastic bottles, or contain mixed materials or additives such as flame retardants. During processing at the recycling site, foreign substances such as metal from collected plastic, needs to be removed.

X-ray, near-infrared, mid-infrared, and terahertz-based optical sensing technologies are used to sort various types of plastics and identify foreign matter.

X-ray, NIR, MIR, and terahertz sensing for plastic sorting and foreign material identification.

Dual-energy X-ray imaging

This is a method for material sorting using X-ray imaging.
The processing images obtained using two X-ray energy levels (high and low), enables advanced detection of composite plastics that may contain contaminants such as metal fragments, bromine, and glass fibers.

Near-infrared spectroscopy

It is the most common method for plastic sorting.

Due to the difference in the absorption rate of nearinfrared light, the type of plastic is mainly selected from the spectrum, around 1.9 μm.

Mid-infrared and terahertz spectroscopy

Black plastics such as ASR (Automobile Shredder Residue) absorb near-infrared light. Therefore, spectroscopic analysis using longer wavelengths of mid-infrared light (3 μm ~ 5 μm) and THz light (30 μm ~ 3mm) is used.

Working toward clean energy for sustainable development

One of the issues that must be solved in modern society is the energy problem. Currently, more than 80 % of Japan's primary energy comes from fossil fuels, but the energy resources on Earth are limited.

Under such circumstances, laser fusion, which can extract energy from the inexhaustible isotopes of hydrogen in seawater, is expected to be the key to solving global energy problems.

Since power generation using laser fusion does not emit carbon dioxide or nitrogen compounds, it is expected to contribute to solving environmental problems such as climate change as it is a clean energy source that enables sustainable development.

To learn more about our laser fusion initiatives, please visit Laser fusion research.

Laser fusion

Contribution to bioresource production through photosynthesis

It is said that more than 80 % of the biomass on Earth comes from the absorption of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Technologies that utilize bioresources to achieve carbon neutrality are being researched, and various optical technologies are expected to be applied to evaluate photosynthesis processes.

Photonics technology that contributes to the production of bioresources through photosynthesis and the realization of a sustainable society

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Fluorescence quantum yield measurement - Measuring the efficiency of photosynthesis in light energy utilization with photons

In photosynthesis, photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll absorb light and a chemical reaction occurs. The ratio of chemical energy to light energy absorbed by the dye is the efficiency of light energy utilization in photosynthesis.

By measuring the number of photons in the absorbed light and fluorescence, it is possible to determine the amount of change in the utilization efficiency of the absorbed light energy. This is expected to be applied to research and development, such as elucidating the mechanism of photosynthesis and improving the efficiency of artificial photosynthesis.

To measure the number of photons in the absorbed light and fluorescence, our PL quantum spectrometer is used.

The process by which light energy is converted into chemical energy

light energy is converted into chemical energy

Delayed fluorescence measurement - Measuring the chemical energy utilization capacity of photosynthesis using photons

In photosynthesis, the light energy absorbed by chlorophyll is converted into chemical energy and utilized in biochemical reactions necessary for bioresource production, such as CO₂ fixation. When some of this chemical energy undergoes a reverse reaction, photons are generated from chlorophyll.

By measuring these photons and combining them with cell mass measurements, it is possible to evaluate photosynthetic activity.

Photomultiplier tubes are used to measure photons, and mini-spectrometers are used to measure cell mass.

The process by which chemical energy is converted into light energy

Chemical energy is converted into light energy

Related products

Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)

Mini-spectrometers

Photon detection unit C17056-01

Contribution to smarter agriculture

Modern agriculture is facing a variety of challenges, including a shortage of labor and successors due to the aging of workers, poor harvests due to abnormal weather, and environmental pollution due to excessive fertilization.

In order to solve these issues, smart agriculture is expected toIn to be combined with ICT and AI technologies to improve the efficiency of agriculture using the data obtained.

Sensing plant information is essential for the development of smart agriculture. By using optical technology to capture information about plants, such as the amount of water and of components in their structure, and the growth rhythm, we can infer what kind of condition the plant is in and its requirements. This also allows the farmer to apply appropriate amount of fertilization and improving the value of harvested products. We aim to contribute to the realization of environmentally friendly agriculture with the use of our optical sensing and detecting technologies.

For more information, please visit Optical sensing for agriculture.

Smart agriculture

Related products

FTIR engine (FT-NIR spectrometer)

MEMS-FPI spectroscopic modules

Mini-spectrometers

Contribution to the resolution of environmental problems through atmospheric analysis

The earth we live on is covered by an atmosphere, which is a collection of various gases. Optical technologies are used to monitor and detect atmospheric gases that affect surface conditions. They predict weather by observing atmospheric conditions themselves and are used in a variety of locations, including factories and observation facilities.

Greenhouse gases and climate change

Climate change is attracting attention as a global problem, and the increase in greenhouse gases is said to be one of the causes. Carbon dioxide is known as a typical greenhouse gas, but there are also gases such as methane and nitrous oxide that are said to have a higherbut higher greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide in the gases we emit in our daily lives. The method of measuring such greenhouse gases with optical technology is widely used around the world, and our products are also used in various scenes.

Greenhouse gas		Climate change potential	Main sources of emissions
Carbon dioxide	CO₂	1	Burning fossil fuels, etc.
Methane	CH₄	25	Rice cultivation, livestock, waste landfill, etc.
Nitrous oxide	N₂O	298	Combustion of fuels, industrial processes, etc.
Hydrofluorocarbons	HFCs	1,430, etc.	Sprays, air conditioner refrigerant, etc.
Sulfur hexafluoride	SF₆	22,800	Electrical insulators ,etc.

* Climate change potential is an indicator of how many times the greenhouse effect is greater than that of carbon dioxide.

* Greenhouse gas emissions are expressed in terms of carbon dioxide emissions using this coefficient.

For more information on gas analysis, please visit Applications - Gas analysis.

Gas analysis

Contribution to soil contamination countermeasures through soil analysis

In order to protect people's health, it is necessary to measure various pollutants such as VOCs, heavy metals, and pesticides to understand the condition of the soil. Understanding the structure and physical function of soil can lead to proper soil management and improvement, which leads to soil protection.

Mass spectrometry is known as a highly accurate analytical technique for ionizing and measuring analytes, and has also been applied to the analysis of soils. Our ion detection devices are at the core of our mass spectrometer.

POPs* analysis

Environmental Survey of Dioxins in Shizuoka Prefecture

* POPs: Persistent Organic Pollutants

Heavy metal analysis

Example of Heavy Metal Mas Specteometry

Soil analysis for PFAS

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) are chemical substances with excellent water and oil resistance properties and are widely used in various industrial products. For example, it can be found in non-viscous pans, water-repellent clothing, food packaging, and fire-fighting foam. However, these chemicals are very stable in the environment and are not easily degraded. That is why it is also called the "eternal chemical".

Harmfulness of PFAS

Effects on the human body

PFAS can persist in the environment over a long period of time and accumulate in the human ody through the food chain. Studies have shown that exposure to high concentrations of PFAS can cause health risks such as:

Carcinogenicity
Suppression of the immune system
Hormonal imbalance
Impaired function of the liver and kidneys

Environmental impact

PFAS also cause serious problems in the natural environment. Soil and water pollution has a negative impact on ecosystems, causing a decrease in biodiversity and degradation of water quality. In particular, pollution in agricultural areas such as paddy fields and wetlands may have an impact on crops.

Contribution to society through soil analysis of PFAS

Identification and prevention of contamination

Soil analysis makes it possible to identify the source of PFAS contamination and take measures to prevent the spread of contamination. This minimizes the impact on local residents and crops.

Risk assessment and health protection

Assessing the risk can be done by understanding the concentration of PFAS in the soil. In particular, it is important to predict the impact on crops and drinking water and take the necessary measures. This allows you to protect the health of residents.

Mass spectrometry of Hamamatsu Photonics

For more information about mass spectrometry, please visit Applications - Mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry

Contribution to evaluation of water quality of living water

Water quality assessment, which supportsWater supports safe living water, also leads to environmental conservation of rivers, lakes, and oceans. There are various measurement items forwater quality evaluation. Our light sources and optical sensors are used to measure nitrogen compounds, carbon content (TOC), oxygen content (COD), chlorophyll a, etc.

Water quality assessment parameters

TOC measurement

TOC (Total Organic Carbon) is the amount of total organic carbon and is considered to be one of the indicators of water pollution. It is defined as the amount of carbon in organic matter present in water.

Related product

EX-PEN

COD measurement

COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) is a chemical oxygen demand and is considered to be one of the indicators of water pollution.

Related products

Deuterium lamp L6301-50

Si photodiode S12742-220

Si photodiode S12742-254

Si photodiode S12742-275

Chlorophyll a measurement

Chlorophyll a is a chlorophyll common to various types of algae and plants. Detection in water bodies can be used to monitor the occurrence of algae overgrowth and water pollution.

Related products

Mini-spectrometer C12880MA

MPPC modules

Nitric acid and nitrite measurement

Nitrogenous nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen, which are nitrogen compounds, flow into lakes and oceans in large quantities, causing eutrophication problems, hypoxic water masses, and the generation of hydrogen sulfide. In addition, if it enters the human body through the mixing of drinking water, it will especially affect infants and young children.

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5 W xenon flash lamp modules L9455

Mini-spectrometer C16767MA

Si photodiode S12742-220

Si photodiode S12742-254

Si photodiode S12742-275

Accurate measurement of radiation dose and type

On Earth, radiation is emitted from a variety of substances.

Trace amounts of radiation are emitted not only from man-made facilities such as nuclear power plants, but also from allmade allkinds of food and living organisms. The accurate measurements obtained with Hamamatsu Photonics' optical technology, contributes to the understanding of the situation.

Comparison of methods

Although the appropriate radiation measurement method differs depending on the measurement purpose, the demand for the scintillation method is increasing as a high-precision measurement methog that can separate radiation nuclides.

Hamamatsu Photonics develops and manufactures compact, light weight, and highly sensitive photodetectors that are ideal for scintillation methods.

Scintillation method

Semiconductor method

Ionization chamber method

GM pipe system

Item	Scintillation method	Semiconductor method	GM pipe system
Features	Nuclide discrimination possible	Compact, light weight, and low cost	Simple structure
Main applications	Monitoring post	Portable measuring instrument	Surface contamination measuring instrument

What is nuclide discrimination?

In radiation measurement, the distinction between the differences in the radiant energy of a substance is called nuclide discrimination.

Nuclide discrimination not only examines radiation doses, but also enables the identification of radioactive substances and the acquisition of data that leads to deeper investigations of causes and knowledge.