Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories (Japan)

Thermoresponsive smart systems for building envelopes, such as smart roofs and windows, require thermochromic materials with tunable switching temperatures to adapt to regional climate and seasonal changes. Herein, we propose thermochromic polymer blends comprising poly(n-alkyl acrylates) (PnAAs) as phase-change polymers. The switching temperature of the thermochromic polymer blend was determined by the alkyl side-chain length of PnAAs. The polymer blend exhibited high-contrast haze regulation when the refractive index of the matrix phase of the miscible polymer blend matched that of PnAAs. Smart roofs constructed using a composite of the thermochromic polymer blend, carbon black absorber, and Ag reflector showed temperature-adaptive reflectance, and outdoor demonstrations confirmed that the solar absorption of the smart roofs adapts to seasonal temperature variations. Smart windows exhibiting privacy protection under cool conditions were developed using the polymer blends, and switching temperature adjustment in the range of 20–37 °C by the copolymerization of n-alkyl acrylates with different side-chain lengths further improved their applicability.

Abstract In variational quantum algorithms, parameterization is typically applied to single-qubit gates. In this study, we instead parameterize a generalized controlled gate and propose an algorithm to locally minimize the cost function by maximally optimizing these parameters. This method extends the Free Quaternion Selection (FQS) technique, which was originally developed for singlequbit gate optimization. To evaluate its performance, we apply the proposed method to a variety of quantum optimization tasks, including the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) for both Ising and molecular Hamiltonians, fidelity maximization in general variational quantum algorithms (VQAs), and unitary compilation of time evolution operators. Across these applications, our method demonstrates efficient optimization, enhanced expressibility, and the ability to construct shallower circuits compared to existing techniques. Moreover, the method can be generalized to optimize particle-number-conserving gates, which are particularly relevant for quantum chemistry. Leveraging this capability, we further demonstrate that the method achieves superior quantum compilation of molecular time-evolution operators by approximating them with shallower circuits than standard Trotter decomposition.

In recent years, general-purpose robots have been introduced into domains requiring delicate manipulation, such as materials experimentation. While advances have been made in automating specific processes, generalized robotic pick-and-place operations still pose a challenge due to the diversity of target objects and the need for appropriate force control. This study proposes a novel approach for zero-shot estimation of target grasping force by utilizing the prior knowledge about human motions embedded in Vision-Language Model (VLM). The key idea is to convert robot manipulation images into human-action images using a style transfer approach based on a fine-tuned Variational Auto-Encoder (VAE), enabling the VLM to better infer grasping force requirements. The VLM, specifically GPT-4o, is prompted to estimate target grasping force in discrete categories (no grasp, light grip, firm grip).Experimental results demonstrate that converting robot images into human representations improves the accuracy not only of target grasping force estimation but also of understanding the target objects. Furthermore, the inclusion of target object information in the prompt improves estimation accuracy across all input image types. These findings highlight the effectiveness of utilizing human-knowledge-trained VLM for robotic force control and open new avenues for general-purpose, cost-efficient manipulation without relying on large-scale robot force datasets.

Dynamic wireless power transfer (DWPT) technology is emerging as a key enabler for in-motion charging of electric vehicles (EVs), allowing continuous energy transfer without the need for dedicated charging stops. This capability can reduce the required battery capacity and vehicle weight, thereby lowering the vehicle cost, extend battery life by minimizing deep discharge cycles, and support distributed charging that helps reduce grid peak loads. However, conventional receiver coil structures, such as the double-layered Double-D Quadrature (DDQ) configuration, require additional underbody space due to their two-layer winding structure, which limits their applicability in passenger EVs where the battery pack occupies most of the available area. To address this issue, a novel stackless onboard coil composed of four segmented coils is proposed. The midpoints of adjacent coil pairs are connected to create an additional current path, forming a composite magnetic structure within a single magnetic layer. This configuration eliminates the need for stacked windings and reduces the onboard coil thickness by 35% compared with conventional DDQ coils, while maintaining power transfer performance and efficiency without significant degradation. Theoretical analysis based on an equivalent circuit model, finite-element method, and dynamic circuit simulations was conducted to compare the proposed stackless and conventional DDQ systems. A 1.2 kW prototype with a 220 mm air gap was constructed, and experimental results confirmed continuous power transfer without a stacked structure. Compared with the DDQ coil, the proposed design increased the average output power by 13%, decreased the average efficiency by 1.8 percentage points, and improved power fluctuation by 21.5 percentage points. The proposed stackless coil is particularly suitable for passenger EV applications of DWPT systems, where minimizing the onboard coil thickness is prioritized over maximizing power transfer efficiency.

Lithium (Li) metal plating in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs)posescritical challenges for fast charging, contributing to capacity fadingand safety concerns. Addressing this issue requires the developmentof nondestructive tools that can characterize the inhomogeneity ofLi in batteries. Here, we demonstrate X-ray Raman scattering (XRS)spectroscopy as a powerful new technique for the characterizationof Li in LIBs. Using spatially resolved XRS, we analyzed a graphiteelectrode subjected to rapid charge–discharge cycling, whichinduced Li metal deposition, and for the first time, successfullymapped the chemical state of Li on and inside the graphite electrode.Importantly, the XRS method enabled nondestructive detection of bothdeposited Li metal and Li species within the electrode sealed in Al-laminatedfilms. This operando-compatible methodology offers a pathway for obtainingdeep mechanistic insights into Li behavior in LIBs.

Abstract A 53-year-old woman developed edema of the extremities and Raynaud’s phenomenon 8 months before hospitalization. She was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and was referred to our hospital after 4 months because of rapidly progressing skin sclerosis. Treatment with prednisolone (15 mg/day) and intermittent intravenous cyclophosphamide was initiated at the outpatient clinic of our hospital, followed by dose tapering. She was admitted to our hospital with worsening cough and dyspnea lasting 7 days. Hypertension, acute kidney injury, and signs of heart failure were observed. In addition, the features of skin sclerosis suggested scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). Blood pressure was managed with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which improved the symptoms of heart failure. However, renal function did not recover, necessitating peritoneal dialysis (PD). Continued treatment with an ACE inhibitor and PD successfully controlled the hypertension, heart failure, and renal failure. Despite dialysis, rituximab therapy was administered to address the progression of skin sclerosis without significant adverse effects. Following rituximab administration, skin sclerosis and activities of daily living (ADL) significantly improved. This case highlights the efficacy of PD with an ACE inhibitor in preserving residual renal function and managing SRC. Comprehensive treatment of SSc improved complications and the patient’s ADL.

Creativity is a key driver of innovation and social progress. Research on creativity has identified a variety of factors that affect creativity at both individual and group levels. However, the interactive effects of these factors in creativity have not been fully investigated. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the interactive effects of affective voice tone and personality traits on creativity in acquainted dyads. Pairs of participants took part in an experiment in which they cooperated on a verbal creativity task via a video conferencing system that modulated affective voice tone and completed personality questionnaires. The results demonstrate that affective voice tone modulation interacts with personality diversity to shape dyadic creativity. Specifically, while voice tone alone did not alter creative performance, it significantly modulated the positive effect of personality heterogeneity, suggesting that emotional vocal cues can constrain the benefits of interpersonal diversity during collaboration. This is the first empirical evidence for an interactive effect of affective voice tone and personality heterogeneity on dyadic creativity in close relationships. In addition, this study offers valuable insights into designing mechanisms and systems that enhance co-creation, not only in human teams but also in collaborations between humans and artificial intelligence agents.

The nondestructive detection of metallic lithium (Li) within lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is essential for both ensuring safety and assessing battery quality prior to reuse. In this study, we demonstrate that elemental analysis with muonic X-rays offers a quantitative approach for identifying metallic Li deposition on graphite anodes in a laminated LIB. The technique leverages the preferential capture of negative muons by metallic Li over Li intercalated in graphite, resulting in detection of metallic Li. By applying this method to laminated LIBs with varying amounts of metallic Li, we established a standard curve correlating the muonic X-ray signal intensity with the areal density of metallic Li. Our approach achieves a detection limit of 0.01 mg/cm2, corresponding to a few percent of the battery's theoretical capacity─well below the threshold relevant for reuse criteria. This technique provides a powerful, nondestructive diagnostic tool for monitoring and quantifying metallic Li in LIBs, offering valuable insights into degradation mechanisms and supporting the development of safer, longer-lasting battery systems.