Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition

Arctic Ocean Scientific Expedition

A Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) sensor is retrieved to China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, Sept. 8, 2025. China's research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, arrived in Shanghai on Friday, marking the completion of the country's hitherto largest Arctic Ocean scientific expedition. A total of 100 members of China's 15th Arctic Ocean scientific expedition were aboard the vessel. Organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, this round of Arctic survey was jointly carried out by four vessels, including Xuelong 2, Jidi, Shenhai-1 and Tansuo-3. This Arctic expedition has further enhanced China's understanding of the rapid changes in the Arctic Ocean and their impacts, providing important support for a deeper understanding and effective response to global climate change, according to the researchers. Photo by Xinhua/Liu Shiping/ABACAPRESS.COM

New 500 yen coins launched in bid to curb fakes

New 500 yen coins launched in bid to curb fakes

TOKYO, Japan - New 500 yen coins put in circulation Aug. 1 are designed to prevent the use of forged coins in vending machines. The new coins are almost the same in size, weight and design as the current 500 yen silver-colored coins, but have a slightly yellowish hue. Zinc has been added to the coins to change their electrical conductivity as a way to prevent vending machines from accepting bogus ones.

New 500 yen coin unveiled

New 500 yen coin unveiled

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a sample of the new 500 yen coin unveiled July 28 by the Bank of Japan. The coin has been designed to end vending-machine fraud. It is almost the same in size, weight and design as the current 500 yen silver-colored coin, but has a slightly yellowish hue. Zinc has been added to change their electrical conductivity and to prevent vending machines from accepting other coins of similar weight and size.

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

Sumio Iijima, a senior research fellow with NEC Corp., attends a press conference in Tokyo on June 30, 2016. The company said it has discovered a new carbon material with a diameter of 100 nanometers (nano is a billionth) that has high electrical conductivity. The new substance, named "carbon nanobrush" by NEC, could be used for rapid electric vehicle charging and for the production of artificial muscle for robots. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

Sumio Iijima, a senior research fellow with NEC Corp., attends a press conference in Tokyo on June 30, 2016. The company said it has discovered a new carbon material with a diameter of 100 nanometers (nano is a billionth) that has high electrical conductivity. The new substance, named "carbon nanobrush" by NEC, could be used for rapid electric vehicle charging and for the production of artificial muscle for robots. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

NEC claims discovery of "carbon nanobrush"

Sumio Iijima, a senior research fellow with NEC Corp., wears a model of a nano carbon material on his head in jest during a press conference in Tokyo on June 30, 2016. The company said it has discovered a new carbon material with a diameter of 100 nanometers (nano is a billionth) that has high electrical conductivity. The new substance, named "carbon nanobrush" by NEC, could be used for rapid electric vehicle charging and for the production of artificial muscle for robots. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

New 500 yen coin unveiled

New 500 yen coin unveiled

TOKYO, Japan - Photo shows a sample of the new 500 yen coin unveiled July 28 by the Bank of Japan. The coin has been designed to end vending-machine fraud. It is almost the same in size, weight and design as the current 500 yen silver-colored coin, but has a slightly yellowish hue. Zinc has been added to change their electrical conductivity and to prevent vending machines from accepting other coins of similar weight and size.

Finance Ministry unveils new design for 500 yen coin

Finance Ministry unveils new design for 500 yen coin

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese Finance Ministry on Dec. 27 unveiled a new design for Japan's 500 yen coin in a bid to counter swindlers who put altered foreign coins of much less value in vending machines to obtain 500 yen coins or change. The coin's metal mixture is modified to change its electrical conductivity. The new design also includes latent images within the large zeros -- of the number 500 (Top) which can be seen when the coin is viewed from a lower angle and a dark straight line (Below) when viewed from an upper angle. The new coins will be issued next August.