|
|
|
|
|
|
| - Supporting JAMSTEC R&D to establish automatic detection and analysis methods - |
TOKYO, July 3, 2020 - (JCN Newswire) - NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701), in cooperation with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), today announced the development of a system to automatically detect microplastics from seawater and sediment samples at high speed by using AI-based image recognition techniques. This development aims to increase the sophistication of microplastic measurement techniques for evaluating the dynamics and environmental impact of marine plastic waste.
In recent years, marine pollution caused by microplastics, which are minute plastic particles with a size of 5mm or less, has been expanding worldwide. As a result, there are growing concerns not only about the impact on the ecosystem but also about the adverse impact on the human body through the food chain. In order to accurately grasp the actual conditions of marine microplastics, it is necessary to analyze the number, size, and type of microplastics in each sea area and identify the source, route, and destination of the outflow.
Until now, it has been common practice to scoop seawater and sediment with fine mesh, then to use a microscope to pick and analyze each microplastic manually. However, this is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also has the problem of underestimating the volume of small particles of 300μm or less that pass through the mesh.
JAMSTEC, a national research and development agency that conducts comprehensive research on marine science and technology, has been engaged in research and development of technologies for automatically detecting and analyzing ocean microplastics. For this project, NEC provided a system to detect microplastics at high speed and with high accuracy using image recognition technology based on "RAPID Machine-Learning," which incorporates the deep learning technology of the state-of-the-art AI technology portfolio "NEC the WISE."
Specifically, NEC developed software that leverages JAMSTEC's R&D expertise for staining microplastics in samples with fluorescent dyes, allowing video to be taken of microplastics with a fluorescence microscope while flowing at an optimum speed for detection. The software automatically extracts image data for each microplastic that appears in these videos. Then, by utilizing AI-based image recognition technology, it is possible to automatically sort and aggregate sizes and shapes of the microplastics at a processing speed of 60 per minute. This has enabled NEC to automate and upgrade the detection of microplastics that was formerly done manually.
"It is expected that by establishing and popularizing this measurement method, and by clarifying the actual situation of microplastic pollution, we will be able to contribute to the formulation of appropriate emission regulations," said Dr. Masashi Tsuchiya, Deputy Group Leader, Marine Plastics Research Group, JAMSTEC.
"NEC has been engaged in R&D on a coastal disaster simulation system utilizing the 'Earth Simulator' JAMSTEC supercomputer*, and we will continue to strive for the realization of a sustainable society through `environmental management' with AI and other advanced technologies," said Yosuke Taira, Senior Manager, 1st Government and Public Solutions Division, NEC Corporation.
*Press release: Launch of research and development on a coastal disaster simulation system
https://www.nec.com/en/press/201707/global_20170707_05.html
Topic: Press release summary
Source: NEC Corporation
Sectors: Enterprise IT
http://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
Copyright © 2025 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Asia Corporate News Network.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| NEC Corporation |
| Sept 30, 2025 18:52 HKT/SGT |
|
Ouribank Signs Agreement with NEC to Implement AI-Native Data Center and Campus Network from HPE Juniper Networking for Enhanced Operational Efficiency |
| Sept 29, 2025 15:24 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC Releases Third Edition of TNFD Report |
| Sept 26, 2025 20:20 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC Launches 25Gb/s SFP28 Bi-directional Optical Transceiver Capable of 80km Transmission |
| Sept 24, 2025 13:43 HKT/SGT |
|
Meta, SoftBank Corp., IPS, TM, XLSmart, and NEC to build the Candle Submarine Cable System, Intra Asia, 24-Fiber Pair Optical Submarine Cable, Connecting Japan to Singapore |
| Sept 19, 2025 18:00 HKT/SGT |
|
MOTER Technologies and NEC Form Strategic Capital Alliance to Advance the Future of Mobility Through Digital Innovation |
| Sept 16, 2025 13:00 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC Publishes ESG Initiatives Supporting Sustainable Growth of Companies and Society in "ESG Databook 2025" |
| Sept 12, 2025 14:08 HKT/SGT |
|
The University of Osaka D3 Center Commences Operation of New Computing and Data Infrastructure Built by NEC |
| Sept 5, 2025 10:20 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC participates in Locked Shields 2025 hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence |
| Sept 4, 2025 10:15 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC to begin proof of concept for early earthquake detection and analysis in Colombia |
| Aug 27, 2025 21:57 HKT/SGT |
|
NEC develops AI technology for digitalizing work tasks without the need for pre-training and utilizing video from multiple cameras covering wide area worksites |
| More news >> |
 |
|
|
|
