Poly(lactic acid) composites containing a mixture of calcium carbonates (vaterite, aragonite, and calcite) were prepared by a carbonation process in methanol. Soaking of the composites for 3 h in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C resulted in the deposition of bonelike apatite particles on the composite surface. After soaking the composites, vaterite phase in the composites was forward to dissolve rapidly, resulting in increase the supersaturation of the apatite in SBF. 13C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP/MAS-NMR) spectra of the composites suggested the formation of a bond between Ca2+ ion and the COO- group, which induces the apatite nucleation. These results may elucidate the mechanism of means to reduce the induction period for apatite formation.

Materials design for transparent p-type conducting oxides was extended to oxysulfide system. LaCuOS was selected as a candidate for a transparent p-type semiconductor. It was found that the electrical conductivity of LaCuOS was p-type and controllable from semiconducting to semi-metallic states by substituting Sr2+ for La3+. LaCuOS films showed high transparency in the visible region, and the bandgap estimated was approximately 3.1 eV. Moreover, it was revealed that LaCuOS showed sharp excitonic absorption and emission at the bandgap edge, which is advantageous for optical applications. A layered oxysulfide, LaCuOS, was proposed to be a promising material for optoelectronic devices.

A morphological approach to cell dynamics is usually difficult, since routine preparative techniques for electron microscopy always induce artifacts due to cessation of the blood supply into organs. An in vivo cryotechnique followed by the freeze-substitution method probably reduces such problems. It was applied for examining the pulmonary alveoli of BALB/c mice in vivo. The following ultrastructural features were revealed. (1) A surfactant layer provided a continuous covering to the alveolar epithelium. (2) Pleural epithelial cells, alveolar cells and endothelial cells contained many small vesicles and pits. In the alveolar epithelium, they were often localised near microtubules. (3) Typical lamellar structures in large alveolar epithelial cells were rarely detected. (4) Circulating erythrocytes with various shapes were observed in branching blood capillaries. (5) A close association between erythrocytes and the endothelium was seen at the peripheral alveolar septum. Such ultrastructural arrangements may be appropriate for the physiological functions of the pulmonary alveoli, such as exchanges of gases or materials in vivo.

Anomalous layers 20-40nm thick were found at the interfaces of lead zirconate-titanate films and Pt electrode films. Detailed study has shown evidence that absorption of PbO by Pt during sputtering resulted in a Pb deficiency in the PZT films and the formation of PbTi3O7 phase. The anomaly was also partly due to island formation at the initial PZT film deposition which allowed PbO to react with Pt films. The Pb controlled PZT films 50nm thick exhibited excellent ferroelectric properties comparable to thicker ones.