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What electrical engineering technology is hidden inside a stun gun?

In this blog post, we’ll break down the operating principles of stun guns and the electrical engineering technology behind them in an easy-to-understand and engaging way.   Recent news reports frequently cover cases of sexual assault or murder targeting women walking alone at night. While the world is becoming increasingly dangerous, women cannot simply give up going out late at night and...

Are Electric Cars’ Silent Operation an Eco-Friendly Innovation or a Loss of Safety and Appeal?

In this blog post, we examine whether the silent operation of electric vehicles is beneficial for the environment or whether it compromises safety and emotional appeal.   Currently, electric vehicles are gaining increasing attention from consumers as they continue to improve in both environmental friendliness and performance. While early electric vehicles faced limitations in driving range...

Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen-Powered Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles: What Are Their Potential as Alternatives to Fossil Fuels?

In this blog post, we will compare the pros and cons of electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine vehicles and explore solutions that could replace fossil fuels.   The Third Industrial Revolution and Electric Vehicles At a time when environmental issues such as global warming caused by fossil fuels have become critical global concerns, we are experiencing yet another...

How has the development of electricity impacted human life?

In this blog post, we’ll explore how electricity was discovered and has evolved over time, as well as how these changes have influenced human life.   Today, it’s impossible to imagine our daily lives without electricity. Thanks to electricity, we can keep our lights on even on dark nights, and many of the devices we use—such as computers, televisions, radios, air conditioners, and cell...

Which Is More Efficient: Perfectly Competitive Markets or Monopolistic Markets?

In this blog post, we will compare the structural differences between perfectly competitive markets and monopolistic markets, as well as their price formation mechanisms and respective pros and cons in terms of efficiency and fairness.   In a perfectly competitive market, where there are numerous buyers and sellers and goods are assumed to be homogeneous, both buyers and sellers simply...

How do infrared sensors illuminate our lives and make them more convenient?

Infrared sensors are a technology that goes beyond simple lighting to provide safety and convenience. How are these sensors, which utilize superconducting materials, transforming our lives? In this article, we’ll explore the principles behind infrared sensors and their various applications.   After finishing my school classes as usual, I had dinner and returned to my empty apartment. Though...

The Evolution of Storage Media and the Balance Between Reliability and Convenience: A Historical Look at Computer File Storage Methods

In this blog post, we’ll examine the evolution of storage media used to store computer files, focusing on the pros and cons of each medium—particularly the trade-off between reliability and convenience.   Introduction: A CD from My Memories I’ll start this post with an anecdote that brings to mind the phrase, “Those were the good old days…” There was an incident where I secretly burned a...

Minimum Wage: Where Should the Balance Be Struck Between Academic Analysis and Values?

The minimum wage is a contentious issue where efficiency, equity, and values collide. In this blog post, I will explore where to strike a balance from both academic and value-based perspectives.   The Minimum Wage Debate One common misconception the public has about economics is that “economists dislike the minimum wage system.” While a 1992 survey showed that 79 percent of respondents...

Can the Journal Citation Index truly evaluate the value of scientific research?

In this blog post, we examine the problems with the current system of evaluating scientific research, which centers on the Journal Citation Index, and consider whether it accurately reflects the true value of research.   In the scientific community, researchers’ qualifications and the importance of their papers are evaluated using the “journal impact factor.” However, criticism of this...

What is materials engineering, and how does it impact our lives and industries?

Materials engineering is the field of study that examines all the materials around us and develops materials with new functionalities. It plays a pivotal role in various industries—such as semiconductors, batteries, and medical materials—and drives innovative technological advancements.   When I entered college and met people around me, I was always asked what my major was. When I answered...