November 26, 2025

BEL Inc. (Head Office: Sakai, Osaka, Japan) is pleased to announce that our Research Advisor, Dr. Michiko Yoshitake (Honorary Researcher, National Institute for Materials Science: NIMS), has released a new YouTube video series entitled “Surface Segregation Series: Understanding Phenomena and Properties in Materials.”

In this series, Dr. Yoshitake introduces various case studies of surface segregation and explains, in an accessible manner, how these phenomena influence the physical properties of materials. We warmly invite you to watch the videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNyBpBy4AzQ

November 12, 2025
We delivered the following presentation at the 35th Annual Meeting of the Materials Research Society of Japan (November 11, 2025).

Title:
Comparison of Biofilm Formation Under Shear Stress Using Different Reactor Systems

Authors:
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Risa Kawai, Michiko Yoshitake, Takayoshi Nakano

Abstract:
In this study, two types of cylindrical laboratory-scale biofilm reactors that provide different shear-flow environments were employed. In Reactor A, test coupons are mounted on the inner wall of a vertical cylinder, and a bacterial suspension is continuously supplied from the bottom to the top in a direction parallel to the coupon surface, thereby generating a laminar shear field along the surface. In Reactor B, a cylinder of the same geometry is placed horizontally and rotated, which applies a circumferential shear field to the test coupons attached to its interior.

Both reactors are operated under controlled flow rate and nutrient conditions, and biofilm formation is evaluated via visual inspection, microscopic observation, and stained-image analysis in accordance with ISO 4768 (2023). Using Particleworks (Prometech Software Co., Ltd.), we performed numerical analysis of the shear-stress distributions acting on biofilms formed under parallel-flow and circumferential-flow conditions. We then calculated the shear-stress distribution for a tank-type reactor planned for future fabrication. Based on these results, we examined the operating conditions under which a reactor with circumferential flow can reproduce shear-stress levels comparable to those in an upward-flow vertical reactor.

Press Release
November 5, 2025 BEL Inc.
I’m in Phuket, Thailand for the international conference AEPSE 2025 / ICSE & Regional Interfinish (https://lnkd.in/gfcm3k5w).

Honored to deliver an invited talk on how we applied Particleworks—the powerful CFD solver developed by Prometech Software (https://lnkd.in/gTXMxb5G biofilm reactor design and shear-stress evaluation.

Grateful for the collaboration and support from Prometech and PacForce (https://pacforce.com/).

Press Release

October 23, 2025
BEL Inc.

BEL Presents Three Biofilm-Focused Surface Engineering Studies at IMAT 2025

Participation included Committee Summit, IMR, and AM&P meetings hosted by ASM International in Detroit, MI

Detroit, MI (USA) — BEL Inc. announces its participation in IMAT 2025 (International Materials, Applications & Technologies), organized by ASM International in Detroit, Michigan. In addition to attending the Committee Summit, IMR (International Materials Review), and AM&P committee meetings, BEL delivered three technical presentations and engaged in extensive discussions with the global materials community.

Event page: https://www.asminternational.org/imat/?srsltid=AfmBOopuP5DL6mvD_c5kkxNgLuiC_Nva2E2Ss1oDXIZwkzQihGciL429

Technical Presentations

Antibiofilm Coatings via VAT Polymerization: Fabrication and Biofilm Inhibition Assessment
Authors: Hideyuki Kanematsu, Sakura Tsutsui, Nonno Nishizuka, Hidekazu Miura, Akiko Ogawa, Takeshi Kogo, Nobumitsu Hirai, Tsunemasa Saiki, Akira Otsu, Akihiro Hirayama, Michiko Yoshitake, Takayoshi Nakano
Evaluation of Anti-Biofilm Properties of SUS316L Fabricated by 3D Printing and the Effect of PE Resin Application
Authors: Hideyuki Kanematsu, Arisa Ito, Tsunemasa Saiki, Akira Otsu, Akihiro Hirayama, Hidekazu Miura, Akiko Ogawa, Takeshi Kogo, Nobumitsu Hirai, Michiko Yoshitake, Takayoshi Nakano
Surface Modification of Polypropylene with Alkoxysilane Resin and Its Biofilm Prevention Effect
Authors: Hideyuki Kanematsu, Momoka Nagae, Hidekazu Miura, Akiko Ogawa, Takeshi Kogo, Tsunemasa Saiki, Akira Otsu, Akihiro Hirayama, Nobumitsu Hirai, Michiko Yoshitake, Takayoshi Nakano

Comment from BEL:
“IMAT 2025 provided an excellent platform to share our latest results on antibiofilm surface design for medical, hygienic, and industrial applications,” said Hideyuki Kanematsu, BEL Inc. “We appreciate the constructive discussions at the Committee Summit, IMR, and AM&P meetings, and we are grateful to our collaborators and colleagues whose support made this week truly rewarding.”

About BEL Inc.

BEL Inc. delivers materials and surface-engineering solutions that integrate R&D, testing, and application support to help customers improve hygiene, durability, and reliability. By combining materials science, surface modification, and data-driven evaluation, BEL advances practical antibiofilm, anticorrosion, and functional-surface technologies.

Media Contact
BEL Inc. — Communications

Email: info@bioenglab.org

Phone: [+81-72-233-1717]

Website: https://sites.google.com/bioenglab.org/main?usp=sharing

October 2025
BEL Inc. (Biofilm Engineering Laboratory Inc.)

Presentations at MS&T 2025 and Wright State University – Powder Simulation Applications to Materials Processing Attract Strong Interest

BEL Inc. (Headquarters: Sakai, Osaka, Japan; President: Hideyuki Kanematsu) is pleased to report on its recent research presentations delivered at the Materials Science & Technology Conference (MS&T 2025) held in Columbus, Ohio, USA, from September 28 to October 1, 2025, and at the Materials Science Seminar at Wright State University on October 2, 2025.

The presentations highlighted the application of powder and fluid simulation technologies to materials processing, based on the Discrete Element Method (DEM) software developed by Prometech Software Inc.. These simulation studies explored powder behavior in ceramic additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, and metal 3D printing, revealing new insights into powder packing, layer formation, and sintering processes.

The results demonstrated the potential of powder simulation to improve process uniformity, optimize design parameters, and enhance material performance, thereby deepening understanding of complex manufacturing phenomena.

Each presentation received strong interest from participants, prompting lively discussions among university researchers and industry professionals from the U.S. and other countries. BEL remains committed to advancing the integration of Digital Twin technology with materials science, aiming to open new pathways for research innovation and social implementation in advanced materials engineering.

List of Presentations

Applications of Powder Simulation Software to Materials Processing
Invited Lecture at Wright State University, Oct 2, 2025
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Masahiko Kuwabara, Jeremy Knopp, Tadaomi Fujieda, Takayoshi Nakano

Powder Behavior Simulation for Ceramic Additive Manufacturing: Enhancing Process Understanding and Material Performance
MS&T 2025 (Materials Science & Technology), Oct 1, 2025, The American Ceramic Society (ACerS); The Association for Iron and Steel Technology (AIST); The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS)
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Masahiko Kuwabara, Jeremy Knopp, Tadaomi Fujieda, Takayoshi Nakano

Simulating Powder Dynamics to Support Sintering Process Optimization in Powder Metallurgy
MS&T 2025 (Materials Science & Technology), Oct 1, 2025, ACerS; AIST; TMS
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Masahiko Kuwabara, Jeremy Knopp, Tadaomi Fujieda, Takayoshi Nakano

Powder Behavior Simulation for Enhanced Processability and Flowability in Metal Additive Manufacturing
MS&T 2025 (Materials Science & Technology), Oct 1, 2025, ACerS; AIST; TMS
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Masahiko Kuwabara, Jeremy Knopp, Tadaomi Fujieda, Takayoshi Nakano

Dual Effect of Burst-Type Alternating Electromagnetic Fields on Bacterial Proliferation and Biofilm Suppression at Low Cell Concentration
MS&T 2025 (Materials Science & Technology), Sep 29, 2025, ACerS; AIST; TMS
Hidekazu Miura, Hideyuki Kanematsu, Risa Kawai, Takayoshi Nakano

October 2025
BEL Inc.
BEL Inc. Receives Official Recognition from the ACS Fall 2025 National Meeting
We are honored to share that BEL Inc. (Biofilm Engineering Laboratory), in collaboration with Osaka University (officially transitioning to “The University of Osaka”), has been certified as an “ACS Meetings & Expositions Presenter” at ACS Fall 2025 by the American Chemical Society.

This recognition highlights our ongoing commitment to advancing surface science, biofilm research, and digital twin technologies on a global stage.

We will continue to contribute to materials science and environmental innovation through international collaboration and open science.

Official ACS Credential: https://credentials.acs.org/0768ab9c-0507-4dd3-adab ...

September 2025
BEL Inc.

Research Presentations on Anti-Biofilm Coatings

BEL Inc. (President: Hideyuki Kanematsu) is pleased to announce a series of research publications and conference presentations related to the company’s ongoing development of anti-biofilm coatings. These studies, based on materials science and additive manufacturing technology, aim to provide new solutions for biofilm control in medical and industrial fields.

Publications and Presentations

“Anti-Biofilm Performance of Graphene-Dispersed Alkoxysilane Coatings from the Viewpoint of Materials Science”
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Songzhu Kure, Risa Kawai, Hidekazu Miura, Takayoshi Nakano
Transactions of the Institute of Materials Finishing (UK), 103(4), pp. 204-210, July 2025
"Antibacterial activity and interfacial adsorption properties of quaternary-ammonium-salt-based gemini and trimeric surfactants"
Risa Kawai, Aya Furuichi, Shiho Yada, Hideyuki Kanematsu, Tomokazu Yoshimura
Colloid and Interface Science Communications, 67 100850-100850, Jul, 2025
"Three-Dimensional Structure of Biofilm Formed on Glass Surfaces Revealed Using Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy Combined with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy "
Nobumitsu Hirai, Yuhei Miwa, Shunta Hattori, Hideyuki Kanematsu, Akiko Ogawa, Futoshi Iwata
Microorganisms, 13(8) 1779-1779, Jul 30, 2025
“Anti-Biofilm Properties of Acrylic Resin Mixed with Ionic Liquids Fabricated by VAT Photopolymerization”
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Sakura Tsutsui, Akiko Ogawa, Ken Kogo, Nobumitsu Hirai, Tsunemasa Saiki, Akira Otsu, Akihiro Hirayama, Katsuhiko Tsunashima, Risa Kawai, Takayoshi Nakano
American Chemical Society Fall Meeting, August 20, 2025
“Anti-Biofilm Properties of Additively Manufactured Surfaces Dispersed with Antimicrobial Agents”
Hideyuki Kanematsu, Risa Kawai, Takayoshi Nakano
The 1st Annual Conference of the Japan Society of Additive Manufacturing, September 3, 2025