JAPAN: Daikin has committed JPY1bn ($9.3m) over 10 years to research with Japan’s Tottori University in a number of areas including the development of air conditioners for dry areas.
Tottori University in Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, has expertise in research on arid areas such as desertification countermeasures and simulation of “yellow sand” dust storms. Daikin, which aims to expand its business in Asia and Africa, wants to utilise the know-how of Tottori University to develop an air conditioning system for dry areas.
Asian Dust, also known as yellow sand, affects much of East Asia year round, but especially during the spring. The dust comes from China, the Mongolian desert, and Kazakhstan where high surface winds and intense dust storms kick up dense clouds of fine, dry soil particles.
Tottori University’s Arid Dome
Research will be conducted at Tottori University’s Arid Dome arid land experimental facility and Daikin Industries’ nearby Ares Aoya global training facility.
The cooperation will also make use of the resources of Tottori University’s Faculty of Agriculture Fungal Mushroom Genetic Resources Research Centre to conduct research in the healthcare field. This will include researching the health effects of dry areas and promoting the development of human resources who can solve themes related to arid areas around the world.