OSAKA - Osaka-based spray nozzle maker IKEUCHI is expanding applications for its proprietary "Dry Fog," an ultra-fine mist that can cool, humidify and create visual effects without leaving surfaces wet, with the technology now being used in factories, livestock farming, crop cultivation and tourist attractions in Japan and overseas.
Outdoor mist systems have become an increasingly familiar sight as Japan seeks ways to cope with severe summer heat and reduce the risk of heatstroke.
IKEUCHI, founded in 1954, is one of the world's leading manufacturers of spray nozzles and produces and sells around 50,000 types of industrial spray nozzles. The company has developed products and services capable of generating different types of mist for a wide range of applications.
Among its flagship technologies is Dry Fog, an extremely fine mist that leaves virtually no visible water droplets even when sprayed directly onto objects.
In a comparison with conventional mist, ordinary spray left numerous tiny droplets on the surface of an eyeglass lens, while a lens exposed to Dry Fog remained free of water droplets.
The difference comes from the extremely small size of the particles. Dry Fog consists of water particles measuring 0.01 millimeter or less in diameter.
IKEUCHI says the tiny droplets have relatively strong surface tension and tend to rebound rather than burst and adhere when they strike an object. The company can generate large quantities of such particles by causing streams of water to collide at high speed.
The technology is already used in factories handling precision equipment and printing, where humidity needs to be carefully controlled. Maintaining appropriate humidity can reduce static electricity that attracts dust while avoiding moisture that could damage products or machinery.
This is particularly important in the electronics industry, where larger droplets can cause significant damage to sensitive equipment.
IKEUCHI says its nozzle technology is designed to prevent large droplets from suddenly emerging when spraying begins or stops, a feature that makes it suitable for demanding industrial applications.
Other companies also market mist systems designed to minimize wetting, but IKEUCHI says one of its strengths is the precision with which its nozzles can continuously produce particles of a specified size.
The company's ability to control different types of mist has also opened applications beyond manufacturing.
At one dairy farm, a mist with slightly larger particles than standard Dry Fog is used to improve cooling performance while still avoiding wetting cattle or floors, helping the farm maintain a hygienic environment.
Heat can significantly reduce milk production in dairy cattle, creating a direct financial impact for farmers. One farm operator said a decline in output during severe heat could reduce monthly sales by about 800,000 yen, equivalent to around 2.4 million yen over three months.
The farm said IKEUCHI's mist system allowed it to get through hot periods with little reduction in milk production.
IKEUCHI has also developed an agricultural cultivation system that uses mist containing fertilizer to grow crops.
Instead of keeping plant roots submerged in water, the system sprays nutrient-containing mist directly onto them. The company says roots develop as they seek out the mist, helping accelerate crop growth.
Tourism is another emerging market. Because the mist can be directed precisely without soaking visitors or facilities, it can be used to create atmospheric effects around castles, gardens and other attractions.
Demand for both heat countermeasures and landscape effects is also growing overseas, and IKEUCHI plans to expand sales outside Japan.
The company expects demand for heat-related applications to remain strong, while agriculture and landscape presentation offer additional room for expansion. Those newer applications currently account for only about 10% of sales.
IKEUCHI sees its ability to freely adjust mist particle size, volume and spray method as a key advantage that will allow it to respond flexibly to new requirements.
The company said there are still many areas where its mist technology could be useful and that it intends to continue developing applications that can bring greater comfort and practical benefits to people's lives.
Source: Television OSAKA NEWS
