A non-invasive method for measuring time-series of moisture concentrations in mycelial blocks during shiitake mushroom development using magnetic resonance imaging.

The moisture concentration in mycelial block is an important factor for increasing the yield of high-quality shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) with a pileus of 4-5cm or more in mycelial block cultivation. Here, we show a novel way to measure moisture concentration in mycelial blocks using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The culture medium was inoculated with Hokken No.

Water concentration and rate of decrease in shiitake cultivation log during fruiting body development, as measured by MRI.

Large shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes, pileus > 8 cm in diameter) are difficult to cultivate and account for only 3-5% of the total harvest. This study focused on the water absorption process within a log during the growth of fruiting bodies in order to increase the yield of large shiitake mushrooms. Konara oak logs (Quercus serrata, 85-95 mm in diameter, 290 mm in length) were inoculated with shiitake mycelium plugs and nine months later, young fruiting bodies developed, at which point the log was analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over a period of two weeks.

Enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs: water content distribution in logs measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

In the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms (), the farmer needs to know the time needed to water in order to adjust the water content of the logs. To study the enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs, six dried test logs (, diameter of 38 to 48 mm, length of 110 to 118 mm) were used. Three test logs had shiitake mycelium grown on them, and the remaining three test logs had mold generated on them.

Enhanced water uptake in the longitudinal direction by shiitake mycelium in shiitake cultivation logs: increase in effective diffusion coefficient based on mass of liquid water uptake.

Unlabelled: In the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms (), the farmer needs to know the time needed to water in order to adjust the water content of the logs. In this study, six test logs (, diameter of 38-48 mm, length of 110-118 mm) were used, of which some were dried, some had shiitake mycelia grown on them, and some had mold generated on them. Liquid water was supplied to the test logs by placing the longitudinal direction of the test logs along the line of gravity and immersing the bottom of the test logs in water.

MRI visualization of shiitake mycelium growing in woodchip blocks used for shiitake mushroom cultivation.

In order to eliminate woodchip blocks where unwanted fungi have grown and select only blocks where shiitake mycelium are growing well, there is a need to develop a visualization technique for shiitake mycelium growing in woodchip blocks, and MRI is an obvious candidate technique. From the results of measurements of the woodchip bed in a small bottle (26 mm inside diameter) where shiitake mycelium was growing, the T relaxation time constant immediately after inoculation was 77.9 ± 5.

Two dimensional distribution measurement of electric current generated in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell using 49 NMR surface coils.

In order to increase the current density generated in a PEFC (polymer electrolyte fuel cell), a method for measuring the spatial distribution of both the current and the water content of the MEA (membrane electrode assembly) is necessary. Based on the frequency shifts of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) signals acquired from the water contained in the MEA using 49 NMR coils in a 7 × 7 arrangement inserted in the PEFC, a method for measuring the two-dimensional spatial distribution of electric current generated in a unit cell with a power generation area of 140 mm × 160 mm was devised. We also developed an inverse analysis method to determine the two-dimensional electric current distribution that can be applied to actual PEFC connections.

NMR measurement system including two synchronized ring buffers, with 128 rf coils for in situ water monitoring in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

A small radio-frequency (rf) coil inserted into a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) can be used to acquire nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) signals from the water in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or in oxygen gas channels in the PEFC. Measuring the spatial distribution of the water in a large PEFC requires using many rf probes, so an NMR measurement system which acquires NMR signals from 128 rf probes at intervals of 0.5 s was manufactured.

Development of an eight-channel NMR system using RF detection coils for measuring spatial distributions of current density and water content in the PEM of a PEFC.

The water generation and water transport occurring in a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) can be estimated from the current density generated in the PEFC, and the water content in the polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM). In order to measure the spatial distributions and time-dependent changes of current density generated in a PEFC and the water content in a PEM, we have developed an eight-channel nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) system. To detect a NMR signal from water in a PEM at eight positions, eight small planar RF detection coils of 0.