The nonspecific binding ability of polyethylenglycol (PEG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) on modified and unmodified surfaces is quantitatively studied by a wireless-electrodeless quartz crystal microbalance (WE-QCM). PEG and BSA are important blocking materials in biosensors, but their affinities for proteins and uncoated substrates have not been known quantitatively. The WE-QCM allows quantitative analysis of the adsorption behavior of proteins on the electrodeless surfaces. Affinities of PEG, BSA, human immunoglobulin G (hIgG), and Staphylococcus protein A (SPA) for alpha-SiO(2)(quartz), Au thin film, PEG, and BSA are systematically studied by the homebuilt flow-injection system. PEG shows low affinities for the SiO(2) surface (K(A)=4.2x10(4) M(-1)) and the Au surface (K(A)=6.6x10(4) M(-1)), but BSA shows higher affinity for the SiO(2) surface (K(A)=1.4x10(6) M(-1)). Both PEG and BSA show low affinities for hIgG (K(A) approximately 1.5x10(5) M(-1)). However, the number of binding sites of PEG to hIgG is significantly larger than that of BSA, indicating that blocking for hIgG is favorably achieved by BSA, rather than PEG.

This paper presents design approaches to induce behavioral shifts toward product sharing through a case study on laundry activities in Japan. Business models involving provision of temporary access to goods are garnering attention as a way to reduce environmental impacts from the current pattern of consumption. However, the success of such business models is a matter of consumer choice, and there exist hurdles for consumers to forego ownership and transfer to product sharing. To understand the forces that affect consumer behavior involving product sharing and to design effective interventions for behavioral shifts, we conducted in-depth interviews and a web survey. From the results, we specified the decision processes in a behavioral shift between home washing and laundromat use, and generated “implementation of a communal laundromat in an apartment building” as a promising way for consumers to shift toward laundromat use. Based on our calculation, the proposed approach has a potential to reduce environmental impact of a hypothetical community by 1.8% in greenhouse gas emissions and 16% in resource use relative to when only home washing is practiced. Our study provides an example of designing interventions for product sharing through reflecting actual usage patterns and consumer motivations.