noun
deactivation; inactivation
Technical term used in chemistry and related fields for the loss of activity, especially of a catalyst, enzyme, or reactive species.
触媒の失活が反応速度の低下を招いた。
Deactivation of the catalyst caused a decrease in the reaction rate.
酵素は高温で失活する。
The enzyme is inactivated at high temperatures.
Compound of 失 (loss) and 活 (activity), modeled after Chinese word formation patterns. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is used in modern technical contexts.