Inaba, Kazuaki Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.
School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Research and development of new machines and structures through engineering design

Engineering Design

Mechanical Engineering

Multi-physics

Research and development of new machines and structures through engineering design

To combat various problems in industry, we are creating new machines and structures and proposing evaluation methods based on mechanical engineering, especially the strength of mechanics and fluid mechanics. With high-speed cameras and numerical simulations, we visualize invisible phenomena and build theoretical models. Research subjects are widely spread from small instruments, such as collunarium containers and ophthalmic surgical instruments, to large parts, such as automobile parts, shock absorbers, pumps, and pipelines. Materials and structures with functions suitable for various applications are studied and developed experimentally, theoretically, and numerically. We are conducting numerous studies focused on fluid-structure interaction, impact phenomena, and multi-physics such as water hammer, liquid atomization, bubble dynamics, and cavitation erosion. Moreover, in the Tokyo Tech Design Factory, we are developing practical design methodology in engineering design processes, such as extraction of user needs, prototyping with 3D printers, laser cutters and similar tools, business model generations with managers, visualization and measurement of users’ experiences.

Social Contributions: ASME PVP FSI Tech Committee, Vice Chair (2017-); JSME M&M, Steering Committee Member (2017-); JSMS Kanto Branch, Secretary (2016-2018)

Degree: Ph.D. in Engineering / Keio University

Career: Caltech／Tokyo University of Science／JSPS DC1

Papers/Books: Kojima et al., J Press Vessel Tech, 139, 2017.; Ushifusa et al., J Supercritical Fluids, 94, 2014.; Inaba & Shepherd, J Press Vessel Tech, 132, 2010.

Ohashi, Takumi Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Beyond Human-Centeredness: Designing for People and the Planet

Transdisciplinary Design

Human-centered design

Cognitive psychology

Electronic devices

Beyond Human-Centeredness: Designing for People and the Planet

“Human-centered design” is a method of problem-solving that aims to make systems usable and useful by focusing on the users. While it creates solutions that meet human needs, in recent years, design has taken on greater responsibility. Actually, SDGs are well-known Global Goals that aim to take into consideration their long-term effect on human society and the global environment. For instance, “wicked problems” such as climate change, an aging society, food loss, and lack of quality education access cannot be solved simply by meeting human needs. Our lab engages in transdisciplinary research to scientifically investigate the design process in order to solve “wicked problems” by realizing the preferable future based on socio-cultural trends and cutting-edge technology. Members are encouraged to develop and implement systems/products while working with experts in the actual field while rigorously analyzing the design in order to understand how and why the design process works and fails. We design in a wide variety of domains, including livestock breeding, nursing care, education, and disaster management.

Social Contributions: Research and development of new machines and structures through engineering design

Degree: Doctor of Engineering; Master of Management of Technology / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo Institute of Technology / Stanford University

Papers/Books: Ohashi, T., et al. (2021). Real-Time Assessment of Causal Attribution Shift and Stay Between Two Successive Tests of Movement Aids. Integr. Psych. Behav.; Ohashi, T., et al. (2015). Multi-layered MoS₂ Film Formed by High-temperature Sputtering for Enhancement-mode nMOSFETs. Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.

Kahlon, Yuval Assistant Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Architecture and Building Eng.

Making Intelligent Systems for Design Studies and Practices

Design Cognition

Intelligent CAD

Situatedness in Design

Making Intelligent Systems for Design Studies and Practices

Since design is a highly intelligent activity, studying human design processes enables to get valuable insights into human thinking, and the ways it facilitates intelligent action. The value of such insights is twofold – they both deepen our understanding of human cognition, and enable us to enhance current computational design systems. Specifically, I am interested in the relations between seeing and acting in design, as they are tightly linked with human designers’ adaptability to changing situations. By observing human designers, we develop a new understanding of design processes, which is utilized for constructing intelligent design systems.

Social Contributions

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Design Computing Instructor, IAUI /; Former Co-Founder & CTO, ParaGroup

Papers/Books: Y. Kahlon and H. Fujii, “Towards Modelling Interpretation of Structure as a Situated Activity: A Case Study of Japanese Rock Garden Designs,” in Design Computing and Cognition ’20, 2020.

Saijo, Miki Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Communication design for diffusion of innovation

Communication design

Discourse analysis

User-centered design

Diffusion of innovation

Communication design for diffusion of innovation

For diffusion of innovation to solve various social issues and improve people’s quality of life, it is essential to cooperate with people of diverse background and knowledge. However, to realize this cooperation, a proposition that dialogue among diverse people tends to be easily broken must be solved by “Communication Design.” Our laboratory policy is to conduct “Action Research,” a repeating cycle of going to actual fields where problems occur, extracting and analyzing the issues, and giving feedback to the fields. In the actual local community, we strongly promote cooperation and collaboration between local governments, residents, and companies, to solve the social issues that are complexly intertwined. To date, we have tried to develop assistive technology devices, such as a 4-wheel electric power-assisted bicycle and a meal assistive robot for frail elderly people, by interdisciplinary and multi-industry cooperation. Highly welcome are especially those who want to analyze the diffusion of innovation from the viewpoint of people’s interaction, those who are interested in communication and cooperation among people having less common points, and those who want to organize communication problems in their own workplaces from a bird’s-eye view.

Social Contributions: Member, Science Council of Japan

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy / Ochanomizu University

Career: International Student Center in Tokyo Institute of Technology / Waseda University

Papers/Books: Saijo, M., Communication Design, Kuroshio Publishers, 2014.; Saijo, M., Communication Design, Kuroshio Publishers, 2014.; informative Centering in Utterances: Between Semantics and Pragmatics, 2013: 183-192.

Saito, Shigeki Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.
School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Value creation by development of micro-robotics technology and methodology of engineering design

Micro-robotics

Engineering Design

Value creation by development of micro-robotics technology and methodology of engineering design

In our laboratory, we have two main focuses for research interests: “Development of Micro-robotics Technology” and “Methodology of Engineering Design”. The goal of the first focus is to synthesize new types of functional structures that enable ways of attaching and detaching a target object in the field of robotics by designing micro-mechanical structure and surface material properties. The example research themes are “Development of gecko-type electrostatic chuck” and “Development of methodology”. The goal of the second focus is to establish the methodology of “Engineering Design” that enables value creation in the process of development of products and/or services through investigations using an engineering and cognitive science approach, where the fundamental background knowledge of this topic comes from the Project-Based-Learning class at ESD of Tokyo Tech for industry-university collaborations. The research theme examples are “Members’ diversity effect on ideation process in design projects” and “Incubation effect on the success rate in solving insight problems”.

Social Contributions: Member of Steering Committee of Micro-Nano Science and Technology Division, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers; Conference Chair of 4th Conference of Society of Education for Innovation; Member of Internal Selection Committee of Nikkei Award for Excellent Product/Service

Degree: Doctor of Engineering

Career: University of Tokyo / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Saito et al, “Rolling behavior of a micro-cylinder in adhesional contact”, Scientific Reports, Vol.6, pp.34063(1-12), 2016.; Saito et al, “Compliant electrostatic chuck based on hairy microstructure”, Smart Materials and Structures, Vol.22, pp.015019(1-6), 2013.

Sakamoto, Hiraku Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Creation of innovative large space structures using numerical analysis technologies and nano-satellite demonstrations

Space Structures Engineering

Structural Dynamics

Nano-satellite Development

Systems Engineering

Design Thinking

Creation of innovative large space structures using numerical analysis technologies and nano-satellite demonstrations

For the construction of significantly large space structures, advances in space-deployment, space-assembly, and space-manufacturing technologies are important. Our laboratory conducts (i) the proposal of origami-based deployable space structures, (ii) the development of verification methodology for large space structures using state-of-the-art numerical analysis techniques, and (iii) space demonstration of technologies by developing nano-satellites ourselves. For example, our laboratory leads the development of 3U CubeSat, OrigamiSat-1 and OrigamiSat-2, which exploit the launch opportunity by a Japanese Epsilon rocket. These satellites demonstrate multi-functional membrane deployment technology. Thin-film devices can be attached throughout the deployable membrane, such as reflectarray antennas and flexible solar cells. Additionally, our laboratory develops the verification strategies through numerical analyses, which are applicable to actual solar power sail missions; and develops the active shape-control mechanisms and control laws for radio frequency space antennas. Through these technological developments, our laboratory envisions new space structure systems in the future.

Social Contributions: University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC), Board Member; Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Member; Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Member; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Associate Fellow.

Degree: Ph.D. (Aerospace Engineering Sciences)/University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.

Career: Univ. of Colorado at Boulder / Massachusetts Institute of Technology / Nihon Univ.

Papers/Books: Testing Large Ultra-Lightweight Spacecraft (Chap. 4), AIAA, 2017 / “Folding Patterns of Planar Gossamer Space Structures Consisting of Membranes and Booms”, Acta Astronautica, 94(1), 2014.

Sadeghzadeh Nazari, Mehrdad Lecturer

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Aspiring taller and longer through realizing innovative structural seismic vibration control systems

Earthquake Engineering

Seismic Control

Tuned Mass damper

Base Isolation

Aspiring taller and longer through realizing innovative structural seismic vibration control systems

My research interests include developing innovative seismic structural/non-structural vibration control systems, with specific focus on Tuned Mass Dampers and vibration base isolators. I am currently working on improving a novel compact Tuned Roller Mass Damper system on which I could claim a patent through the University of Tokyo. The system may be applied to various structures from high-rise buildings and long-span bridges to non-structural equipment, in order to mitigate unwanted vibrations due to earthquakes or wind. I strive to make advantage of various science and engineering disciplines to address Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics problems.

Social Contributions

Degree: Ph.D. (Civil Engineering) / The University of Tokyo

Career: Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo; Seismic Retrofit Researcher, SHO-SEKKEI Corporation, Tokyo

Papers/Books: “Analyzing the Seismic Behavior of Secondary Systems, and proposing the Floor Design Spectra considering Structural Inelastic Behavior and Primary-Secondary Interaction”, co-authored, 206-P Report, International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology, 2020 (to be), Iran

Taoka, Yuki Assistant Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Exploring design as a way to apply technologies into social problems

Co-design

Design Engineering

Technology for development

Exploring design as a way to apply technologies into social problems

His research interest is on co-design as a way to create “usable and attractive” interface between technology and societies. His research aims to analyze and to support co-design which enables people from various backgrounds such as users to collaboratively find needs, and generate and deploy ideas. Currently, his research focuses on idea generation with support of tactile objects. In addition, co-design is used to apply technologies for development in developing countries. His interests also cover methods to develop technologies which is culturally acceptable and sustainably manageable by local people.

Social Contributions

Degree: Ph.D. / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: UNICEF ECARO (Internship); WHILL, Inc. (Internship)

Papers/Books: Taoka, Y., Kagohashi, K., & Mougenot, C. (2018). A cross-cultural study of co-design: the impact of power distance on group dynamics in Japan. CoDesign

Tanaka, Masayuki Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Systems and Control Eng.

Human and computer vision systems

Image Processing

Computer Vision

Human and computer vision systems

A camera on a smartphone is necessary for our daily life. Photos and videos have created a new culture of social networking. The number of pixels in recent digital cameras has already exceeded the number of pixels in a human vision system. Humans can feel higher “resolution” than that digital cameras. The visual information processing by the brain makes it possible. No one knows that we need to imitate the human visual system by improving the functionality of the computer vision system. Imitating the human visual system sometimes works well, but we still have to develop a specific algorithm for the computer vision system. We are expanding the limits of computer vision systems and trying to create new values.

Social Contributions: matlab contributor; COCN Project member; CIE Division 8, member

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd. / National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Single-image noise level estimation for blind denoising, IEEE TIP 2013.; A novel inference of a restricted Boltzmann machine, ICPR 2014.; Beyond color difference: Residual interpolation for color image demosaicking, IEEE TIP 2016.

Nakatani, Momoko Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Information and Comm. Eng.

Solving social problem through design of services that move people’s hearts

User Experience

Service Design

Well-being

Solving social problem through design of services that move people’s hearts

In order to design services that move people’s hearts using technologies and to solve complex social issues, it is essential that the people who use services, and other related stakeholders, are involved in the design process; multiple stakeholders need to work hand in hand to seek out intrinsic needs and derive solutions through a process of trial and error. Our laboratory promotes research into technologies and methodologies for effective collaboration utilizing the perspectives and expertise of a diverse range of people based on design thinking and human-centered design. In particular, we focus on “living labs” where users, companies, and governments co-create services over a long period of time. By observing the changes in people’s minds and behaviors in the process of co-creation, user models are constructed, and tools and methodologies for effective co-creation are developed. We do not intend to support the pursuit of profit by companies alone, but to solve social issues through creating services, particularly focusing on solving the isolation of the elderly and parents raising infants. We aim to contribute to improving well-being and to the realization of a sustainable society by studying the process of co-creation.

Social Contributions: Committee member of Special Interest Group on Communication Enhancement, Special Interest Group on User Experience and Service Design, Human Interface Society

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Waseda University

Career: Distinguished Researcher in NTT Service Evolution Laboratories

Papers/Books: M. Nakatani, A. Nakane, F. Akasaka, Y. Ishii, M. Watanabe: Potential of the dialogue in the living lab: Case study on “Service Lab for Nurturing”, The Transactions of Human Interface Society, 21(4), pp. 391-404, (2019) in Japanese.; M. Nakatani, T. Ohno, A. Nakane, A. Komatsubara, S. Hashimoto: How to Motivate People to Use Internet at Home: Understanding the Psychology of Non-active users, Proceedings of APCHI’12, pp.259-268 (2012).

Nishida, Yoshifumi Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Living Centric Design: a New Methodology for Resilience to Human Living Function Change

Living Function

Human Centric Design

Living Geometry

Artificial Intelligence

IoT

Living Centric Design: a New Methodology for Resilience to Human Living Function Change

A society that fosters resilience to changes in living function (a “living function resilient society”) is required in the centenarian era. It has become even more imperative to address the physical and cognitive changes faced by children, the elderly, and disabled persons, and to ensure they enjoy safe living environments in ways that allow them to maintain active social participation levels. Building the living function resilient society requires a new methodology for “living centric design”. Recently, low-cost sensors, storage devices and artificial intelligence have become widely available. To facilitate a scientific approach to living centric design based on these technologies, our laboratory is engaged in developing 1) living geometry, which is computational technology for a living database, 2) living sensing and support modules that enable personalized safety and social participation, and 3) a living innovation social system for transforming UN’s Sustainable Development Goals level social problems into industry level solutions as components of a community-based participatory research approach. Interface Society, 21(4), pp. 391-404, (2019) in Japanese.

Social Contributions: Board Member of Children Safety Society of Japan, Japan Association of Community Based Civil Safety Sciences, and Safe Kids Japan.; Program Manager of Social Technology Domain of SECOM Science and Technology Foundation

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / University of Tokyo

Career: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

Papers/Books: Detecting and Modeling Child’s Play Behavior Using Sensor-Embedded Climbing Playground Equipment, International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2012; Development of Childhood Fall Motion Database and Browser Based on Behavior Measurements, Accident Analysis & Prevention, 2013

Hijikata, Wataru Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Development of mechanical systems enhancing quality of life

Medical mechatronics

In-vivo energy harvesting

Wireless power transfer

Artificial heart

Development of mechanical systems enhancing quality of life

The purpose of the research topics is to realize a medical mechatronics system, which enhances quality of life. In the research of “in-vivo energy harvesting system”, I develop a generator system, which can convert the energy of human activity into electrical energy inside the body to power an implantable medical device such as a pacemaker and an in-vivo health monitoring sensor. An implantable artificial heart and power assist suit, however, consumes 10 to 100 watts. Therefore, for these devices, I also develop “a wireless power transfer system,” with a function that tracks the movement of humans wearing such devices. Another research topic is “an intelligent artificial heart,” whereby the thrombus can be automatically detected inside itself, as well as the flow rate controlled by cooperating with a patient’s failing heart.

Social Contributions: Borad member of the Japan Society of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics; Committee of JSME young membership association; Member of the Foundation Adcanced Technology Institute

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo Institute of Technology / EPFL / TOYOTA Central R&D Labs., Inc.

Papers/Books: Energy harvesting from biting force with thin sheet harvester based on electret and dielectric elastomer, Nano Energy, 2022.; Contraction model of skeletal muscle capable of tetanus and incomplete tetanus for design and control of biohybrid actuators, Journal of Biomechanical Science and Engineering, 2022.; Prevention of thrombus formation in blood pump by mechanical circular orbital excitation of impeller in magnetically levitated centrifugal pump, Artificial Organs, 2022.

Fujii, Haruyuki Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Architecture and Building Eng.

Designing a methodology for design science that sheds light on the action known as design

Design Science

Constructive Methodology

First-Person Study

Spatial Schema

Design Computing

Designing a methodology for design science that sheds light on the action known as design

I have been developing a methodology for design science that bridges subjective insight, illogical thinking, and individual localization in design, objective grounding, logical thinking, and universal explanation in natural science. This activity is composed of interdisciplinary exploration and design of the following four pillars; (1) a method of first-person study that allows subjectivity and objectivity to coexist, (2) a constructive method where logical thinking – deduction – and illogical thinking – induction and abduction – are employed, (3) the dynamic relationships between the symbolic representation and operation in designing and their referents – physical matters and conceptual issues – and (4) spatial schema representing the spatial and temporal relationships between man and environment via artifacts. In addition, in relation to the activities mentioned above, I am involved in some intermedia art activities that express the experience of architectural spaces and landscapes in the form of sound and music with a composer.

Social Contributions: Vice-Chair, Design Computing and Cognition (2004 – ）

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Waseda University

Career: Waseda University / Carnegie Mellon University / Shimizu Corporation / The University of Sydney

Papers/Books: Design of Intellect, Suwa Masaki & Haruyuki Fujii, Kindaikagakusha, 2015.; On Study about Activities of Creation, Haruyuki Fujii, Journal of JSAI 28(5), 720-725, 2013; Designing Action Know as Design, Haruyuki Fujii & Nakashima Hideyuki, Journal of JCSS, 17(3), 403-416, 2010

Yoshida, Kazuhiro Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Realization of high-power density microrobots using functional materials

Microrobotics

Actuators

Functional materials

Realization of high-power density microrobots using functional materials

We have been developing microrobots that are micro-sized, travel in wide space supporting their own weight, and perform power-needed tasks. The feature of our research is using functional materials. First, by using electro-rheological fluid (ERF) that changes its viscosity when subjected to an electric field, we proposed and have been developing simple and miniaturizable ER microvalves. Based on micro electro mechanical system technologies, we have realized a 3-mm-long flexible ER microvalve. Second, for multiple degrees of freedom actuator systems, we proposed and have been developing alternating pressure systems. By rectifying alternating flows due to an alternating pressure source using synchronized switching of ER microvalves, we have realized a 1.6-mm-long microfinger. Third, as hydraulic power sources, we proposed and have been developing piezoelectric micropumps using fluid inertia that has an outlet pipe instead of a check valve. We have realized the micropump with the world’s highest level of power density.

Social Contributions: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Division of Machine Design & Tribology, Secretary (2007, 2013); The Japan Fluid Power System Society, Director (2006-2010, 2012-2014, 2018-); The Japan Fluid Power System Society, Publishin Committee, Chairperson (2022-)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: A study on a soft microgripper using MEMS-based divided electrode type flexible electro-rheological valves, Mechatronics, 29, Aug. 2014 / An MEMS-based multiple electro-rheological bending actuator system with an alternating pressure source, Sensors & Actuators A, 245, Apr. 2016

Akasaka, Hiroki Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Innovation through development of new functional materials

Materials engineering

Material analysis

Thin-film science and engineering

Inorganic carbon materials

Innovation through development of new functional materials

Development of new functional materials, mainly carbon materials, is the research field of our laboratory. Although we mainly focus on the materials field, we also study in an interdisciplinary field crossing these fields because I have studied in three disciplines, electrical engineering, chemical and mechanical engineering. Research on diamond-like carbon films and composite materials with nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, are currently conducted. To obtain the higher advanced functional materials, we investigate not only estimation of material properties but also analysis of their structure, and obtain guidelines for material design. Additionally, we investigate the possibility of doping, among other factors, to obtain more advanced materials.

Social Contributions: Materials and Processing division the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers; Japan New Diamond Forum; The Japan Society for Precision Engineering

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Nagaoka University of Technology / Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.

Papers/Books: N. Ata, N. Ohtake, H. Akasaka, Polyethylene–Carbon Nanotube Composite Film Deposited by Cold Spray Technique, J. Therm. Spray Technol. 26 (2017) 1541.; Yutaro Suzuki, Yasuyoshi Kurokawa, Tsuneo Suzuki, Kazuhiro Kanda, Masahito Niibe, Masayuki Nakano, Naoto Ohtake, Hiroki Akasaka. Structure and physical properties of stable isotopic amorphous carbon films, Dia. Relat. Mater., 63(2015) 115.; Akira Sakaguchi, Masayuki Nakano, Junko Hieda, Naoto Ohtake, Hiroki Akasaka. Dependence of ion concentration in simulated body fluid on apatite precipitation on titania surface, Appl. Surf. Sci., 347 (2015) 610.

Akita, Daisuke Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Passive exploration systems using diverse environments of space

Planetary exploration systems

Space transportation systems

High-speed aerodynamics

Passive exploration systems using diverse environments of space

We study about planetary exploration systems and space transportation systems, based on aerodynamics, with a long-term perspective. We are particularly interested in passive systems that take advantage of the seemingly severe and diverse environments of space; for example, sails, balloons, or kites, which must look like strange vehicles in space. In addition to ground experiments and numerical simulations, we perform flight demonstrations in orbit in collaboration with JAXA and other universities. We aim to develop the concepts of exciting and attractive systems with creative young students to explore new horizons.

Social Contributions: ー

Degree: Doctor (Science) / The University of Tokyo

Career: JAXA/ISAS / The University of Tokyo, Institute of Industrial Science

Papers/Books: Suborbital Reentry Demonstration of Inflatable Flare-type Thin-membrane Aeroshell using a Sounding Rocket, Kazuhiko Yamada, Yasunori Nagata, Takashi Abe, Kojiro Suzuki, Osamu Imamura, Daisuke Akita, Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 2015.

Abe, Naoya Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

People-centered research on environmental and social sustainability

Environmental and Social Sustainability Assessment

Social adaption and diffusion of renewable energy systems

People-centered research on environmental and social sustainability

Our research group mainly works in three fields: environmental sustainability (e.g., assessment of social adaptation and diffusion of a renewable energy system) and social sustainability (e.g., assessment of the introduction of e-government in a developing country) and the combined area of those two fields (e.g., assessment and proposal of a more effective municipal solid waste management in a rapidly aging society from a life-stage perspective). We value on-the-ground activities greatly for unique research accomplishments.

Social Contributions: The Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies (SEEPS); The Japan Society for International Development (JASID); Member of the Center for Environmental Information Science

Degree: Ph.D. (Applied Economics and Management) / Cornell University

Career: After working at the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF), Japan Bank for International Coperation (JBIC), National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), I joined Tokyo Tech in 2007.

Papers/Books: Junichirou Ishio, Naoya Abe. Measuring Affective Well-Being by the Combination of the Day Reconstruction Method and a Wearable Device: Case Study of an Aging and Depopulating Community in Japan, Augmented Human Research, Springer Singapore, Feb. 2017.; Hiroki Nakamura, Naoya Abe. Tourist decisions in renting various personal travel modes: A case study in Kitakyushu City, Japan, Tourism Management, Vol. 55, Page 85-93, Aug. 2016.; George William Hong, Naoya Abe. Sustainability assessment of renewable energy projects for off-grid rural electrification: The Pangan-an Island case in the Philippines, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Sep. 2011.

Iwatsuki, Nobuyuki Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Development of human-friendly robotic environment and sound environment

Kinematics and dynamics of robots

Silent engineering

Functional material actuator

Development of human-friendly robotic environment and sound environment

To build a human-friendly robotic environment with regard to sound environment, various design issues related to human daily life are being researched. The current principal research themes are as follows: “Motion control of hyper redundant robots that can generate complicated and flexible motions”, “Synthesis and motion control of flexible robots composed of elastic links and elastic joints”, “Motion control of underactuated mechanisms constrained with elastic elements or gravitational force”, “Estimation of noise radiating from a vibrating structure and its structural optimization to reduce noise”, “Active noise control to modify noise to a comfortable sound based on human psychology”, and “Development of a functional material actuator and a mechanical system driven by it”.

Social Contributions: Director, Japan Society for Design Engineering(2012-) Vice president, Japanese Council of IFToMM(2011-); Director, Japan Society for Precision Engineering (2007-2008)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Professor, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology Faculty of Engineering／Precision and Intelligent Laboratory

Papers/Books: Nobuyuki Iwatsuki and Takashi Kosaki: Large Deformation Analysis and Synthesis of Elastic Closed-loop Mechanism Made of a Certain Spring Wire Described by Free Curves, Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, Vol.28, No.4, (2015), pp.756-762.,

Endo, Gen Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Creation of robot systems that contribute to society

Robotics

Mechanism

Mechatronics

Creation of robot systems that contribute to society

My research field is in robotics, particularly in mechanical design and its application to a practical robotic system. Our final goal is to contribute to society by solving actual problems using a new robotic system. For example, robot technology is essential for decommissioning of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant under a high radiation dose level. I have been developing a long-reach manipulator to access confined spaces, and a mobile manipulator to carry ultrasonic sensors with collaborators. In the case of welfare robotics, I have proposed a mobile robot to help home oxygen therapy patients. Frequent field tests as well as user feedback are also involved in investigating practical solutions.

Social Contributions: Secretary of System Integration Division of Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (2009); Secretary of Robotics and Mechatronics Division of Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (2014); Delegate of Robotics Society of Japan (2016)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Sony Corporation / Tokyo Medical and Dental University / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: “Development of a Coupled Tendon-Driven 3D Multi-Joint Manipulator”, A. Horigome, H. Yamada, G. Endo, S. Sen, S. Hirose, E. F. Fukushima, Int. Conf. on Robotics and Autmation, 2014

Ohtake, Naoto Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Innovation in materials and processing, with “right material in the right place through the right process”

Functional materials

Materials processing

Thin films

Plasma technology

Innovation in materials and processing, with “right material in the right place through the right process”

My main field of interest is functional materials and surface engineering and science, including chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition of hard carbon films and its application to industrial uses including mechanical parts, tribological parts as well as medical devices and fuel cells. My research interest extends to development of the joining process of High Tensile Strength Steel and Al alloy. Even substances with any excellent properties cannot be applied to industrial uses unless they can be formed into the designed shape. My research group and I will continue pursuing innovation in materials and processing, with “right material in the right place through the right process” as our motto.

Social Contributions: Executive board directors, General affairs, The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (2017-current); ISO TC107 PL for “Classification of Carbon Films”(2016-current); Executive board directors, Vice President, Japan New Diamond Forum (2014-current)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Nagoya University/Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Deposition of boron doped DLC films on TiNb and characterization of their mechanical properties and blood compatibility, STAM, (2017) 76.; Perpendicular ultrasonic joining of steel to aluminium alloy plates, J. Mater. Proc. Technol. (2016)112.; Fabrication of micro segment structured DLC film, Mech. Eng. J., 2 (2015) 14-00437

Okada, Masafumi Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Robotics and non-linear dynamics for quality of life improvement

Robotics

Control Engineering

Human Centric Design

Robotics and non-linear dynamics for quality of life improvement

My research interests are quality of life improvement in our daily life based on Robotics and Control Engineering. Some mechanical devices have been developed as useful tools, e.g., medical robots and welfare devices, while my research fields are not limited to them. To date, I have challenged ‘Development of a human motion support device’, ‘Motion enhancement for motion instruction’, ‘Optimal distribution of objects in exhibition space’ and more, based on motion capture data or human muscle characteristics. These topics are strictly related to our daily life and the main purposes are realization of a ‘comfortable life’ with the keyword ‘non-linear dynamics’. The non-linearity of the mechanism and dynamics makes it difficult to intuitively understand; however, it sometimes yields useful phenomena. The main focus of my research is designing and synthesizing these phenomena for our comfortable life and environments from engineering and science points of view.

Social Contributions: Robotics Society of Japan, International administration officer (2015-2016); SICE SI-division, division secretary (2014)

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Kyoto University

Career: Research associate /Lecturer (The University of Tokyo)

Papers/Books: Motion optimization for first-aid chest compression based on kinematic, dynamic and temporal redundancy, Masafumi OKADA and Shun KAYASHIMA, Mechanical Engineering Journal, 2016

Kurabayashi, Daisuke Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Systems and Control Eng.

Intelligent control of distributed autonomous systems based on biomimetics

Biomimetics

Control Engineering

Robotics

Motion Planning

Intelligent control of distributed autonomous systems based on biomimetics

Why can animals behave adaptively to situations? We are exploring the functional mechanisms of animals to exhibit intelligent behaviors and trying to migrate them into artificial systems. We believe the intelligence relies not only on elements, such as a brain, sensors, or organs, but also interactions among them. We have found that an insect that has only 100 thousand neurons can behave adaptively, quickly, and effectively, while a robot with a modern central processing unit that includes one billion transistors running at 3 GHz cannot. Based on neuroethology, electrophysiology, control theory, and stochastic analysis, we are investigating the secret of intelligence and building novel intelligent distributed systems with resilience.

Social Contributions: Advanced Robotics EiC (2022-); Board member of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (2014-2015, 2020-2021); Board member of the Robotics Society of Japan (2005-2006, 2014-2015)

Degree: Ph. D / The University of Tokyo

Career: Postdoctoral Researcher for RIKEN, Lecturer, Associate Professor, and Professor for Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: “Learning a Generic Olfactory Search Strategy from Silk Moths by Deep Inverse Reinforcement Learning” IEEE Trans. Med. Robotics and Bionics 4(1):241-253, 2022. DOI:10.1109/TMRB.2021.3129113; “Multisensory-Motor Integration in OlfactoryNavigation of Silkmoth, Bombyx mori, using Virtual Reality System” eLife 10:e72001, 2021. DOI:10.7554/eLife.72001; “A novel framework based on a data-driven approach for modelling the behaviour of organisms in chemical plume tracing” J. Royal Soc. Interface 18(181):20210171, 2021. DOI:10.1098/rsif.2021.0171

Seaborn, Katie Associate Professor

School of Eng. / Dept. of Industrial Eng. and Economics

Designing to provoke, motivate, and inspire

Human-computer Interaction

User-centered design

Inclusive design

Games and gamification

User experience

Designing to provoke, motivate, and inspire

Interactive technology can be designed to influence, motivate, and provoke. I design and research interactive agents, interfaces, and experiences that use attitude and behaviour change methods for personal and social good. In the Lab for Aspirational Computing at Tokyo Tech (ACTT), I work with an international group of students and researchers work to promote innovative research in the fields of human factors engineering, interaction design, and human-computer interaction. Specialties include gamification and serious games, mixed reality and physical computing, voice assistants and social robots, and inclusive design with older adults. We combine critical thinking and problem solving, engineering and design ability, and mixed methods research with human participants.

Social Contributions: Member, Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Degree: Doctor (Mechanical & Industrial Engineering) / The University of Toronto

Career: RIKEN / The University of Tokyo / University College London

Papers/Books: Seaborn & Fels (2015). Gamification in theory and action: A survey. IJHCS, 74, 14-31.

Sasaki, Eiichi Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Civil and Environmental Eng.

Innovative technologies development for safety of structures

Structural Engineering

Fracture Control

Steel Structures

Structural Monitoring

Innovative technologies development for safety of structures

The main research topics in our laboratory are all related to development of innovative technologies in the safe management of infrastructures, especially for steel structures. There are four major research approaches in our laboratory: “fracture and fatigue”, “field measurement (structural monitoring)”, “inspection technologies”, and “energy harvesting”. All of the major research approaches are interrelated, and are important to establish efficient safety management of structures. In “fracture and fatigue”, fracture control design of steel structures is investigated. “Field measurement” includes development of advanced structural monitoring systems and damage detection analysis of structures. In “inspection technologies”, new efficient inspection methods for infrastructures are developed. “Energy harvesting” investigations enable us to conduct long-term monitoring and to design a new damper system for structures.

Social Contributions: Secretary, Committee of Steel Structure, JSCE（2017-）; WG Chief, International Committee, JSSC（2016-）; Secretary, Committee of Fatigue Strength, JWS (2013-)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Research Associate (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Associate Professor (Yokohama National University), prior to the present position.

Papers/Books: Ayako Akutsu, Eiichi Sasaki, Yuki Ebisawa, Hiroshi Tamura: Analysis of Corrosion Damage Condition of Steel Members Using Low Frequency Eddy Current Testing, Journal of JSCE, A1, 2017. Koichi Takeya, Eiichi Sasaki, Hiroshi Iwabuki et al, Development of A Tuned Mass Generator for Energy Harvesting Using Bridge Vibration, Journal of JSCE, A1, 2016.

Sato, Chiaki Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Development of Novel Adhesion Technology and Application

Adhesive bonding

Structural Design

Finite-element analysis

Development of Novel Adhesion Technology and Application

Adhesive bonding is often regarded by ordinary people as a very weak joining method. However, this reality has been changed drastically by the development of modern novel adhesives that are very strong compared with previous ones. Hence, use of adhesive bonding has been expanding for many applications instead of other joining method, such as welding or brazing. Against this background, our laboratory conducts research on adhesive bonding to replace other conventional joining methods. In recent years, “multi-material structures” are especially focused on weight reduction of automobiles, and adhesive bonding is the key technology for this application. Our research topics are not fundamental but close to real application because we believe that the seeds of true fundamental research come from difficulties found in actual development.

Social Contributions: Adhesion Society of Japan, Board Member; Society for Research on Structural Adhesion, Chair

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Technology / Laboratory for Materials and Structures

Papers/Books: Design of Adhesive Joints Under Humid Conditions, Springer, 2013

Sampei, Mitsuji Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Systems and Control Eng.

Control hard-to-control systems: Nonlinear Control Theory

Nonlinear Control Theory

Control Engineering

Under-Actuated Systems

Robotics

Control hard-to-control systems: Nonlinear Control Theory

How can we achieve self-driving cars? One of the key technologies for self-driving is “Control.” While keeping inside the lane, a car should first recognize the lane (Sensing), and then it should steer the steering wheel (Control). The basic control strategy is “Feedback Control,” i.e., if the car is close to the left edge of the lane, then it should steer the steering wheel to the right, and if it is close to the right edge then it should steer to the left. This strategy appears to work fine, but in reality, it may cause meandering movements, or instability. Thus, we need “Control Theory”. Our main focus is nonlinear control systems, especially, systems that are difficult to control with conventional control theory. Our theory enables us to control robots, drones, and even social systems.

Social Contributions: Fellow of the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers (SICE), Japan; 54th IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC), PC Chair (2015); IEEE Conference on Control Applications (CCA), PC Chair (2010)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Chiba University / Tokyo Institute of TEchnolgy

Papers/Books: Suppression of vertical bending and rigid-body-mode vibration in railway vehicle car body by primary and secondary suspension control, Journal of Rail and Rapid Transit, 2010, George Stephenson Prize（Institution of Mech. Eng., UK）

Sugahara, Yusuke Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Systems design, control, and integration of mechanical and robotic systems

Robotics

Mechanism

Mechanical design

Mechatronics

Systems design, control, and integration of mechanical and robotic systems

Robotics has a broad related field, and I am particularly interested in designing problems of robot systems, the methodology of system design and the integration of robots. Based on the problem of consciousness, i.e., “how to design, what kind of robot system, to make the world better for living”, I am making robots while considering individual problems such as mechanisms synthesis, mechanical design and control system design, as well as about what kind of robots are worth designing and how to integrate (not implement) them into our society. Specific research topics include: biped walking vehicle, stair-climbing wheelchair, task partner robot, Aero-Train: aerodynamically levitated train system, human-powered robotics, reconfigurable parallel mechanism, and personal mobility vehicle.

Social Contributions: General Affairs Chair, IEEE ICRA2009 (2009); Associate Editor, IEEE ICRA2012 (2012); Member of Technical Committee Linkages and Mechanical Controls, IFToMM (2018-)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Waseda University

Career: Research Associate, Waseda Univ. / Assist. Prof.，Tohoku Univ. / Lecturer, Kokushikan Univ.

Papers/Books: A human-powered joint drive mechanism using regenerative clutches, IEEE/RSJ IROS2017.; Levitation control of AEROTRAIN, J. of Robotics and Mechatronics, 2011.; Realization of dynamic human-carrying walking by a biped locomotor, IEEE ICRA2004.

Senoo, Dai Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Industrial Eng. and Economics

Theory construction on dynamic interaction processes between individuals and organizations

Knowledge management

Organization theory

Information systems

Business creation

Work style

Theory construction on dynamic interaction processes between individuals and organizations

How do individual workers find what they want to do and realize it in an organizational context? With this question in mind, I am conducting several research projects and attempting to use the findings to promote innovation. Recently, I have been focusing on the following three concepts: “Diversity”; I am focusing not only on diversity of ethnic groups and gender, but also on the diversity of knowledge including values and frameworks. “Work style change”; I am classifying workstyles and analyzing business cases based on a new definition of work. “Open innovation”; I am targeting research and development organizations and communities of practice, to measure absorptive capacities and to clarify the customer co-creation process.

Social Contributions: President, The Japan Society for Management Information (2019-2021); Member, Intellectual Productivity Committee, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (2007-2013); Member, FutureCity Initiative Committee, Cabinet Office (2013-)

Degree: Doctor of Commerce / Hitotsubashi University

Career: Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Economics, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: On Practice : Knowledge Creation and Utilization. Hakuto-shobou. Nov, 2001.; Shaping knowledge management: organization and national culture. Journal of Knowledge Management. Emerald. 2010.; A Study of Knowledge Management Enablers across Countries. The Essentials of Knowledge Management. Palgrave Macmillan. 2015.

Takahashi, Kunio Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Design of processes and devices based on adhesion and joining science

Mechanical engineering

Material Science

Surface and Interfacial science

Adhesion

Welding and joining

Design of processes and devices based on adhesion and joining science

Our research works are based around “Biomimetic design of grip-release devices”, ”Understanding and application of adhesion phenomena”, “Design and control of joining processes”, “Energy harvesting”, and “Micro-plasma”, among others. In this laboratory, processes and devices are designed based on physics. Mechanisms of phenomena are investigated and expressed with the simplest model. Meanwhile, the main targets are phenomena related to surface or interface; some students challenge the other targets using the potentials of this laboratory. The policy in this laboratory is design based on logic. The basics are important. Students in this laboratory keep in mind obtaining the skill of logical consideration and its presentation.

Social Contributions: Japan Welding Engineering Society. Chair of Education committee, …; High Pressure Institute of Japan, Chair of Editorial Committee, …; The High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Osaka university

Career: Assistant professor, Associate professor, Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: “Geckos’ foot hair structure and their ability…”K.Takahashi, International J. of adhesion & adhesives, vol.26 , pp.639-643, (2006). “A simple formula for surface energy…” Kunio Takahashi, et.al., Physical Review B, vol.48, p.5689-5691(1993)

Takeda, Yukio Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.
School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

To establish the optimal mechanism design methodology governing the basic characteristics of mechanical systems and to validate it through design, prototyping and experiments

Mechanical System Design

Robotics

Assistive Device

Mechanism Design

To establish the optimal mechanism design methodology governing the basic characteristics of mechanical systems and to validate it through design, prototyping and experiments

The basic performances, such as accuracy, efficiency and usability, of mechanical systems, such as robots and assistive devices, are governed by the kinematic structures and dimensions of the mechanisms. Our research aims to develop design methodology of mechanisms focused on the essential characteristics of the mechanisms, such as the transmissibility of motion and force. To date, several mechanical systems with superior performances have been developed in our laboratory, such as a three-dimensional pipe bender using a specially designed parallel mechanism performing precise bending and an ankle rehabilitation device with a special structure that is easy to perform and comfortable to use.

Social Contributions: Division Chair of Machine Design and Tribology of JSME(2016)/TC chair for Robotics and Mechatronics of IFToMM(2017-)//Associate Editor, Mechanism and Machine Theory(2016-).

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo Tech/TU Munich, U Florida, Program Officer of KAKEN-hi

Papers/Books: Portable Design and Range of Motion Control for an Ankle Rehabilitation Mechanism Capable of Adjusting to Changes in Joint Axis, Int. J. Mech. & Rob. Syst., 2016.; Kinematic performance evaluation of high-speed Delta parallel robots based on motion/force transmission indices, Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2018.; Kinematics of Machinery, Text Series, JSME, 2007.

Tsujimoto, Masaharu Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Change the society by the Ecosystem analysis, design and implementation

Ecosystem

Platform

Business Model

Startup

Change the society by the Ecosystem analysis, design and implementation

The main research topics are Ecosystem Management and Platform Management. In Ecosystem Management, we are challenging to find new insights by applying the concept of ecosystem in biology to management science. Ecosystem management research is characterized by the fact that it analyzes the entire product/service system that creating value to customers. Specifically, we are currently working on the analysis, design, and implementation of an ecosystem using hydrogen energy, which is supported by the Toyota Mobility Fund and JST. For example, we have designed new ecosystems using microgrid (we call it a geo-free energy society), and we are conducting action research for implementation in cooperation with several companies, governments, and municipalities.

Social Contributions: Japan MOT Society, Chairman of the Editorial Committee; Japan MOT Society, Executive Director

Degree: Doctor (Media and Governance) / Keio University

Career: TUHH / ETH Zurich

Papers/Books: Tsujimoto M., Kajikawa Y., Tomita J., Matsumoto Y., A review of the ecosystem concept—Towards coherent ecosystem design, Technological Forecasting and Social Change 136, 49-58, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.06.032.

Nakanishi, Hiroki Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Advanced space system developed by robotics

Space Robot

Space Engineering

Robotics

Nanosatellite

Advanced space system developed by robotics

Space is a great frontier, but severe environment. To utilize it safely, conveniently, and sustainably, I am trying to develop a future space system based on fusion of robot technologies and space technologies. Now, dynamics, mechanism, and control of “a novel mobility system on a space structure”, and “Spacecraft capture system for orbital Servicing and space debris removal”, among others, are being investigated. Furthermore, “orbital demonstration and verification method for new space robot” is also an important theme. A minimum system for the demonstration is investigated through the development of a nanosatellite.

Social Contributions: Activity planning committee member, The Robotics Society of Japan (2015 -2016); Administrative board member, University Space Engineering Consortium (UNISEC) (2017 -)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tohoku University / JAXA / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: “Dynamics, Control, and ImpedanceMatching for Robotic Capture of a Non-cooperative Satellite,” Kazuya Yoshida, Hiroki Nakanishi, et al.,; RSJ Advanced Robotics Vol.18, No.2, 2004.

Nakamaru, Mayuko Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Understand the principle of our society by social simulations and evolutionary game theory

Social simulation

Evolutionary game theory

Mathematical biology

Human behavior and evolution

Understand the principle of our society by social simulations and evolutionary game theory

Cooperation is a foundation of our society. The free-rider problem, in which cooperators pay a cost for cooperation and free-riders obtain benefit from cooperators without paying any cost, appears in our society. We challenge this problem by means of mathematical models and computer simulations. Especially, we focus on two research topics: (i) which rules and systems promote cooperation in organizations, and (ii) what the ultimate factors for the evolution of human cooperation, which is related to the evolution of human-specific cognitive abilities, are.

Social Contributions: Science Council of Japan, member (the 24th-25th term); Human Behavior & Evolution Society of Japan, Standing director (2008-2015) and Director (2016-2018); Japanese Society for Mathematical Biology, Steering committee （2002-2004, 2007-2010, 2013-2016, 2019-2020）

Degree: Doctor of Science / Kyushu University

Career: Shizuoka University / Japan Science and Technology Corporation

Papers/Books: Nakamaru, M., Matsuda, H. and Iwasa, Y. (1997) The evolution of cooperation in a lattice-structured population. Journal of Theoretical Biology 184, 65-81.; Nakamaru, M. and Yokoyama, A. (2014) The effect of ostracism and optional participation on the evolution of cooperation in the voluntary public goods game. PLoS ONE 9 (9), e108423.; Nakamaru, M. (2011) Evolving system, Minerva, Kyoto, Japan, 342pp.

Nohara, Kayoko Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

“Translating” science and art/design to produce innovative communication

Translation Studies

Semiotics

Science Communication

Science & Art/Design

“Translating” science and art/design to produce innovative communication

Nohara uses linguistics, semiotics, and communication studies to perform and provide transdisciplinary research and education, with the key word being “translation”. To translate is to express something in a different medium, creating new value. When science is expressed with sensitivity and narrative, new art and logic can be born. Integrating art thinking also brings science to a different mode. We create new places and ideas connecting science with art and design by collaborating internationally with artists, designers, editors, journalists, museums, and companies. Various collaborative schemes with UAL Central Saint Martins, Musashino Art University etc. are going on. Check our latest research at Science/TechxArt/Design Satellite Lab STADHI – come and join us!

Social Contributions: The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE) , Japanese Association for Contrastive Study of Linguistic Behavior (JACSLA) , Japanese Society for Engineering Education (JSEE),; The Japan Association for Interpreting and Translation Studies (JAITS)

Degree: DPhil / Queen’s College, Oxford University

Career: University of Oxford / JSPS / Katholiek Universiteit Leuven

Papers/Books: Kayoko Nohara. Translating Popular Fiction: Embracing Otherness in Japanese Translation. Peter Lang: Oxford. 2018.; Kayoko Nohara. Translation Studies in Discussions. Sanseido: Tokyo. 2014.

Hasegawa, Shoichi Associate Professor

School of Engineering, Department of Information and Communications Engineering

Virtual Reality Technology and design creating experience

Virtual Reality

Physics Engine

Haptics

Character motion

Interaction

Virtual Reality Technology and design creating experience

Researching fields of virtual reality (VR), simulation, and interaction, we hope to create the information environment where people can live naturally and enjoyably and creatively. In VR, the reality tends to be focused, but it is important to have a good environment, not the copy of the reality, that is, an environment where people can naturally behave. I think “naturally” is one of the essential values of VR, which is more general than the “reality”. This requires taking into account the human body and mind, the sensorimotor system, human perceptions and emotions, the nature of the real world in which people live, and then using technology to create an environment. The characteristics of our laboratory are handling the factors above on computers (i.e. creating simulation models of humans and the real world) and creating interfaces taking into account human haptics.

Social Contributions: Publication co-chair in IEEE World Haptics 2019; Publicity co-chair in Asia Haptics 2018; Program co-chair in Asia Haptics 2016

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: The University of Electro-Communications / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: TEllipsoid: Ellipsoidal Display for Videoconference System Transmitting Accurate Gaze Direction, IEEE VR, 2020.; Continuous Collision Detection for Virtual Proxy Haptic Rendering of Deformable Triangular Mesh Models, IEEE Trans. on Haptics, 2019.; Haptic Rendering based on Finite Element Simulation of Vibration’, Haptics Symposium, 2014.

Hayashizaki, Noriyosu Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Creating a prosperous and sustainable society through particle accelerator and quantum beam technologies

Particle Accelerator Engineering

Quantum Beam Science

Creating a prosperous and sustainable society through particle accelerator and quantum beam technologies

Quantum beams (ion, electron, X-ray, neutron, etc.) are used in the fields of cancer treatment, medical imaging, pharmaceutical production, sterilization, nondestructive inspection and semiconductor manufacturing in addition to the frontiers of elementary particle physics and material science, and technologies based on quantum beams are indispensable for daily life. Our group develops compact particle accelerators that create quantum beams, with properties depending on the application, through a design process that incorporates 3D CAD modeling and multiphysics simulation, followed by precise fabrication. This process delivers high reliability and operability for collaborating faculty and students. A multi-beam linear accelerator, a compact accelerator-driven neutron source for nondestructive bridge inspection and a medical accelerator are under development in our laboratory.

Social Contributions: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Cross-appointment fellow; National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Senior Researcher

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: KEK (High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Noriyosu Hayashizaki, Shota Ikeda, Aki Murata, Development of a downsized proton accelerator system for compact neutron sources, Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research B, 461 (2019) 243-246.

Furuya, Hiroshi Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Creation of highly functional space structures and optimum design

Space Structures Engineering

Structural Analysis

Structural Optimization and Design

Concept of Deployable Structures

Smart Structures

Creation of highly functional space structures and optimum design

To realize highly functional structural systems, we focus on structural systems related to human activities in the space environment (including space satellites and space stations). We treat optimization problems, the control of structural vibration, the concept of morphology under the special environment, the autonomous or passive vibration control system, the simultaneous optimization of the control system and structures by applying the techniques such as space dynamics, optimum design engineering, morphology, applied mathematical engineering, origami engineering, genetic algorithms, computer science, and techniques in various research fields.

Social Contributions: JSASS Structures Divistion (2016-2017), JSME Space Engineering Division (2004-), AIAA Spacecraft Structures Technical Committee(2010-), IAC Materials and Structures Committee, International Program Committee(2013-), et al.

Degree: Doctor in Engineering/The University of Tokyo

Career: Nagoya University/Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Undesired Equilibrium Configurations of Boom-Membrane Integrated Structure during Deploying Motion, pp.1-21, AIAA-2018-0695.; Decrement Properties of Deployment Torque for Self-deployable Tubular CFRP Booms under Stored State, IAC-17.C2.2.6

Mizutani, Yoshihiro Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Design of machinery and structures that are considered maintenance

Nondestructive Inspection

Structural Integrity Evaluation

Signal Processing

Design of machinery and structures that are considered maintenance

Our main research topics are nondestructive inspection and structural integrity evaluation. The target of NDT is mainly fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP). Although FRP has been applied to products in various industrial fields, only few inspection methods have been established. My laboratory is mainly studying acoustic emission testing, ultrasonic testing, and eddy current testing. Recently, we have also been attempting to measure the ultra-thin tribo film that forms on the surface of gears. Examples of research related to integrity evaluation are “Relationship between inspection capability and integrity of pressurized piping”, “Modeling of the fatigue of gears under various conditions”, and “Dynamics of high-strength chemical fiber having a complicated structure”.

Social Contributions: Member of JSME committee on, FFS code for nuclear power plants, welding code for thermal power plants, Design, FFS, and welding code for nuclear reprocessing plants.; Member of JAXA’s committee on code for high-pressure equipment for space use.; Chair of Acoustic Emission Testing education committee, division of new materials of JSNDI

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) / Aoyama Gakuin University

Career: TU Delft/NASDA/Aoyama Gakuin Univ./ JSPS

Papers/Books: V. Sry, Y. Mizutani et. al., Journal of Texitile Science and Technology, 3, 1-16 (2017); K. Mizukami, Y. Mizutani et. al., Composites Part B Engineering, 86, 84-94 (2016); T. Yasuoka, Y. Mizutani et. al., Mechanical Engineering Journal JSME, 1-3, SMM0009 (2014)

Murata, Ryo Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Architecture and Building Eng.

Creating architecture and cities in response to the environment

Environmental Architecture

Passive Solar design

Architectural Design

Courtyard house

Creating architecture and cities in response to the environment

Our main theme is “creating architecture and cities in response to the environment“. Considering various historical and geographical factors and their relationships with architecture and cities, we are practicing design and research with the objective of clarifying the fundamental mechanisms of an excellent building environment.

Social Contributions: Life Cycle Carbon Minus House Research and Development Committee(2009-), Architectural design works: Courtyard House A(2017), Tokyo Tech Genso Cube(2015)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering / Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Estec Design Co. Ltd., Yasuo Murata Architects and Associates

Papers/Books: SECTIONAL COMPOSITION AND LIGHT ENVIRONMENT IN WINTER OF THE COURTYARD AND ADJACENT ROOMS IN CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE COURTYARD HOUSES: ARCHITECTURAL INSTITUTE OF JAPAN, June 2014

Yagi, Tohru Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.
School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Transdisciplinary Science and Eng.

Neural engineering to connect man and machine

Biomedical Engineering

Neural Engineering

Human Interface

Makers

Neural engineering to connect man and machine

The goal of this laboratory is to understand the neural mechanisms and computational principles of the biological brain and vision, and to exploit the findings in engineering applications, especially with relation to biomedical/rehabilitation engineering and bio-mimetic robotics. This involves a combination of engineering and biomedical experimental approaches based on neuroscience. The current project is to develop a neural interface, which is a direct technological interface between the nervous system and a computer.

Social Contributions: Board Member, Japan Society for Medical and Biological Engineering (2015-present); Board Member, Japanese Society for Engineering Education, (2014-present); Board Member, Institute of Electrical Engineers C Section (2017-present)

Degree: Doctor (Engineering) /Nagoya University

Career: JSPS, RIKEN, Nagoya University, NIDEC Co., MIT

Papers/Books: Personal Identification Number Application Using Adaptive P300 Brain-Computer Interface, IEEJ Transactions on Electronics, Information and Systems, 136, 9, 1277-1282, 2016.; Research of the Characteristics of Alzheimer’s Disease Using EEG, IEEJ Transactions on Electronics, Information and Systems, 130, 10, 1827-1832, 2010.; Biohybrid Visual Prosthesis for Restoring Blindness, Int. J. of Applied Biomedical Engineering, 2, 1, 1-5, 2009.

Yasuda, Koichi Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Architecture and Building Eng.

Architectural design process and integration method for sustainable architecture and products

Architectural Design

Art Museum/Aquarium

Campus Design

Industrial Design

Architectural design process and integration method for sustainable architecture and products

The main study themes are study and design of “Art museum and Aquariums,” “University Campus Planning and Facilities,” “Environmentally-conscious Building,” “Renovation/Conversion,” “Façade Engineering,” and “Industrial Design.” I investigate the establishment process of high-quality architecture in cities or other environmental conditions, to clarify integrated design technique. This will be achieved by searching what kind of technologies are used under what kind of design process, and what the relation with the background social system is. It is difficult to express the modern environment and social conditions surrounding a building in a unified way. I believe that deep thoughts and concepts are born by integrating extensive information.

Social Contributions: The Architectural Institute of Japan, Director for Events and Awords; Next-generation public building meeting for IFC/BIM, Chairman; The Japan Institute of Architects (JIA), Green Building Award, Chairman of Jury

Degree: Ph.D. / Tokyo Institute of Technology M. Arch/Yale University

Career: Worked for Nikken Sekkei Ltd. and Bernard Tschumi Architects

Papers/Books: POLA Museum of Art (2002); Marine Place Aquarium UMITAMAGO/ASOBEECH (2004/2015); Tokyo Institute of Technology Library (2011)

Yamakita, Masaki Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Systems and Control Eng.

No control, no life

Control Engineering

Robotics

Adaptive・Learning Control

No control, no life

Our main research topics are advanced control theory and its application to industry. To apply control theory, system modeling, system analysis, control system design, and performance validation are very important. In our laboratory, advanced methods in each step are studied. For example, in a system modeling a system modeling method that is robust against observation noise based on machine learning techniques has been proposed aside conventional modeling based on physical and chemical laws. Fast model predictive control algorithm, and algorithms for state estimation and prediction of future behavior in future based on the model have been proposed. In the robotics field, realization of energy-efficient biped running, and development of artificial muscle actuators and its application are studied.

Social Contributions: IIFAC AUTOMATICA, Associate Editor (2001-2007）; Robotics Society of Japan, Councilor (2003-2004); SICE SI-division Technical Committee on Soft Material, Technical editor(2007-2008)

Degree: Doctor of Engineering /Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Toyohashi University of Technology/Riken

Papers/Books: 「Iterative generation of virtual reference for a manipulator」M.Yamakita, K.Furuta, Robotica, Vol. 9, pp. 1/80 (1991), 「A Novel Gait Generation for Biped　alking Robots Based on Mechanical Energy Constraint」,F.Asano, M.Yamakita, IEEE Trans. on Robotics and Automation, Vol. 20, No3. pp.565/573(2004)

Yamazaki, Takahisa Associate Professor

School of Engineering / Dept. of Mechanical Eng.

Joining of dissimilar materials to provide good mechanical property for aerospace

Joining

Brazing

Welding

Carbon related materials

Dissimilar materials

Joining of dissimilar materials to provide good mechanical property for aerospace

Our main theme is joining of carbon-related materials to super alloys for aerospace use. To use these joints under a severe environment, some techniques were applied to materials that provide good mechanical property to produce these joints. Arc, plasma or light beam were applied to produce these dissimilar materials joints, then they were fractured to obtain mechanical property data using various devices to serve as aerospace materials.

Social Contributions: JWES　comitee of brazing , advanced materials joining group; JWS vice chair of the interface joining research section

Degree: Doctor of Engineering /Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo TECH / NASDA / RIKEN

Papers/Books: Takahisa Yamazaki, Ryusei Ninomiya, Magnet Formation by the Surface Modification; of Diamond with Manganese Detected by the Magnet Flux Density on the; Surface, Materials Sciences and Applications, 2017, 8, 642-648; doi:10.4236/masa.2017.88045; T Yamazaki, K Shoji, T-T Ikeshoji, A Suzumura, The healing effect of; stearic acid applied on amorphous carbon film with dispersed; nanodiamonds, Journal of Physics: Conference Series 379 (2012) 012010.; (p.1-10).

Yuasa, Kazuhiro Associate Professor

School of Environment and Society / Dept. of Architecture and Building Eng.

Application of the effective energy utilization technology in buildings

Environmental Engineering

Building Services

Urban Energy systems

Energy Conservation

Application of the effective energy utilization technology in buildings

Our major subjects are as follows; 1) energy consumption in many buildings, such as houses, offices and commercial buildings, are analyzed by questionnaire survey and measurement; 2) energy conservation effects via application of distributed energy systems, such as photovoltaic power generation, wind power generation, and a cogeneration system, to building an urban area are estimated by energy simulation; 3) energy conservation effects of district heating and cooling systems are surveyed; and 4) effects of behavior for energy conservation in houses and educational facilities are analyzed by a questionnaire survey, measurement, and energy simulation.

Social Contributions: Architectural institute of Japan; Institute of environmental management, administration and maintenance of Japan; Japan building maintenance association

Degree: Doctor of Engineering /Tokyo Institute of Technology

Career: Tokyo Institute of Technology

Papers/Books: Evaluation on SOFC-cgs installation with consideration to electricity and hot water demand variation, Transactions of AIJ, 2015, / Energy saving potential of low-impact life style in residential buildings, Transactions of AIJ, 2009

Faculty Members

Principal teacher

Assistant teacher

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