Research Group, Academic Staff

Department of Food and Energy Systems Science

Each academic staff (professor) has their own research group.

Department of Bio-Functions and Systems Science

Functional Designing of Materials

OGINO, Kenji

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Functional Designing of Materials
Keywords
Semiconducting polymers, Block copolymers, Nanostructure control
e-mail
kogino (@) cc.tuat.ac.jp

Semiconducting block copolymers are synthesized and characterized for electroluminescent, photovoltaic and photorefractive applications. Characteristics of devices based on block copolymers are discussed from the view point of nanostructures resulting from self-assembly in thin films.

Z. Cao, Y. Abe, T. Nagahama, K. Tsuchiya, K. Ogino, “Synthesis and characterization of polytriphenylamine based graft polymers for photorefractive application”, Polymer, 54 (1), 269-276 (2013)
Y. Tan, Z. Gu, K. Tsuchiya, K. Ogino,” Synthesis and luminescent properties of block copolymers based on polyfluorene and polytriphenylamine”, Polymer, 53 (7), 1444-1452 (2012)
Z. Gu, T. Kanto, K. Tsuchiya, T. Shimomura, K. Ogino,” Annealing effect on performance and morphology of photovoltaic devices based on poly(3-hexylthiophene)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)”,Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, 49 (12), 2645-2652 (2011)

Functional Application of Materials

QIAN, Eika W.

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Functional Application of Materials
Keywords
Catalyst, Petroleum hydrotreating, Biomass utilization
e-mail
whqian (@) cc.tuat.ac.jp

Research on production of clean energy and materials from fossil fuels, and biomass. Development of catalysts for high utilization of petroleum to produce clean fuel oil and valuable chemicals. Development of processes and catalysts to produce bio-ethanol and bio-diesel, and bio-materials using catalyst and enzyme from biomass.

S. Gong, N. Chen, S. Nakayama, E. W. Qian, Isomerization of n-Alkanes Derived from Jatropha Oil over Bifunctional Catalysts, Journal of Molecular Catalysis A: Chemical, 370, 14– 21 (2013).
S. Li, E. W. Qian, M. Hosomi, T. Fukunaga, Preparation of sulfo group bearing mesoporous silica-based solid acid catalysts and its application in direct saccharification, Journal of Chemical Engineering of Japan, Vol. 45, No. 7, 1-9 (2012).
E. W. Qian, T. Horio, I. P. Sutrisna, Temperature-Programmed Elimination of Tritium in Coal Labeled by Tritiated Gaseous Hydrogen, Energy Fuels, , 23(3), 1583-1590 (2009).

Robotics

MIZUUCHI, Ikuo

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Robotics
Keywords
Mechanism, Control, Information Processing, Artificial Intelligence of Robots, Applications of Robots (home, kitchen, agriculture, communication, etc.)
e-mail
mizuuchi(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

Our research involves various aspects of robotics.  We are creating robots by learning and being inspired from knowledges about human. World's first musculoskeletal humanoid robot we developed is anexample.  Learning from the human body structure, we study musculoskeletal robots, dynamic control that incorporates springs and rubber for instantaneous explosive force, utilizations of pneumatic artificial muscles, etc.  We are also studying human control, including kinematic chains of multibody systems and machine learning from the process of human control improvement.  Studying human information processing, we study real-world recognition, tidying up, crop harvesting, and artificial intelligence.  Also, learning from the mechanisms of the human mind, we conduct research on the relationship between robots and people.

Crystal engineering, Semiconductor engineering

MURAKAMI, Hisashi

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Crystal engineering, Semiconductor engineering
Keywords
Wide bandgap semiconductor crystal growth, Development of materials for energy-creation and energy-saving devices
e-mail
faifai(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

We are promoting research and development on wide bandgap semiconductor materials (GaN, Ga2O3, AlN, InGaN alloy crystal, etc.) for the next and subsequent generations of energy conversion devices, so-called power devices. We are exploring methods to grow semiconductor crystals of high purity and high quality at high speed by vapor phase growth using metal chlorides as a precursor, aiming to contribute to solving future energy issues and carbon neutral. Specifically, we are efficiently developing new semiconductor materials and promoting research through the prediction of crystal growth behavior based on thermodynamics, the design of reactors using CFD calculations, and the construction and growth experiments of crystal growth apparatuses based on the theoretical predictions.

Environmental optical systems

IWAMI, Kentaro

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Environmental optical systems
Keywords
Nano/Microsystems, MEMS, NEMS, Optcal engineering, optical elements
e-mail
k_iwami(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

When a material is processed on a scale smaller than the wavelength of light, its refractive index can be widely modified.
Such materials are called metamaterials, which can transform the state of light in various ways and bring out novel functionalities.
In our laboratory, we are researching the application of precisely designed metamaterials and metasurfaces to ultra-thin highly functional lenses, three-dimensional imaging technology (holography), and microsensors.
By realizing these, we aim for future innovation in a wide range of areas from quantum technology to analysis and measurement, and bio-applications.

Iwami, K., Ogawa, C., Nagase, T. and Ikezawa, S. Demonstration of focal length tuning by rotational varifocal moiré metalens in an ir-A wavelength. Optics Express 28, 35602–35614 (2020).
Yamada, N., Saito, H., Ikezawa, S. and Iwami, K. Demonstration of a multicolor metasurface holographic movie based on a cinematographic approach. Optics Express 30, 17591–17603 (2022).
Yamaguchi, N., Saito, H., Ikezawa, S. and Iwami, K. High transmittance metasurface holograms using silicon nitride. Tech. Digest of IEEE MEMS 2023 T73-h, 1111-1114 (2023).

Electromagnetic wave engineering

ARIMA, Takuji

Degree
Dr. Eng.
Research Area
Electromagnetic wave engineering
Keywords
Simulation for electromagnetic waves, Development of antennas, Development of new media for electromagnetic waves, Metamaterials
e-mail
t-arima(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

In our laboratory, we are studying a wide range of research from the fundamentals to applications of electromagnetic waves in order to realize a more enriched life by using electromagnetic waves. As basic research, we are developing quite accurate simulation techniques of electromagnetic waves which can reproduce the characteristics of electromagnetic waves in a computer. Accurate simulation of electromagnetic waves would eliminate the need for experimentation, which would be a great advantage in terms of cost and time. Antennas are also essential to effectively radiate and receive electromagnetic waves. The development of antennas is also carried out using simulation technology. As for applied research, we are developing structures that exhibit characteristics that do not exist in the natural world with regard to electromagnetic waves. Previously, the size of antennas and other devices was determined by the wavelength of electromagnetic waves. We are also developing technologies that allow antennas to be placed more freely, freeing them from this restriction. Thus, our core technology is the simulation of electromagnetic waves, and we are conducting research on a wide range of electromagnetic waves from low to high frequencies.

Functional Analysis of Materials

HASHIMOTO, Yohey

Degree
Ph. D.
Research Area
Functional Analysis of Materials
Keywords
Enviromental soil science
e-mail
yhashim(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

Research and analysis of the the chemical state at the molecular level of the harmful and nutrition elements in the soil.In order for plants and microorganisms to take up elements from the soil, the elements should be dissolved in the soil, but the chemical state of those elements will decide how ease the melt. For example, arsenic is known for toxic metals which present in the chemical state of trivalent [arsenite] and pentavalent [arsenic]. The trivalent, which high in toxic is easy to move in the enviroment than pentavalent.If the chemical state of the element is known, it can lead to the elucidation of the machanism of the absorption and toxicity in the enviroment and organisms.We are working on the analysis og the elemental state of soil and water at the molecular level, dynamics of the elements in the enviroment, the development of high-performance fertilizer which is easily absorbed by the plant, as well as enviromental remediation technology.

Environmental Monitoring Systems

AKAI, Nobuyuki

Degree
Ph. D.
Research Area
Environmental Monitoring Systems
Keywords
Molecular structure, Low temperature chemistry, Reaction intermediate, Photochemistry
e-mail
akain (@) cc.tuat.ac.jp

Our group is studying accurate chemical reactions and mechanisms in atmosphere using several vibrational spectroscopies with aids of quantum chemical calculations. Vaporization mechanism of ionic liquids is another research topic.
N. Akai et al.“"Matrix-isolation infrared spectra of HOOBr and HOBrO produced upon VUV light irradiation of HBr/O2/Ne system" Chemical Physics Letters . 499, 117-120 (2010).
N. Akai et al."Cryogenic Neon Matrix-Isolation FTIR Spectroscopy of Evaporated Ionic Liquids: Geometrical Structure of Cation-Anion 1:1 Pair in the Gas phase", Journal of Physical Chemistry B , 113, 4756-4762 (2009).
N. Akai et al."First Observation of the Matrix-isolated FTIR Spectrum of Vaporized Ionic Liquid: An Example of EmimTFSI, 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide" Chemistry Letters 37, 256-257 (2008).

Bio-modeled Sensory Systems

FUJINAMI, Kaori

Degree
Ph. D in Computer Science
Research Area
Bio-modeled Sensory Systems
Keywords
Ubiquitous Computing, Human-Computer Interaction, Real World Computing, Internet of Things (IoT)
e-mail
fujinami(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

Our research interests mainly exist in Ubiquitous Computing, or more recent words Internet of Things (IoT) with special focus on human centered design. We aim to investigate technologies for obtaining physical worlds (sensing and modeling) and those for feedback to the users so that applications could give full play their abilities. Besides technology elements, we explore applications that address practical issues or add extra values by leveraging computing technologies in our daily environments such as home, school, and town.

Keita Ichihashi and Kaori Fujinami; “Estimating Visibility of Annotations for View Management in Spatial Augmented Reality Based on Machine-Learning Techniques”, Sensors 2019, Vol. 19, No. 4, Article No. 939, February 2019.
Kaori Fujinami, Mami Kosaka, and Bipin Indurkhya; “Painting an Apple with an Apple: A Tangible Tabletop Interface for Painting with Physical Objects”, Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies (IMWUT), Vol. 2, Issue 4, Article No. 162, December 2018.
Satoshi Murata, Masanori Suzuki, and Kaori Fujinami; “A Wearable Projector-based Gait Assistance System and its Application for Elderly People”, In Proceedings of the 2013 ACM International Joint Conference on Pervasive and Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp’13), pp. 143-152, September 2013.

KOMIYA, Kanako

Degree
Ph.D.
Research Area
Natural language processing
Keywords
Word sense disambiguation, information extraction, domain adaptation, transfer learning
e-mail
kkomiya(@)go.tuat.ac.jp

Natural language processing is processing of languages such as English and Japanese using computers. This research area is included in research on artificial intelligence. We use machine learning, a technique where computers automatically find some rules from many examples. Our main tasks are word sense disambiguation and information extraction. In addition, we focus on research on domain adaptation and transfer learning, which are the techniques to improve system performance when there are few data on a certain domain but there are many data on domains close to the domain. For example, we develop systems for blogs using newspapers and systems for old documents using contemporary documents.

Environmental Mechanical Systems

ISHIDA, Hiroshi

Degree
Doctor of Engineering
Research Area
Environmental Mechanical Systems
Keywords
Robotics, Sensors, Olfactory, Virtual Reality
e-mail
h_ishida(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

Male moth able to follow and search the smell of sec pheromone that transmitted by female moth from a distance. Meanwhile, crayfish and crab use the keen sense of smell in the dark bottom of a lake or ocean to locate the foods. In our laboratory, we have developed the world's first robot to locate the source of the gas smell based on the behaviour of organisms follow the smell. We have developed a olfactory robot which sensing variety of systems, for the applications in gas leak detection and hazardous materials searching. In addtion, we are also working on the development of technology to reproduce a virtual reality system on the olfactory information. We also make collaboration with other oversea laboratories, in order to promote research and eduation.

IKEGAMI, Takashi

Degree
Doctor of Engineering
Research Area
Environmental Mechanical Systems
Keywords
Energy management, Renewable energy, Power system operation
e-mail
iket(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

To establish a sustainable energy supply system, large-scale deployment of renewable energy generation, especially photovoltaics (PV) and wind power generation, is expected all over the world. Since it is difficult to store large amounts of electricity, power stations are operated to produce electricity at the time it is needed. PV generation and wind power generation are characterized by seasonal and hourly variations as well as irregular fluctuations caused by changes in the weather. Therefore, we need to solve various technical problems to maintain a stable power supply at the present level. In that, in the local distribution system, we must account for the excessive voltage increase, whereas in the entire power system, we must account for difficulties with the supply-demand balance control or changes in frequency. In our laboratory, we study about home energy management systems (HEMS) to activate residential power demand, as shown in Figure. To achieve a supply-demand balance in future power systems, it is imperative that we should not only apply pumped-storage power generation or large-scale batteries on the supply side but also activate residential power usage, storage, and generation on the demand side. And, we also study social mechanisms contributing to promote HEMS using the methods of system analysis.

Biomass Production and Utilization Systems

KAJITA, Shinya

Degree
Doctor of Agriculture
Research Area
Biomass Production and Utilization Systems
Keywords
Plant engineering, Cell engineering
e-mail
kajita(@)cc.tuat.ac.jp

Plants develop unique ability to respond to changes in the internal and external enviroment because it is imposible for plants to grow and moving like human. Morphogenesis of individuals plants are developed for the response to stress that receive under poor growth enviroment, will developed the function of defence against pests and diseases. From the revealing of the expression mechanisms of such plant-scientefic function, we hope it may be the clue for solving the enviromental and resource problems. In our laboratory, we analyze a variety of metabolic functions of plant cells, such as trees contribute to the recources of plants and biomass contribute to enviroment cleanup for the development of the new plant.

RNA bioinformatics

SHOJI, Keisuke

Degree
Doctor of Agriculture
Research Area
small RNA, epigenetics, bioinformatics
Keywords
"Non-self" recognition via piRNAs
e-mail
kshoji(@)go.tuat.ac.jp

Virus-like DNA sequences called transposons make up about half of the genome, the blueprint for our organisms. We are researching a mechanism called PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) that animals have acquired to suppress these transposons. piRNA carries sequences corresponding to transposons and inhibits the proliferation of these "non-self" transposon sequences within the genome. In the gonads, which contain the reproductive cells passed on to the next generation, piRNA is functional, and dysfunction of piRNA can lead to infertility.
We are investigating how piRNA distinguishes "non-self" from the ourselves and what role piRNA plays with non-transposon "non-self" entities. We combine bioinformatics and molecular biology to unravel these questions.

Bioelectronics

TABATA, Miyuki

Degree
Ph.D
Research Area
Bioelectronics
Keywords
Biosensors, Electrochemistry, Surface chemistry
e-mail
tabata-bsr(@)go.tuat.ac.jp

Liquid biopsy is attracting attention in precision medicine. Aiming to develop a liquid biopsy platform that can be easily handled by non-medical professionals, biosensors that electrochemically measure biomolecules by combining medical/life science knowledge and semiconductor technology are developed.

 ・Miyuki Tabata, Xinyue Liu, Chattarika Khamhanglit, Sayo Kotaki, Yuji Miyahara, "Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in breast cancer cell lines using an ion-sensitive field-effect transistor in combination with enzymatic chemical signal amplification", Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2022, 144, 36, 16545–16552

・Miyuki Tabata, Chattarika Khamhanglit, Sayo Kotaki, Yuji Miyahara*, "Detection of cell membrane proteins using ion sensitive field effect transistors combined with chemical signal amplification", Chemical Communications, 2022, 58, 7368–7371

Biomass Science

TAKADA, Masatsugu

Degree
Dr. Energy Science
Research Area
Biomass Science
e-mail
takada-masatsugu(@)go.tuat.ac.jp

Woody biomass (lignocellulosics materials) are sustainable and renewable feedstocks that have the potential to replace non-sustainable, fossil-derived materials, such as fuels and other chemicals. Among the cell wall components of woody biomass, lignin is the most abundant aromatic polymer in the world, but its utilization is limited due to its complex and heterogenous structure. In order to convert the unused lignin into the valuable products, we have conducted various research based on the multifaceted backgrounds such as biology, engineering, and energy science. For example, we aimed to elucidate the lignin decomposition behavior from woody biomass by thermochemical treatment such as super-(sub-)critical fluids from the viewpoint of topochemistry, and the production of valuable luminescent materials from lignin.