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High Value-added Media Information and Communication Technology
High value-added media information and communication technology using sub-channel data communication with information hiding technology
We are researching high value-added media information and communication technology that can add new functions while maintaining compatibility with standard formats, by using information hiding technology that is usually used as an information security method.
Research
This research is aimed to add value to media information and communication technology using sub-channel data communication with information hiding technology.
As an application example, this study investigates high-fidelity sound of the voice on the telephone. With the proposed method, information for widening the bandwidth is embedded in the voice data in advance at the transmitter side, so that the voice can have high-fidelity on the receiver side.
This research also investigates a method for detecting tampering by embedding information that can guarantee the originality by image data. Figures 1 to 3 show an example of the proposed method for detecting tampering with a car license plate. When an image is tampered with, the corresponding part of the image is revealed, and the proposed method will not only detect the tampering, but also the tampered part.Naofumi Aoki Assistant Professor -
Understanding the Mechanism of Fish Egg Formation and Applying Research
Improvement of aquaculture technology, development of ecological and environmental research technology
The growth of fish larvae mainly depends on the substances accumulated in the eggs. Therefore, the synthesis and accumulation of egg constituents are important processes that affect egg quality. We are studying the details of this process and its control mechanism (egg formation system). We are also conducting applied research using this system.
Research
Fish eggs grow rapidly while storing various substances such as proteins, lipids, sugars, vitamins and hormones as yolk in their cells. These yolk substances are important nutrient sources that affect the quality of the hatchlings. In addition, the growth of eggs is a process in which various biological molecules, including genes, proteins and hormones, closely work together. This process varies by fish species and environmental factors such as light and water temperature affect the profile of these internal factors and regulate the egg growth. We are conducting detailed comparative analysis of the egg formation process in a wide variety of fish using life science techniques (immunobiochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, etc.). Based on this basic research, we are also conducting applied research such as the monitoring of environmental hormone pollution, the development of a fish egg species identification method and the development of a simple fish sex identification method.
Naoshi Hiramatsu Associate Professor -
Equipment for Simultaneous Optimization of Quality and Quantity of Liquid Ice for Freshness Preservation
Liquid ice optimization system for long-term freshness preservation of food
We have developed a device that calculates the minimum required amount of food-grade liquid ice (slurry ice (salt water ice) or salt-free water ice) using a simple heat capacity calculation, and that also calculates the salt concentration, water/ice mixing ratio, and shelf life to determine the slurry ice temperature based on the overall heat transfer coefficient (container heat radiation parameter) of the storage container.
Research
The amount of produced slurry ice, which is useful for maintaining the freshness of marine animals, often exceeded the amount actually used because there was not a calculation method that took storage time into account. At our laboratory, we have developed a device to optimize the quality (salt concentration and water/ice mixing ratio) and quantity (shelf life) of slurry ice simultaneously and quickly on the spot based on the overall heat transfer coefficient of the storage container, as described earlier. Since this method can be applied to the production of fresh water-derived salt-free liquid ice, it can also be used for other food than marine animals (vegetables, fruits, and livestock), and we are currently working to obtain the rights to this invention.
Naoto Tsubouchi Associate Professor -
MIRASAL, a Device for Visualizing the Freshness of and Best Timing for Eating Food Animals
A device for evaluating the freshness of and the best timing for eating food animals to ensure safety and security
In collaboration with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), we have developed a visualization device called MIRASAL to evaluate the freshness of and the best timing for eating food animals by using a simulation method to determine the concentration of degraded components in any part of a food animal (aquatic or livestock animal), which changes over the course of time after the animal has died.
Research
At the wholesale markets in fish and shellfish production and consumption areas, freshness is an important criterion in the determination of transaction prices, and the K value has been proposed as an evaluation index. However, since the K-value is calculated by sampling any part of a postmortem marine animal and analyzing the components after various pretreatments, real-time evaluation (understanding) at the distribution site is not possible. Aiming to solve this problem using an appropriate simulation method, we have developed a device that can evaluate the freshness and the best timing to eat fish and shellfish based on various information such as the type and size of the fish and shellfish, the elapsed time since death, and the storage temperature, using the method described above. We are currently working on the acquisition of the rights to the invention and for improvement of its portability (for use with smartphones, etc.). This device “MIRASAL” can also be applied to livestock animals such as beef, chicken, and pork.
Naoto Tsubouchi Associate Professor -
Detoxification and Removal of Nitrogen from Carbon Resources Using Nanoparticles
Use of nanoparticles for fuel nitrogen pre-removal and high-temperature gas purification
To establish principles for advanced utilization of carbon resources in harmony with the global environment is one of the most important research themes for the next generation. With this study, we aim to develop a catalytic process that can efficiently convert carbon resources into clean energy using nanoscale metal and metal oxide particles.
Research
Nitrogen in carbon resources (Fuel-N) is emitted as NOx and N2O during combustion. During high-temperature gasification, it is mainly converted to NH3, which becomes a source of NOx in later-stage gas combustion. With this study, we have worked on the development of a method to convert Fuel-N into harmless N2 through a pyrolysis process prior to combustion or gasification, and found that Ca ions supported by the ion-exchange method change into CaO nanoparticles during pyrolysis and catalyze the formation of N2 formation.
We have also found that Fe ions, which are originally contained in lignite coal, and FeOOH, which is abundantly found in brown iron ore, readily become metallic iron nanoparticles during the heating process, and that N2 is selectively produced during the decomposition reaction of NH3, pyridine and pyrrole by this catalyst. Since these N-containing species are contained in the crude gas produced during coal gasification, we are working to develop a new high-temperature gas purification method for the removal of these compounds.Naoto Tsubouchi Associate Professor -
Research on Organizational Strategy Through Public Relations, Marketing, and CSR
Based on media and social media strategy
In recent years, dramatic changes in consumers and the business environment have made it difficult to increase the effectiveness of traditional management techniques. Against the backdrop of declining effectiveness of media, marketing and brand appeal, we are researching new public relations strategies to build good relationships between organizations and society in difficult times.
Research
Public relations strategies in general are mainly information strategies to achieve media coverage of the news, and media effect theory methods have often been used for public relations effectiveness. Based on the premise that consumers are changing from a single-value orientation to a diverse/multiple-value orientation, and that the media are changing from mass media to online and social media, and in consideration of the current social environment, research on the CSR strategies of organizations has gradually been increasing in weight recently.
CSR is mainly divided into defense, which comprises compliance and governance, and offense, which is aimed to improve the image of an organization that contributes to management through strategic social contribution. Depending on the company size, type of business and other factors, practical strategies of small and medium-sized companies and large corporations may differ slightly, but a proper balance between the defense and offense areas is required.Naoya Ito Specially Appointed Professor -
Development of Structural Materials for Fusion and High Energy Reactors
Iron-based composites with high thermal conductivity
By appropriately arranging high thermal conductive materials in iron-based structural materials, the thermal conductivity of the entire structural materials can be dramatically improved. This will lead to the improvement of the efficiency of energy production and the reduction of radioactive waste, as well as the development of iron-based structural materials for fusion reactors and high energy reactor divertors, for which there has been no solution so far.
Research
This paper focuses on the low thermal conductivity of iron-based materials, which are expected to be used in actual DEMO reactors, with a view to the development of heat exchange devices facing to the plasma in operation, and is aimed at a significant improvement of thermal conductivity, which is considered to be the key to success. The 500°C temperature gradient near the cooling tube of the DEMO reactor divertor imposes a huge heat load that has never been experienced in engineering equipment before. On various iron-based materials (pure iron, reduced activation ferritic martensitic steel and oxide dispersion strengthened ferritic steel), Cu and W wires of high thermal conductivity are appropriately arranged to ensure strength as a structural material while serving as a heat sink.
Naoyuki Hashimoto Professor -
Sonoporation: Development of a New Drug Delivery Method Using Ultrasound and Microbubbles
Realization of tissue targeting capability at the cellular level
We were the first in the world to show that, by irradiating cells with pulsed ultrasound while microbubbles of several microns in diameter are attached to the cells, we can temporarily increase the cell membrane permeability. We are now promoting research aimed at realizing drug and gene delivery to living organisms.
Research
○ Acoustic perforation (sonoporation) using microbubbles and pulsed ultrasound: Pulsed ultrasound irradiation of microbubbles in contact with the cell membrane enables temporary perforation only at the attachment site (Fig. 1). We have realized a method to deliver drugs or genes into any desired position in the target cell by adding drugs or genes to the microbubbles and controlling the attachment site with optical tweezers.
○ Succeeding with therapeutic site identification and drug delivery by using microbubbles and an ultrasound system: A microbubble, which has the target function of adhering only to the cells to be treated, is injected into a vein. To identify the therapeutic site, the tissue where the bubbles have accumulated is detected using an ultrasound contrast method. Pulsed ultrasound waves are then generated to break the bubbles, allowing temporary perforation of the cell membrane and drug delivery (Fig. 2). By adding drugs or genes to the bubbles, highly efficient drug delivery only to the target cells can be realized.Nobuki Kudo Associate Professor
