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1. No Poverty
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2. Zero Hunger
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3. Good Health and Well-being
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4. Quality Education
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5. Gender Equality
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6. Clean Water and Sanitation
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7. Affordable and Clean Energy
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8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
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9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
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10. Reduced Inequality
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11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
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12. Responsible Consumption and Production
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13. Climate Action
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14. Life Below Water
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15. Life on Land
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16. Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
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17. Partnerships to achieve the Goal
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: 29
- 1. No Poverty
- 2. Zero Hunger
- 3. Good Health and Well-being
- 4. Quality Education
- 5. Gender Equality
- 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
- 7. Affordable and Clean Energy
- 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
- 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- 10. Reduced Inequality
- 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
- 13. Climate Action
- 14. Life Below Water
- 15. Life on Land
- 16. Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
- 17. Partnerships to achieve the Goal
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View Detail-
A Study on Pro-beam Roadway Lighting in Urban Areas
To prevent night-time accidents involving pedestrians at intersections in urban areas, we are developing a Pro-beam road lighting system that works with headlights to help drivers quickly detect pedestrians crossing the street. Pro-beam is a lighting system whereby the light distribution of the lamps is directed in the travelling direction of the vehicles.
Research
We have summarized the requirements and functions of pro-beam road lighting to design specific light distribution of Pro-beam lighting to increase the visibility of pedestrians crossing the road through optical simulation and visibility evaluation experiments. Using the prototype light fixture, we have evaluated drivers’ visibility of pedestrians who are standing still and measured the time until drivers detect pedestrians at intersections using video images. As a result, we have confirmed that the Pro-beam lighting system provides higher visibility of the entire road space, including the oncoming lane, and helps drivers quickly detect pedestrians crossing the road not only from the right but also from the left. We are now working on the design and development of a light fixture for practical use as a road light by developing the prototype light fixture.
Toru Hagiwara Professor -
Accelerometer to Identify Where You Stumble
To prevent falls in elderly people
To avoid serious injuries due to falls, we studied a system that can search places with a potential danger of stumbling, which is a sign of a fall, based on people’s daily activities. The system uses an accelerometer embedded in sandals to identify the stumbling point, and an infrared sensor network on the ceiling to identify the location of the stumbling point.
Research
According to a survey by the Tokyo Fire Department in 2014, approximately 80% of all cases of emergency transportation of elderly people are due to accidents involving falls. Since their consciousness cannot keep up with their declining physical abilities, they stumble over small steps, footwear, or clothing. Much research is done on the detection of falls, but it is too late after the actual fall. Therefore, we decided to eliminate the causes of falls by detecting the areas where people often stumble. Wearable devices have problems with forgetfulness and psychological resistance to wearing it, while non-wearable devices such as surveillance cameras have problems with blind spots and privacy protection. In this study, an acceleration sensor is attached to normal sandals to detect a stumble, while a network of infrared sensors installed on the ceiling works in conjunction to identify the location of the stumble. In our experiments, we were able to distinguish falls easily, but the accuracy rate of distinguishing stumbling from normal walking is currently only about 1/4, so we hope to improve the accuracy in the future.
Mineichi Kudo Professor -
An Idea-supporting Multimedia Search System
An information retrieval system that organically links images, video and other data to help searchers find inspiration and ideas.
The idea-supporting multimedia search system organically links unstructured data such as images, music and video, extracts inherent similarities and effectively presents them to searchers to help them find ideas and inspiration.
Research
We have succeeded in establishing associations and similarities between different media, and developed an associative search scheme that takes ambiguity of multimedia information into consideration (fused search). We have also realized a new search engine and interface by quickly introducing modeling of personal preferences through user networks and visualization of similarities in preferences through user interfaces (personal adaptive search). Use of the search engine and interface enables a completely new search that effectively utilizes the polysemy and ambiguity inherent in multimedia contents.
Miki Haseyama Professor -
Applied Research on Content Tourism
International comparative study on the propagation and acceptance of culture through content tourism and its application to the planning of tourism town planning measures
We are conducting an international comparative study of content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and reception of pop culture to clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others. The knowledge gained through this research is also returned to the fields of tourism and urban planning in the form of specific measures.
Research
Through this research, we are conducting an international joint research project on content tourism (the act of actually visiting a place that is given meaning by a “story” or “work” and its constituent elements, and experiencing the relevant content) with the following three objectives:
First, we will clarify the role that such tourism plays in understanding others by rethinking content tourism from the perspective of the propagation and receipt of pop culture. Secondly, based on this, we will consider how to create a model exchange-oriented tourism town with content at its core. Thirdly, we will focus on the East Asian region, where Japan's geopolitical situation calls for international mutual understanding, and consider the possibilities and challenges that content tourism, triggered by Japanese content, has for Japan's cultural security.Takayoshi Yamamura Professor -
Community Development and Environmental Conservation through Interview Surveys
Consensus building based on diversity
Based on fieldwork in the Solomon Islands, Miyagi, and Hokkaido, we are studying the relationship between nature and local communities, and are conducting research on and implement the promotion of environmental conservation and community development from the bottom up. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have been conducting research in Ishinomaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, to support reconstruction efforts.
Research
We are conducting research to apply "interviews" to policies and activities. Local residents, researchers, and students collaborate to investigate people, nature, history, culture, and social issues in local communities, to identify issues, think of solutions, and consider the future of the region. We are practicing and applying the methods of interviewing and verbatim recording as tools for this purpose. We are researching the possibilities of qualitative research (interviews and verbatim recording) as a way of visualizing what cannot be seen in conventional quantitative research (statistics and questionnaires) and workshops, and to build relationships of trust.
Taisuke Miyauchi Professor -
Consolidated Compact City Planning
Methodology for urban consolidation in an era of a declining population
Our laboratory is the first in Japan to propose and implement the concept of a consolidated compact city, which is a top-priority issue for cities in the age of a declining population. In Yubari, a city where the population is rapidly shrinking, we have proposed the concept of a consolidated compact city, implementing a project to consolidate the urban area in collaboration with the city and local residents.
Research
This is the first attempt in Japan to implement a consolidated compact city project. In Yubari, we are promoting reorganization into an urban area of an appropriate size through downsizing, while creating a system of relocation and settlement to form local communities, and reduce the maintenance and management costs of urban infrastructure facilities. In the course of creating a compact city, we promote consolidation of the urban area for the first 10 years while maintaining local communities, and then consolidate local communities into a central urban hub over the next 10 years. This allows residents to continue living in Yubari at ease, even while the consolidation process is under way. In cooperation with Yubari City, we have already completed the relocation and consolidation of residents in the Mayachi district of Yubari.
Our efforts have been published in research papers and the mass media, and we have received many inquiries from cities facing similar issues.Tsuyoshi Setoguchi Professor -
Cooperation and Value Creation in Community-based Workspaces
Development process of coworking
In recent years, working systems of individuals who do not necessarily have the same occupation or affiliation but interact and cooperate with each other according to the situation in organizations and local communities, as well as the workplaces that they share, have been attracting attention. This research is aimed to clarify the process of cooperation and value creation in such workplaces.
Research
The purpose of this study is to elucidate the process of cooperation and value creation in a community-type workspace. A community-type workspace is an open workspace where individuals share information and knowledge with other through communication, and create value through collaboration according to the situation. A coworking space is a typical example of such a place, and in recent years, it has been becoming more and more popular in Europe, the U.S., and the rest of the world. In the background, there is a movement of questioning the highly uniform interaction and cooperation among members in closed spaces, a system that is still dominant in organizations and local communities, and to achieve both individual autonomy and solidarity. This research is expected to provide knowledge that will contribute to the design and operation of such workspaces, as well as their organizational and social utilization, which are still largely unknown.
Tadashi Uda Associate Professor -
Developing Applications of GIS and Geospatial Information
A human geographical approach to the advanced information society
GIS (Geographical Information System) is a system for analyzing, searching, and displaying geospatial information (data including location information). In this laboratory, we are developing GIS analysis and visualization methods related to geospatial information for the purpose of supporting regional planning and disaster prevention planning.
Research
At this laboratory we are using GIS to study the use of geospatial information, such as Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) maps and digital national land information, maintained by the national government as well as open data maintained by local governments and big data such as movement history acquired by GPS. For example, the results of this research are being used to support the formulation of plans for tsunami evacuation in snowy and cold regions. The winter environment in snowy and cold regions (frozen road surfaces, reduced road width due to snow, etc.) makes tsunami evacuation in coastal areas extremely difficult. At our laboratory we generate a lot of information necessary for planning, such as the demarcation of difficult-to-evacuate areas, the estimation of difficult-to-evacuate populations, and evaluation of the capacity of evacuation sites under such snowy cold conditions, and publish our techniques and results. In this way, we are developing technologies to easily and quickly create socially useful information from a geographical perspective, and are continuing our research to contribute to the formation of the foundation for an advanced information society.
Yuichi Hashimoto Professor -
Development of a Non-destructive CT-XRD Coupling Method and Its Application
Visualization of the microstructure of hardened cement
To develop innovative cement-hardening materials, we are devising a non-destructive integrated CT-XRD method, a novel measurement method combining the CT method to obtain geometric and spatial information on microstructures inside concrete with an accuracy of several microns, and a diffraction method to investigate hydrates and alterations in the region of interest.
Research
Concrete is structurally hardened by binding rock (aggregate) through a hydration reaction between cement and water. As a structural material, concrete is intended to withstand loading and certain weather/environmental conditions, but these may cause cracking of the concrete, which may progressively deteriorate due to strong acids and other chemical reactions caused by erosion and materials from the atmosphere, seawater and groundwater that come in contact with it. To stably use the social infrastructure for a long period of time, it is important to be able to see inside the internal structure of concrete with “bug eyes” and find any abnormalities that have occurred.
With the pioneering “non-destructive integrated CT-XRD method,” the sample is irradiated with high-intensity X-rays from synchrotron radiation to selectively visualize 3D structures from transmitted monochromatic X-rays at 25 keV. Energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction is also performed in specific regions of interest through multiple slit operations to identify hydrates (portlandite, calcite, etc.), their alteration and aggregate minerals.Takafumi Sugiyama Professor -
Development of Mathematical Algorithms for Biomedical Optical Imaging
Development of a mathematical model for light propagation model inside biological tissues
A highly accurate and computationally efficient light propagation model is necessary for the progress of biomedical optical imaging. In this study, we have succeeded in constructing a fast solution method for the radiative transfer equation that describes light propagation with high accuracy. We are working on the advancement of an optical diagnosis and treatment using the proposed method.
Research
In this study, we are constructing a mathematical algorithm for biomedical optical imaging based on the radiative transfer equation. Our goal is to develop an imaging technique with excellent image resolution that can be applied to biological tissues and body parts where conventional imaging based on mathematical models cannot be applied. Until now, the numerical computational burden of the radiative transfer equation has been enormous, limiting its applicability to small-sized organisms. In this study, we have succeeded in developing a highly accurate and computationally efficient light propagation model by coupling the radiative transfer equation and the photon diffusion equation. Optical imaging based on the developed light propagation model can be applied to various biological tissues and sites. Currently, we are working on applying the model to the optical diagnosis of thyroid tumors in the human neck and the in-vivo evaluation of optical property values in biological tissues.
Hiroyuki Hujii Assistant Professor -
Event Information Recommendation System
A system that collects data from a few weeks before an event to the day of the event and recommends appropriate event information.
Although event information was only valid for a short time and it was hard to handle it with conventional information recommendation technology, we have developed a flexible recommendation method by combining multiple factors such as user interest and geographic characteristics.
Research
The system estimates the genres and information sources that a user prefers based on the user’s past information browsing history, and assesses the event information that the target user is interested in by referring to the browsing trends of users with similar interests. It also takes into account the geographic characteristics of the user and finally presents the information to him/her. The timing of information distribution is adjusted throughout the system so that the overall system performance can be improved.
Hidenori Kawamura Professor -
From Landscape to Hometown Revitalization
Creating community value through resident participation
From the perspective of landscape planning, we are researching ways to preserve and utilize the local environment by linking it to people's awareness and social understanding. In recent years, we have been practically researching how values and spatial needs that change with society, such as “health” and “funerals” can be reflected in the landscape.
Research
To conserve and manage local resources through resident participation, the “landscape” approach, which views the region from people's perspective, is very effective. We are developing research on people's and society's landscape perception, and conducting empirical research on how to utilize people’s place attachment in local resource management.
Environmental planning using health resorts (Kurort)
In Germany, medical insurance covers services at government-recognized recuperation and health resorts that make use of the natural environment such as hot springs, the sea, and the climate. In Japan, too, efforts are underway to create health resorts (Kurort) that combine health tourism with local health promotion.
Forest utilization as burial sites:
To utilize forest resources, we are conducting practical research on the development of forest burial sites in Japan, modeled after Germany’s examples. As a new method of managing forests, which account for 70% of Japan’s land area, we are promoting the creation of forest burial sites in various regions as a means of regional management in aging society.Hirofumi Ueda Associate Professor -
Geothermal Resource Monitoring and Risk Assessment of Induced Earthquakes
Monitoring and risk assessment of geothermal resources through geophysical observations
Evaluation of the subsurface structure necessary for geothermal resource development by gravity survey and precise determination of the seismic source. Monitoring of geothermal reservoir resources by precise gravity measurements and crustal deformation observations. Risk assessment of induced earthquakes associated with geothermal well development and research on seismic activity prediction.
Research
○ For geothermal resource development, which has been actively promoted in recent years, geothermal reservoirs are examined through base structure surveys. We have been investigating the basement structure through gravity surveys, precise seismic source distribution, and seismic velocity structure analysis.
○ For geothermal power generation, steam is produced and hot water is returned to the underground, but it is necessary to monitor the level of the geothermal reservoir to ensure the sustainable use of resources. We will examine the appropriate resource utilization volume through physical assessment of the subsurface fluid conditions using precise gravity measurements and crustal deformation observations.
○ The injection of high-pressure fluids into geothermal wells may induce noticeable tremors and cause problems. We will provide guidelines for appropriate and sustainable resource development by developing a method to evaluate the risk of induced earthquakes based on such parameters as the crustal stress state in the geothermal development area, surrounding faults, the characteristics of the seismic activity, and fluid injection volume.Hiroaki Takahashi Professor -
High-precision Acoustic Position Recognition, Time Synchronization, Selective Flickerless Visible Light Communication
Submillimeter-order position measurement and its deployment
By integrating ranging technology that is more accurate than conventional methods by double digits and original time-synchronization technology using illumination, we can quickly and accurately estimate the 3D position and velocity of mobile terminals and robots. The system also realizes selective flickerless visible light communication and position-dependent information distribution to specific moving objects.
Research
To accurately obtain the position of a user in a room or a moving object in real time, we have proposed a high-precision time reference point setting method called the phase-matching method (ranging error of 0.03 mm). Based on this technology, we have developed a smartphone users’ gesture recognition system and a robot tracking system. We have also achieved microsecond-order time synchronization using a camera-equipped mobile terminal and an original algorithm. The integration of LED modulation and terminal location information will allow us to distribute location-dependent information and conduct flickerless visible light communication using indoor lighting.
Masanori Sugimoto Professor -
High-temperature Latent Heat Storage Microcapsules
Core (alloy latent heat storage material) ? shell (Al2O3) type latent heat storage microcapsules capable of high-density heat storage in the high temperature range of over 500?C
The latent heat storage method, which utilizes latent heat generated during the solid-liquid phase change, is attractive for its high-density heat storage capacity. Microencapsulation of latent heat storage material enables not only heat storage but also heat transport and heat control applications, and we have developed latent heat storage microcapsules that can be used in the high temperature range of over 500°C.
Research
An Al-base alloy with a melting point above 500°C was newly discovered as a latent heat storage material. By skillfully applying chemical conversion/oxidation treatment to the micro-particles of this alloy (approx. 20 μm or larger), we have succeeded in developing core (Al-base alloy) and shell (Al2O3) type latent heat storage microcapsules (Fig. 1). These microcapsules have high heat storage capacity of approximately five times that of solid sensible heat storage materials, and have excellent mechanical properties. Since the shell is made of Al2O3, it can also be treated as a ceramic particle. In other words, it is an epoch-making heat storage material of which the performance can be upgraded while maintaining the current use of ceramic sensible heat storage technology.
Takahiro Nomura Associate Professor -
Hydrogenation with Homogeneous Palladium Nanoparticle Catalyst
Selective synthesis of cis-alkenes and amines
cis-Alkenes and amines, which are useful as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and other chemical products, can be synthesized efficiently through hydrogenation of alkynes, organic nitro compounds and azides. The originally developed homogeneous palladium nanoparticles can be stored in solution for longer than a year and are easy to handle in air.
Research
We have found that homogeneous palladium nanoparticles can be obtained by treating palladium acetate with potassium tert-butoxide or sodium borohydride in the presence of alkynes (Fig.1). The nanoparticles can be stored in solution for longer than a year and are easy to handle in air. They exhibit excellent performance as hydrogenation catalysts and can efficiently synthesize cis-alkenes (2) and amines (4 and 6) from alkynes (1), organic azide compounds (3) and aromatic nitro compounds (5), respectively. They have excellent cis-alkene selectivity and functional group tolerance (no loss of the ketone, aldehyde, or benzylic hydroxy group, etc.). The catalytic activity is extremely high; the reaction proceeds quickly using only 1/1000 to 1/5000 equivalent of palladium of the substrate (raw material). It also has excellent economic efficiency and convenience, and we are examining the possibility of commercializing it in cooperation with companies.
Takeshi Ohkuma Professor -
Multimedia Artificial Intelligence Technology Reaching Social Implementation
Approaching the practical application of AI technology through industry-university collaborative research!
With this research, we are developing artificial intelligence technology for multimedia data, mainly images, video, music, and audio. We are handling data related to medical images, social infrastructure data, materials science and other fields, mainly through industry-university collaborative research.
Research
We are not only conducting the world's most advanced artificial intelligence research, but also promoting research in interdisciplinary areas and taking on the challenge of solving real-world problems. Specifically, in medical imaging research, we have collaborated with many medical institutions in Japan to build AI technology that surpasses human diagnostic accuracy. In medical and civil engineering research, we have built Explainable AI (XAI), which not only enables learning of small amounts of data, a challenge in AI research, but also enables explanations of judgment results, making the technology usable in the real world. In recent years, we have also developed human-centric AI technology that can make decisions like humans by introducing information strongly related to human interests, such as human brain activity and eye gaze data, into the AI learning process.
Takahiro Ogawa Professor -
New Ground Injection Material Using Calcium Phosphate
Ground-solidifying calcium phosphate compound, a major component of the teeth and bones of living organisms in nature, is an innovative low environmental impact injection material.
Focusing on calcium phosphate compounds (CPC) as a new cementing material for geotechnical grouting, we have investigated the optimum conditions for the precipitation of CPC and the solidification of sand by CPC, newly discovering two possibilities for their use: chemical grout and biogrout.
Research
To develop a new grout with low environmental load, we focused on minerals produced by living organisms in nature (biominerals), especially CPC, a major component of teeth and bones, and investigated the optimum conditions for CPC precipitation. We also conducted uniaxial compression tests on sand specimens solidified with CPC. In the CPC precipitation test, we have found that the precipitation volume tends to increase as the pH increases from weakly acidic to near neutral. This causes the uniaxial compressive strength of the CPC-solidified sand specimens to reach about 90 kPa, which is within the target range of 50 to 100 kPa for uniaxial compressive strength of sandy soil to prevent liquefaction. Electron microscopy of the specimens showed whisker-like CPC crystals (Fig. 1). These results indicate two possibilities of their usage: chemical grout using self-hardening property and biogrout using pH-dependent precipitation volume.
Satoru Kawasaki Professor -
Numerical Simulation of Flow and Heat Transfer
Modeling and Simulation of Turbulent Drag Reduction Flow by Surfactant
Modeling and simulation of turbulent drag reduction is performed by adding a surfactant to clarify the resistance-reducing mechanism. Simultaneously, heat transfer analysis is performed to investigate the flow and heat transfer characteristics in detail.
Research
The significant drag reduction in turbulent channels due to the addition of a small amount of long-chain polymers or surfactants that form rod micelles in water, is known as Toms effect. A model that simulates polymers with small dumbbell-shaped elements was constructed, and direct numerical simulation (DNS) of turbulent flow in a two-dimensional channel was performed using this model to reproduce Toms effect. It was shown that the discrete element has two mechanisms: one is a resistance reduction mechanism due to the longitudinal vortex damping, and the other is a resistance increasing mechanism due to the additional stress near the wall. Furthermore, by adding the effect of cutting the element to which a strong force is applied, we were able to reproduce the feature that drag reduction occurs in a specific Reynolds number range.
Akiyoshi Kuroda Associate Professor -
Prediction Model for Transport properties in Hardened Cement
Prediction of transport properties of cement-based materials
Concrete is widely used for infrastructure, and its longevity is essential for the construction of a sustainable society. To realize this, appropriate performance prediction technology is indispensable. In this study, we predicted the transport properties of hardened cement paste (HCP), which is a main component of concrete.
Research
The transport properties of porous materials such as concrete does not only depend on the porosity, but also on the spatial distribution of each phase. Therefore, the transport properties of HCP, which is a main component of concrete, was predicted. Figure 1 shows a cross section of HCP observed using a backscattered electron image, showing the distribution of each phase. We extracted each phase, calculated the autocorrelation function, and based on the results, distributed each phase in three-dimensional space to construct the three-dimensional spatial image model shown in Fig. 2. Figure 3 shows a comparison of the results of the diffusion coefficient calculated by the finite difference method and the measured values. The estimated and measured values agreed well with each other, even for different samples, indicating that the diffusion coefficients of hardened cement can be predicted using this model.
Kiyofumi Kurumisawa Associate Professor
