Research Profiles

JP

"I" Keywords - 65 Result(s)

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[In vivo microenvironment]

Development of a stromal function chip for reproduction of flow and transport phenomena in microenvironments in vivo.

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概要

Cells comprising biological tissues are surrounded by a structure known as the stroma, and their behavioradapts in response to stimuli generated by flow and transport phenomena. Despite its importance, ourunderstanding of how cells respond to their surrounding microenvironment remains limited, hindering thedevelopment of effective disease prevention and treatment strategies. A significant challenge has been thedifficulty in observing cellular behavior while simultaneously controlling the local culture environment.Although microfluidic devices have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, they have not fullyaddressed the need for comprehensive environmental control. To overcome this limitation, we developed the"stromal function chip," which focuses on three critical environmental factors within the stroma: oxygenconcentration, pH, and interstitial flow. This innovative platform enables precise and rapid manipulation ofthese parameters while facilitating real-time observation of both individual cellular responses and complexcell-cell interactions.

従来技術との比較

Traditionally, stage incubators mounted on microscopes have been employed to maintain culture conditionsduring time-lapse observations of cellular behavior. However, these conventional systems present significantlimitations in actively and rapidly controlling localized changes within the culture microenvironment. Whilerecent advances in microfluidic devices and organ-on-a-chip technologies have enhanced our ability toobserve cellular responses under controlled conditions, these approaches still exhibit considerable constraintsin achieving comprehensive environmental regulation. In contrast, our newly developed chip providesprecise, dynamic, and immediate control over the culture microenvironment during cellular experiments,enabling high-fidelity visualization and quantification of complex cellular dynamics in response to environmental stimuli.

特徴・独自性
  • The stromal function chip features sophisticated architecture comprising cell culture channels with multiplegas channels strategically positioned in vertical alignment above them. Through the controlled delivery ofprecisely mixed gases containing specific oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations to these gas channels,the chip facilitates gas exchange that enables exquisite regulation of both oxygen concentration and pHwithin the cell culture microenvironment. This approach represents a significant advancement overconventional chemical reaction-based methods, as it eliminates potential cellular toxicity while providinghighly flexible and dynamic control over oxygen concentration and pH. Furthermore, the chip's innovativedesign allows for the precise modulation of interstitial flow—achieved by embedding hydrogel within theculture channels and establishing controlled hydrostatic pressure gradients between inlet and outlet ports. Bysimultaneously manipulating these three critical environmental factors—oxygen concentration, pH, andinterstitial flow—researchers can systematically investigate cellular response mechanisms and characterizehow cells adapt to specific stromal microenvironmental conditions, thereby advancing our understanding oftissue physiology and pathophysiology.
実用化イメージ

By precisely recapitulating the hypoxic and acidic microenvironmental conditions that characterize tumorniches and inflammatory sites, this innovative chip serves as a powerful platform for pre-clinical evaluationof therapeutic efficacy, enabling researchers to determine optimal drug candidates and dosage regimens priorto in vivo studies. Moreover, the system serves as a platform/tool for fundamental medical and biologicalinvestigations, allowing for high-resolution cellular observation and analysis under rigorously controlled andphysiologically relevant culture conditions.

Researchers

Institute of Fluid Science

Kenichi Funamoto

[in-situ]

Quantitative analysis of microstructure in nuclear materials by week-beam scanning transmission electron microscopy

 
 
 
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概要

We have developed a technique for quantitative analysis of microstructures (e.g., dislocations and irradiation defect aggregates) of activated and nuclear-burned specimens in the context of the Week Beam Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope (WB-STEM) method, which boasts extremely high measurement accuracy as a quantitative analysis method for lattice defects.
In combination with a dedicated heated sample holder with fully automated temperature measurement and current control in a cartridge-type heating furnace, changes in dislocation microstructure can be dynamically measured in-situ along with a highly reliable temperature history.

従来技術との比較

Conventional TEM methods require expertise in reciprocal space and dislocation theory, but our WB-STEM method is equipped with automatic analysis software for film thickness measurement and dislocation loop feature extraction, making it possible to analyze irradiation defects easily and precisely.

特徴・独自性
  • Since its design, the WB-STEM method has been developed for implementation and on-site repair in radiation controlled areas where nuclear materials are handled, with special aperture and diffraction disc selection equipment, control and analysis software.
  • WB-STEM accepts irradiation defect analysis of activated specimens from all over the world, including RPV monitoring specimens from European reactors and neutron-irradiated materials from US research reactors.
  • It is also used to analyze the properties of iron-containing nuclear fuel simulated debris in decommissioning projects.
実用化イメージ

We support research organizations that currently use transmission electron microscopy to observe microstructures to introduce the WB-STEM method by special modification. We will instruct researchers who have no experience using transmission electron microscopy in the procedure for dislocation analysis.

Researchers

Institute for Materials Research

Kenta Yoshida

[incommensurate crystals]

Development of Potential Thermoelectric Materials

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特徴・独自性
  • We have been exploring novel thermoelectric materials. Functions of a solid substance primarily depend on the electronic structure, directly derived from its crystal structure. Through high-quality structure analyses using neutron and X-ray diffraction, combined with first-principles calculations, we have been fabricating materials with desired functions. To date, more than 40 novel materials have been discovered based on our guiding principles.
実用化イメージ

For developing future device technologies, challenges on thin-film thermionic multilayers and organic thermoelectric materials are currently underway.

Researchers

Graduate School of Engineering

Yuzuru Miyazaki

[India]

Religion, language, society, and life in ancient India

 
 
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特徴・独自性
実用化イメージ

Researchers

Graduate School of Arts and Letters

Naoko Nishimura

[individual difference]

Developmental and clinilal pragmatics in Asian languages

 
 
 
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概要

We conduct collaborative studies examining the lifelong development of language use, which reflects human mental states and individual differences. These studies include participants ranging from children to older adults with diverse backgrounds and conditions.

従来技術との比較

We investigate the mechanisms by which the way we use language can bring joy and anger to others, and its developmental change and individual differences. To this end, we examine subjective experiences of language use, actual language behavior, and the underlying brain activity and physiological responses, while also analyzing individual differences through neuropsychological assessments.

特徴・独自性
  • Rather than focusing on language abilities such as vocabulary knowledge and grammatical functions, we try to reveal the development and diversity of pragmatic competence, which integrates human emotional, cognitive, and sensorimotor functions. We consider this integrative approach to be a distinctive feature of our lab.
実用化イメージ

Our potential contribution lies in developing better ways to deliver services or products by evaluating the effects of the language used in messaging.

Researchers

Graduate School of Arts and Letters

Sachiko Kiyama

[Industrial Ecology]

Eco-Material Processing

 
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特徴・独自性
  • The major subject of our group is ferrous process metallurgy including thermodynamics of metals, alloys and molten slags, high temperature heterogeneous kinetics, phase equilibria of complex oxide systems and so on. We are interested in physic-chemical fundamentals of processing of metals, slags, scrap and waste. Recently our research interests are extended to multidisciplinary area so-called "Industrial Ecology" by the combination of process metallurgy, LCA (life cycle assessment) and social science such as econometrics.
実用化イメージ

Typically our research group is aggressively working in the area of material flow analysis of critical metals considering the quality of recycled materials. Currently our major research partners are steel and non-ferrous industries, while we do hope to collaborate with waste treatment company, mineral industry and an administrative organ.

Researchers

New Industry Creation Hatchery Center

Tetsuya Nagasaka

[Inequality]

A Study on the Occupational Specificity of the Education System and Public Opinion.

概要

Research on international comparisons of education systems has focused on the value of vocational skills and qualifications in the labour market. This study uses new approaches and data analysis to address three research questions:
(1) How well do education levels and fields of study match occupation in Japanese society?
(2) What is the link between vocational education and social stratification?
(3) How do people perceive the issue of bearing the costs of supporting the education system?

従来技術との比較

Previous research has noted that providing more occupation-specific knowledge and skills through schooling (i.e. high occupational specificity) facilitates young people's transition into the labour market. While such trends have often been examined through macro-level comparisons of national education systems, this study reveals underlying patterns of educational attainment and occupational outcomes at the individual level. In addition, a novel analysis was conducted using survey experiment methods to examine how individuals perceive the financing of the education system.

特徴・独自性
  • When the relationship between educational attainment and occupation was decomposed into contributions between and within educational levels, it was found that the contribution attributable to academic discipline and major accounted for approximately 30%. One of the findings also challenges the conventional understanding that the link between fields of study in the humanities/social sciences and occupations is weak in the Japanese society.
  • Graduating from fields with stronger occupational specificity tends to yield better labour market outcomes. Furthermore, this tendency arises from graduates being matched with occupations that have strong ties to their specific field of study.
  • When analyzing public opinion on public spending on education, it was found that fiscal constraints reduce support, whereas public debt is more likely to be accepted.
実用化イメージ

As employment becomes increasingly unstable and the knowledge economy advances, the vocational function of the education system is coming under greater scrutiny. Against this backdrop, this research offers a fresh perspective on the issue of aligning the skills acquired at school with occupations in the labour market.
Furthermore, amid fiscal constraints stemming from a declining birth rate and ageing population, balancing the education system with other public expenditure is essential. This research can enhance our understanding of the processes through which public opinion is formed and polarized, while also providing insights to inform policy design.

Researchers

Graduate School of Arts and Letters

Katsunori Ogawa

[information credibility analysis]

Natural Language Processing for Semantic Analysis of Big Data

 
 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • This lab conducts fundamental research for deep natural language processing (NLP) and NLP-oriented information organization such as classification, extraction, and summarization of language information. Our activities also cover a broad range of applied research including NLP-based information and knowledge mining, information credibility analysis, and resilient ICT through the maximal use of Big Data.
実用化イメージ

(i) Analysis of market trend or research trend through intelligent text mining, (ii) Discovery of potential needs and risks from opinions in social media, (iii) Management of knowledge in a company by analyzing internal documents, etc.

Researchers

Center for Language AI Research

Kentaro Inui

[Information Security]

Visual Computing with Secure ICT in the Big Data Era

 
 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • Our study focuses on sensing, processing, recognition, understanding, and analysis of enormous visual data collected in real-world environments. We have invented a set of advanced techniques of sub-pixel image analysis using phase-based image matching. Potential applications include personal recognition using various biometric traits (e.g., face, fingerprint, palm print, finger knuckle print, iris, and medical radiographs), machine vision, multi-view 3D reconstruction, image database search, and medical image computing. We are also studying fundamental techniques for building secure ICT infrastructure for the big data era; our research interests include tamper-resistant cryptographic processing and biometrics-based secure remote authentication.
実用化イメージ

We can provide collaboration and information exchange services for industries and other research organizations in the fields of image processing, computer vision, information security, biometrics, LSI design, and embedded system technologies. Many researchers and engineers from various companies, universities, and research institutions have visited our laboratory regardless of their technology fields. Our staff at the Intelligent Information System (IIS) Research Center will welcome potential collaborators: info@iisrc.ecei.tohoku.ac.jp

Researchers

Administrative Staff

Takafumi Aoki

Cyber Physical Systems Security and Its Applications

 
 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • Our study focuses on information security technologies for the next-generation ICT society fusing real-world and cyber-space computing. We are now conducting the research and development of ultra-high-speed, ultra-low power LSI computing to perform security functions such as encryption and secure computing, secure implementation technologies to protect systems from various physical attacks (attacks carried out by physical access to the system), and security optimization technologies tailored to the system usage environment and application area.
実用化イメージ

We can provide collaboration and information exchange services in the fields of information security. In particular, we have experiences of domestic/international collaborative researches on embedded security with some companies, universities, and governmental institutes.

Researchers

Research Institute of Electrical Communication

Naofumi Homma

[Information Theory]

Data science-based analysis for unsteady aerodynamic flows

 
 
 
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概要

Our group studies a range of unsteady flow phenomena leveraging data science, nonlinear machine learning, complex network theory, information theory, and computational fluid dynamics. Our ultimate goal is to build a data-oriented foundation for real-time analysis, modeling, and control of unsteady flows ubiquitously appearing in various situations around small air vehicles, airplanes, motor vehicles, and fluid-based industrial machines.

従来技術との比較

Equipped with nonlinear machine learning-based sparse sensor reconstruction and data compression supported through traditional numerical and experimental analysis, our approach enables high-resolution reconstruction, real-time prediction, and control of flow fields with limited availability of data.
These techniques are aimed at analyzing and controlling large-scale, complex nonlinear flow phenomena that have been challenging to tackle with conventional linear methods.

特徴・独自性
  • ・Real-time spatiotemporal flow field reconstruction from sparse sensors is enabled by turbulence super-resolution analysis with machine learning.
  • ・Understanding and modeling of unsteady fluid flows at low cost is made possible through low-dimensional manifold identification and compression.
  • ・Development of explainable machine-learning approaches for analyzing causal vortex interactions based on complex network theory and information theory.
  • ・Multi-modal data analysis through the fusion of numerical, experimental, and theoretical data.
実用化イメージ

Our group aims to develop technologies that accurately sense, predict, model, and control fluid flows —such as air and water— around objects including airplanes, automobiles, and wind turbines, even with sparse sensor information.

These technologies can contribute to society in various ways, including:
・Improving fuel efficiency and safety of aircraft
・Enhancing the aerodynamic performance of vehicles for energy savings
・Supporting disaster prevention through wind flow prediction during emergencies

We actively seek to co-create innovations through joint research with industrial companies interested in the following areas:

・Predicting and controlling fluid flows using AI and machine learning
・Understanding flow structures through information theory and network science
・Building highly accurate and reproducible models by integrating traditional fluid dynamics with modern data-driven methods

Equipped with physics-based nonlinear machine learning, we are working to develop groundbreaking fluid analysis technologies that benefit a wide range of industrial, environmental, and societal applications.

Researchers

Graduate School of Engineering

Kai Fukami

[InGaN]

Cheaper, higher quality GaN freestanding substrates using N polarity control.

概要

Nitride semiconductor free-standing substrate production method
https://www.t-technoarch.co.jp/data/anken_en/T14-121.pdf
This invention relates to a technique for producing high-quality nitride semiconductor freestanding substrates at a lower cost. The invention also includes the use of SCAlMgO4 substrates as seed crystals. The dislocation density of nitride semiconductors on this substrate becomes lower. By controlling the crystal polarity, the crystal diameter can be expanded as well as the thickness of the nitride semiconductor.

従来技術との比較

It is possible to fabricate freestanding nitride semiconductor substrates with lower through-dislocation density than conventional substrates. Furthermore, the cleavage property of ScMgAlO4, which serves as the substrate, facilitates the exfoliation of the nitride semiconductor and reduces the cost of substrate fabrication.

特徴・独自性
  • Usage of ScAlMgO4 as a source substrate.
  • Expansion of crystal diameter by using N-polar growth
  • When ScAlMgO4 is used as the seed crystal and AlN is formed as the surface protective layer of this crystal, the surface shall be further nitrided after oxidation of the surface.
  • The main surface of the seed crystal shall be inclined 0.4 to 1.2° from the c-plane.
実用化イメージ

This invention is to provide high-quality, low-cost free-standing nitride semiconductor substrates for optical devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers, and transistors operated under high power, high voltage, and high frequency. Companies are expected to verify the commercialization of the product.

Researchers

New Industry Creation Hatchery Center

Takashi Matsuoka

[inhibitors]

Development of the next generation anti-HIV agents

 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • HIV infection is one of most serious concern in infectious diseases. We will perform anti-HIV assays for unmet medical needs in control of HIV infections with established novel assays. We have developed reverse transcriptase inhibitor that has novel mechanism of inhibition, translocation-inhibition (J Biol Chem, 2009). Dr Kodama participated in the primary screening and development of a new HIV integrase inhibitor, elvitegravir (J Virol 2009), and a unique reverse transcriptase inhibitor, islatravir, which phase III clinical trials by the Merck & Co., Inc. will complete, soon. We have a representative resistant HIV strain-library for anti-HIV screening and several target oriented high through-put screening systems.
実用化イメージ

We can establish high through-put screening for new targets, so please consult with us individually. We are open to joint development requiring BSL3/P3 experimental facilities and academic guidance including other microorganisms.

Researchers

International Research Institute of Disaster Science

Eiichi Kodama

[InN]

Cheaper, higher quality GaN freestanding substrates using N polarity control.

概要

Nitride semiconductor free-standing substrate production method
https://www.t-technoarch.co.jp/data/anken_en/T14-121.pdf
This invention relates to a technique for producing high-quality nitride semiconductor freestanding substrates at a lower cost. The invention also includes the use of SCAlMgO4 substrates as seed crystals. The dislocation density of nitride semiconductors on this substrate becomes lower. By controlling the crystal polarity, the crystal diameter can be expanded as well as the thickness of the nitride semiconductor.

従来技術との比較

It is possible to fabricate freestanding nitride semiconductor substrates with lower through-dislocation density than conventional substrates. Furthermore, the cleavage property of ScMgAlO4, which serves as the substrate, facilitates the exfoliation of the nitride semiconductor and reduces the cost of substrate fabrication.

特徴・独自性
  • Usage of ScAlMgO4 as a source substrate.
  • Expansion of crystal diameter by using N-polar growth
  • When ScAlMgO4 is used as the seed crystal and AlN is formed as the surface protective layer of this crystal, the surface shall be further nitrided after oxidation of the surface.
  • The main surface of the seed crystal shall be inclined 0.4 to 1.2° from the c-plane.
実用化イメージ

This invention is to provide high-quality, low-cost free-standing nitride semiconductor substrates for optical devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers, and transistors operated under high power, high voltage, and high frequency. Companies are expected to verify the commercialization of the product.

Researchers

New Industry Creation Hatchery Center

Takashi Matsuoka

[Inorganic pigments]

Colorful titanium oxide pigments without transition metals

概要

Colorful TiO2 Particle
https://www.t-technoarch.co.jp/data/anken_en/T19-849.pdf

従来技術との比較

Transition metal compounds are known to exhibit a wide variety of colors. Until now, it has been possible to color white titanium oxide by doping with transition metal ions, but it is difficult to avoid biotoxicity derived from transition metals.

特徴・独自性
  • In the present invention, titanium oxide inorganic pigments that do not contain transition metals and have various colors such as white, yellow, red, gray, green, purple, black, and skin color have been realized.
実用化イメージ

New applications of titanium oxide pigments are expected in the cosmetics field, where biotoxicity is an issue.

Researchers

Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials

Yin Shu

[inorganic/organic semiconductors,]

Vacuum Engineering of Solid-Liquid Interfaces and its Process Applications

 
 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • We challenge to fabricate in vacuum-stabilized micro/nano-scale liquid materials, explore their novel chemicophysical properties and develop their vacuum processing applications. The representative examples include ultra thin film ionic liquid on the nanometer scale and advanced vapor-liquid-solid growth (VLS) of inorganic/organic materials, such as 4H- and 3C-SiC films, single crystal pentacene and a porous polymer film of plolythiophene.
実用化イメージ

Our research outcomes will contribute to the following research and development:
1) a next-generation semiconductor process with the merits of the wet process
2) a new purification process of organic semiconductors, by which some part of inorganic semiconductor materials would be replaced in response to the present world-wide shortage of semiconductors.

In addition, the consultation of how to use our ionic liquid-assisted vapor growth method in attempt to obtain organic single crystals is welcome.

Researchers

Graduate School of Engineering

Yuji Matsumoto

[Input Output Analysis]

Visualization of supply chain risks from the resource logistics perspective

 
 
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特徴・独自性
  • With the increased global concerns of resource and environmental constraints of recent years, the role of mining, as a constituent of social responsibility associated with resource extraction and usage, is becoming increasingly important in the science, technology, and innovation policy. Under increasing public and shareholders' concerns of social and environmental sustainability, the fabrication industries require careful attention owing to their own risks related to the resources and materials that are used in their products and services. The Material Flow Analysis tool and Input output technique provide useful perspectives and valuable evidences for avoiding or minimizing the social and environmental risks related to the demand of resources.
実用化イメージ

Our developed model evaluates the risk weighted flow analysis by combining the resource logistics database and Global Link Input Output model. The estimated results shed light on how resource logistics prepares policy makers and R&D engineers to confront the risks behind resource usage and how the information should be shared among the stakeholders.

Researchers

Graduate School of Environmental Studies

Kazuyo Matsubae

[insects]

Lethal effects of blue light on insects

 
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特徴・独自性
  • We revealed the strong lethal effect of short-wavelength visible light (blue light: 400–500 nm) on insects. That is, we found that blue light irradiation by using a common light-emitting diode (LED) can kill the eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults of various orders of insects. Our findings will provide clean and safe pest-control technique as well as important information on the hazards of exposure to visible light.
実用化イメージ

Researchers

Graduate School of Agricultural Science

Masatoshi Hori

[Insulin]

Development of devices regulating inter-organ neural network for diabetes therapy

 
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特徴・独自性
  • Diabetes induces several complications, including retinopathy and nephropathy. In patients with type 1 diabetes as well as those with type 2 diabetes, pancreatic beta cells have reportedly decreased. Therefore, regeneration therapy of pancreatic beta cells may be very effective for major populations of diabetic patients. We discovered a neuronal network, from the liver, which selectively elicits pancreatic beta cell proliferation (Science 2008, Fig.). In a murine model with insulin-deficient diabetes, stimulation of this network improved diabetes. Thus, building devices which regulate the inter-organ neuronal network may lead to “regenerative therapy” for diabetes which regenerates pancreatic beta cells in the pancreas using patients’ own cells and patients’ own systems. We hope to conduct collaborative research with a willing company for a practical application of this technology.
実用化イメージ

Researchers

Graduate School of Medicine

Hideki Katagiri

[integrated circuit]

Spintronics device

特徴・独自性
  • To realize ultralow-power and high-performance integrated circuit and information processing, spintronics physics, material, devices are studied.
実用化イメージ

Researchers

Research Institute of Electrical Communication

Shunsuke Fukami

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