• The aim of our research are to obtain the high accuracy sensor system for the signals from the human body or electric devices and to obtain the system for approaching action to the human body by using the nano-scale controlled magnetic materials and by the development of the devices under the functions of the magnetics.
• We studied the mechanism of obtaining the magnetic anisotropy of the magnetic thin films for the sensitive magnetic sensors. We obtained a non-metal probe for high frequency magnetic field, and confirmed the probe can measure the high frequency magnetic field with its phase information. In addition, 3D position detecting system using magnetic markers was studied to improve its position accuracy. The study about the magnetic actuator driven by the external magnetic field was carried out for biomimetic robots using the rotational magnetic field, and small wireless pumps were obtained and clarified for their application for an artificial heart-support pump.

<Medical Applications>
Motion system for capsule endoscope, Support system for endoscopic surgery, Position detecting system (motion capture), Wireless pump for artificial heart
<Sensors>
Magnetic field sensors, Strain sensors, Wireless sensors
<Materials>
Electrical steels of ultra low loss, Electrochemicaly produced materials (structure controlled in nano-scale)

• In order to solve the energy and environmental problems, the development of the high-functional and high-performance materials is required in a wide variety of research fields such as fuel cell, Li-ion battery, tribology etc. Especially, the recent material technologies constitute of multi-physics and multi-scale phenomena including chemical reaction, friction, impact, stress, fluid, photon, electron, heat, electric and magnetic fields etc. on nano- and macro-scales. Therefore, Kubo laboratory is pioneering the development of multi-physics and multi-scale simulator on the basis of quantum chemistry and is utilizing supercomputers "Fugaku" and "MASAMUNE-IMR" for realizing the theoretical material design with high-accuracy.

We utilize our developed multi-physics and multi-scale simulation technology on the basis of quantum chemistry for acceelerating the material development in a wide variety of private companies of automotive, machinery, power, electronics, material, metal, chemistry etc. and then contribute to solving the energy and environmental problems.

Ultrasonic measurement is an important technique that is used in various fields of science and technology, including physical property evaluation, imaging and sensing. I use a measurement technique that uses light to excite and detect ultrasonic waves in the frequency range of GHz to THz, and I use this to evaluate the mechanical and acoustic properties of microstructures and thin films with sizes in the nano to micro range, as well as for non-destructive testing.

Conventional ultrasound had a wavelength of several micrometres or more, so it was impossible to measure at the nanoscale.
However, by using femtosecond pulse lasers to manipulate ultrasound with a wavelength of the order of 10 nm, I have achieved the evaluation of the mechanical properties of nano-materials and non-destructive testing in the nano-region.

• Development of unique measurement technology that makes full use of light and sound (lasers and ultrasound)
• Excitation and detection of vibration phenomena in nano-materials and GHz bands
• Accurate measurement of sound velocity and elastic constants under high magnetic fields of 10 to 600 K and up to 5 T
• Measurement of magnetic damping constants and saturation magnetisation from magnetisation oscillations in the time domain
• Main targets include nano-thin films of metals, piezoelectric materials, and magnetic materials, as well as superhard materials such as diamond and tungsten carbide
• Contributing to the development of materials and the elucidation of the characteristics of filters for wireless communication in smartphones
• Applications include the development of highly sensitive biosensors using ultrasound, which has a shorter wavelength than light, and monitoring the breaking process of nanowires

This measurement method enables the inspection of defects in semiconductors on the order of nm, and the evaluation of the characteristics of acoustic filters, which are essential for 5G communication devices.

• We are studying MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) and related technologies, which are typically used for the input/output of information/communication devices, the safety of automobiles etc. Our representative topics include integrated sensors, piezoelectric devices, RF MEMS, micro energy devices and wafer-level packages. Our facilities are open-accessible and well equipped with a lot of tools for lithography, dry/wet etching, thin film deposition, wafer bonding, device mounting and evaluations, which can be operated by each researcher. Using these tools, a variety of MEMS are being prototyped. Also, new microfabrication tools are being developed by ourselves.

We are collaborating with many companies, from which visiting researchers are dispatched to our laboratory. We also accept companies which want to just use specific tools in our facilities. Consultation is always welcome.

• Microwave processing is one of the attractive fields in recent materials processing. We perform various materials processing using non-equilibrium reaction field induced by microwave and/or ultrasonic irradiation. The topic contains powder metallurgy, nitride coatings, synthesis of new functional materials, fabrication of nanoparticles, etc. Recently we have developed a new TiN coating method using our microwave irradiation equipment operated at a frequency of 2.45 GHz. The method is simple but applicable to various substrates with complex shape. This method can be applied to various nitride coatings and will open a new coating technology in many fields of applications.

The major targets of TiN coatings are for cutting tools, ball bearings, dental implants, die and mold for stamping, and ornaments. The newly developed method makes it possible to perform nitride coatings within a short time using a standard microwave heating equipment. We hope to conduct collaborative research with a willing company for a practical application of these technology.

• Molecular-scale mechanism of solid-liquid affinity, wettability, thermal boundary resistance and molecular deposition are analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations toward its control. With a background of heat and mass transport and interfacial thermodynamics, transport phenomena of various scales ranging from spin coating of photoresist to SAM (self-assembled monolayer) and hydrophobic/hydrophilic treatment by attaching some molecular basis are studied. Futhermore, the molecular-scale mechanisms which determine thermophysical properties and the molecular structure that realizes desired thermophysical properties are studied. We can conduct effective collaboration and provide academic consultations to companies interested in our research.

• To apply the specific properties of nano materials for the industrial products, various technologies, such as synthesis method for single phase alloy nanoparticles which shows the effective activity for aimed reaction, that for well crystallized alloy nanoparticles which shows the resistively against for undesirable reaction, and that for single layered surface control method, etc, is developed by precise control of metal complexes in the solution by using the calculation and various research equipment including the photon factory.

Our technology can be useful for various industry which need the restrict control of surface properties, such as catalysts and electronics.