Special Committee on Globalization of Education&Research, Faculty of Science & Engineering, Iwate University

K E N G U R O季刊報
Quarterly

FY2016
Digest3D Ganchan: Produced byan on-campus company, MMM

Issued on March 31, 2017

Focus on !! 10 Asian students experienced Iwate and did research!!
With support from the Japan Science and Technology Agency's (JST) Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA Exchange
Program in Science), we invited Asian students to Iwate University again this school year. This time, the third, from October 23rd (Sun) to
October 30th (Sun) in 2016, 10 graduate and undergraduate students were invited from Chungnam National University in Korea, Dalian
University of Technology in China, Northwest A&F University in China, Thammasat University in Thailand, the National University of Mongolia,
and the Mongolian University of Science and Technology. Under the theme of “supporting the disaster-affected areas while learning scienceand technology that supports the recovery and future of Iwate”, students participated in a two-day study tour to the coastal area affected by thedisaster, and PBL and a science and technology activity held at the Iwate University Faculty of Science and Engineering research.

★ 2-day study tour to the affected area
After arriving in Morioka, early the next morning, the group left on a chartered bus
for the two-day study tour to the coastal area affected by the disaster. The purposeof the tour was for the students to directly experience the current conditions in
those areas and the Sanriku landscape, and then later use this experience for PBL at
research labs in Iwate Univ. After enjoying a boat ride at Jodogahama Beach, whichis part of the Sanriku Geopark, the group went to the Taro area of Miyako, whichsuffered immense damage by the tsunami, and viewed the ruins of the Taro Kanko
Hotel and the remains of the coastal levee up close to get a feeling for the force
and immense destructive power of the tsunami. On the next day, the group visited
Otsuchi, where they viewed the ruins of the former Otsuchi Town Hall, reconstruction
sites (ground being leveled for residential construction and large coastal levee), and areconstructed shopping street. All of the students listened attentively to explanationsof the situation back when the great tsunami struck, and the current state of town
reconstruction work. In the afternoon, at Iwate University’s Kamaishi Satellite
Ofﬁce, the students learned about our university’s engagement in the reconstruction
through the fishery industry, and the new recycling molten materials processing
technology at Iwate Southern Coast Clean Center that effectively utilizes the moltenmaterials and gases produced when processing garbage.

★ Advanced research experience and PBL at Iwate Univ.
On the morning of the 4th, President Iwabuchi gave a keynote speech about
endeavors that Iwate University has engaged in for the reconstruction after thedisaster. From the afternoon of the 4th to the 5th, the guest students were divided
into 3 different labs based on their ﬁeld of specialty, and engaged in discussions with
Iwate University Students about how to utilize technology for the reconstruction.
On the morning of the 6th, a presentation on reconstruction technology was giventhat summarized the discussions in the lab and the tour to the coastal area affectedby the disaster. The chemistry students presented on the generation and storage of
renewable energy. The bioengineering students presented on predictive technology
using the biological signals of animals, etc. The information studies students
presented on ideas for the development of safe communities using 3D imaging
technology. In the afternoon, the guest students and Iwate university students
introduced their countries and universities. It was an excellent opportunity to learn
about different cultures in 5 countries including Japan. After that, a ceremony forawarding certificates of completion was held, and the guest students headed toTokyo to return to their countries.

★ Tokyo tour and returning home
On the 7th day, they visited the National Museum of Nature and Science in themorning and the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation in theafternoon. While sightseeing in Tokyo, the group enjoyed Japanese culture while
shopping, taking pictures in photo booths, Japanese sweets, and more. On the 8thday, the 8 guest students with late departure times were shown around Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple. Everyone was very excited to see the traditional Japanesearchitectures and scenery. Then they went to Narita Airport and the guest students
reluctantly departed, and returned safely home.

In the Taro district, they walked
around for about an hour
viewing the former city center.
The photo on the right showsthem climbing the evacuationroute from the side of theformer Taro Kanko Hotel to anarea of higher land. From up
on the higher area, the students
got a real feel for how high thetsunami reached.

Together with Mrs. Iwasaki,
the owner of the Houraikan,
where they stayed in
Kamaishi (on the left). Theylistened to Mrs. Iwasaki
describe the disaster, andher energetic personality
encouraged them.

Making lithium air secondary
batteries at the Takeguchi/
Ui Lab, Chemistry Course of
the Department of Chemistry
and Biological Sciences (onthe right). Four students
from Thailand and Korea
participated.
At the National Museumo f E m e rg i n g S c i e n c e a n dInnovation in Tokyo (on theleft). The Digital Content
EXPO was being held rightat this time, and handson displays of the latest
technology including AR(Augmented Reality) were sointeresting to the students thatsome students even forgot togo and see other exhibits.

Participants' voice
Ms. J. Kanokwan, Thailand: This program widened
up my world not only as an engineer but also as a
global citizen. I was able to meet up with different
bright people from different countries, exchange
unforgettable memories, and contribute solutions toimprove the disaster-affected areas.

Mr. R. Jia, China: When I saw the building damagedby tsunami, I felt pity and compassion. The badmemory tsunami had brought we can't forget. We
should do everything we can do to help the people torebuild their home and make more and more people
to focus on the place, the people and tsunami.

Focus on !!

Meet our young instructor at the Faculty of Science and Engineering!

Kenguro is regularly introducing research works by young faculty members to share their outstanding achievements with the rest of theuniversities and beyond. This time, we'd like to introduce four specialists: Associate Professor Korenaga at the Chemistry Course of the
Department of Chemistry and Biological Sciences; Assistant Professor Ishikawa at the Civil and Environmental Engineering Course, AssistantProfessor Matsuyama at the Computer, Intelligence and Media Technology Course, and Assistant Professor Sasaki at the Mechanical
Science and Engineering Course of the Department of the Systems Innovation Engineering, will give easy to understand explanations on the
topics they pursue.

★ Assis. Prof. Katsutsugu Matsuyama: Proposing the new computer media !!
I’m doing research on the methods ofmaking software control more efficient anduser-friendly with an aim to contribute tocomputer media (the relationship between★ Assoc. Prof. Toshinobu Korenaga: Next generation catalysts for useful application

people and information using computers). I

A catalyst is a chemical substance that speeds up chemical reactions

also do research on the methods to present

by helping non-reactive or slow reactive process. Its 80% of chemical

new understanding of stuff and matters. By

products are synthesized using a catalyst. It is one of the most advanced

combining the creation of ideas with creativeﬁelds that turns out many of the Nobel Prize winners including several

Image 1: Map software “MIKANGLOBE” lets you see the globe from fresh
perspectives.

Japanese scholars. While further development is necessary for more
efﬁcient synthesis of increasingly complicated medicine and functionalgroup develops homogenous catalysts for organic synthesis based on

thinking and information technologies
including programing, I develop my researchthrough production of actual work. The

production involves computer graphics technology and I sometimes develop a newchemical compounds, many of the catalysts use rare metal and othertypes of transition metals that could be depleted in the future. Our

Image 2: “Co-Ordinate” software lets you control projected ﬁgures

Korenaga designing a catalyst withquantum chemical calculation

technology to actualize my idea. For example, I made a map called “MIKAN GLOBE”(Image 1) that lets you peal (expand) like an orange in an attempt to create a map thatthe “element strategy” in response to resource depletion. For example,

encourages new discovery and inspiration that a paper map cannot provide. Other examples

we worked on minimizing the amount of catalysts and successfully

include software (Image 2) that lets you control projected ﬁgures freely or media artwork

developed a new transition-metal catalyst that even a tiny amount like

(Image 3) that shows another image when a transparent plate is held over the display.
Image 3: Artwork “Dr. KM’s desk”. Matsuyama is on the screen.

1/10,000 of the conventional transition-metal catalyst could speed up
asymmetric carbon-carbon bond formation. Also, we used a concept★ Assis. Prof. Makoto Sasaki: Biorobotics focusing on tongue functions

that was newly proposed in this century that organic molecules are used

The tongue is called “a hand in the mouth” and can make quick and accurate movements. Motor function of the tongue is likely to remain for people

as catalysts instead of transition metals and developed a new organic
molecular catalyst. With the newly developed catalyst, we work withbusinesses on the industrial synthesis of medical compounds as well.

Staff and students of Korenaga’s lab onsynthetic organic chemistrywith severe limb paralysis due to spinal cord injuries. For this reason, various interfaces have been developed to allow control of electric wheelchairsor computers with tongue movements. However, conventional technologies accompany a number of safety and hygienic issues as they involve surgicaloperations on the tongue or installing measurement devices in the mouth. So, our lab developed a method to estimate voluntary movements, mandibular★ Assis. Prof. Nao Ishikawa: Safe disposal of radioactive waste

movements, and swallowing movements by observing activities of the suprahyoid muscles that support the

The nuclear disaster after the Great East Japan Earthquake caused deposits of massive amounts of radioactive

movements using machine learning, which is a type of artiﬁcial intelligence. I had this idea of knowing inside thebase of the tongue using a ﬁlm-like myoelectric sensor attached to the bottom of the tongue and analyzing thesubstances, speciﬁcally radioactive cesium (Cs) in large parts of eastern Japan. Parts of the deposited radioactive

mouth and controlling an electric wheelchair without putting anything in the mouth and my students actualized

substances moved to domestic waste and sewage sludge. This “radioactive waste” is now buried in landfills

it. My next dream is to support people having difﬁculties in swallowing. If you have that, your tongue works

surrounded by a soil layer if it is in comparatively low concentration. My research aims to improve the radioactive

down in speaking, eating, and swallowing. And the risk of death is increased due to accidental swallowing andCs retention capacity of the soil by adding minerals that retain Cs in the soil layer powerfully and prevent leakage

suffocation. How we can address these problems using engineering technologies is my new research topic that I

of radioactive substances from the landﬁll. Zeolite, illite, vermiculite and other minerals powerfully retain Cs in

pursue in cooperation with medical institutions and companies in Iwate.

various mechanisms. We use radioactive Cs to check the retention capacity of minerals and ﬁnd out how much theradioactive Cs retention capacity of soil layer increases if minerals are mixed in. Our ﬁndings will hopefully help
ensure safe and secure disposal of radioactive waste.

At the RI lab. We wear yellow lab coats
instead of white for radioactive lab work.

Sasaki discussing with students

Improving
radioactive Cs
retention of the soil
layer with minerals(illustration)
Staff and students of Ishikawa’s lab on environmental
sanitary engineering

Controlling device using tongue and jaw movements

Students, graduates, and related people at the lab on
stomatognathic robotics

★ Welcoming interns from partner universities overseas!!
From June 6 to July 29, 2016, the Faculty of Science and Engineering hosted two interns from King Mongkut’s University of Technology
Thonburi that Iwate University signed an academic exchange agreement with in June 2016. Unlike a conventional lecture-based
internship, this was the ﬁrst attempt of the faculty that let them engage in training at companies in addition to the research work at a lab.
This report features an intern student, Songsomboon, a junior student specializing in the mechatronics engineering.
The Sato (Atsushi) Lab in the Mechanical Science and Engineering Course of the Department of Systems Innovation
Engineering that Songsomboon is assigned to works on the control theory and its application in aerospace fields.
They engage in research work to actualize autonomous ﬂights of drones and other uninhabited aircrafts. Among them,Songsomboon picked a research topic, “Multicopter modeling and ﬂight control” and carried out derivation of kinetic
models for multicopter (rotorcraft with multiple propellers) and metering experiments of their propulsion in the former
half from June 15-24 and made crafts and performed ﬂight control experiments in the latter half from July 11-29. This
was a collaborative research project with the Japan AeroSpace Technology Foundation and is expected to be applied
to infrastructure testing of bridges and tunnels. In addition to research activities at Iwate University, he visited an autoparts manufacturing location, Mikuni’s Odawara Plant and did training at the Simulation Division on control using
Simulink software and at the Four-Wheeler Division on manufacturing mechanical parts.

Interns' voice
Before I came to Japan, I really worried about my conversation with Japanese people. And most of all, I was afraid to dosomething wrong because there are many different things between my hometown and Japanese culture. When I arrived
in Japan, I was very surprised because Japanese people are very kind. I have many friends in laboratory and we getalong well. They had a welcome party for me. It’s a best impression that I’ll never forget it. Iwate is a peaceful and green
prefecture. There are many interesting researches and technologies. I get many knowledges from this internship not only
the knowledge from laboratory class, but also Japanese folk life. And I promise that I will keep all of them to develop mylife and also my career in the future as best as I can.

Wi t h t h e d e v i c e t o m e a s u r epropellers and motor characteristics
for multicopter. Songsomboon is on
the left and Associate Prof. Sato ison the right.

★ Student exchange with Hanbat National University in Korea
Every year there is a two-way student exchange with Hanbat National University in Korea. More than 20 graduate and undergraduate
students have been sent to that university. During the 2016 school year, student exchanges through the joint PBL were held on 22-23 in Augustand 13-16 in November, respectively, at Iwate University and Hanbat National University. Here are the reports.

● 8/22 to 8/23 (Iwate University）
After a bilateral student activity introduction by the 11 Iwate University students and 10
Hanbat National University students, they divided into 5 groups (each group consisting of 2
or 3 Iwate University students and 2 Hanbat National University students) and cooperated ona PBL activity. This school year’s 5 PBL themes were summarized by the Hanbat National
University students. These included: 1) “Utilizing the IoT (Internet of Things) for the elderly,”2) “Controlling air pollution,” 3) “Energy harvesting (environmental energy generation),”4) “Next-generation computers,” and 5) “Technological development to reduce suicides.”After the PBL, the students tried wanko soba to get a taste of Iwate culture. Including some
Iwate University students, 6 were able to eat more than 100 bowls and receive a Wanko Soba
Certiﬁcate. At the end of the research trip, they visited Hiraizumi.

Joint PBL (on the left).
The group in front is
discussing effective
measures to control air
pollution.

Success at eating more than
100 bowls!! (on the right).
After eating wanko soba,
the Hanbat students went to
Don Quijote with the Iwate
University students.

● 11/13 to 11/16 (Hanbat National University）
After the August Iwate University exchange, students exchanged information for PBL via theinternet. At Hanbat National University, in continuation they divided into 5 groups to engage
in joint PBL. On the morning of the 3rd day of the research trip the groups gave presentations
on their results. Many very interesting ideas were suggested for problem-solving. After thepresentation, the students went with the Hanbat National University students to Seoul by bus
and were able to both observe and do hands-on work at cultural facilities at Seoul Tower andan antique shop area of Insa-Dong.

A f t e r t h epresentation, allstudents received
certificates ofcompletion from
Hanbat National
University (on theleft).

Participants' voice
Mr. U. Lee, Environmental Engineering B4 (Hanbat
National Univ.）: It was the most memorable project I haveever done! I'm so proud of myself and other schoolmates forthe creative ideas. I really thank the professors and teachers
for supporting us so we could enjoy our trip without any
difﬁculties! I wish I could do this project again.

Ms. Ayaka Seto, Chemistry and Bioengineering B4 (Iwate Univ.）:
At the previous tour in August, I felt how difficult it was to express
opinions in English. This time, I discussed in English, summarized
opinions of the group, and was able to successfully give presentations inEnglish. This study tour was a great experience for me in using English
to communicate with the Korean students, and I want to participate inanother overseas tour if I have an opportunity.

Editor： Special Committee on Globalization of Education and Research, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Iwate University
Email: kenguro@iwate-u.ac.jp ;TEL: 019-621-6405