Division of Integrated Research
Research Division Introduction
The Division of Integrated Research, which is one of the divisions of the Organization
for Advanced and Integrated Research at Kobe University, was reorganized in 2016
aiming at promotion of Kobe University's interdisciplinary flagship research approach,or advanced research and integrated study of both the humanities and sciences.
World-class six research projects are driven at present.

Projects№

Research Theme

01

Integrated Bio-Refinery Research Project02

Research Project for Membrane Technology

05

Project Leader
KONDOInternational Education and Research Center for PlanetaryScience06

Study on Next Generation Subsurface Imaging System

07

Creative Research for Multi-Scale Computational Biology

11

Research Project on Simulation Models of Neural Networks

1Akihiko
MATSUYAMA
Hideto
MAKINO
Junichiro
KIMURA
Kenjiro
KONDO
AkihikoOMORIToshiaki

Integrated Bio-Refinery Research Project
Project Leader

KONDO Akihiko〜Outline of Research Project〜
In order to construct a sustainable post-petrochemical society, it is crucial toestablish a bio-refinery process in which a number of materials including bio-fuel,bioplastics, and biofine chemicals are produced from biomass using low
environmental impact technologies.
By uniting the disciplines of agriculture and engineering, this project aims atestablishing a comprehensive bio-refinery system which encompasses development
and assessment of biomass raw materials, pretreatment, biomanufacturing,production of materials and separation on the basis of university-industry collaboration.

Research Project for Membrane Technology
Project Leader

MATSUYAMA Hideto〜Outline of Research Project〜
This project aims at developing a CO2-selective separation membrane which can beapplied to gas purification processing in high pressure environments such as:
pre-combustion fuel gas for a next-generation coal gastification power plants,
the demand for which is expected to increase, and purification of natural gas,
which is a primary energy source with low CO2 emissions.
Membrane separation technology has recently drawn attention as a compact processthat realizes higher volumetric efficiency compared with the absorption process.
The technology of membrane separation which can be used for CO2 separation inhigh pressure environments will be expected to solve all the problems of conventional
CO2 separation systems. This research focuses on the development of a carrier
which is highly reactive to CO2 in high pressure environments and a polymer gel
which guarantees high mechanical strength of the membrane.
The combination of these two technologies will create a next-generation
CO2-selective separation membrane, the first membrane of its kind in the world.

2International Education and Research Centerfor Planetary Science
Project Leader

MAKINO Junichiro〜Outline of Research Project〜
Center for Planetary Science (CPS) is a research institute of Graduate School ofScience, Kobe University, whose purpose is to contribute the development ofplanetary science through providing opportunities for collaborative activities ofresearch and education by promoting active exchanges of students, researchers andacademic knowledge of the related fields.
① Computational Planetary Science: Our aim is to elucidate the origin and evolution ofplanetary systems and the structure and change of planetary interiors andenvironments that are impossible to be experimentally explored in the laboratory
through large-scale numerical simulations using supercomputers such as theK computer and the post-K computer (Fugaku).
② Consortium for Solar System Exploration: We are proposing the "Consortium for
Solar System Exploration" by the cooperation with the planetary science community
in Japan, to develop an infrastructure for planning and creating space missions anddeveloping human resources to carry those future missions.
③ Research Exchange: We promote lectures by the top-level scientists of the world
and prepare a field for human exchanges to create strong ties among researchers andstudents of the various fields of planetary science. We also give assistance in hosting
seminars, schools and practical training courses in Japan.
④ Digital Library and Archives: We accumulate up-to-date and comprehensive
knowledge acquired through those CPS's activities and provide it on our webserverto the world for the use of educational and academic purposes.

3Study on Next Generation Subsurface Imaging System
Project Leader

KIMURA Kenjiro〜Outline of Research Project〜
We applied the world's first Subsurface Imaging System, which we have beendeveloping, to non-destructive imaging inspection of cutting-edge electroniccomponents, infrastructure inspection for the Tokyo Olympics, and medical imaging
diagnosis such as breast cancer diagnosis. Based on the three pillars, "Theoreticalresearch", "Study of equipment technology for practical use", and "Practical researchthat actively incorporates users to the research team as needed", the purpose is toactively penetrate the society widely, using industry-academia collaboration as anaccelerator.

Creative Research for Multi-Scale Computational Biology
Project Leader

KONDO Akihiko〜Outline of Research Project〜
The goal of this project is to create multi-scale computational biology by integrating
theory-driven and data-driven computational analyses of atoms, molecules, and cells.
We aim to use the project results for the efficient production of bioenergy and highvalue-added chemicals in order to realize a low-carbon society. In addition, we hope
this project will aid efficient pharmaceutical bio-production which will contribute tothe health and longevity of society.

Research Project on Simulation Models of Neural Networks
Project Leader

OMORI Toshiaki〜Outline of Research Project〜
Using the supercomputer π-computer, this project aims to elucidate information
processing in the brain and to study its applicability to medical engineering by using
computational models of neurons and neuronal networks based on neurophysiology.
NEURON is a modeling system developed at Yale University and Duke University, andthe NEURON simulation environment was installed on the π-Computer in collaboration
with San Diego Supercomputer Center at the University of California, San Diego, andits potential applications and computational performance are being evaluated.

4The research uses computational models to find links between information processingin the brain, the structure of neuronal networks, and the effects of an extracellularelectrical field on information processing of neurons. Furthermore, we are also
exploring its potential applicability to medical engineering and data-driven approaches
for extracting mathematical models of neural systems from neural activities observed
as brain imaging data.

5