Center of Environmental Science andDisaster Mitigation for Advanced Research,
Muroran Institute of Technology
27-1 Mizumoto, Muroran, 050-8585, Japan
http://www.muroran-it.ac.jp/cedar/

OutlineWe are striving to contribute to global environmental improvements and the preservation of local
environments, and to develop disaster management technologies and systems that will help
prepare us for natural disasters.
We organize our instructors in such a way that they can work across the boundaries of various
research fields, having created a cooperative structure between Muroran-IT’s various centers oncampus. At the same time, we are contributing to society by promoting research in the fields ofenvironmental science, disaster management, and new energies.
In every era, science and engineering strive to create a positive future for us all, playing a key rolein the creation of a prosperous and comfortable society. In the coming years, we will be working tocreate an even more positive future, a place where people, the earth, and science can all interact
with and engage one another seamlessly.

Research Areas:―Environmental Science Area:
Treatment and recycling of environmental
contaminants, development of environmental
clean-up technologies, environmental preservation,environmental assessment, and more.
―New Energies Area:
Hydrogen energy applications, development of
unused resource energies, natural energies, andmore.
―Disaster Management Engineering Area:
Disaster management engineering area water andsoil disaster management, crisis management
systems, structural performance control,
construction materials performance control,development of environmental control systems,and more.
Features of Research Activities:
With "the environment" as our key concept, we have been working to improve technologies fromscientific and engineering perspectives, and to raise awareness of related issues.
The Joint Seminar on Environmental Science and Disaster Mitigation Research (JSED) is held
every year. The event features lectures by both Japanese and overseas researchers, a report on
the year's research by the Center of Environmental Science and Disaster Mitigation for Advanced
Research, and posters displayed in English highlighting our research presentations.

Research Achievements and Challenges

Water and Soil Disaster Management
We are exploring the natural disaster mechanisms of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, rock falls, andlandslides, and are researching technologies for protecting infrastructural elements, such asbridges, roads, and embankments.

Crisis Management Systems
We are developing crisis management systems for volcanic eruptions and PCB, and are engaging
in community disaster management efforts based on engineering technologies from anorganizational standpoint, such as disaster management forums, hazard maps, disastermanagement education, disaster management databases, support to the Japanese Red Cross
Society, stress measurements, risk management, and event tree analysis. Cooperation between
infrastructural and organizational aspects is essential in disaster management.

Performance Control Structure
We are studying mechanisms of structural damage caused by disasters such as earthquakes andstrong winds, and are developing technologies for creating structures that are safer and more
comfortable, and that offer a greater sense of security in everyday living, through the developmentof new environmentally sound construction methods.

Construction Materials Performance Control
To offer building safety, security, and comfort while ensuring longevity, we are conducting researchand development to develop construction materials including concrete that offer high strength, highdurability, and high performance properties. To conserve resources, save energy, and protect theenvironment, we are also working to develop and disseminate techniques for effectively using
industrial by-products, as well as building maintenance technologies.

The eruption ofMt. Usu in 2000

Damage to the Atsubetsugawa River Basincaused by Typhoon No. 10

Maintenance of concrete structuresuch as bridge, building etc.

Intermediate layer destruction
by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake