Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Global Hydrogen
Energy Unit

Overview
Hydrogen is a secondary energy source with high potential tocontribute to the goal of realizing a low-carbon society andbringing about a change in energy structure. In order to makehydrogen energy a practical reality, however, it is necessary to
explore the development of elemental technology and systems aswell as industrial and social structures to identify and address issuesof importance. The Global Hydrogen Energy Unit was established toevaluate a wide range of issues from a multilateral, subjective, andscientific perspective through industry-government-academia
collaboration centered around Tokyo Tech. The unit also identifies

Research Unit Leader

bottlenecks in problem solving and determines development goals

Ken Okazaki

Profilerelated to the technology and systems required to realize a2015 Institute Professor (Professor Emeritus), Tokyo Institute of Technology
2007-2011 Dean, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2000 Professor, Department of Mechanical and Control Engineering,
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
1998 Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Science, Schoolof Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1992 Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1984 Associate Professor, Toyohashi University of Technology
1980 Lecturer, Toyohashi University of Technology
1978 Assistant Professor, Toyohashi University of Technology
1978 Doctor of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
1973 Bachelor of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technologyhydrogen energy society.

Research goals
The goal of the Global Hydrogen Energy Unit is to establish a
global-scale hydrogen supply chain which converts unused
overseas energy to hydrogen and transports it to Japan. Specifically,
the unit plans to separate brown coal into CO2 and hydrogen inAustralia, store the CO2 underground, and transport liquefiedhydrogen to Japan for storage and conversion to energy. The unit
will also link this with the use of hydrogen energy generated from

Unit members

renewable energy sources in Japan. The Global Hydrogen Energy● Adjunct Professor Michio Hashimoto

Unit conducts research on the organization of accurate andsubjective information, creates new value, designs and evaluates● Adjunct Professor Yoshihisa Sato

● Adjunct Professor Takuya Oda● Professor Manabu Ihara● Professor Tomohiro Nozaki● Professor Yukitaka Kato

● Professor Akira Yamada● Professor Ichiro Yamanaka● Associate Professor Yuya Kajikawa

systems, and identifies and solves technical development problems.

Global hydrogen supply chain

Link with domestic hydrogenproduction and use

H2● Hydro● SolarH2● Oil & Natural Gas

H2

H2

H2

● Wind● Lignite (Brown Coal)Tokyo Tech Research Units

In order to realize ahydrogen energy society,universities, industries,
and government agencies
must be organically linked

Q Why was this research unit established?
In order to realize a hydrogen energy society, it is essential to organically link universities that provide outstanding
technology and research, industries that promote the commercialization of hydrogen energy, and governmental agencies
that establish and execute policy. From our subjective position as a university, we established the Global Hydrogen Energy
Consortium through industry-government-academia collaboration within the Global Hydrogen Energy Unit. The unit
operates the consortium and facilitates multilateral assessment, the development of technology for elements and systems,
and the exchange of information among members.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

The Goal of the Tokyo Tech Global Hydrogen
Energy Research Unit “Neutral, subjective,
diversified evaluation (Technology Assessment)”

Tokyo Tech has a wide range of achievements in●

Policy objectives●System & measures●Sense of value●

accumulated over the years. In 2012, theEnvironmental Energy Innovation Building wasSociety

Eco-system analysis
Business trends &competitiveness assessment●

completed at the Ookayama Campus and the“Ene-Swallow” was initiated. Experts in innovation

Company &industrial structure●Strategies &competitivenessand technical assessment are participating in the

●

●

●

original smart power grid management system

research along with specialists on campus to pushtechnological and system advancements. Ourstrength is that this unique Research Unit canPrimary energy
Supply chain●Demand &infrastructure●

Hydrogen production
Hydrogen transport●Hydrogen storage●Hydrogen utilization●

engage in global and open collaboration in a wide
range of activities with other consortium

Cost benefit analysis
LCA, material &energy flow analysis●Supply stability &resource diversity assessment●

energy-related research and education that it has●

Industry

Cost structure analysis
System safety assessment●●

Exploratory and futuretechnology extraction &assessment●Technical feasibility &TRL assessment●Theoretical limitations,●Materials
Elemental ● bottlenecks, and R&D goals
Related technology &●Processes
Technology competing technology●Devices
trend analysis●Mechanisms●Cost analysis & risk assessment●

EnergySystemmembers.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
The Global Hydrogen Energy Unit’s initial 5-year plan was based on the requirements for achieving the desired energy society
in the next 30 years. We plan to first establish a system for the subjective and diversified assessment of introduction and useof hydrogen both in and outside of Japan. In FY 2016, the Unit scheduled to start joint assessment with industry, government,
and universities with the goal of encouraging external funding. Based on this assessment, in FY 2017 and 2018, the Unit will
examine the identified issues and implement specific research projects that focus on solving top priority problems. In FY 2019,
we plan to establish a foundation to facilitate the application of our achievements to advance to the next stage.
Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contact us

Global Hydrogen
Energy Unit

Ishikawadai Building 6 2-12-1 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo152-8552 Japan
Tel : ＋81-3-5734-3355 Email : okazaki.k.aa@m.titech.ac.jp
www.ghe.iir.titech.ac.jp/index-e.html

March 2016

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Advanced Data Analysis
and Modeling Unit

Overview
The accelerated increase in the level of information this century has
seen the generation of a greater amount of big data on human behavior
than ever before. The Advanced Data Analysis and Modeling Unitutilizes big data owned by public and private entities in an integrated
manner to clarify phenomena in human society from a scientificviewpoint. The unit attempts to express changes in society throughequations applying both mathematics and physics. Expansion in thisfield of research will make possible the prediction of future conditions ineconomic and social systems in much the same way we now forecast
weather utilizing airflow equations.
Research Unit Leader

Research goals

Misako Takayasu

ProfileTransactions in financial markets are made in milliseconds, and theamount of data collected in real time is now one million times greaterthan it was 20 years ago. It is now also possible to scientificallyformularize how violent fluctuations in prices occur and how these
affect other markets, which we do in much the same way as we write
molecular formulas based on detailed observation. The Advanced Data
Analysis and Modeling Unit attempts to analyze big data in a wide
range of fields, including financial markets, to create descriptive
mathematical models. This makes it possible to understand individual
research conducted in different fields in an integrated manner. Throughthe Future Observatory, which will be established to store big data andserve as a base for scientific research, the unit attempts to precisely

2016 Associate Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2015 Associate member, Science Council of Japan (Committee on Physics
and Informatics)
2007 Associate Professor, Department of Computational Intelligence andSystems Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science andEngineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
2000 Assistant Professor, Department of Complex and Intelligent Systems,
Future University Hakodate
1997 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University
1993 JSPS Research Fellow, Tohoku University
1993 Doctor of Science, Department of Material Science, Graduate School of
Science and Technology, Kobe University
1987 Bachelor of Science, Department of Physics, School of Science, Nagoya
University

Unit members● Assistant Professor Kiyoshi Kanazawa● Professor Wakaha Ogata● Professor Yoshiyuki Kabashima

simulate future conditions to solve a wide range of problems● Professor Hiroshi Deguchi● Associate Professor Isao Ono

encountered in society to gain a multilateral understanding of● Adjunct Assistant Professor Koutaro Tamura● Adjunct Professor Hideki Takayasu

phenomena in economics and human society.

Needs of a super smart society
Future Observatory
Data

Data

Companies

Companies

Data

Data

Creating added value in society through cutting-edge integration of big dataTokyo Tech Research Units

Using scientific future prediction
to create risk prevention measuresand industrial development schemes

Q Why was this research unit established?
Current social phenomena are multi-layered and complex. Significant breakthroughs are possible, however, if we carefully andquantitatively observe correlations among them, and clarify the relationship between individual activities and social phenomena
through an integration of mathematics, physics, and computational sciences. The Advanced Data Analysis and Modeling Unit aims todevelop models capable of identifying how certain changes, occurring at various scales, cause specific shifts in society. This would inturn enable us to consider more specific applications. Researchers specializing in a wide range of fields such as econophysics,
machine learning, system sciences, optimization, and security participate in the unit, which forms a major research organization for
big data at Tokyo Tech and facilitates the efficient achievement of results. An example of the systems developed by this research unit
are PUCK-tools, financial market data risk analysis tools included in standard applications used in the financial industry. Estimation
algorithms and transactions among Japanese companies are used by RESAS, a regional economy analysis system provided by the
Cabinet Office. The unit conducts joint research with other groups in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Israel, and the United States toform a base that serves as an international hub in the field.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

Analogy between dynamics of financial
market order information and colloidal
particle motion in water molecules
Number of orders

Along with a system that enables the use of highly confidential
data owned by companies for academic research, theMarket prices
Advanced Data Analysis and Modeling Unit will also establish
Number of orders
the Future Observatory, enabling joint
industry-government-university research utilizing this data.
When analyzing valuable big data owned by different
Market prices
Number of orders
companies in an integrated manner, data sharing is often
difficult due to the confidentiality requirements of individualcompanies. However, a university can serve as a neutral core forMarket prices
a consortium, making it easier to share data beyond theBased on the assumption that there is a virtual colloidal
boundaries of companies. This is also a great advantage for
Buying orders
particle between buying and selling orders, and regarding
industry. The Advanced Data Analysis and Modeling Unit isorders as water molecules, market price fluctuations share
Selling orders
similarities with the motion of the colloidal particle.
equipped with a high-quality computational environment andSources：Physical Review Letters 112, 098703 (2014), Physical Review E 92, 042811 (2015)
cutting-edge security management system that contribute toadvanced mathematical analysis and safe management of
data, making possible the protection of healthcare data, positional information from mobile phones, and other highly confidential
data. The Future Observatory will also be highly valuable as a historical archive of Japanese industry and culture as time goes by.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
In the first year, the research unit will enhance the environment of the Future Observatory by implementing an entry management
system using biometric authentication and a network security system. Progress in big data collection, integration, and analysis, and theestablishment of models will continue. In the second year, the unit aims to set up a consortium for industry-government-university
collaboration to accumulate a broader range of data, verify and review predictions to improve established models, and construct anenvironment where the use of these models in society can be simulated. Through scientific future prediction, the unit hopes to create
risk prevention measures and industrial development schemes that significantly contribute to society.

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contact us

Advanced Data Analysis
and Modeling Unit

G3 Bldg. Rm 1018
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5640 Email : takayasu@c.titech.ac.jp
http://www.smp.dis.titech.ac.jp/en/index.html

March 2016

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Advanced Computational
Drug Discovery Unit

Overview
Molecular simulation is a method of calculating molecular activity toanalyze the physical and chemical properties of compounds used ininnovative drug discovery. Bioinformatics and systems biology areapplied to analyze biological data using information-science
methodologies such as artificial intelligence, bigdata analysis andmachine learning. Integrating these methods, the Advanced
Computational Drug Discovery Unit (ACDD) develops in silico technology
for innovative drug discovery from an academic point of view throughlarge-scale GPU computation using the TSUBAME supercomputer.
Utilizing and complementing biochemical research conducted bypharmaceutical companies, the unit aims to establish methods ofinnovative drug discovery through open innovation with industries.
Research Unit Leader

Research goals

Masakazu Sekijima

ProfileIt is essential for future innovative drug discovery to develop ideas
and methods that facilitate beneficial collaboration between
universities and corporations. ACDD sets the goal of realizing open
innovation and aims to realize the establishment of an open drug
discovery environment within five years. The unit will establish anadvanced computational drug discovery model while focusing on
the following three themes:- Open utilization of the drug discovery environment by Tokyo Techand pharmaceutical companies

2016 Associate Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2009 Associate Professor, Global Scientific Information and Computing
Center, Tokyo Institute of Technology
2008 Planning Officer, Planning Headquarters, National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology
2003 Research Scientist, Computational Biology Research Center, National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
2002 Research Staff, Computational Biology Research Center, National
Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
2002 Ph.D., Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agricultural andLife Sciences, University of Tokyo

Unit members● Professor Yutaka Akiyama- Establishment of an open-participation type in silico drug discovery
contest● Professor Akihiko Konagaya- Provision of education for industry professionals through the insilico drug discovery training program● Visiting Associate Professor Teruki Honma● Associate Professor Takashi Ishida● Associate Professor Shintaro Sengoku● Assistant Professor Masahito Ohue

Advanced Computational Drug Discovery Unit

Conventional drug
discovery research
Biochemical
experimentation

Computational
drug discovery

Innovative drug
discovery
A new Tokyo Tech research unit

Computational
drug discovery

Biochemical
experimentation

aiming to form an open platform
for experimental studies oninnovative drug discovery
through integration of

In-house technology
In-house technology

Open platformcomputational technology andexperimental biochemistry

Tokyo Tech Research Units

In line with the current trend,
the concept of openness in drug discovery
can be extended to other fields

Q Why was this research unit established?
Drug discovery is expensive, with development costs for a single drug often reaching USD 2.5 billion. In addition, security is extremely
important because any leak of information can cause significant damage to a project. This creates obstacles to effective collaboration
between pharmaceutical companies and researchers. In addition, projects tend to be discontinued if good results are not achieved in ashort period of time. This means that, due to insufficient trials and errors, companies and researchers cannot compile enough data tomutually complement each other’s efforts. There are not enough people to analyze the data, which forces a dependence on methods
that are not suitable for project conditions, thereby preventing breakthroughs. The Advanced Computational Drug Discovery Unit wasestablished to take the initiative in making drug discovery technology open and accessible for universities and startups.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

Outcomes

We have shared our know-how with pharmaceuticalcompanies. This came about through a consortium onneglected tropical diseases (NTDs), diseases for which
therapeutic drug development has been slow because theyaffect mainly impoverished areas. The consortium focuses on
drug discovery as a social contribution project. It is important tohave serious discussion and two-way exchange of know-how
on new drug discovery through collaboration between
companies and universities. This concept of openness should
not be limited to the field of drug discovery, but should beallowed to pervade other fields and industries.

Development
targets

Seeds(Strengths ofTokyo Tech)

Realization of leading
open platform drug
discovery technology

Computational
peptide drug
discovery

Computational
ligand drug
discovery

Supply and commercialization of development tools
Actual drug discovery targeting neglected tropical diseases
Provision of in silico drug discovery contests and seminars

Drug target
identification

Pharmacokinetics
and toxicity
prediction

Academic
research &development
management

Open drug
discovery
technology
training

Molecular
simulation

Bioinformatics

Machine learning
Artificial intelligence

Content development
External education

GPUs on
TSUBAME

Mathematicalmodeling

Cloud technology
IoT technology

Organizational
platform design

Tokyo Tech uses the supercomputer TSUBAME to great
advantage by employing it to identify compounds for drug discovery. Unit members are confident that the accumulation of experimental resultsin cooperation with partners who conduct biochemical research using the extracted compounds will prove highly effective for drug discovery.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
After we establish the corporate consortium in April 2016, the unit will hold drug discovery contests for five years. These contests will be
open to everyone. ACDD also plans to initiate in silico drug discovery training programs for working adults, and symposiums incooperation with overseas universities such as the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. We believe that these projects will prove
effective in developing highly skilled professionals and in establishing an open and accessible drug discovery environment that
contributes to collaboration between universities and companies.
Meanwhile, the unit is transferring technical methods for drug discovery to the TSUBAME supercomputer, establishing servers for open
and accessible drug discovery, sharing and comparing results, and applying data to advanced drug discovery utilizing a platform that willlead to the establishment of a stable foundation for research and development.

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contact us

Advanced Computational
Drug Discovery Unit

J3 Building Room 409
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501 Japan
Tel : ＋81-3-5734-3325 Email : sekijima@c.titech.ac.jp
http://www.cbi.c.titech.ac.jp/acdd/top_ja.html

March 2016

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Hybrid Materials Unit

Overview
Nanoparticles, measured in units of one billionth of a meter, areextensively applied in engineering. However, we have yet to fully clarify
the properties of sub-nanoparticles, particles that are even smaller than
nanoparticles. This has hindered the development of synthesis methods.
It is expected that if we can freely structure sub-nanoparticles by

Research Unit Leader

Kimihisa
Yamamoto

programming the number of atoms in them and the compounding ratioof constituent elements, then we can create substances with properties
that are completely different from what we have now. Specifically, there
is no known method for integration and combination of atoms ofdifferent metallic elements. Considering the more than 90 metallic
elements in the periodic table of elements, the potential combinations
are infinite. The Hybrid Materials Unit aims to create new materials using
a highly precise hybrid method of blending metallic elements utilizing
uniquely developed dendritic polymers (dendrimers) with the goal of
opening the door to a new field that will serve as the base fornext-generation functional materials.

Research goals

Profile2016 Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2010 Professor, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2002 Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio
University
1997 Associate Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio
University
1990 Doctor of Engineering, Graduate School of Science andEngineering, Waseda University
1989 Research Associate, School of Science and Engineering,
Waseda University
1985 Bachelor of Engineering, Department of Applied Chemistry,
School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University

Dendrimers have a three-dimensional structure with internal voids like the spaces between the branches of a tree. They are
high-molecule structures with regular geometrical shapes and potential gradient. In the past, metallic sub-nanoparticles were thought
to have been randomly arranged. However, the Hybrid Materials Unit was the first to discover that dendrimers have a stepwise
complexation that extends from their inner to outer layers. The unit also established a method of synthesis that allows flexible andaccurate control of the number, arrangement, ratio, and order of similar and dissimilar elements. The unit calls this the atom hybrid
method. By applying this method, the Hybrid Materials Unit aims to produce new materials that are beyond our imagination, clarify theirproperties, and discover the number of atoms and correlations with different types of elements. The unit also aims to systematize newmaterials and create a next-generation material library leading to the future design of materials.

Atom hybrid method
Metal salts

Control of number ofmetal atoms

Sub-nanoparticles

Integrated position
control

Assembling ofhetero-metal atoms

Synthesis of
sub-nanoparticles

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Progressing in sub-nanoparticle synthesis
and discovering new materials
with functions beyond our imagination

Q Why was this research unit established?
Providing a spacious and secure environment for researchers contributes to innovation and advancement. The Hybrid
Materials Unit facilitates consistent research, synthesis, and measurement, and serves as a space for discussion andinformation sharing among scientists. The unit also considers ways of supporting young chemists and establishing new fields
of chemistry.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?
While other researchers succeeded in synthesizing

Unexplored field: Sub-nanoparticles
Creating new materials Conventional Field

Alloy
5

sub-nanoparticles, the Hybrid Materials Unit established

Frontier Field

the number of atoms and handle them stably. Although
global competition is fierce in the field of
sub-nanoparticle research, the unit is still far ahead ofothers in the area of efficient synthesis. The unit

Element Kinda method that allows researchers to freely determine

4

Alloy

Sub-nano

3

2

continues to move forward in dendrimer synthesis to
discover new materials with heretofore unimaginable
functions.

1
Monomer 1A
Atom

Nano
1nm
subnano

Size

1μm

Nano

The dendrimers we discovered and patented make it

1mm

1m
Bulk

possible to easily form unified integrated structures by
programming the number of atoms and the arrangement of a wide range of metals. Of the 112 elements, there are about 90
metallic elements. Among these 90 metallic elements, there are 65 metallic materials that Tokyo Tech can handle stably. In otherwords, the unit has the potential to create new materials through an infinite number of combinations of such metallic materials.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
The Hybrid Materials Unit sets synthesis, structure, and function as the three major pillars as it sheds light on the unexplored
field of sub-nanoparticles, aiming to systematize it as a new academic area. The unit confidently takes the lead toward mass
synthesis processes as it considers practical implementation in society. The research structure was established in 2015. In
2016, the unit will promote research within the established structure, focusing on advancing the individual research topics ofthe group leaders.

Contact us

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Hybrid Materials Unit

S2 Building Room 107
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5260 Email : yamamoto@res.titech.ac.jp
http://www.jst.go.jp/erato/yamamoto/en/index.html

March 2016

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Biointerfaces Unit

Overview
The Biointerfaces Unit focuses on mechanisms by which
information sent from our brain moves our body, and develops
technology that enables brainwaves to control machines anddevices. The unit also develops technology capable of assessing thecondition of organs such as the liver, kidneys, and brain to promotehealth and enable the early detection of disease. Utilizing sensors
that noninvasively assess the condition of the brain and otherorgans, the unit develops biointerfaces that control devices using
collected biological signals. The goal of the unit is to utilize
biointerfaces not only for the benefit of the elderly and disabled,
but also for a wide range of purposes including the development ofequipment designed to maintain health in daily life.

ProfileResearch goals
The Biointerfaces Unit aims to clarify the mechanisms of hand andfoot movements via signals from the brain utilizing brain waves andelectromyograms, develop prosthetic arms and hands that can be
moved by brain activity alone, and apply this technology torehabilitation of individuals suffering from limb paralysis due tostrokes and other diseases. The unit also plans to develop mobile
devices that can noninvasively detect internal conditions fromoutside of the body. These include the condition of the liver andbladder, and other biological information such as blood andbreathing to be used in the prevention of disease. By bringing

2016 Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology
2009 Professor, Precision and Intelligence Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
1998 Associate Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1995 Toyota Motor Corporation
1992 Researcher, Advanced Telecommunications Research InstituteInternational
1989 Toyota Motor Corporation
1989 Master of Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science andEngineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1987 Bachelor of Engineering, School of Engineering, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology

Unit members● Associate Professor Hirohiko Kaneko● Associate Professor Natsue Yoshimura● Professor Kentaro Nakamura● Associate Professor Marie Tahara● Associate Professor Kotaro Tadano● Professor Susumu Kajiwara● Professor Yoshitaka Kitamoto● Professor Scott Makeig, University of California San Diego

together such technologies, the unit conducts research anddevelopment for wearable devices capable of monitoring health.

Biointerface

Yasuharu Koike

Research Unit Leader● Associate Professor Nicolas Schweighofer, University of Southern California

Information extraction

EMG electrode

EEG Sensor
Control of power-assisted
robot utilizing balanced
positions and rigidity

Cortical currents
Information technology

Sensors & devices

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Creating a global base for biointerface researchthrough cooperation with companies andfaculties of medicine at other universities

Q Why was this research unit established?
The Biointerfaces Unit consists of a wide range of groups, including one that carries out research on brain-machine interfaces
via brain signals and another that studies biological signals to the liver and other internal organs. The unit enables thegathering of component technology from the various groups, promotes information sharing, and conducts research anddevelopment for overall systems for the healthcare industry. Centering on Tokyo Tech, the unit also promotes cooperation
with companies and faculties of medicine at other universities with the aim of creating a global base for biointerface research.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?
Tokyo Tech has 150 faculty members engaged in researchin the life sciences, medical care, and health. Their researchComprehensive development of healthand medical care prototypes● Brain-type information technology development● Biointerface and device development

is expanding to a wide range of fields, including chemical
biology and regenerative medicine. Tokyo Tech researchers
have achieved excellent results, particularly in the area of
sensors and devices capable of monitoring the conditionof the brain and internal organs noninvasively. The

Development as international research base
Collaboration with

Faculties of medicine, universities, companies

Institute also has information technology that allows us toanalyze tremendous amounts of data collected from thesesensors as big data. We are proud of our elemental technology and comprehensive capabilities.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
The Biointerfaces Unit will promote its five-year plan for the development of elemental technology in the life sciences. We will
advance research on algorithms used to move the human body utilizing brain sensors that are under development, and willswiftly move toward commercialization. The unit will also work on new diagnostic methods by effectively utilize the resources
available at Tokyo Tech, which include functional magnetic resonance imaging to visualize brain activities. The Biointerfaces
Unit also continues to promote research and development of wearable devices capable of understanding health conditions,aiming also for their rapid commercialization.

Contact us

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Biointerfaces Unit

J3 Building 11 Floor
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5054 Email : koike@pi.titech.ac.jp
http://www.cns.pi.titech.ac.jp/kylab/?lang=en

March 2016

Nanospace
Catalysis Unit

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Overview
In order to realize a low-carbon society, it is essential to reduce
dependency on fossil fuels, utilize fossil resources more effectively,
and reduce CO2 emissions. The Nanospace Catalysis Unit aims toestablish innovative production processes for nanospace catalysts
and chemical substances utilizing diverse carbon resources.
Nanospace catalysts have a number of super-fine pores(nanospaces) at the nanometer level in crystals. This unit focuses on
the catalytic properties of zeolite,* one of the porous crystalline
materials that controls the catalytic active site at the atomic level,
and works to develop breakthrough catalysts that contribute to therealization of a low-carbon society.

Research Unit Leader*Zeolites are aluminosilicates with molecular-size poresin their crystal structures

Toshiyuki Yokoi

ProfileResearch goals
The diameter of zeolite pores is one nanometer or less. Larger
molecules cannot pass into these pores. Therefore, zeolite can2016 Assistant Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2006 Assistant Professor, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2004 Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical System Engineering,
School of Engineering, University of Tokyo
2004 Doctor of Engineering, Department of Materials Science and Engineering,
Yokohama National University

Unit members

select smaller molecules such as methane and methanol, and● Adjunct Assistant Professor Yong Wang

promote their chemical reactions. Utilizing the characteristics of● Adjunct Assistant Professor Sungsik Park

● Adjunct Assistant Professor Yunan Wangzeolite, this unit places catalytic active sites in optimal positions inpores at the atomic level with the goal of establishing catalytic reaction processes designed to synthesize useful chemical substancessuch as methanol and ethylene from methane, which until now has only been used as a fuel, and to synthesize basic chemical
substances such as ethylene and propylene from methanol obtained from CO2 and water.

Innovative nanospace catalysts that produce useful chemical
substances utilizing diverse carbon resources
Useful chemical
substances

Earth resources
Nanospacecatalysts■ Crude petroleum■ Minerals■ Ethylene●

Naphtha catalytic
cracking●

Methane conversion●

Methanol conversion●

Biomass
conversion

H

H
C= C

H

H

■ Propylene

H

CH 3
C= C

■ Natural gas■ Biomass

H

H

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Realizing a low-carbon society
with nanospace catalysts andeffective use of diverse carbon
resources

Q Why was this research unit established?
A sustainable low-carbon and recycle-oriented society requires that we reduce the use of conventional fossil fuels such as
crude petroleum and find more effective ways to use these resources. It is also necessary to develop production processes
that synthesize fine chemicals such as plastics, fibers, coatings, pharmaceuticals, and agrichemicals utilizing shale gas,biomass, and other unconventional resources. To address these challenges, it is essential to develop innovative catalysts.
Therefore, we focus on the establishment of the world’s first optimal production processes for nanospace catalysts. In
addition to zeolites, we are expanding our research targets to include other nanospace catalysts to achieve our goals.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?
Zeolite is a porous crystalline material composed

Selective production of chemical substancesby controlling the position of aluminumat the atomic levelof silicon, aluminum, and oxygen. The aluminum

Example: MFI-type zeolitein the framework of zeolite crystal directly

Catalytic properties
change dependingon the locations ofaluminum - at pore
mouths, interior, orintersections ofpores

influences catalytic properties. Zeolite has beenused as a catalyst to produce gasoline from crude
petroleum. However, changing the molecular
structure, strictly controlling the position of thealuminum, or changing the size of pores can
produce new catalytic reactions. Chemists were

Aluminum

External
surface
Pore mouthInterior

Intersections

particularly interested in the strict control of theposition of aluminum, which we achieved for the
first time in the world in 2015. The unique method of control is one of the strengths of our research.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
While over 200 zeolites have already been synthesized, we will develop a new zeolite catalyst that is superior to existing ones
due to the nanospace structure and control of the position of catalytic active sites. Next, we will develop catalytic reaction
processes that allow the synthesis of basic chemical substances with a high selectivity to contribute to the effective use of awide range of carbon resources. We will also establish methods of structural analysis and evaluation of nanospace catalysts,
including zeolite, by utilizing advanced NMR and electron microscopy techniques. In addition, we will participate in national
projects organized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan Science and Technology
Agency, etc. to further the development of a broad range of innovative catalysts.

Contact us

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Nanospace Catalysis Unit

R1 Building 9 Floor
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8501 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5238 Email : yokoi@cat.res.titech.ac.jp
http://www.nc.iir.titech.ac.jp/index_e.html

August 2017

All-Solid-State
Battery Unit

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Overview
Smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices have become
essential to our daily lives, and the paradigm shift to electricvehicles is expanding globally. The traditional power source
employed in these devices has been the lithium-ion battery, whichcontains a liquid electrolyte. However, safer, more compact, andhigher-performing batteries are greatly sought after. The superionic
conductor (solid electrolyte) developed by Professor Ryoji Kanno
functions over a broad range of temperatures, and its material
allows ions to move within the structure selectively at high speed. It
delivers outstanding safety and stability, does not leak, and has ahigh energy density, making it a key technology for all-solid-statebatteries. The All-Solid-State Battery Unit leverages its lead in the

Research Unit Leader

development of superionic conductors to promote theProfilecommercialization of all-solid-state batteries.

2018 Unit leader, All-Solid-State Battery Unit and Professor,
Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology
2016 Professor, School of Materials and Chemical Technology,
Tokyo Institute of Technology
2001 Professor, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Scienceand Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1989 Associate Professor, Faculty of Science, Kobe University
1985 Doctor of Science, Osaka University
1980 Research Associate, Faculty of Engineering, Mie University
1980 Master of Science, Inorganic & Physical Chemistry Division,
Graduate School of Science, Osaka University
1978 Bachelor of Science, Department of Chemistry,
School of Science, Osaka University

Research goals
Development of solid electrolyte materials as a key technology for
all-solid-state batteries(1) Development of methods for synthesizing superionic
conductors in large amounts for commercialization(2) Development of fundamental process technology forcommercialization of composite electrode materials

Unit members(3) All-solid-state battery prototyping and practical use evaluations● Associate Professor Masaaki Hirayama● Specially Appointed Professor (IP Strategy) Hidemi Takahashi● Professor Hajime Arai

(4) Demonstration of high performance and functionality throughAll-solid-state lithium battery system

Li+
Li+

Li+
Li+

Positive
electrode

X-

Li+

Li+

X-

X-

Li+

CoO2

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Organic electrolyte solution

All-solid-state battery

Negative
electrodeAll solidstate● Associate Professor Fusao Kitamura● Assistant Professor Takeyoshi Okajima

verification of principles and advanced analysesC● Assistant Professor Kota Suzuki● Professor Hitoshi Kawaji(environmental impact assessments)

Negative
electrode

Ryoji Kanno

Li+
Li+

C

Positive
electrode
CoO2

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Li+

Inorganic solid electrolyte

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Advancing commercializationof all-solid-state batteries
using solid electrolytes

university resources on advancing research,development, and commercialization of
all-solid-state batteries. This research unit
facilitates collaborations with academia,
industry, and government; supports adoptionof all-solid-state batteries for mobile devices,
electric vehicles, and a wide range of otherproducts; and seeks to open new fields andindustries that will apply all-solid-statebatteries.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

All-solid-state batteries from novel materials offer improvements
over conventional energy devices.
Power density (kW kg-1)*a

We established this research unit to focus

Advances in science are leading to batteries
with unprecedented capabilities

Electric vehicle acceleration

Q Why was this research
unit established?

All-solid-state
ceramic battery
Supercapacitor
Li-Sbattery
Li-ion battery
Al-ion battery

Mg battery
Na-ionbattery
Li-airbattery

Electric vehicle cruising range

Energy density (Wh kg-1)*a*a: Per weight of active material

In 2011, we discovered the material LGPS, a solid□, ■: High voltage battery using Li 9.6 P 3 S 12electrolyte with high ionic conductivity; and in△, ▲: High current battery using Li9.54 Si1.74 P1.44 S11.7 Cl 0.3

2016, we discovered further derivatives of the■, ▲: @ 100℃□, △: @ 25℃

solid electrolyte. In 2017, we developed alow-cost, all-purpose solid electrolyte by combining tin and silicon. The research has resulted in several key patents.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
While we continue development of solid electrolytes providing greater ionic conductivity and stability, we are also working to
improve output and lifetime through atomic-level analyses of electrochemical surfaces, the findings of which will feed back tomaterials analysis. To evaluate the materials, we explore a wide range of parameters utilizing not only regular firing methods,
but also high-pressure and thin-film synthesis, as well as materials informatics. Furthermore, we are working to establish a
research strategy that ensures cooperation with industry to advance commercialization and creation of new systems to form
consortiums. We also participate in national projects involving energy strategy, promote research and development ofmethods for synthesizing superionic conductors in large quantities for commercialization, and carry out
academic-industry-government collaborations for the advancement and application of all-solid-state batteries.

Contact us

Tokyo Institute of Technology

All-Solid-State Battery Unit

4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8502 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5401 Email : kanno@echem.titech.ac.jp
www.kanno.echem.titech.ac.jp/english/

March 2018

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Quantum
Computing Unit

Overview
After decades of continued efforts in basic research, a prototype
quantum computer was announced and commercialized in 2011
under the protocol of quantum annealing proposed by the groupled by Professor Hidetoshi Nishimori in 1998. The machine hassince been upgraded to its current fourth generation, and has
spurred a flurry of R&D activities in industry as well as in academia
toward real-life applications. Quantum computers are expected toprocess some of the very complicated tasks that are out of reach ofsupercomputers. The list of such tasks considered within reach ofnear-future hardware includes traffic optimization, portfolio
optimization, large-scale code debugging, solutions to fluid
equations, air traffic control, and medical diagnosis. Research
activities of the Unit will cover a broad range of areas of quantum
annealing from basic theory to software and applications.

Research goals

Research Unit Leader

Hidetoshi Nishimori

ProfileQuantum annealing, a term taken from the metallurgy technique“annealing”, is a metaheuristic (generic approximate algorithm) for
optimization problems. Basic theories are still to be established on
the mechanisms of enhancement of its performance. The Unit thus
focuses on the following topics:(1) Possible enhancement of the performance by the introductionof new mechanisms.
(2) Error correction in quantum annealing.
(3) General methodologies to express optimization problems with
the Ising model.

2018 Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
2016 Dean, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
2011 Dean, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1996 Professor, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1990 Associate Professor, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1984 Assistant Professor, School of Science, Tokyo Institute of Technology
1982 Doctor of Science, Department of Physics, School of Science,
The University of Tokyo
1982 Research Associate, Department of Physics, Rutgers University
1981 Research Associate, Department of Physics, Carnegie-Mellon
University
1977 Bachelor of Science, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science,
The University of Tokyo

Quantum Bits and Annealing

In the quantum world, very small metal circuits at ultra-low
temperature accommodate electric currents circling clockwise
and anti-clockwise simultaneously, which are used to represent“0” and “1” simultaneously in a quantum bit (qubit). This is inmarked contrast to the conventional computer, which uses bitsthat can only be set to a single state of "0" or "1".

As we turn on the interactions between qubits, the possibilityof superposition of two states “0” and “1” is reduced at each
qubit, and the system eventually settles to a single state.

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Finding solutions tosociety’s problems throughquantum computing

Q Why was this research
unit established?
With the rapid progress of quantum
computing in recent years, establishingbasic theories and systematic theoreticalguidelines has become imperative. This
Unit engages in comprehensive
research, from basics to applications, in
global and open environments, tosupport the adoption of quantum
annealing in industry and society.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

The traveling salesman problem（TSP）

START
&

!

GOAL

As a prototypical example of combinatorial optimization problems,
TSP seeks the shortest route a salesman can take to visit each city
on a given map exactly once before returning to the origin. To apply
quantum annealing to TSP, we express TSP in a quantum
mechanical formula to find the solution using quantum-parallel
processing.

Unit Leader Nishimori establishedquantum annealing theory. He has been
engaging in scientific exchanges with Google and NASA in quantum computing studies and participatedin the establishment of standard IEEE quantum computing terminology. A world-class research team has
been established for quantum annealing.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
The goal of this Unit is to address speed, error correction, and other topics in quantum annealing. The Unitalso entered into a partnership with the "Q+HPC data-driven research center for creation of science andtechnology" at Tohoku University through which they will promote research and development in a broad
range of topics in basic research and applications. The Unit also aims to become a base for the formation ofacademia-industry consortiums, with the goal of applying quantum annealing to solve the problems facedby society.

Contact us

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Quantum Computing Unit

Main Building, Room 291B
2-12-1-H41, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551 Japan
Tel : ＋81-3-5734-2797 Email : nishimori.h.ac@m.titech.ac.jp
http://www.qa.iir.titech.ac.jp/

July 2018

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Sustainable Chemical
Resource Production Unit

Overview
Our aim is to produce chemical raw materials in a sustainable way
without using limited fossil resources such as coal, oil, and natural gas inorder to establish industrial processes that are better for theenvironment and realize non-petroleum plastics. The Innovative
Heterogeneous Catalysis Unit, which existed until Fiscal 2018, createdan innovative catalyst process. This made it possible to produce raw
materials for plastics and high-performance polymers from biomass,and established a roadmap toward a non-petroleum plastic society. This
research unit will work to establish the world's first industrial process forthe mass-production of polymer raw materials, etc., by utilizing thedeveloped catalysts in collaboration with companies.

Research goals
Research Unit Leader
Michikazu Hara
To establish a mass production method utilizing the developed catalysts
Profilefor the following useful materials made from organic resources such as2016 Professor, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute ofwaste wood and other biomasses as well as uneatable portions of plants
Technology
2006 Professor, Materials and Structures Laboratory, Tokyo Institute of
instead of petroleum in order to create a new industry.
Technology(1) Commercial production of high-performance carbohydrates like
2000 Associate Professor, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
mannose, which has an antiviral activity-promoting effect, using the1999 Postdoctoral fellow, Pennsylvania State University
unused portions of foods such as food peelings and coffee grounds
1995 Assistant Professor, Chemical Resources Laboratory, Tokyo Institute ofTechnology
Mannose has been used for pharmaceuticals, but production costs are
1992 Corporate Research and Development Center, Toshibahigh and its usages are limited. If this technology becomes practical, it
1992 Doctor of Science, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science andEngineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology
will be possible to reduce costs to a third, and this would have a major
impact on society.
Unit members(2) Commercial production of engineering plastics and● Associate Professor Debraj Chandra ● Assistant Professor Masashi Hattori
high-performance polymer raw materials from carbohydrates torealize non-petroleum plastics
It will be the world's first industrial process for production of polymer raw materials from carbohydrates. The market for polymer raw materials isover 200 billion yen, so the impact on the industry is great.

Biomass conversion by new catalyst processes
Biomass conversion
PolymerHO
HO

Polymer raw materials

OH OH
O
OH

High value-added sugars(Mannose)

New catalyst processes

Unused cellulose
Food residue (Coffee grounds)

200 billion yen

Tokyo Tech Research Units

Effective use of waste
to realize defossilization
Forming the ideas of researchersand students to promote
implementation andgive back to society

Q Why was this research unit established?
Petroleum is an indispensable part of our lives. Petroleum is used not only for transportation fuel, it is also used in clothing.
But if society relies solely on that, resources will be depleted. Therefore, our predecessor, the Innovative Heterogeneous
Catalysis Unit, established a technology to produce carbohydrates, high-performance polymers, and engineering plastics
from biomass such as waste wood and the “leftovers” from the food industry. For example, they succeeded in extracting
mannose from coffee grounds. Mannose is able to activate immune cells (macrophages), so if it could be manufactured atlower cost and in large quantities, it could be used not only for pharmaceuticals but also for food and drinks, and for animal
feed. Our unit is aiming to establish industrial processes for mass production and to create new industries by cooperatingwith companies regarding these technologies.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

Biomass conversion：Sugars → Polymer raw materials

The strength of this unit is its ownership of unique5-Hydroxymethyl
furfuralcatalysts. Because we have these catalysts, it is
Aldohexose

possible for us to create world-first industrial
processes. The catalyst for producing mannose
from coffee grounds is also innovative. Currently, in

2,5-Bis(aminomethyl)furan

Japan, more than 1 million tons of coffee grounds

2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acidare disposed of each year as valueless waste. This
catalyst allows us to produce the useful substance

Polyamide raw material

mannose, which has an antiviral activity-promoting

Polyester raw material

effect. In addition, these catalysts are the result of
the flexible ideas of students and postdocs. The
limitless potential from our young members is another of our strengths.

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
Regarding the industrial process for polymer raw materials and the mannose production process developed in this unit, weare proceeding with research at one location in collaboration with companies for implementation to society. We will ask
manufacturers, trading companies, and others to join in order to quickly develop suitable processes for commercial
production. If these production processes can be put to practical use, it will be possible to reduce the consumption of fossil
resources, which will help protect mankind and our planet.

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contact us

Sustainable Chemical
Resource Production Unit

R3 Building 4 Floor
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5311 Email : hara.m.ae@m.titech.ac.jp
http://www.msl.titech.ac.jp/~hara/index-e.html

April 2019

Tokyo Tech
Research Units

Heterogeneous andFunctional Integration Unit

Overview
Semiconductors for CPU and memory indispensable for personal
computers and smartphones have improved performance through device
shrinkages. However, we are encountering the physical limits of shrinking
using conventional technology. The three-dimensional large-scale
integration (3D LSI) technology that we developed has special verticalinterconnect technology and special ultra-thinning technology forsemiconductor die stacks, and improves performance while making thestacks smaller and thinner. Using this technology, we will integrate multiple
semiconductor functions into a one-stack module, and our goal is tosurpass the limits of shrinking devices two-dimensionally. Further, we will
apply matured know-how of the semiconductor manufacturing process toheterogeneous fields and endeavor to create new industries inbiotechnology and agricultural engineering.

Research goals

Research Unit Leader

Takayuki
Ohba

Profile2013 Tokyo Institute of Technology, Professor
2004 The University of Tokyo, Professor
1984 Fujitsu Limited
National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), Visiting Professor
Ph.D received from Tohoku University in 1995

To extend the Wafer-on-Wafer (WOW) Alliance, a global platform for
Unit members● Professor Yasuko Yanagida ● Associate Professor Hiroyuki Ito
industry–academia research started in 2008, we will pursue the following● Associate Professor Kim Young Suk ● Professor Hiroshi Kudo
themes.
● Professor Tomoji Nakamura【Three-dimensional integration technology】We will use the ultra-thinningtechnology and the vertical interconnect technology possessed by the WOW
Alliance to integrate semiconductors three-dimensionally and create a next-generation semiconductor that is higher in performance and lower
in power consumption. Furthermore, this work will accelerate the ultra-miniaturization of not only large-scale computing devices such as servers,
but various devices equipped with semiconductors to 1/1000th of their current size.
【Cooling technology】By combining ultra-small cooling devices with three-dimensional stacked semiconductors, our work will allow for
simplification of cooling technology and application to the miniaturization of IoT and mobile devices.
【Biotechnology】We are developing MEMS devices that replicate the vital reactions that take place inside an organism. Specifically, the goal is
to apply the semiconductor manufacturing process to prototype a platelet-producing device mimicking the structure and functions of thecapillaries inside the spinal cord. We aim to realize stability and improved speed of platelet production at low cost by using fluid mechanics
analysis to optimize the structure of the micro-fluid system.
【Agricultural co-engineering】To reveal the conditions for a plant's maximum output, we will make it possible to monitor “what a plant wants.”
We will develop closed-system cultivation devices based on semiconductor manufacturing technology to control the growth environment anddraw out the plant responses at high reproducibility. We will also create multimodal sensing technologies to quantify the various responses.

Creating new industries by utilizing
semiconductor manufacturing process
Semiconductor
manufacturing process

Globalalliance
platform

Semiconductor
ultre-thin technology
Interconnecting
technology（WOW alliance）

Circuit design

AgricultureBiodevicesNew
dimension
integration

3D large scale integration
DRAM

Cooling device

Flash

MPU

Smart phone

Platelet device

MPU

LED

Power device

Bio reactor

Tokyo Tech Research Units

An assembly of businesses
from different fields focusing on
semiconductor technology
and aiming to becomea technology platform based on
win-win collaboration

Q Why was this research unit established?
The technology for semiconductors in personal computers and smartphones was developed on a two-dimensional plane. In the case of CPUs, its
performance is improved by shrinking devices to increase the number of transistors per unit area. However, that scenario for improving
performance will reach its end in the near future. The industry is valued at 400 billion USD as a global market, and stagnation for its technology
would greatly impact the global economy. However, expectation for AI and IoT is likely to increase demand for the miniaturization ofsemiconductors in association with performance. With the WOW Alliance, an industry–academia research platform, we have been pursuingresearch and development of vertical interconnect technology and ultra-thinning technology for high integration of semiconductors. We havestarted this new unit to apply these technologies to improve performance of semiconductors and to integrate multiple thinner and smaller
semiconductors with different functions into one and thereby respond to the needs of society.

Q What are the strengthsof this research unit?

Ultra thin semiconductor technology

Our feature is the co-development resulting from semiconductor
processes, design, materials, process equipment, and a group ofTokyo Tech specialists. Businesses of different industries working
together makes it possible for us to pioneer heterogeneous
fields and share knowledge. This unit’s strength is its potential tomaximize the cost–performance of investment in development
during the so-called “valley of death” phase by a single business.
Using this strength, we are able to overcome development of
next-generation products to the prototype level. With
Light Transparence on
biotechnology, we will realize a system (a mechanism) utilizing
4-mm DRAM 300 mm Wafer
ultra-small bio-MEMS devices to produce rare bioproducts stably
Total thickness of 16-layers is
1/10 of the conventional thickness
and at low cost. Agricultural co-engineering is the application to
analysis of the growth process of plants using know-how ofsemiconductor manufacturing. We would like to unravel the“feelings” of plants that have survived for hundreds of millions of years. We started these biotechnology and agriculture projects from the idea:
what would happen if we layered together different technologies, like three-dimensional heterogeneous function integration technology?

Q What is the path to achieving the unit’s goals?
We will continue our work on our proof-of-concept for three-dimensional integration of semiconductors and achieve ultra-small, ultra-low power
consumption. We will then develop it further and combine a CPU, a communication module, and other components into one high-density
stacked chip to enable the creation of ultra-small, high-performance IoT devices and even smartphone-sized ultra-high-performance servers. In
agricultural engineering, we will establish the conditions for maximizing a plant’s output in a closed environment and start applying it inlarge-scale production plants. These paths will require participation, by not only domestic companies, but also business abroad. We aim tobecome a technology platform creating one new industry after another as a result of a dream team of heterogeneous functions assembled from
Asia and the rest of the world.

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Contact us

Heterogeneous andFunctional Integration Unit

J3 Building 3 Floor
4259 Nagatsuta-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 226-8503 Japan
Tel : ＋81-45-924-5866 Email : ohba.t.ac@m.titech.ac.jp
http://www.wow.pi.titech.ac.jp/index.html

April 2019