Cyclobutane compounds are thought to hold great potential value as medicinal drugs because of their four-membered ring structure that is found in β-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin. In our research, we are engaged in a search for anticancer lead compounds from among many cyclobutane derivatives synthesized by methodology developed in total synthesis of natural products.

We have developed a novel microbubble aerator for reducing the size and increasing the efficiency of biochemical wastewater treatment facilities. The microbubble aerator provides substantially higher oxygen supply performance than conventional equipment, with an increased rate of organic waste decomposition by aerobic activated sludge.

Much of the CO₂ implicated in global warming originates from the combustion of fossil fuels. If high-purity CO₂ can be recovered while maintaining its high thermal energy, it would be extremely high in added value. In our research, we propose a novel slurry bubble column that utilizes a lithium composite oxide particle slurry and is capable of high-temperature operation.

With the emergence of energy and environmental issues and electric utility deregulation, smart grids are of strong and growing interest. We propose an electric energy demand prediction method and construct a control algorithm for the quantity of electricity generation in order to achieve the demand and environmental requirements through safe, effective cooperation among large-scale power networks.

The goal of our research is to construct an innovative sensor network control system by using an integrative approach of control theory, state estimation theory, and communication technology. We develop a decentralized optimal sensor scheduling algorithm and apply it to the construction of multiple sensor agent systems.

Superconductivity is an electrical resistance of perfect zero which occurs in certain materials below a critical temperature. Development of transmission cables using these materials will minimize transmission loss and optimize energy saving. Our primary and secondary purposes are discovery of new high-Tc superconducting materials, and development of superconducting cables using a powder-in-tube process.

For the realization of a sustainable society, it is essential to find and develop next-generation electrical energy conversion materials with extremely high electrical generation efficiencies for recycling waste energy at high efficiency. We are engaged in finding and developing high-efficiency thermoelectric materials, with the focus on layered mixed-anion compounds, a previously unexplored area in energy conversion materials.

Carbon nanotubes, graphenes, and other nanocarbons possess properties that are orders of magnitude superior to other substances (e.g., 1,000 times in electric conductivity, 10 times in thermal conduction). In our exhibit, we describe our research on carbon nanotubes and graphenes, directed toward the full utilization of these new materials in emerging electronic technologies.

Gathering light from space and learning the structure of the Galaxy and the universe are an expression of humankind's most basic scientific curiosity. Observation in the submillimeter/terahertz range represents the forefront of this curiosity, and devices and systems for this purpose are under development worldwide in an intensely competitive effort. In our research, we are engaged in developing a small-aperture submillimeter/terahertz telescope, with particular emphasis on a related spectrometer system.

Magnetization precession becomes conspicuous at the recording speeds of once per nanosecond or higher expected for next-generation hard disks. It will therefore be essential, for the successful development of highly functional high-performance hard disks, to gain an understanding of the magnetization dynamics. At our exhibit, we will present new ultrahigh-density recording technology that actively utilizes magnetization precession in the form of microwave-assisted magnetization reversal.

We have simulated the gas-liquid flow states in bubble columns, a key type of gas-liquid contactor. Based on data from large bench-scale experimentation, we have optimized configuration parameters, a process which is generally problematic for effective utilization of commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, and present a practical simulation method.

Observation of biological samples with atomic force microscopes in noncontact configurations requires noncontact observation in a high-viscosity environment. In our research, we have resolved the related problem of cantilever probe oscillation damping, and present a new method (incorporating van der Pol oscillator nonlinear dynamics) for the achievement of stable small-amplitude oscillatory response.

We will present an overview of the most recent advances in research not only on high speed and large capacity, but also on flexible response to multifaceted product quality requirements for user personalization and customization, secure high-reliability broadband wireless communication methods, and mobile ad-hoc networks.

Devices and systems for measurements of fluorescent lifetimes are widely used in fields of optical electronics, material science, bioscience, and life science. We present a new technique, utilizing high-efficiency wavelength conversion and ultrafast spectroscopic technique, for high-sensitivity, high time-resolution measurement of fluorescent spectra in the telecommunications wavelength range.

We are engaged in elucidating the mechanisms of the design process with scale models. We have schematized and analyzed two typical cases, and delineated the workflows. The results of the analysis indicate that the process of model construction and selection affects the interrelationships of the design team members, and suggest new possibilities for heightening teamwork and creativity.

We are conducting urban surveys and analyses in Tokyo and Melbourne. Tokyo and Melbourne students collaborate in the analysis of the cities from their respective points of view and summarize the results schematically. We are also conducting redevelopment planning for Melbourne from the perspective of eco-urbanity, based on the results of the survey analysis.

We will describe our research on methods for performance-based design, which achieve a structural performance satisfying owners and residents. These methodologies include: evaluating earthquake damage risk with the consideration of subsurface layers, risk evaluation of collision between a base-isolated building and retaining wall, and explanation of earthquake resistant capacity using probability.

We present a new optimization model that incorporates consideration of a new feed-in tariff system and reduction of CO₂ emissions. The model is designed to reduce the cost and the environmental burden of electric power procurement, by determining the optimum size of photovoltaic arrays for given districts. Robust optimization is applied for uncertainty in solar irradiation quantity, including worst-case conditions within a certain range.

The equiphase planes of an ordinary light beam are aligned in countless numbers perpendicular to the light axis, but interest has recently emerged in light having a spiral phase structure. Like polarized light, the spiral direction of such light may be either clockwise or counterclockwise. It is independent freedom from polarization, and applications research is in progress. The research presented in this exhibit shows that a huge transverse shift occurs in clockwise (or counterclockwise) spiraling light at the glass-air interface under repeated critical reflection.