Surveys and research

Research list of Tokyo Research Initiative for Sustainability of 2022
 Research Subject   Department Name 
 Development of high-entropy-type energy-related materials Graduate School of Science

Associate Professor
MIZUGUCHI Yoshikazu
Elucidation of the function of polymerase ε in genome maintenance and its application in cancer therapy development Graduate School of Science Professor
HIROTA Kouji
Development of a membrane direct atmospheric capture device with high CO₂ permeability Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences Associate Professor
YAMATO Masafumi
Implementation of an Early Detection Network for Tsunami and Sea Level Rise Using  Infrasound Observations Graduate School of Systems Design Associate Professor
OKUBO Kan
Realization of a Long-Lived Healthy Society through Innovative Programmed Medical Devices  Support Technology for Arthroplasty and Rehabilitation Graduate School of Systems Design Professor
FUJIE Hiromichi
Integrity Securement of Flexible Solar Cells by Detection and Characterization of Microdamage for Decarbonization and Disaster Mitigation Graduate School of Systems Design Professor
WAKAYAMA Shuichi
Characterization and development of vibration-induced circulating currents for ocean power harnessing, organ regeneration, and food culture Graduate School of Systems Design Associate Professor
OBARA Hiromichi
Development of cell co-culture vascular models and search for methods to prevent vascular disorders Graduate School of Systems Design Associate Professor
SAKAMOTO Naoya
Verification of universal environmental, social, and governance information disclosure Graduate School of Management Professor
MATSUDA Chieko
Professor
ASANO Takashi
Specially Appointed Professor
KITAGAWA Tetsuo
Verification of green bond impact assessment result Graduate School of Management Professor
MATSUDA Chieko
Professor
ASANO Takashi
Specially Appointed Professor
KITAGAWA Tetsuo

 

Summary
Development of high-entropy-type energy-related materials

Graduate School of Science
Associate Professor　MIZUGUCHI Yoshikazu

The energy problem is an important issue that mankind must solve, which requires the development of new technologies and materials. Specifically, technological progress in effective energy utilization and generation are vital. In this study, we develop thermoelectric materials, which convert heat into electricity, and superconducting materials, which are used for high-magnetic field magnets. In contrast to conventional materials development, this project focuses on the high entropy effect (HEA effect) caused by a solid solution of multi-elements, mixed at a crystallographic site. The people involved in this project have succeeded recently in converting thermoelectric materials and superconductors to HEA-type and have filed an application for a patent ahead of others in the world. The introduction of the HEA effect into thermoelectric materials is expected to significantly suppress the thermal conductivity and improve the mid- to low-temperature range performance, making it possible to develop compact modules. Aside from waste heat recovery, HEA effect application is also expected as the stand-alone power source for IoT devices. For superconducting materials, the research target is to develop high-field superconducting materials for fusion reactors, a next-generation power generation technology. Since fusion reactors generate a large number of neutrons, materials with high neutron ray tolerance should be used; the HEA effects on superconductors will solve the problem.

［Goal 7］ Affordable and Clean Energy, ［Goal 9］ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Elucidation of the function of polymerase ε in genome maintenance and its application in cancer therapy development

Graduate School of Science
Professor HIROTA Kouji

One in two Japanese people develops cancer at least once in their lifetime, and one in three dies from it. Effective treatments for cancers frequenting the child-rearing generation, such as leukaemia, breast and cervical cancer, are especially sought after. In this study, we will extend the results of the international collaborative research (University of Leicester, UK, and the IFOM Institute, Italy) conducted with the support of the President's Discretionary Fund: "International Research Ring" from 2019 to 2021 and develop new methods to treat familial breast/cervical cancer caused by the BRCA1 mutations and malignant lymphomas for leukaemia. In previous collaborative studies, we have investigated the role of replicative polymerase ε (epsilon) in genome maintenance and found that (1) fork inversal at the sites of DNA damage mediated by the polymerase epsilon is essential for the prevention of chromosome breakage and survival of BRCA1 mutant cells; and (2) polymerase ε contributes in removing nucleoside analogues from the genome, which is expected to be used as anticancer drugs, and this enzymatic activity is a therapeutic efficacy determinant of nucleoside analogues for leukaemia. To apply these harvested findings in therapeutic applications, we will verify its effects in various cancer cells, which will lead to a new tailor-made treatment method matched according to the cancer tissue genome information of new patients.

［Goal 3］ Good Health and Well-Being,［Goal 9］ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Development of a membrane direct atmospheric capture device with high CO₂ permeability

Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences
Associate Professor  YAMATO Masafumi

To achieve virtually zero CO2 emissions, technologies that reduce the emissions and decrease the atmospheric concentration are necessary. Currently, the total CO2 capture efficiencies of direct atmospheric capture (DAC) devices are low because they use the chemical adsorption method, which requires a large amount of heat energy (=CO2 emissions) to extract the captured CO2 and regenerate the adsorbent. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an energy-saving DAC system that uses a CO2-permeable membrane material capable of capturing at low atmospheric concentration(400ppm).

The parties involved in this project have successfully developed an ultra-high CO2-permeable membrane applicable to medium- to high-concentration CO2 separation. The microporous polymer membrane uses a high concentration, uniformly dispersing silica particles with nanospaces on the surface. With the improved membrane CO2 permeability and optimized system operating conditions, a prototype for a separating membrane DAC system, capable of concentrating atmospheric CO2 more than 100 times, will be developed. We intend to collaborate with companies to develop an urban DAC system for offices and large commercial facilities, as well as a system for homes used similar to solar panels.

［Goal 13］ Climate Action,［Goal 7］ Affordable and Clean Energy 

Implementation of an Early Detection Network for Tsunami and Sea Level Rise Using Infrasound Observations

Graduate School of Systems Design
Associate Professor  OKUBO Kan

Japan is a region susceptible to earthquakes and tsunamis. In particular, when a huge trench-type earthquake generates a tsunami, agencies must quickly scale it and estimate the arrival time to immediately notify the city and its citizens. In addition to tsunamis, sea level rise due to undersea volcanic eruptions has been reported recently.

Atmospheric pressure changes that occur simultaneous to eruptions and tsunamis propagate as very-low-frequency sound waves (infrasound or micro-pressure waves). The research groups involved in this study have continuously conducted field observations of infrasound and have successfully observed infrasound in the past tsunamis and eruptions.

Therefore, to prepare for possible tsunami and sea level rise in the near future and reduce their damage, especially in the coastal areas and islands of Tokyo, this study proposes a practical early detection technology that uses infrasound monitoring and examines a world-leading robust disaster prevention system.

［Goal 11］ Sustainable Cities and Communities,［Goal 9］ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure,［Goal 13］ Climate Action

Realization of a Long-Lived Healthy Society through Innovative Programmed Medical Devices Support Technology for Arthroplasty and Rehabilitation

Graduate School of Systems Design
Professor  FUJIE Hiromichi

As we enter a hyper-aged society, solving the health care challenge is crucial to achieving a society with higher levels of well-being and longevity. Solving medical issues is one of the SDGs regarding health; however, because humans participate in social activities, they must also be considered in all the SDGs. Among these concerns, joint diseases and injuries in the lower limb are considered the most serious medical issues owing to the large number of cases, the deterioration of quality of life, and the prolonged treatment period. In this study, we (1) developed a system to evaluate the physiological functions of the lower limb joints and (2) developed a programmed medical device (SaMD) that performs a preoperative analysis to identify the optimal method of human joint surgery and ligament reconstruction for each patient and displays the results to the surgeon. Furthermore, we developed a new rehabilitation technology that applies the techniques of (1) and (2) to the functional training of the lower limbs for younger patients and patients undergoing surgery. The research was a collaboration with other medical research institutions in Japan and abroad, including the Tama Medical Center in Tokyo and the University of Pittsburgh, which has a history of joint research with the University's Center for Medical and Engineering Research.

［Goal 3］ Good Health and Well-Being,［Goal 10］ Reduced Inequalities,［Goal 17］ Partnerships for the Goals

Integrity Securement of Flexible Solar Cells by Detection and Characterization of Microdamage for Decarbonization and Disaster Mitigation

Graduate School of Systems Design
Professor  WAKAYAMA Shuichi

Flexible solar cells are lightweight and low-cost, and possible to install on curved surfaces, such as road noise barriers, without any mounts. These characteristics enable construct solar power plant in Japan, especially in metropolises with limited flat land. In addition, the system can be a decisive factor in disaster mitigation because it can reduce the number of power grids by securing distributed power sources in each region. It can also prevent the widespread power outages due to large-scale disasters. However, the electrical degradation of flexible solar cells takes place due to the initiation and accumulation of damage under external loading. Conventionally, we have detected and characterized microdamage during static tensile tests of flexible solar cells measuring the elastic waves emitted from the damage (AE method). Furthermore, we have analysed the degradation mechanism by detecting heat modulation by shunts due to microdamage using an infrared camera (LT method). In this research project, we will carry out cyclic tensile tests, considering thermal expansion/contraction due to day and night temperature differences on the installation surface. Furthermore, we will perform the bending and torsional tests which simulate the deformation of the flexible solar cells attached to soft materials, such as emergency tents. The objective of the present research project is to promote the construction of robust and distributed solar power supply systems through the development of technologies that ensure the long-term integrity of flexible solar cells.

［Goal 7］ Affordable and Clean Energy,［Goal 11］ Sustainable Cities and Communities,［Goal 13］ Climate Action 

Characterization and development of vibration-induced circulating currents for ocean power harnessing, organ regeneration, and food culture

Graduate School of Systems Design
Associate Professor  OBARA Hiromichi

Vibration Induced Circulation Flow (VIC Flow) is a futuristic technology that contributes to marine power generation, organ regeneration, and food culture. For example, it is possible to generate power efficiently and gently for fish by inducing a stable circulating flow in a conduit from vibrations caused by ocean energy, such as kelp shaken by waves, ocean currents, and tidal currents. This is an important and stable natural energy source for Japan and Asia, which are surrounded by oceans, including remote islands. Furthermore, this technology has a high affinity with environmental and local industries, such as fishing. Moreover, this technology can also efficiently regenerate organs for new medical treatments and produce food from cell cultures. However, research on VIC flow, a new discovery in soft and wet mechanical engineering, is in its early stages, and it is essential to conduct basic and applied research for this technology to work alongside the society. This research aims to conduct the basic research, including verification of the principle and promote applied research, with three specific targets to improve the VIC Flow technology.

［Goal 7］ Affordable and Clean Energy,［Goal 14］ Life Below Water,［Goal 9］ Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Development of cell co-culture vascular models and search for methods to prevent vascular disorders

Graduate School of Systems Design
Associate Professor  SAKAMOTO Naoya

Blood vessels throughout the body maintain normal function under the mechanical environment derived from the blood flow. Abnormalities in the vascular function have been observed due to aging, dementia, and infectious diseases, as well as drug abuse. A detailed elucidation of the transition process from normal to impaired vascular function is essential for the development of medical technologies and drugs to prevent and treat vascular disorders caused by such diseases and drugs. However, it is extremely difficult to study this process in human subjects. In this study, we developed cerebrovascular and arterial models in which surrounding cells, such as brain cells, are co-cultured with the vascular wall component cells. We used our original technology to reproduce the biological cell and hemodynamic environments (in vitro) by co-culturing different types of cells. We aim to reproduce vascular injury pathologies of aging, dementia, and infectious diseases, as well as prevent or inhibit the development of vascular disorders by combining pharmacological and hemodynamic effects. The vascular models established and data gathered in this research will greatly contribute to the maintenance of health in a wide range of age groups. The findings can be used to develop medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, and expand socioeconomic growth through an increased life expectancy.

［Goal 3］ Good Health and Well-Being,［Goal 8］ Decent Work and Economic Growth

Verification of universal environmental, social, and governance information disclosure and its use by companies

Graduate School of Management
Professor  MATSUDA Chieko,Professor  ASANO Takashi,Specially Appointed Professor  KITAGAWA Tetsuo

As awareness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues grows globally, we are moving into an era in which consideration and proactive action on ESG issues are required regardless of organizational form or size. Tokyo, a city aiming to be one of the world's financial centres, must tackle the ESG issue. Thus, we conducted in-depth surveys on stakeholder/company trends in ESG issues, identified corporate matters related to ESG initiatives and information disclosure, proposed measures to resolve these issues, and provided recommendations on ESG human resource development, education, and dissemination.

 

Verification of green bond impact assessment result

Graduate School of Management
Professor MATSUDA Chieko,Professor ASANO Takashi,Specially Appointed Professor KITAGAWA Tetsuo

With the rise of ESG investment, the issuance and distribution of green bonds, one of the usual methods, has expanded significantly. Meanwhile, monitoring the bonds' environmental impact is still poor. Moreover, there have been few comparisons of ecological effects among different bonds.

Regarding this, TMG took up a case study on green bonds, verified the use of funds at the time of issuance and actual use, quantified the environmental impact, and visualized the investment effect, which will lead to the revitalization green investment.

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