環境人間学部

大橋　瑞江?教授

森林では樹木を中心に様々な生物活動が、物質の流れを生み出します。この物質循環によって、森にはどのような生態系サービス（生態系から得られる様々な恵み）が生まれるのかを解明しようとしています。主に研究が難しい地下部で起きる現象をターゲットにしています。日本の温暖な森だけでなく、海外の熱帯林や北方林も含め、様々な森で調査をしています。これらのデータを解析することで目には見えない世界を知ろうとしています。

Graduate School of Engineering

Associate Professor Masakazu Morimoto

In recent years, AI-based image recognition technology has advanced dramatically, and we are working to apply this technology to various aspects of society. We are building a system to support visual inspections at factories to reduce the workload of inspectors, and a system to remove foreign matter from recycled cotton to improve its recycling rate.

School of Human Science and Environment

Professor Yutaka Mizukami

Architecture makes up the fabric of human society, and that architecture is influenced by the surrounding nature. Architecture is nothing but an expression of the relationship between the natural environment and human activity. We are studying the ideas and works of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who aimed to create a harmony between nature and human beings through organic architecture. We are also conducting research on the preservation and utilization of Wright's architectural works, including activities to add to the eight Wright buildings already inscribed on the World Heritage List.

Graduate School of Engineering

Associate Professor Yoshihiro Oka

I am developing a water-based pesticide that uses only water as an ingredient and which is safe and worry-free for both humans and the environment.

In recent years, there have been problems such as the emergence of pesticide tolerance disease and effects of chemical pesticides on human health, so there has been a demand for the development of new pesticides.

Cavitation plasma technologies can be used to create disinfectant water that is highly effective against plant pathogens.
I believe that cavitation plasma disinfectant water can greatly contribute to the realization of sustainable farming that is not dependent on chemical pesticides.

Graduate School of Engineering

Professor Syogo Ito

For such a goal, a highly durable perovskites solar cell was completed. (That is what I am holding in my hands in the picture.)

I am also doing research and development into hydrogen fuel cells with ultra-durable catalyzers and platinum-free catalyzers, in order to use that energy. (A hydrogen cabinet is pictured on the right side of the picture. Pictured on the left side is an air tank.) We will keep on creating amazing developments.

Institute for Policy Analysis and Social Innovation

Lecturer Atsushi Osawa

Realizing sustainable societies requires that we learn from past experiences.

If we look back at the history of economic development in all countries and regions, we see that the course of industrialization has involved problems with pollution.

Currently, I am working on extracting lessons from history on the most desirable methods of economic development and business growth by ascertaining specific measures taken by local societies for problems that are difficult to solve with market solutions, such as through compensation. The focus is on the smoke pollution that had been generated in the Kazuno region in Akita Prefecture.

Graduate School of Engineering

Associate Professor Kensuke Kanda

I am developing elements for effectively utilizing minute energy that can be found in the vibrations, wind, and rain in our daily lives.

The goal is to use power source elements in IoT sensors and the like in order to realize autonomous systems that contain no batteries and are environmentally friendly.

With an outlook on future sensor integration, I am developing MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) using semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Graduate School of Engineering

Associate Professor Takeshi Kakibe

Inedible plant biomass such as cellulose and lignin are polymers having superior characteristics to the biomass found in food products, so there are expectations that this biomass can be used as materials for plastics in place of fossil resources.

We are constructing a synthesis process that aims to convert these types of plant biomass to functional materials using derivatization and to achieve low-energy-cost synthesis.

Furthermore, we aim to be able to design a material that has a low environmental footprint by adding functionality such as biodegradability to yielded biomass derivatives.

Graduate School of Landscape Design and Management

Professor Satoshi Yamamoto

Nature of initiatives: Vegetation is changing and biodiversity is disappearing due to changes in occupations in mountains near villages.

I conduct enlightenment activities through garden creation events and the like in order to increase awareness of this situation and awareness of the preservation of biodiversity.

At the Awaji Hanahaku 20th Anniversary Flower Green Fair, I presented, in collaboration with students and artisans, a garden using bamboo from an abandoned bamboo forest in the region, under the theme of “Bamboo Life Garden Connected with Bamboo”‘.