Faculty and Research Themes, Field of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering

Electrical machines are used in a wide range of fields from familiar electrical products such as home appliances to railways, automobiles, and even superconducting magnetic levitation trains, which are next-generation transportation systems, and have become indispensable for configuring these systems. Here, we determine the electrical and mechanical characteristics of electrical machines and perform optimal design for various applications. We also construct new systems and create highly functional systems. We aim at practical application of systems by creating actual devices as well as theoretical analysis.

To promote electric power liberalization and introduction of renewable energy, we conduct research on performance improvement of power system equipment and electrical application equipment, and with the aim of applying electromagnetic fields to living bodies and avoiding danger, we conduct research on ensuring biological safety during exposure to electromagnetic fields around equipment and research on performance improvement of electrical and magnetic stimulation methods for medical use. In addition to theory and numerical calculation, we acquire real model creation and measurement technology, and aim to acquire the skills of planning, implementation, evaluation and discussion, and planning improvement.

We develop simulation methods to predict and evaluate the characteristics of devices that use electromagnetic induction phenomena such as IH cookers and wireless charging, and the mechanism and suppression effects of electromagnetic noise and lightning. In advancing research, we learn about various electromagnetic field analysis technologies, and conduct evaluation and examination through experiments in parallel with programming.

For the purpose of elucidating the mechanism of human auditory system, we perform characteristic analysis by theoretical analysis and simulation. Also, for metamaterials and phononic crystals, we perform design and characteristic analysis by simulation and experiments.

In recent years, with the depletion of petroleum energy and increasing awareness of protecting the natural environment, energy conservation and energy development for realizing a low-carbon society are being demanded. We conduct research on highly efficient conversion of sunlight to lasers and application to energy fields through mass production of metal nanoparticles using liquid-phase laser ablation.

Our research focuses on the exploration of so-called smart materials and the development of smart systems for wearable devices using them. We research to macroscopically express physical properties such as piezoelectricity and photoelasticity, especially with awareness of applications to sensors and actuators. We acquire the ability to develop measurement systems necessary for material evaluation and prototype equipment with practical application in mind.

We conduct research on theoretical analysis and characteristic analysis related to next-generation semiconductor devices, including manufacturing methods, physical property analysis, defect analysis, and modeling. The purpose is to cultivate the literacy of engineers through acquisition and development of theory, experiments, measurement, simulation, etc. necessary for handling the above.

We conduct research on sensing devices using polymers that induce electric charge by expansion/contraction, bending, and twisting. Through measuring polymer characteristics, sensing the motion of living bodies and robots, and storing sensed data in the cloud, we develop sensing systems. Applications in nursing and medical fields are expected.

With the development of applications such as the Web, video distribution, and cloud services in recent years, new network technologies are needed. Against this background, we conduct research on new network technologies such as optical network technology, content-centric network technology, and network virtualization technology.

We conduct research on system design, protocol design, and their performance analysis of communication protocols and traffic control technologies in computer networks represented by the Internet. The target networks broadly expand to include wireless networks, ad hoc mobile networks, new generation networks, etc., in addition to the Internet, based on the latest technological trends, aiming to acquire basic knowledge to application technologies related to information and communication engineering.

This program will study technologies to solve problems faced by existing wireless communication systems such as mobile phones (5G) and wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), as well as new wireless communication applications and the communication methods and protocols required for them. Students will aim to master wireless transmission theory and networking theory through research into wireless network control that controls the communication and movement of mobile objects such as automobiles and robots, intelligent wireless access aiming for advanced frequency utilization, and energy-saving communication methods and protocols for IoT communication.

The development of IoT technology, enabling computers in mobile devices and automobiles to connect to networks and access various services, is highly anticipated. We focus our research on the essential mobile communication technologies required for this, pursuing new communication methods and algorithms. Specifically, we aim to acquire practical mobile communication skills through the development of collision avoidance support systems using vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian communication, the development of emergency rescue and evacuation support systems for disasters utilizing mobile ad hoc networks, and the development of applied systems using RFID tags.

We conduct research on applications of neural networks and development of dedicated hardware. Although neural networks are information processing systems modeled after the brain, conversely, through this research, we aim to develop systems that can explain the physical operation of the brain. In particular, we use a neural network model called the self-organizing map (SOM) as a model representing brain function, develop dedicated hardware to execute SOM, and aim for brain emulation by SOM by adding mechanisms that imitate brain activities such as curiosity, surprise, and boredom to SOM's learning function in applications such as image recognition.

We perform theoretical analysis, numerical analysis, and computer experiments using knowledge of probability, statistics, and physics for subjects such as statistical learning, associative memory models, signal processing, and image processing.

We tackle numerically analyzing unknown behaviors and functions in nonlinear systems with dynamics, such as circuits and systems that generate various periodic and chaotic oscillations, coupled oscillatory systems exhibiting synchronization phenomena, and neural networks, and conversely, from there, conceiving new information processing methods based on dynamics.

For purposes such as patrol security in buildings, guidance, and automatic exploration of places where people cannot enter, we tackle research on route planning and flight control for indoor small drones to fly autonomously to destination points while avoiding obstacles. We also deal with algorithm design and implementation for formation flight and mutual collision avoidance when drones become swarms to execute one task.

We deal with themes centered on research and development of acoustic systems using digital signal processing. Specifically, we examine digital audio technology, virtual sound technology, active noise control, design and analysis of micro acoustic devices using machine learning such as deep learning, and biometric authentication technology using sound. By conducting verification through computer simulation and actual systems for these themes, we aim to acquire multifaceted technologies.

We deal with optical technology, which has become indispensable for modern information and communication, mainly from the perspective of information technology. Specifically, we center on research on 3D stereoscopic image technology using computer holography, and perform wave optics simulation and design of high-function optical elements, but we emphasize not only software but also verification through experiments and reproduction of high-quality holographic 3D images.

We learn about image processing technology widely used in various fields in recent years. Specifically, we deal with themes such as video image processing, information detection from printed images, noise removal and restoration of images, medical image processing, digital watermarking, and image search. By implementing specific algorithms for image processing on computers and confirming effects through actual processing, we deepen understanding of algorithms and consider the importance of multifaceted evaluation such as computational complexity, numerical evaluation, and visual evaluation.

We deal with themes related to AI/big data analysis and information retrieval and computational social science utilizing these technologies. Specifically, we aim to acquire basic theories of machine learning and deep learning, media processing (image, speech, language, video, etc.), network science, and topic models, and take as research subjects the analysis and application of big data generated by humans such as social media, utilizing these technologies.

Against the background of algorithm theory, we are working on research on solutions (algorithms) to various optimization problems required by society. Research subjects are diverse, ranging from problems related to information and communication (Internet) to graph problems, network problems, and geometric problems belonging to the field of applied mathematics. In recent years, we are also advancing research on algorithms using machine learning such as deep learning.

Through constructing information infrastructure that supports people's intellectual activities, we learn about a series of system development processes: problem discovery, target analysis, solution proposal, system implementation, and effect measurement. The purpose is to acquire basic theories of learning and education such as cognitive science and educational methodology, and applied technologies such as natural language processing, artificial intelligence, interfaces, networks, and communication support.

We deal with themes centered on kansei information processing technology, which is important for realizing human-friendly computer systems and partner robots. We aim to acquire comprehensive kansei information engineering technology from basic theories such as computational models that imitate human intelligence and kansei, pattern recognition, kansei data analysis, user interfaces, subjective information processing, and human-computer interaction, to applied system development.

In constructing intelligent systems that are friendly to people and the environment, we formulate individual problems as optimization problems and develop computer-based solutions.

The social implementation and dissemination of computer systems equipped with affective intelligence that empathizes with humans, is considerate, and motivates them has become an important research issue for the coexistence of humans and information technology. My laboratory is engaged in research and development of kansei information systems from the perspective of human-computer interaction. Specifically, we are developing research on various aspects of human-computer interaction, centering on the development of dialogue agents in educational support, investigating the design and effects of non-verbal emotional feedback in virtual humans, and dynamically tracking interest in online group discussions. Through these studies, we aim to realize more natural and effective coexistence between humans and computers.