In order to detect specific bacterial species that are harmful to humans using a simple measuring device, it is necessary to attach some kind of "marker" to the target bacteria. Antibodies obtained from animals are generally used for this purpose, but antibodies tend to be chemically unstable and expensive, which has been a barrier to their introduction. Therefore, we used a special polymer called molecularly imprinted polymer instead of antibodies to create a marker material that is stable and inexpensive. We have developed a rapid, simple, and cost-effective testing method that can quickly determine the presence or absence of bacteria before shipment. This significantly lowers the barriers to adopting testing systems, making it possible to improve hygiene conditions in food-related sectors, including restaurants. Going forward, we will continue to develop technologies applicable not only to bacteria but also to viruses, aiming to establish testing methods that meet the standards for official or standard testing in the medical field.

Currently, the only available disinfection material effective against norovirus is sodium hypochlorite, but it has issues such as toxicity, irritation to the nose, and corrosiveness, as well as stability concerns requiring storage at high concentrations and dilution immediately before use. We are focusing on the ability of tea catechins and their related compounds to inhibit various viruses. Although catechins cannot inactivate FCV, we have developed a method to produce compounds that inactivate FCV, using only tea catechins and other edible substances as raw materials, enabling simple, safe, rapid, and reliable decontamination of norovirus. We aim to implement this treatment agent in society with urgency.

In this study, MRI images of patients who had not developed dementia were taken and stored, and then the Al was trained using images of patients who developed Alzheimer's disease several years later and those who did not. As a result, while the diagnostic accuracy of clinicians using analysis software was only 74%, the Al's accuracy in predicting the onset of the disease was 83%, significantly higher. This Al can also predict the accumulation of amyloid beta in the brain, enabling early initiation of monoclonal antibody therapy, which has begun several years ago. The accuracy of this Al is based on technology developed through university research, and a patent has been obtained. In brain morphometry research, precise brain standardization was achieved by setting coordinates within the brain, enabling Al-based analysis.

Attempts to change the movements of real humans by experiencing avatars using VR are a unique endeavor that has never been attempted before. We believe that this technology will be beneficial in the rehabilitation of patients with paralysis after a stroke, and we expect it to promote functional recovery centered on the brain. For healthy individuals, the technology holds potential for preventing the learned non-use syndrome associated with orthopedic conditions such as fractures, as well as enhancing performance through avatar experiences. Applications include athlete training and condition adjustment. The ability to operate avatars in real-time and at high speed using EMG represents a highly innovative technology, enabling effective therapeutic experiences that transcend spatial and human resource constraints. It is anticipated to significantly contribute to improving the quality of life for numerous patients.

In current pest management, integrated pest management (IPM) that minimizes the use of pesticides is considered important, and this trend is expected to grow even stronger in the future. In particular, the health and food processing industries require more stringent IPM; therefore, monitoring using appropriate methods and management based on the results is necessary. In our laboratory, diverse features such as “high-sensitivity detection of pests from trace amounts of nucleic acids, enabling early detection and swift response,” “analysis of various pests by changing primers, accurately distinguishing even similar pests,” “no need for specialized knowledge since nucleotide amplification can be verified without special equipment,” and “regular monitoring enabled by cost reduction” are being achieved. Going forward, we will collaborate with companies and local governments to realize the system and implement it in society.

The lifetime prevalence of low back pain exceeds 80%, and the number of patients continues to rise globally, making it one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders. In Japan, the economic loss is estimated at about 3 trillion yen, highlighting the urgent need for countermeasures. The newly developed trunk rotation restricting brace is expected to help prevent low back pain and maintain performance among athletes in rotational sports (professionals, students, and recreational athletes) and workers in manufacturing and logistics. Using a cross-body strap design, the brace reduced trunk rotation angles by approximately 40% during lifting and baseball swings without a reduction in movement speed, thereby achieving both e ectiveness and performance maintenance.

This research aims to solve issues faced by both patients undergoing psychiatric treatment and the medical professionals treating them. For patients, AI dialogue apps can serve as “digital companions” that alleviate anxiety between appointments and allow them to proceed with treatment at their own pace. For healthcare providers, AI can supplement limited consultation time and provide continuous support to patients, thereby facilitating early recovery and social reintegration. The goal of this research is not merely academic exploration but to develop tools that can be covered by insurance and made available to all healthcare facilities nationwide. We aim to ensure that the unique value of individualized support through dialogue is effectively delivered to the healthcare setting.

Previous studies have already proven that intestinal sounds contain information about bowel movements, and classifiers have been successfully developed to predict whether a bowel movement will occur within 10 minutes or 60 minutes. In this study, we have introduced Bayesian inference, a machine learning technique, which will improve estimation accuracy and enable personalization for users as it is used more frequently. Bowel movements are a significant burden for both caregivers and care recipients, and even healthy individuals may avoid going out due to fear of incontinence. By developing a system that measures bowel sounds to predict and notify bowel movements, we aim to reduce the labor of caregivers associated with diaper changes while also contributing to the dignity of care recipients. We seek to alleviate restrictions on outings and activities for the elderly and further improve their quality of life.

Fermented foods embody the culture and wisdom of their local communities, and preserving them for future generations is socially significant. The key point of this research is that it integrates advanced technologies for “discovery and isolation” and “improvement and breeding,” which are the two wheels that enable us to “find and utilize” microorganisms in fermented foods. By leveraging this technology, it is possible to systematically support the gradual evolution of traditional fermented foods. By maximizing the potential of microorganisms that contribute to traditional production methods and developing them into socially implementable advanced technologies, it is possible to further enhance the value of fermented foods. In the future, we aim to expand such services across various regions to contribute to enhancing the value of fermented foods and revitalizing the fermentation industry.

A key feature of this research is the adoption of proprietary technology for water level prediction, utilizing time series analysis methods and the universality of river water level changes. The former is achieved by training a method to synchronize the state variables of the river water level prediction model with actual river conditions. The latter extracts the process of water level changes common to all rivers from various river data. By utilizing these two proprietary technologies, we enabled efficient learning of river water level models and high-precision predictions even with limited observational data. We aim to contribute to reducing flood disasters in diverse regions and environments by promoting this technology. Furthermore, we envision applications in private enterprises, such as forecasting critical water level arrival and release times for railway bridges over rivers and optimizing power generation through dam water level prediction.

In high-sensitivity GC/MS analysis, gases other than helium are often used. Hydrogen gas is problematic due to safety regulations and high reactivity, while nitrogen gas causes a significant decrease in sensitivity, making it difficult to identify compounds using existing spectral libraries. In this study, we developed a new ionization technique that maintains EI spectra even under nitrogen carrier gas conditions and significantly improves sensitivity by adding trace amounts of matrix gas. We successfully achieved a significant improvement in the ionization efficiency of target molecules. This technology for constructing an ionization field is the first of its kind in the world and is expected to spread as an innovative analytical method in the future.

The high-resolution retarding field energy analyzer developed in this study differs from commercially available electrostatic hemispherical electron energy analyzers in that it uses a metal mesh to capture wide-angle photoelectrons at once and perform energy analysis using a new method. This unique method has enabled photoelectron holography experiments, making it possible to observe trace elements and thin film interface structures. By accurately determining the ionization state and atomic arrangement of these trace elements, we can improve the precision of material design and promote the development of energy-efficient devices and new electronic equipment. The device's voltage resistance enables analysis of thick multilayer films and unprocessed materials, which were previously difficult to measure. We aim to further accelerate new material development and promote photoelectron holography as the ultimate analysis method worldwide.

At present, this technology is the only one that achieves "one-chip integration of electret and MEMS sensors using only semiconductor processes. This technology also contributes to the integration of energy harvesters and peripheral circuits, and to the increased sensitivity of MEMS physical sensors. It is expected to be applied to industrial and infrastructure applications, as well as monitoring of the natural environment on Earth and outer space, medical and healthcare human monitoring, and logistics and mobile vehicle monitoring. The formation of electrets (SAE *) used in this technology is performed after the manufacturing of MEMS and semiconductor integrated circuits, so it is highly compatible with existing manufacturing lines. The evaporation method required for SAE deposition has already been put into practical use and is therefore effective in terms of mass producibility.

The aerial sign system can be used as an effective means of guiding people to evacuation sites in the event of a disaster, which has never been possible before. Information is projected from a small, lightweight laser projection device mounted on a drone onto a special screen mounted on another drone (or in some cases, the very same drone). The appeal of this system lies in its unique configuration, which allows the visible light beam scanning light source and the screen to be freely positioned in the air, enabling the necessary information to be displayed at the desired location. The system offers excellent visibility even from a distance and under daytime sunlight, and the ability to deploy quickly during emergencies is another key feature. Additionally, by forming drone formations, the system enables flexible display methods such as ultra-large-scale aerial projections or projections onto multiple dispersed screens. Beyond its role as a powerful disaster prevention tool, the system also holds significant potential for applications in advertising and entertainment.

In Japan, more than 600,000 patients are admitted to ICUs annually, and approximately 40% develop acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI is associated with a high mortality rate, and even among survivors, many progress to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis. Although renal medullary hypoxia has long been recognized as a key factor in AKI onset, we discovered that urinary oxygen partial pressure measured in the bladder can serve as a surrogate indicator. To address this, we developed a device capable of continuously and non-invasively measuring urinary oxygen partial pressure in a simple and real-time manner. This technology has been patented, and promising data have already been obtained from a clinical study conducted at Osaka University Hospital using a constructed prototype. In the future, we aim to disseminate this technology widely as a real-time monitor of renal oxygenation.

Bronchial asthma is widely recognized as a typical allergic disease of the lungs, but it is also a disease with many challenges in terms of pathological evaluation anddiagnostic methods. This study aims to provide a simple, at-home testing method to prevent lung cancer and improve quality of life by encouraging lifestyle changesthrough regularly checking for COPD. Unlike invasive biopsies that require tissue samples, “Electrochemiluminescence immunosensing using exhaled breath as asample” offers advantages in terms of non-invasiveness, accuracy, measurement time, and cost. Unlike invasive biopsies that require tissue samples,“electrochemical luminescence immunosensing using exhaled breath as a sample” o ers advantages in terms of non-invasiveness, accuracy, measurement time, andcost. Going forward, we plan to expand the scope of application beyond COPD to other cancer diseases. This method has elements applicable to various scenarios, frombasic research on all diseases to clinical settings, and we believe it has the potential to become a standard diagnostic method throughout the world.

The novelty of this research lies in its ability to individually capture and analyze images of interactions between immune cells and cancer cells, then select and collect highly cytotoxic immune cells for genetic decoding. Cutting-edge methods for differentiating therapeutic immune cells from iPS cells are currently under active development. This approach holds promise for future tailored therapies: immune cells could be prepared from iPS cells obtained during a patient's healthy state, then engineered with specific receptors or genes tailored to the patient's symptoms. The technology developed in this research is expected to form the foundation supporting the rapid design, acquisition, and quality control of such therapeutic cells. It is anticipated to become an innovative medical-assistive technology that transforms all cancers into "curable diseases.

Fractures and ligament injuries can happen to anyone, from children to the elderly. Even after surgery, it takes a certain period to return to the pre-injury state, and prolonged immobility can lead to physical, mental, and financial burdens. Plasma technology used in the medical field has been applied to hemostasis (blood coagulation), surface modification of medical materials, and wound healing, but there is no worldwide effort to utilize this technology for regenerative medicine for musculoskeletal organs such as bones and tendons, and no similar medical devices exist. With the advent of technology to create plasma in air, it is now possible to irradiate the human body directly, and this research is currently underway to apply this technology to regenerative medicine for musculoskeletal organs such as bones and tendons.

Research and development aiming to provide a powerful tool for young physicians and practitioners in underserved regions to perform complex surgeries safely and accurately, as well as in areas where skilled surgeons are limited. Once established, intraoperative navigation will enable reproducible and safe medical care in cases that require advanced preoperative planning and intraoperative judgment, such as rare pediatric bone diseases occurring during growth and complex bone deformities. Conventional navigation technology requires technical proficiency and expensive equipment, but this system's lightweight device enables intuitive and real-time navigation in a cost-effective manner. We aim to create a medical environment where even complex procedures can be performed safely by anyone and we hope to present solutions using digital technology to social issues such as regional disparities and a shortage of medical specialists.

Conventional nanoparticle manufacturing methods have been limited to producing only a few grams of nanoparticles, even when using high-cost raw materials, and issues such as oxidation and agglomeration caused by nanoparticle formation have been a challenge. To address these challenges, we have established proprietary technologies for nanoparticle generation using plasma spray methods and handling techniques tailored for integrating nanoparticles into batteries. This has enabled us to provide nanoparticle materials that meet the specifications required in actual battery manufacturing facilities beyond the laboratory level. Going forward, we aim to become a platform provider for particle generation by offering foundational technologies that enable the mass production of various nano-structured particles from inexpensive powders. Furthermore, by applying unique mesoplasma reaction fields, we seek to propose new manufacturing technologies by providing processing technologies not only for nano-particulate materials but also for a wide range of materials.

The goal of this research is to solve the structural problems of modern society, which is dependent on petroleum-derived products. Inexpensive, high-performance sulfur polymers are expected to have a wide range of applications in various industries, including rubber materials for improving the durability and fuel efficiency of tires, high-performance lenses for smartphones, special adhesives, building materials, and next-generation battery components. By successfully achieving room-temperature synthesis of sulfur, which was previously considered impossible, the ability to freely design material properties suited to various applications—from hard to soft materials—simply by slightly adjusting the raw material composition is a significant advantage. In the future, we aim to develop this technology and grow sulfur polymers into a major category on par with general-purpose plastics and rubber.

The proprietary nanomaterials can be stored in the form of ink, and transparent conductive films can be formed on any object by coating, spraying, or ink-jet printing technology. Moreover, the unique properties of the nanomaterials, which show no degradation in conductivity even when folded, make it possible to expand business into applications where conductive materials have not been used before. The new film can be made using a coating process, can be bent and curved, and is made from inexpensive materials that exist in large quantities on the earth, The new material is expected to be used in wearable devices and wall-mounted solar cells. Further commercialization of this “invisible coating-type conductive material” will be a game changer for flexible transparent conductive materials.

The novelty of this research lies in its integration of catalytic chemistry and biotechnology. We have developed a new catalyst that facilitates sugar synthesis under neutral conditions—a long-standing challenge in the field—and have achieved a significant improvement in sugar yield. Furthermore, in a world-first demonstration, we have shown that microorganisms can metabolize these chemically synthesized sugars, including those with unique structures, to produce valuable compounds. While current biomanufacturing depends on agricultural sources for its energy, our technology produces sugars via chemical synthesis, offering a new raw material pipeline for companies in the chemical and biotech sectors. Looking ahead, this research also envisions a new pathway for food production that is not constrained by land or water resources.

Our project aims to develop a platform for farmers who are concerned about crop yields and work plans due to climate change and extreme weather conditions. This project integrates and analyzes space and Earth environmental data, such as space weather forecasts and solar activity, which were previously considered unrelated to agriculture, and utilizes this data for harvesting and risk avoidance in agricultural decision-making. By integrating expertise from multiple fields and constructing prediction algorithms and implementation frameworks as a unified system, we have achieved a unique agricultural support model that distinguishes itself from existing agricultural IoT and weather support services. Specifically, by digitally complementing farming decisions in mountainous areas and among elderly farmers, we contribute to enhancing the sustainability and resilience of regional agriculture. Going forward, the company aims to expand the application of this technology beyond agriculture, exploring potential uses in climate change mitigation and disaster prediction in developing countries, among other areas, to further develop the system.

The key feature of this research is the establishment of a unique methodology that enables efficient and highly accurate sequence design for nucleic acid therapeutics, a process that previously required extensive trial and error. This design strategy significantly accelerates the speed and feasibility of drug discovery for rare diseases. Building on this technology, our goal is to overcome the current reality where patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and their families face "no available treatment options." By founding a drug discovery startup dedicated to nucleic acid therapeutics, we aim to expand the scope of existing treatments while also exploring applications in other intractable diseases. Through these efforts, we seek to realize a future in which patients with rare diseases do not have to give up on treatment.

If the drug currently under research is commercialized, it will not only improve treatment efficacy but also reduce the risk of damage to surrounding tissue, enabling safer treatment. Furthermore, in addition to specifically delivering components in the diseased area, it contains an effective ingredient that targets lipid metabolism abnormalities associated with the onset of age-related macular degeneration. Experimental results have shown that the drug demonstrates therapeutic effects via eye drops, as well as laser therapy. By delivering the drug to the affected area through various methods, there is potential to achieve unprecedented preemptive medicine. Furthermore, while the drug is currently being developed targeting age-related macular degeneration, plans are in place to explore expanding its application to other diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye.

Maya-mind® integrates cutting-edge brain research such as EEG, fMRI, and eye tracking into a simple smartphone test. The unique AI-driven testing paradigmallows physicians to quickly and non-invasively identify types of dementia without the need for expensive imaging studies or invasive procedures. A key feature ofthis tool is that it allows physicians in the field to obtain early and easy clues to diagnosis before referring patients to specialists. Moreover, specialists can use thepre-screening tool to streamline the selection of patients who need imaging tests. In the future, Maya-mind® is envisioned to become a standard early diagnosistool worldwide.

This research is based on our original analysis method, “The Idealized Explicit Method FEM”. The Idealized Explicit FEM is a method that enables the prediction of weld deformation and residual stress in real structures, and can analyze large-scale problems at high speed. FSW is expected to be used in many industrial fields in the future, including automobiles, aircraft, and ships, as well as semiconductor manufacturing equipment that requires high-precision bonding with minimal deformation. FSW is expected to be used in many industrial fields in the future. We hope to use this technology to devise new tools for FSW applications in a variety of fields.

During the cleaning process for producing fine copper wiring in semiconductors and other products, several challenges arise, including preventing copper oxidation and corrosion, removing foreign particles, and maintaining low temperatures during bonding. Therefore, we focused on the generation, breakup, and collapse of fine bubbles as a peeling force that does not depend on impulsive force, while controlling the types of dissolved gases in water. To improve the peeling force against nano-sized foreign particles, we explored methods to significantly increase dissolved gas concentration and categorize fine bubbles into floating bubbles smaller than 10 μm by modifying the microbubble generation device. This allowed us to develop a method that saturates dissolved gases at more than twice the saturation concentration and maintains high concentrations of bubbles smaller than 10 μm (Yoshiharu Hidaka: Patent No. 7499837). We plan to commercialize this technology by integrating it into a cleaning unit.

The “Distribution Platform Concept” aims to safely and appropriately collect and supply human biospecimens, such as extracted teeth, that has previously been discarded. In dental education, it will be used as a training sample, contributing to the improvement of young dentists' skills. In the research and product development departments, it is expected to serve as an alternative to animal testing, enabling highly reproducible verification. The theme of this research is that “human biospecimens long discarded hold the power to change the future.” It is important to establish a system that maximizes its value and delivers it to society. In the future, this research aims to extract and accumulate biological information from these biospecimens, contributing to the creation of medical big data. The uniqueness of this research lies in its long-term vision, which envisions societal transformation.

The uniqueness of this research lies in its ability to enable high-precision risk assessment by using LPWA-type tilt sensors to directly observe slight changes in slopes, replacing conventional warning methods that rely on rainfall data. Furthermore, by leveraging deep learning technology to build a predictive model for slope changes and integrating it with a unified monitoring platform using generative AI, we have achieved a more practical and scalable system. In the future, we aim to widely deploy this system to local governments and infrastructure managers nationwide to minimize disaster-related damage and contribute to the realization of a safer society. Additionally, we are considering expanding this system to overseas regions, particularly Asian countries prone to slope disasters, to contribute to the advancement of disaster prevention technology worldwide.

The unique feature of this research is its trinity approach combining science communication, behavioral science, and marketing. The primary goal is to provide social acceptance by offering science-based communication of benefits that enables companies to sell and commercialize new technologies smoothly. By incorporating decision-making science and brand strategy into general information-based communication, our model promotes not just an understanding of products or new technology, but also the whole outcome of "choice with satisfaction." This solution, which fundamentally supports the societal implementation of biotechnology, is unprecedented both domestically and internationally, representing unique and practical insights. It aims to realize a future cuisine that everyone can choose with satisfaction.

GOMI Quest is a treasure hunt-style app that solves the problems faced by local governments, companies, and citizen groups struggling with a shortage of people to carry out cleaning activities or a lack of understanding of garbage distribution. Its main feature is that it combines a camera-equipped IoT tong with a lightweight AI model to automatically and accurately identify the type and location of garbage simply by picking it up. By increasing participation in cleanup activities through a game-like experience and accumulating real-time data on the types and spatial distribution of trash, the app supports efficient cleanup planning, environmental education, and CSR reporting, while also improving urban aesthetics and resident satisfaction. The collected data is immediately visualized on a map, contributing to increased motivation for cleanup activities. Additionally, trash collection data can be provided to researchers for urban environmental analysis, further supporting efforts toward sustainable urban development.

The treatment system we are developing aims to promote wound healing and control infection simultaneously in diabetic foot ulcers that are infected or at high risk of infection worsening. Until now, there has been no safe and effective antiseptic technology for infected wounds, making infection treatment diffcult and reducing the risk of lower limb amputation challenging. In this study, we are tackling this issue by applying our proprietary technology which offers both high antiseptic power and safety for the body. Through the development of new technology, we aim to alleviate the anxiety of diabetic patients and their families who face the risk of losing their feet, reduce the burden on medical facilities, and contribute to society as a whole by reducing medical and care costs. This research holds the potential to provide a new option for addressing various infection-related issues.

In conventional CAR-T therapy, a phenomenon called trogocytosis, in which CAR-T cells capture cancer antigens that are the targets of treatment, has been observed and highlighted as a contributing factor to treatment resistance. In this study, we have discovered a cleavable CAR platform for the first time in the world by introducing a cleavage sequence into the transmembrane domain of the CAR, resulting in the control of trogocytosis and enhanced therapeutic efficacy. We ae currently advancing drug development applications based on this discovery. The goal is to accelerate the development of this Cleavable CAR-T and implement CAR-T therapy with higher activity and sustainability in society. The enhancement of CAR-T function through trogocytosis inhibition represents a new discovery in immunotherapy, and with the accumulation of clinical data, significant future advancements are to be expected.

In this study, we found that tertiary lymphoid tissue formed in the kidneys directly damages the surrounding proximal tubule epithelial cells, and that the interaction between damaged proximal tubules, renal parenchymal cells such as fibroblasts, and blood cells causes tertiary lymphoid tissue to expand. These findings clarify the mechanisms by which tertiary lymphoid tissue expands and contributes to kidney damage, opening new possibilities for therapeutic interventions in chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease can progress to dialysis therapy, leading to reduced quality of life and significant social and economic burdens. Additionally, tertiary lymphoid tissue is known to exhibit pathogenicity in autoimmune diseases and post-transplant organs, and its control may also have applications in various other diseases.

The hydrogen market is projected to reach an annual scale of $2.5 trillion by 2050. Our research on "precious metal-free hydrogen purification and storage technology that can directly utilize crude hydrogen" leverages molecular catalysts containing boron to eliminate the costly and time-consuming pretreatment of contaminants required for precious metal catalysts. This demonstrates the feasibility of a groundbreaking hydrogen production process that achieves both energy efficiency and economic viability. We are currently planning to establish a venture company specializing in "hydrogen purification systems using these catalysts" to implement our research findings in society. We aim to contribute to solving challenges faced by industries pursuing a hydrogen society and society as a whole, addressing environmental issues, while also enhancing Japan's international competitiveness in hydrogen technology.

This method, which is still evolving, can achieve new functions that are difficult to predict even with the latest AI calculations (such as AlphaFold, which won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry). Countries producing rare metals and rare earths are unevenly distributed, and recent global circumstances have caused prices to skyrocket, posing a threat to economic security. Additionally, mining and refining these materials often result in environmental damage, which is a significant challenge. To overcome these challenges, we aim to establish a method for recycling rare metals from urban mines, which are waste products of high-tech devices, using new technologies with minimal environmental impact.