2026 Experiential Workshops

Five research laboratories will present posters on their respective themes.

1. Creation of next-generation biomaterials using silk proteins
~New materials that will support the future of medicine, food, and the environment~ Professor Yasumoto Nakazawa
2. Elucidation and Application of the Synthesis Mechanism of Hard Tissues Produced by Living Organisms - Professor Atsushi Aragaki
3. "Distinguishing Molecular Shapes": Development of Molecular Recognition Elements for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Use - Professor Kazunori Ikebukuro
4. Challenges in controlling immune responses through protein engineering and bioinformatics - Professor Hiroshi Kuroda
5. Cellular Science for Disease Prevention - Professor Mikako Saito

1. "Biotransistors for Measuring Biomolecules" Miyuki Tabata Senior Assistant Professor (Tabata Laboratory) (Capacity: 4 people)
Transistors, which are used as components in PCs and smartphones, are actually also used as biosensors (biotransistors) for measuring biomolecules. Experience measuring the pH of the soft drinks we usually drink with transistors, and learn how the charges of biomolecules such as ions are extracted as electrical signals from transistors.

2. "Seeing DNA - Visualizing and directly observing a single DNA strand -" Professor Yoshihiro Murayama (Murayama Laboratory) (Capacity: 4 people)
Let's visualize DNA using fluorescent dyes and see what happens underwater!

3. "Measuring Various Biological Signals - Let's Learn the Basics of Physiology While Actually Measuring" Professor Izumi Nishidate (Nishidate Laboratory) (Capacity: 4-8 people)
Using Biopac System's "Biopac Student Lab" practical training system, students will experience fundamental physiology practicals by actually measuring biological signals such as electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, pulse waves, respiration, electromyography, and skin electrical responses.

4. "Seeing Contents with Ultrasound" Takumi Noda Assistant Professor (Masuda Laboratory) (Capacity: 4 people)
A model modeled by simulating biological tissue is made from silicone materials, and the inside is observed using an ultrasound diagnostic device.

5. "Experience Superconducting Magnets Used in MRI" Akiho Yamamoto Associate Professor (Yamamoto Laboratory) (Capacity: 4-6 people)
"Superconductivity" has the unique property of zero electrical resistance at low temperatures, making it a powerful magnet. Its powerful magnetic field can levitate linear motor cars, and superconductivity technology is also used in cutting-edge medical devices such as MRI and particle beam therapy. On the day, superconductors will be cooled using liquid nitrogen at -196°C, and through magnetic levitation and other methods, experience the phenomena and magnetic forces exhibited by superconductors.

6. "Let's look up the spectra of familiar molecules"
Understanding the molecular signatures through spectroscopic measurement" Kaustav Das Assistant Professor (Ito Laboratory) (Capacity: 4 people)
Depicting molecular signatures is instrumental in assessing various physiological conditions in humans, animals and plants. In this course, we will learn how to obtain molecular signatures using Raman spectroscopy.
*Held in English (with Japanese support)

Ten research labs will conduct hands-on workshops on their respective themes, including experiments. (Limited capacity for each workshop) (One workshop will be held online with no capacity limit)

1. "Let's make cosmetic crystals with skin-beautifying effects!" Professor Hiroshi Takiyama
Crystals have the property of precipitating on the surface of substances with similar structures. This time, let's arrange amino acid molecules on the surface of a solution and precipitate glycine crystals on them. So, what kind of crystals will precipitate? Let's observe.

2. "The Mechanism of EV DC Motors and Regenerative Braking" by Kazuyuki Muroo Associate Professor
The motors used in EVs also function as generators for regenerative braking. Motor = generator utilizes the phenomenon where a wire carrying current flows in a magnetic field causes force on the wire, or when the wire is moved in a magnetic field, current flows. Let's make a DC motor using familiar materials and experiment with the force magnetic fields exert on electric current.

3. "Let's use light to observe the movement of molecules on a metal surface" Professor Taiga Shimizu
Based on the phenomenon of "surface plasmon resonance," we measure the movement of molecules adsorbed to or detached from a metal surface. We supply ethanol to the metal surface at varying concentrations and observe the movement of the molecules.

4. "Let's Measure Gravitational Acceleration" Professor Hiroki Minoda
Objects on Earth undergo accelerated motion as they fall due to the force of gravity from the Earth. In this experiment, we will measure the acceleration due to gravity by recording and measuring the way an object falls.

5. "Water Rolls? Sticks? Mysterious Materials Made from Candles" Professor W. Lengoro
Would you like to experience creating fascinating materials, discovered by chance in a research lab? By simply changing the distance between a candle flame and a plate, you can create materials that repel water and materials that attract water. Observe how water droplets roll like beads or spread out instantly on the materials you create. Experience the excitement of research and the unexpected discoveries (serendipity) that can lead from simple phenomena to cutting-edge technology!

6. "Changing the flow of liquids through chemical reactions" - Professor Yuichiro Nagatsu
Chemical reactions belong to the field of chemistry. The flow of liquids is called fluid dynamics and is a branch of mechanics. Mechanics belongs to the field of physics. In our laboratory, we aim to build a theory of how to change the flow of liquids using chemical reactions, which requires the expertise of both chemistry and physics, and to apply this theory to engineering. In this laboratory, let's experiment with the phenomenon of how liquid flow changes due to chemical reactions.

7. "Let's make vanilla scent from thinned wood" - Professor Qian Weihua
To build a sustainable society, the utilization of biomass is essential. Therefore, we will learn about technologies for utilizing untapped biomass resources by producing vanillin (the flavoring used in vanilla ice cream!) from lignin contained in waste wood such as thinned timber using the power of a catalyst.

8. "Let's Measure the Spectrum of Light and Color" by Toshihiko Kaji Associate Professor
Light has a wide spectrum. Let's accurately measure the spectrum of lighting light, light passing through objects, reflected light, and fluorescence. If you want to measure something larger than a circle with a diameter of 5 mm and smaller than a square with a side of 3 cm, please bring your own.

9. "Thinking About the Ultimate Battery While Making Chemical Batteries" by Hidehaku Ohashi Associate Professor
Regarding chemical batteries, high school only covers electromotive force, but this theme explores what happens "inside" the battery. The experiment only involves creating a Daniel battery and measuring its voltage and current, but from this, we learn that ion movement plays a major role inside the battery and consider the ultimate battery.

10. "Building a Marble Stirling Engine" (Online) Professor Atsushi Hatakeyama
The "marble Stirling engine" is a heat engine device that can be easily assembled and operated using inexpensive parts, and is even featured in high school physics textbooks. In this topic, we will learn about everything from how to build it to its operating principles through videos, demonstrations, and discussions among participants online.

Ten research laboratories will conduct hands-on workshops on their respective themes, including experiments. (Limited to a few participants per workshop)

1. "Let's operate a snake-shaped robot" - Ariizumi Laboratory
Despite their simple structure—a long, slender body without legs—snakes can move by bending and twisting their bodies. Have you ever wondered how they can move forward in this way? In this topic, we will attempt to understand snake movement using simulations and actual snake-like robots that mimic snake movements.

2. "Exploring the Mysteries of Slippery and Non-Slippery Surfaces: Friction Force Measurement and Surface Observation" Ando Laboratory
We are aware of friction when we pick up food with chopsticks, tie our shoelaces, or play tug-of-war. Friction is also at work in car engines. Reducing friction in an engine improves fuel efficiency and saves energy. Friction is very familiar to us and is present in many machines, yet there are still many mysteries surrounding why friction occurs. In this project, we will investigate which surfaces are slippery and which are not, by conducting simple friction measurement experiments on various surfaces and observing them using laser microscopes, and then considering the relationships between these factors.

3. "The Secret of Lightweight and Strong Aerospace Structures" - Oshima Laboratory
Aerospace structures, such as those found in airplanes and rockets, are designed to be as light and strong as possible. These structures achieve strength by cleverly combining thin sheets of metal. Through experiments, we will learn why such strong structures can be created using thin sheets.

4. "Let's investigate the properties of aerodynamic forces acting on objects through flight experiments and track analysis" - Kameda Laboratory
Let's learn about the properties of aerodynamic forces acting on a ball using an object (in this case, a ball). First, we'll launch a rigid foam plastic ball in the gymnasium. We'll change the ball's rotation and weight balance and compare the differences in its flight. We'll use remote sensors embedded in the ball to acquire data on its trajectory, speed, and attitude, and measure the differences. Next, we'll use the mechanics of rigid body motion to estimate the aerodynamic forces acting on the ball from the sensor data. Finally, we'll understand the mechanism of rigid body motion influenced by aerodynamic forces due to weight balance, rotation, and other factors.

5. "The 'Tiny World' from Micrometers to Nanometers and Pharmaceutical Manufacturing" Kimura Laboratory
A narrow space, about the thickness of a human hair, is called a "microfluidic channel." Inside these channels, we can observe extremely stable fluid behavior that differs from the flow of rivers and other fluids we normally see. This distinctive flow is also being used in the production of nanometer-sized pharmaceuticals in recent years. In this theme, we will learn about everything from microfluidic control to the control of nanometer-scale pharmaceutical production.

6. "Let's investigate phenomena that occur in metal processing" - Sasahara Laboratory
When metals are processed and deformed, various phenomena occur in their structure, such as heat generation, changes in hardness, and alterations in magnetism. Let's learn about the phenomena that occur when aluminum and stainless steel are bent or crushed, using advanced equipment such as micro-Vickers hardness testers and thermographic cameras.

7. "Let's experience powder simulation" - Takada Laboratory
Our surroundings are full of powders, such as coffee beans and sesame seeds. In this theme, we will experience simulating the behavior of such powders using computer simulations. We hope that you will become familiar with the world of powders, which behave differently from ordinary gases, liquids, and solids.

8. "Building a Computer with Circuit Elements" - Hanazaki Laboratory
Let's build a computer that analyzes input data using well-known components. While a typical calculator will reliably perform correctly, the performance of the prototype system will change depending on the tuning. Let's deepen our understanding by thinking about what factors are influencing the system and through trial and error.

9. "Let's experience autonomous driving technology!" Ponsathorn Research Lab
At the Ponsathorn Laboratory, we conduct research on vehicle motion control and driver assistance technologies to reduce the burden of driving and prevent traffic accidents. In Mecha World, you will learn about the mechanisms of these systems and experience the operation of autonomous driving control through driving simulators and experimental vehicles.

10. "Building a robotic arm to draw circles" - Mizuuchi Laboratory
We will build a robotic arm with two joints. We will mark aluminum plates, use machine tools to drill, cut, and bend parts (skirts and sandals are prohibited), and assemble them with a servo module that has a built-in circuit to control the angle command value. We will attach a pen to the end of the arm, learn inverse kinematics calculations to calculate the joint angles that will result in a specified end-effector position, and create a program to draw a circle. Large-scale humanoid robots are also based on these fundamentals.

We will be implementing the following three themes.

1. Take a look into the nano world using an electron microscope! Professor Wakana Kubo (Capacity: 4 people)
Try observing familiar things like petals, leaves, and your own hair through an electronic microscope! While peeking into the worlds of nano and micro that are usually invisible, you can experience how differences in the shape, surface, and structure of nano-domain materials lead to different functions, and experience the fascinating science hidden around you.

2. Applying "Sensor Information Processing" to Challenge "Robot Races" Jun Takemura Assistant Professor (Capacity: 8 participants)
Using the robot building kit (LEGO Mindstorms), you will learn about robots that autonomously process information such as light and ultrasound obtained from various sensors, clearly understanding them from both hardware and software perspectives.

3. How to Get Along Well with AI: Professor Masaji Hotta (Capacity: 50 people)
Opportunities to utilize AI, such as ChatGPT and image/music generation, are expected to increase more and more. This workshop will provide content that allows participants to learn the knowledge and techniques necessary to understand and use AI, as well as the problems that AI faces, while actually using AI.