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Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo


Mapping floods of the future reveals communities at risk due to climate change

A study reveals that climate change will lead to increased flood risks globally, with 1.86 billion people living in areas prone to extreme flooding. The research team developed a new approach to create high-resolution future flood hazard maps using climate change simulations and compared the results with historical maps.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalHydrology and Earth System Sciences·DateApr 20, 2023

Heat highway

Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science at The University of Tokyo have found that phonons in isotopically pure carbon can behave like a fluid, allowing for faster heat conduction. This phenomenon, known as phonon Poiseuille flow, has implications for cooling sensitive computer processors and improving efficiency in electron...

A rough start can lead to a strong bond

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a cheap and simple method to bond polymers to galvanized steel, resulting in lightweight and durable materials. The process involves pre-treating the steel with an acid wash and dipping it in hot water, creating nanoscale needle structures that allow for strong mechanical linkages.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Manufacturing Processes·DateDec 21, 2022

Feeling out of equilibrium in a dual geometric world

Scientists at The University of Tokyo's Institute of Industrial Science have developed a novel theory for describing nonlinear dissipative phenomena in a dual geometric space. This work enables the extension of thermodynamics to complex chemical reaction networks, including those involved in living organisms' metabolism and growth.

Concrete evidence: simple method to improve the sustainability of construction

A recent study published in Construction and Building Materials has found that heat treatment can significantly improve the strength of recycled concrete, reducing its environmental impact. The researchers developed an energy-efficient means of improving recycled concrete outcomes through thermal treatment.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalConstruction and Building Materials·DateAug 9, 2022

Dissolving the problem: Organic vapor induces dissolution of molecular salts

Researchers from Japan have found that organic vapors can trigger the dissolution of molecular salts in a way similar to water vapor. This phenomenon, known as organic deliquescence, has potential applications for cleaning up indoor pollutants and can be used to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from indoor environments.

Glass as stable as crystal : homogeneity leads to stability

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science used computer simulations to study the aging mechanism that can cause an amorphous glassy material to turn into a crystal. By removing tiny irregularities in local densities, they found that it prevents atomic avalanches that trigger ordered structure formation.

Drones show promise in speeding up communication with underwater robots for ocean surveys

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have found that drones can be used as communication bases with underwater robotic devices (AUVs) for ocean surveys. UAVs offer high-speed observations, mobility, and resistance to ocean currents, making them suitable candidates for this application.

Cracking the code of crack propagation in rubberlike materials

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have identified the origin of a phenomenon that occurs when rubber materials under stress rapidly break. Their simplified step-loading model replicates the non-monotonic mechanical behavior observed in these materials, shedding light on the velocity jump phenomenon.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJul 30, 2021

Bonding's next top model -- Projecting bond properties with machine learning

Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict bond characteristics, such as binding energy and Fermi energy, based on individual component parameters. The model achieved accurate predictions across various systems, offering potential benefits for material design and development in fields like catalysis and nano clusters.

Particles with 'eyes' allow a closer look at rotational dynamics

A team of researchers created particles with an off-center core that can be tracked under a microscope to study rotational dynamics. Their findings show that neighboring spheres rotate coupled and move in opposite directions, like meshed gears, and that there is a relationship between local crystallinity and rotational diffusivity.

E. Coli calculus: Bacteria find the derivative optimally

Researchers from The University of Tokyo have shown that the standard model biologists use to describe bacterial chemotaxis is mathematically equivalent to optimal dynamics. By using nonlinear filtering theory, they found that the system used by bacteria is indeed optimal for efficient sensing and adaptation in noisy environments.