Four teams receive first DLab Challenge research grant

－ Assoc. Prof. Yukio Kawano and Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Sano were elected the grant recipients －

October 9, 2020

Tokyo Tech's DLab has awarded four research teams with the "DLab Challenge: Laboratory for Design of Social Innovation Global Networks (DLab) Research Grant for Academic Year 2020." A ceremony was held on September 11 to present successful applicants with their notices of award.

DLab Research Grant recipients (front row)

DLab Research Grant recipients ( in the font row, 1st from the left, is Assoc. Prof. Yukio Kawano ）

The DLab Challenge Research Grant supports research connected to the realization of the future image and scenarios created by DLab, and research that contributes to the creation of new disciplines required to realize this image.

The broader objective is to create a prosperous, more desirable future from the viewpoint of science and technology while taking into account ethical, legal, and societal perspectives.

From the 18 applications received for the inaugural grant from emerging researchers, four proposals were selected after two rounds of screening. At the September 11 event, the grantees received their notices of award from DLab Director Isao Satoh and Associate Director Naoto Ohtake, who also served as the head of the review board.

Proposals and recipients of full grants

Research topic	Team members and affiliations
Creation of Real-time Superimposed Projection of Machine Vision Images onto the Real World: Transcending the Limitations of Human Perception and Contributing to the Creation of a Future Society	Assoc. Prof. Yoshihiro Watanabe, School of Engineering Assoc. Prof. Yukio Kawano, Institute of Innovative Research
The Quest and Realization of Remote Control Robotic Systems Achieving Working at Home for Essential Workers	Assoc. Prof. Gen Endo, School of Engineering Asst. Prof. Hideharu Takahashi, Institute of Innovative Research
Exoskeleton for the Mind (Elemi) : Augmenting Metacognition with AI	Assoc. Prof. Katie Seaborn, School of Engineering Asst. Prof. Jacqueline Urakami, School of Engineering Assoc. Prof. Hiroki Oura, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
Development of Isotopomic Diagnostics	Assoc. Prof. Keita Yamada, School of Materials and Chemical Technology Asst. Prof. Toshiaki Tanaka, School of Life Science and Technology Asst. Prof. Mayuko Nakagawa, Earth-Life Science Institute

Note: Principal investigator followed by joint researchers

Two grantees receiving notice of award

Open discussion between successful applicants

In addition to these projects, the review board selected four other proposals that demonstrated great potential. These projects were granted support for a single academic year.

Proposals and recipients of partial grants

Research topic	Team members and affiliations
Study on Controlling Antibacterial Property by Micro/Nano Robotics	Asst. Prof. Hiroyuki Nabae, School of Engineering Assoc. Prof. Joon-wan Kim, Institute of Innovative Research
Sensitized Thermal Cell to the Transchallenge Concept	Assoc. Prof. Sachiko Matsushita, School of Materials and Chemical Technology Assoc. Prof. Taro Sugihara, School of Environment and Society
Virtual outing with semi-automated mobile robot operation and visual enhancement	Assoc. Prof. Asako Kanezaki, School of Computing Assoc. Prof. Masayuki Tanaka, School of Engineering
Action research on building a network among researchers to arising creative collaboration	Asst. Prof. Yuno Tanaka, School of Environment and Society Asst. Prof. Yuta Kurashina, School of Materials and Chemical Technology Asst. Prof. Takayuki Miki, School of Life Science and Technology Asst. Prof. Kazuhide Nakayama, School of Environment and Society Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Sano, School of Engineering Asst. Prof. Kohei Sato, School of Life Science and Technology Asst. Prof. Jin Takahashi, School of Computing Asst. Prof. Hideharu Takahashi, Institute of Innovative Research Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Miura, School of Science Asst. Prof. Yohei Yamaguchi, School of Science *Research Associate, Junya Yamauchi, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, University of Tokyo

Note: Principal investigator followed by joint researchers, collaborators
*Collaborator

Comments from head of the review board

DLab Assoc. Director Ohtake, head of review board

Professor Naoto Ohtake
DLab Associate Director

After reviewing the 18 applications for the inaugural DLab Challenge Research Grant, the review board approved four research projects for full grants and another four for partial grants covering a single academic year. The application process included the submission of documents followed by an interview, which consisted of a presentation and a Q&A session.

During the interviews, applicants were not evaluated on past accomplishments, but rather were expected to explain clearly the relationship of their proposal to three DLab-specific components. First, how does the project contribute to the realization of DLab's future image of society, or to certain future scenarios created by DLab? Second, is the research unique and challenging, and does it adopt a long-term, future-oriented perspective? And third, what is the societal impact and significance of the research?

Both the applicants and judges had to adjust their approaches as this screening was different from other research funding applications. Applicants were expected to present from a unique perspective, while judges had to hold off on scoring until they had heard all the presentations. During the Q&A session, the review board was also looking for innovative research that is "rough around the edges" and integrates different disciplines as it develops further — something that can create a bigger movement in the future. With this approach, the review board was able to make their decisions based on common indicators.

The board selected eight research projects that reflect the unique characteristics of DLab — proposals that depict a different, more desirable future rather than an extension of existing technology. We hope the grantees and their collaborators also extend this creativity to their styles of research, and generate innovative technologies that shape the future of our world.

Fundamental research will always be part of academia. Research that adopts a shorter-term perspective can be applied to solve societal issues such as COVID-19. However, the VUCA world we currently inhabit also calls for a long-term perspective as proposed by DLab. I hope the DLab Challenge gives birth to more emerging researchers who value and advance this type of future-oriented research.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to all those who were involved during the review process.

Four teams receive first DLab Challenge research grant

Designing our future together
By gauging the needs and desires of society through dialogue, and by designing our future together, DLab aims to create a brighter, more prosperous world.

Laboratory for Design of Social Innovation in Global Networks (DLab)