Information and Communications Engineering News

Four teams receive first DLab Challenge research grant

-Assoc. Prof. Yoshihiro Watanabe was elected the grant recipient-

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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 front row, 2nd from the left, is Assoc. Prof. Yoshihiro Watanabe )

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別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Assoc. Prof. Yukio Kawano別窓,
Institute of Innovative Research別窓

The Quest and Realization of Remote Control Robotic Systems Achieving Working at Home for Essential Workers

Assoc. Prof. Gen Endo別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Asst. Prof. Hideharu Takahashi別窓,
Institute of Innovative Research別窓

Exoskeleton for the Mind (Elemi) : Augmenting Metacognition with AI

Assoc. Prof. Katie Seaborn別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Asst. Prof. Jacqueline Urakami別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Assoc. Prof. Hiroki Oura別窓,
Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning別窓

Development of Isotopomic Diagnostics

Assoc. Prof. Keita Yamada別窓,
School of Materials and Chemical Technology別窓

Asst. Prof. Toshiaki Tanaka別窓,
School of Life Science and Technology別窓

Asst. Prof. Mayuko Nakagawa別窓,
Earth-Life Science Institute別窓

Note: Principal investigator followed by joint researchers

Two grantees receiving notice of award

Two grantees receiving notice of award

Open discussion between successful applicants

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別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Assoc. Prof. Joon-wan Kim別窓,
Institute of Innovative Research別窓

Sensitized Thermal Cell to the Transchallenge Concept

Assoc. Prof. Sachiko Matsushita別窓,
School of Materials and Chemical Technology別窓

Assoc. Prof. Taro Sugihara別窓,
School of Environment and Society別窓

Virtual outing with semi-automated mobile robot operation and visual enhancement

Assoc. Prof. Asako Kanezaki別窓,
School of Computing別窓

Assoc. Prof. Masayuki Tanaka別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Action research on building a network among researchers to arising creative collaboration

Asst. Prof. Yuno Tanaka別窓,
School of Environment and Society別窓

Asst. Prof. Yuta Kurashina別窓,
School of Materials and Chemical Technology別窓

Asst. Prof. Takayuki Miki別窓,
School of Life Science and Technology別窓

Asst. Prof. Kazuhide Nakayama別窓,
School of Environment and Society別窓

Asst. Prof. Kenichiro Sano別窓,
School of Engineering別窓

Asst. Prof. Kohei Sato別窓,
School of Life Science and Technology別窓

Asst. Prof. Jin Takahashi別窓,
School of Computing別窓

Asst. Prof. Hideharu Takahashi別窓,
Institute of Innovative Research別窓

Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Miura別窓,
School of Science別窓

Asst. Prof. Yohei Yamaguchi別窓,
School of Science別窓

*Research Associate, Junya Yamauchi別窓,
Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, University of Tokyo別窓

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

Comments from head of the review board

DLab Assoc. Director Ohtake, head of 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

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

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)別窓

Tokyo Tech Fund

Tokyo Institute of Technology iGEM is supported by Tokyo Tech Fund

Giving to Tokyo TechOuter

Contact

Laboratory for Design of Social Innovation for Global Networks

Email lab4design@jim.titech.ac.jp

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