Keynote Lectures (under expanding!)

Kazuhito Shimada, Ph.D Professor, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, (Japan)

[Title]

International Space Station (ISS) Intelligent Human Centrifuge

[Abstract]

The International Space Station (ISS) astronauts need physiological countermeasures against microgravity.  Recent abnormal findings in the eye (Space flight–Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome, SANS) after 6-months stay on the orbit tells us that current exercise measures are not complete.  Ultimate solution should be the artificial gravity (AG) for astronauts.  Before closure of the ISS program, we would like to have a test bed on the ISS which verifies usefulness of AG.  The overall design of AG by centrifuge with exercise function is not easy in terms of cost savings.  At the same time, incorporating the AG machine with information processing should be considered.

[Keywords]
artificial gravity, International Space Station, astronaut, centrifuge, HTV-X

Fumiko Okiharu, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Tokyo university of science, (Japan)

[Title]

How can technology be used for students' deep conceptual understanding in science?

[Abstract]
How the latest progress of technology change science teaching? The role of technology in science education began with data gathering and information utilization through the Internet in weather and other fields. In recent years, as various sensors such as temperature sensor were developed, by measuring experiments in time, students understand scientific concepts deeply while linking phenomena and results. In addition, due to the development of the application of tablet, pseudo observation such as the celestial body became possible. Furthermore, teaching methods that deepen students’ learning by discussion such as Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) based on the concept of social constructivism are studied as well as technology utilization in experiments and observations. In this presentation, based on recent studies, we outline how students' understanding of scientific concepts can be heightened by using technology in science lessons.

Atsushi Iwai Professor, Gunma University(Japan)

[Title]

A GDSS Design that Supports Anonymous Communication for the Convergent Process

[Abstract]
Supporting anonymous communication is known as one of the most effective ways in improving group decision-making. Electronic brainstorming is a good example. But, most of the successful supporting frameworks of anonymous communication are designed for the divergence phase in a decision process, where participants look for options or new ideas. In the convergence phase that follows, where participants discuss and seek a conclusion or an answer, not many designs have been presented. It seems to be assumed that anonymity may remove some tools of persuasion, and increases the difficulty of coordinating discussion. However, the benefits of supporting anonymous communication would be to some extent dependent on the system design. Actually, according to the speaker’s research experiences, it seems to be feasible to establish a web-based GDSS that supports anonymous communication for the convergent process.

Osamu Takaki Associate Professor, Gunma University(Japan)

[Title]

A proposal on an evaluation method of service quality based on properties of change in frequency

[Abstract]
In this presentation, we provide several properties for quality assessment of services such as medical services, based on properties of change in frequency. There exist phenomena represented as a change in frequency of events that indicate problems on services. For example, continuous increase of patients' demands in a short term, which is expressed for example as increase of nurse calls, indicates possibility of some problems on safety of medical services. Or, a situation that continues such problems in a long term, which is also represented as a property of a change in frequency of the problems, indicates that a fundamental issue on the problems retains over the long term. We will show several time-series data recorded in databases and several issues as properties on change in frequency represented over the data.

Takao Yamaguchi, Ph.D Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

Dynamic Response Analysis of Complicated Systems Using Our New Computation Method (MSKE Method) and Application to Damped Structures Having Acoustic Black Hole

[Abstract]
We proposed a fast finite element method to calculate dynamic behaviors for complicated systems having elastic/viscoelastic/porous structures with acoustic black holes. The acoustic black hole proposed by Krylov is plates having an edge where its thickness decreases sharply as a power function of the thickness. And on the small area of the edge, viscoelastic damping material is laminated. By using this structure, flexural waves cannot be reflected at the edge with the acoustic black holes.

Expressions of modal damping are derived by applying asymptotic expansion to complex eigenvalue problem of the dynamics systems. We can analyze modal couplings in damping of the complicated dynamics systems. This method is named as MSKE (Modal Strain and Kinetic Energy) Method. This proposed method can be applied to calculate impact responses of complicated structure including not only elastic/viscoelastic/porous material but also the acoustic black holes. We applied this method to obtain responses for L-shaped damped structures with the Krylov acoustic black holes. We also computed laminated structures with a porous material sandwiched by two elastic plates having the Krylov acoustic black holes.

Yusaku Fujii, Ph.D Professor, Gunma University (Japan) President, (NPO) The e-JIKEI Network Promotion Institute (Japan)

[Title]

The e-JIKEI Network Camera: Abuse prevention of street camera network by recording browsing-history

[Abstract]
  A street camera network, in which many IP cameras are installed at a high density, similar to street lights throughout a nation, will have a stronger positive effect in suspect tracking and crime deterrence in the near future. On the other hand, it will also have a stronger negative effect related to the violation of privacy of ordinary citizens. In order to make such a stronger surveillance camera system, which forcibly captures the images of passersby for the public interest, be accepted as an essential social infrastructure by a society, it is necessary for this camera system to make ordinary citizens be convinced that it is used only for the public interest. To realize this, a new concept, in which the abuse of a street camera network is deterred by recording and disclosing browsing-history, is proposed. The perspective on the street camera system in the near future is discussed.

[Reference]
Yusaku Fujii and Noriaki Yoshiura, "Will every streetlight have network cameras in the near future?", SCIENCE, eLetters (21 October 2016) .

Shinichi Maruyama, Ph.D Associate Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

Analysis on vibrations of thin-walled elastic structural elements - Some recent topics

[Abstract]
Thin-walled elements, such as beams, arches, plates and shell-panels are widely used in recent downsized and light-weighted machines. Since flat beams and plates have low rigidity, curved elements such as arches and shell-panels are widely used. Rigidity of the curved elements are fairly higher than that of the flat elements, because lateral deflection is coupled to in-plane deflection which enhance the rigidity of the curved structures. Furthermore, when large amplitude vibrations are generated in the flat or curved thin elements due to resonance, the lateral deflection has nonlinear coupling with the in-plane deformation which results in complex nonlinear vibration responses such as, subharmonic resonance, super harmonic response, internal resonance and chaotic vibrations. Recently, shapes of structural elements becomes more and more complex, thus analytical procedures are required to compute vibrations of such complex-shaped elements, precisely considering linear or nonlinear couplings between deflection and in-plane deformation with low computational costs. In this lecture, some recent topics in analysis on vibrations of thin-walled structural elements: (1) nonlinear vibration analysis on beams with variable cross section, (2) linear vibration analysis on rectangular or annular plates dividing finite segments with higher-order-differentiable mode function, and (3) vibration analysis on shell-panels including clamped edges.

[Keywords]
 Nonlinear Vibrations, Vibrations of flexible structures, Vibrations Analysis

Akihiro Takita, Ph.D Assistant Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

Precise and evaluable measurement of dynamic force with the Levitation Mass Method

[Abstract]
The Levitation Mass Method (LMM), a method for generating and measuring for dynamic force, is reviewed. In the LMM, A rigid body with known mass is levitated using an aerostatic bearing. The rigid body called “the mass” can move with negligibly small friction. When the mass collides with a test target, the motion of the mass changes according to the equation of motion, F = ma, where F is a force acting on the mass, m is the mass of the rigid body and a is the acceleration of the mass. m can be measured precisely by electric balance. a also can be measured precisely by an optical interferometer. Therefore, the force acting on the mass can be measure precisely. We can only measure the Doppler frequency modulated by the motion of the mass. The velocity, acceleration, position and force are calculated from the Doppler frequency. Then, we can obtain strictly synchronized values of velocity, acceleration, position and force. Additionally, the uncertainty of these values can be evaluated. We have investigated a correction method of dynamic error of force transducer, many kinds of material testers and a mass measurement device for astronauts. These applications of the LMM and latest results are reviewed.

Seiji Hashimoto, Ph.D Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

A High Precision Positioning Control and State Estimation Based on Learning Algorithm

[Abstract]
In this paper, a high precision control and a state estimation methods based on the learning algorithm are proposed. In the proposed control method, disturbance, modeling error and nonlinear characteristic can be effectively compensated by the neural network-based controller, which learns the reference model. In the estimation method, online estimation can be performed comparing the learned weighting coefficients in the neural network. The proposed methods are applied to a precision control system, and are verified through the experiments.

Nobuaki Nakazawa, Ph.D Associate Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

Human Interface for Welfare-Support Equipment

[Abstract]
Human interface plays an important role to connect the user with the welfare support equipment. Due to the fact that this kind of interface has an effect of improving the Quality of Life (QOL) for patients, many interfaces for assistive devices using image processing and sensors have been developed. Especially for patients with neurological disorders, an interface for communication is essential due to the limitation of the movable body parts. This presentation aims to present a brief review of some developed interfaces, focusing on the operation of the communication aid equipment, and an example of our experimental research using gazing actions.

Haruo Kobayashi, Ph.D Professor, Gunma University (Japan)

[Title]

Performance Improvement of Mixed-Signal IC Using Signal Processing Techniques

[Abstract]
This paper reviews the authors' group research results of performance improvement techniques of mixed-signal IC using signal processing algorithms, such as number theory, dynamic element matching and self-calibration as well as quadrature signal processing.  It is shown that not only transistor-level circuit design but also signal processing techniques enhance the ADC/DAC/TDC performance.

[Keywords]

ADC, DAC, TDC, Sampling, Number Theory, Fibonacci Sequence, Golden Ratio, Dynamic Element Matching, Self-Calibration

Kazushi Yawata, Ph.D Technician, The University of Tokyo (Japan)

[Title]

ICT material design methodology for science education

[Abstract]
On one hand, recent development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices enables many variations of materials and tools for science education. On the other hand, the concept of Jean Piaget's cognitive development model may be able to give the methodology for educational materials. The model is simply consist of Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete operational and Formal operational stages. The design methodology of ICT material for science education utilizing the cognitive development model will be discussed.

Kenji Yamaguchi Information Course Teacher, Ochanomizu University Senior High School(Japan)

[Title]

Development and Practice of Learning Materials for Algorithms at Senior High School

[Abstract]
When solving some problems on computers, programs are created by programming language such as C or Java. In order to verify that the created program is correct,it is necessary to understand the algorithm. By learning algorithms, student's logical thinking abilities are improved.We are developing learning materials to understand the algorithm. Here,we introduce our learning materials for study some sorting algorithms. This learning materials are operated under a web browser application. Therefore, this learning materials works on any learning environment such as computer, tablet, smartphone.

[Keywords]

Information Education, Algorithm, Sorting, Flowchart, Web Application