PRESS RELEASE
Source: Tokyo Institute of Technology, Center for Public Information,
For immediate release: 26 November 2012
Tokyo Institute of Technology publishes the latest issue of its online newsletter, Tokyo Tech Bulletin: http://www.titech.ac.jp/bulletin/index.html
(Tokyo, 26 November 2012) Models for earthquake evacuation procedures, training computer to understand the human brain, and Lewis acid catalysts for industry—the November issue of the Tokyo Institute of Technology Bulletin contains the latest information about cutting edge research projects and related activities at Tokyo Tech.
Research topics covered in the November 2012 issue of the Tokyo Tech Bulletin include:
The diamond age of transistors
Scientists at Tokyo Tech have developed a new type of transistor made from diamond
that could prove valuable for high power applications.
Transistors are electronic switches that control the flow of current from one part of a circuit to the next, and form the foundations of modern computing. Transistors are usually made from semiconductors – materials that allow electric current to flow through them only under certain controllable circumstances. Current research is looking into the possibility of using doped diamond as semi-conductors in order to create hard-wearing transistors with a wide band gap, high thermal conductivity and the ability to withstand high electric fields without breaking.
http://www.titech.ac.jp/bulletin/topics.html#a01
Evacuation procedures in big cities after massive earthquakes: Models based on the behavior of people in Tokyo after the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake on 11 March 2011
The Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake occurred on 11 May 2011. On this day all rail services in the Tokyo Metropolitan area were paralyzed amid the unprecedented confusion that followed the tremor. Here, Toshihiro Osaragi at Tokyo Institute of Technology describes the construction of several models that describe decision-making and behavior of individuals attempting to reach home on foot in the wake of a devastating earthquake.
http://www.titech.ac.jp/bulletin/research.html#a02
Nb2O5•nH2O as a heterogeneous catalyst with water-tolerant Lewis acid sites
Lewis acids function as catalysts for the formation of C−C bonds in organic compounds, and therefore the chemical industry utilizes large amounts of Lewis acid catalysts—such as AlCl3, BF3, and transition metal halides—for the production of industrially important chemicals.
http://www.titech.ac.jp/bulletin/research.html#a02
Training computers to understand the human brain
Understanding how the human brain categorizes information through signs and language is a key part of developing computers that can ‘think’ and ‘see’ in the same way as humans. It is only in recent years that the field of semantics has been explored through the analysis of brain scans and brain activity in response to both language-based and visual inputs. Teaching computers to read brain scans and interpret the language encoded in brain activity could have a variety of uses in medical science and artificial intelligence.
http://www.titech.ac.jp/bulletin/research.html#a02
The Tokyo Institute of Technology Bulletin also includes updates of news and events:
Interview with President Yoshinao Mishima
Yoshinao Mishima was inaugurated the president of Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) on 1st October 2012. Here, he shares his thoughts about his goals during his tenure as the head of one of the most innovative and dynamic science and technology based universities in the world.
TRalph Eichler, President of ETH Zurich visits Tokyo Institute of Technology.
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TIER: Inaugural 2012 TiROP and TKT CAMPUS Asia Summer Programs.
JAYSES 2012: Expanding the horizons of young Asian scientists and engineers with a
visit to the Philippines.
Harnessing the wind: running down to go up.
Further information:
Miwako Kato and Yukiko Tokida
Center for Public Information
Tokyo Institute of Technology
2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/
Tel: +81-3-5734-2975
Fax: +81-3-5734-3661
About Tokyo Institute of Technology
As one of Japan’s top universities, Tokyo Institute of Technology seeks to contribute to civilization, peace and prosperity in the world, and aims at developing global human capabilities par excellence through pioneering research and education in science and technology, including industrial and social management. To achieve this mission, we have an eye on educating highly moral students to acquire not only scientific expertise but also expertise in the liberal arts, and a balanced knowledge of the social sciences and humanities, all while researching deeply from basics to practice with academic mastery. Through these activities, we wish to contribute to global sustainability of the natural world and the support of human life.
Website: http://www.titech.ac.jp/english/
