The aim of Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering (RACE), the University of Tokyo is to solve problems related to artifactology. The center has entered the third stage. A new approach in the problem-solving process has been proposed in this paper. The scenario for problem solving starts by establishing a problem using the concept of co-creation. Next, models related to artifacts are constructed by integrating the methods used in experimental economics and techniques of experimental psychology into computational science, data analysis, and simulation technology. Modeling of individuals is realized by focusing on three processes: recognition of individuals, activities of individuals based on recognized results, and value construction of individuals. This proposal of RACE includes the socio-technical viewpoint of multi-stakeholders and the human-centered viewpoint of modeling of individuals. Several new research topics are presented, including novel modeling methodology for product service systems (PSS).

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Monitoring mental fatigue is critical for traffic safety and health care. Various indexes of mental fatigue have been developed and used in the fields of ergonomics and industrial hygiene. One such index is the flicker-perception frequency threshold: the frequency at which the perception of flickering lights disappears for human observers. This index has a long history as a reliable indicator of mental fatigue in the laboratory setting. We have developed low-cost technologies for measuring mental fatigue objectively with widely available consumer devices such as personal computers and smartphones.

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Methane hydrate (MH) is considered to be part of a new generation of energy resources. Depressurization has been proposed as a method of extracting methane gas from MH in marine sediments. During depressurization, sediment deformation may occur because of MH dissociation and increased effective stress. It is therefore important to develop long-term, safe methods for protecting equipment used on the sea floor against the impact of deformation. We have developed the “COTHMA” geo-mechanical simulator to predict sediment deformation during methane gas production from MH. We have also performed laboratory experiments (push-out tests) of well integrity to determine model parameters. Deformation and stress in the vicinity of a production well were evaluated to assess the integrity of the well. Our technologies for evaluating sedimentary characteristics consist of the development of the geo-mechanical simulator and the evaluation of well integrity and wide-area deformation. Based on this research, we are now preparing technologies for practical application.

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In radiation therapy for cancer, there are possibilities of changing of positions of the affected area during irradiation due to respiration of a patient. In order to enhance effects of irradiation for the affected area and minimize damages to the surrounding normal tissues, four dimensional radiotherapy (4DRT), which can take into account time variation of the three-dimensional position of the affected area, has been recently developed, and has been achieving significant therapeutic effect. We have proposed the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards including technical requirements of the safety aspects of the systems which realize this 4DRT, taking into account the time variation. The reason for the proposal is that international standardization will be very effective to ensure safety of 4DRT, and international standards of IEC will have compelling force if regulatory agencies refer to them. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the analysis of the strategy in a precedent endeavor toward international standardization of the 4DRT systems, for which demands are increasing. The main point of the strategy is forming an international consensus by bringing together the opinions of specialists from various fields from a clinical point of view, focusing on the international standardization of the technical requirements of the safety aspects of the 4DRT. Based on such a strategy, we will promote developing new standards by evaluating the overall safety of the 4DRT systems for further expanding use, in addition to updating existing standards of particular equipment which constitute the 4DRT systems.

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For the application of oxide superconductors to power-electric and microwave devices, it is necessary to form oxide superconductors into films and tapes. Since oxide superconductors are fragile and processing resistant, establishing a thin film processing technology for oxide superconductors is important. In this article, we describe our approach to developing such technology with an example that involves the processing of high quality large-size superconducting thin films by metal organic deposition (MOD) for the realization of a fault current limiter. MOD is a simple and low-cost processing technology for metal oxide thin films, which are prepared by dipping a substrate in a coating solution and firing the substrate.

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