Academic Research Topics Catalogue: Japan

Innovative Receiver for new positioning, navigation, and timing service signals

Recent developments in positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) include new services for the Moon, and more resilient and accurate services for Earth, at low orbits (LEO). Known as Lunar PNT and LEO-PNT respectively, these systems have the potential to enable new applications and economies. However, challenges remain in the implementation of effective receivers. The work will develop a novel receiver architecture for new PNT solutions for the Earth and beyond

Supervisor: Andrea Nardin

Partner Organization: ArkEdge Space

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: MATLAB/Python, fundamentals of signal processing and communications; knowledge of C/C++ is a plus 

Adaptive Formation Control for Shape Morphing in Circular Relative Orbits

This research investigates control strategies for spacecraft formations that dynamically transition between different geometric shapes (e.g., from square to rectangular configurations) while maintaining a stable Circular Relative Orbit (CRO). The study will explore decentralized coordination algorithms to ensure smooth shape transitions while minimizing fuel consumption and avoiding collisions. Approaches such as consensus-based control, artificial potential fields (APF). Simulations will assess the feasibility and efficiency of different strategies, considering real-world constraints such as actuator limitations, communication delays, and orbital perturbations.

Supervisor: Elisa Capello

Partner Organization: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Mobility Duration: 3 months

Required Skills: Basic knowledge of guidance, control, and space systems

1- Development of an AI-Based Model for Early Detection of Diabetes Using Retinal Fundus Images

This thesis develops an automatic deep learning model for diabetes prediction from retinal images. It evaluates classification performance and interpretability using convolutional neural networks and vision transformers, investigating the impact of image quality and demographic variability. The model may support early screening and non-invasive monitoring in clinics

Supervisor: Gabriella Balestra

Partner University: The University of Osaka

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Python programming, medical image processing, basic knowledge of statistics, ability to work both independently and in a team

2- Feature-Based Deep Learning for Mutation Impact Prediction in Protein Dynamics

This thesis uses in-use and deep‐learned features to predict how pathogenic mutations affect protein structure and dynamics from molecular dynamics simulations. By applying dimensionality reduction, clustering, and supervised machine learning, it extracts patterns that distinguish wild‐type from mutant conformations, advancing interpretable, mutation‐specific biomarkers for insulin signalling

Supervisor: Gabriella Balestra

Partner University: The University of Osaka

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Python programming, medical image processing, basic knowledge of statistics, ability to work both independently and in a team

3- Integrating Clinical and Demographic Data for Retinal-related Pathologies Risk Prediction Using Machine    Learning

This thesis develops a machine learning framework integrating clinical and demographic data to predict individual retinal-related pathologies (e.g., cardiovascular and diabetes) risk. Statistical feature‐selection methods and ensemble models will be employed, comparing different strategies for multimodal data integration and advancing personalized risk-assessment tools

Supervisor: Gabriella Balestra

Partner University: The University of Osaka

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Python programming, medical image processing, basic knowledge of statistics, ability to work both independently and in a team

4-Towards Explainable AI for Molecular Dynamics: Visualizing Structural Transitions in Protein Simulations

This thesis creates an explainability framework for deep learning on molecular dynamics simulations, leveraging saliency maps, layer-wise relevance propagation, attention mechanisms, and concept-based analysis to visualize key structural transitions in IGF1R/INSR heterodimers, linking AI-driven insights to biophysical interpretation.

Supervisor: Gabriella Balestra

Partner University: The University of Osaka

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Python programming, medical image processing, basic knowledge of statistics, ability to work both independently and in a team

3D printing and functionalization with natural biomolecules of composite constructs

3D printing via Melt Electrowriting of PCL and PLLA constructs functionalized with natural molecules (curcumin, beta-carotene, vitamin E and its derivatives) for biomedical applications. Fabrication and characterization of the constructs. Potential applications include tissue engineering, wound healing, and controlled drug delivery. The constructs will be characterized using morphological (SEM), chemical (FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy), and thermal (DSC, TGA) analyses, and mechanical testing to assess their structure–function relationships and stability over time.

Supervisor: Silvia Spriano

Partner University: Kyoto Institute of Technology

Mobility Duration: 3 months

Required Skills: Materials science, biomaterials

Designing 3D printed RC structures

The aim of the thesis is to propose a methodology for building and designing reinforced 3D printed concrete structures, in which printed concrete layers are automatically reinforced by inserting pin-shaped steel bars.

Supervisor: Alessandro P. Fantilli

Partner University: Tohoku University

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Basic knowledge of designing reinforced concrete structures

Development of photoelectrochemical materials for the production of green hydrogen

Synthesis and characterisation of crystalline materials for the reaction of photoelectrochemical evolution of hydrogen from water, with an expected incident-photon-to-current conversion efficiency greater than 40% at 0 V(RHE) under monochromatic light at 600 nm. The bulk and surface properties of the photo-catalysing crystals should have a low concentration of electronic defects, with formation of crystalline facets avoiding the formation of oxide-like surface impurities, and a relatively narrow particle size distribution.

Supervisor: Stefania Specchia

Partner University: Shinshu University

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: Materials synthesis, fundamentals of photo-electrochemistry

1-Development of a Hands-Free Electric Wheelchair and Its Motion Planning Logic

To the make a next-generation wheelchair capable of providing hands-free control for a rider and enhancement of communication between the rider and caregiver walking besides, this project tackles to the followings:
(1) Development of an electric wheelchair capable of omnidirectional driving, and its mechatronics system to establish motion control.
(2) Sensor system implementation on above e-wheelchair mainly base on visual (camera) system to observe both a rider on the seat and a caregiver walking besides the wheelchair.
(3) By using the measurement signal obtained by the above-mentioned sensor (vision) system, intention estimation algorithm for the rider and caregiver should developed so that the wheelchair autonomously generates prompt motion that satisfies one- or both of those peoples’ intrinsic demands in the real-time.

Supervisor: Giuseppe Quaglia

Partner University: Institute of Science Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: Mechanism design, robotics, automation

2-Development of a Voluntary Intent Detection Method for Rehabilitation Using a Chair-Type Assistive Robot

Voluntary intention detection is a key aspect of human-robot interaction, especially in assistive robotics designed for rehabilitation. This research aims to develop a method for a chair-type assistive robot to detect whether users wish to initiate movement with their own effort during caregiving or rehabilitation processes. The system utilizes the interaction between the robot and the user, capturing real-time changes such as reaction force on the chair and ground and motion data of the users.
The study focuses on developing a detection method integrated into the existing chair-type assistive robot and developing algorithms to interpret user intent based on the captured interaction data. Experimental validation will assess the accuracy and reliability of the detection system in identifying voluntary intent and its effectiveness in enhancing the robot’s adaptability in rehabilitation scenarios. This study contributes to the user-centered functionality of assistive robots, fostering greater independence and engagement during rehabilitation.

Supervisor: Giuseppe Quaglia

Partner University: Institute of Science Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: Mechanism design, robotics, automation

3- Pedaling exercise load system of personal mobility vehicle for elderly

For the integration with the personal mobility vehicle for elderly developed by Well-be Lab, U-Tokyo, the pedaling exercise load system has been developed in LMSD, Science Tokyo. The system provides user exercise load to some muscles selectively by simple pedaling motion. However the performance is not enough confirmed through the experiments. The next step of the study includes:
Estimation of pedal force in the tangential direction of the path
Optimization of the pedal path and load based on the estimated pedal force
Mechanism design of the elliptical path pedal
Evaluation and improvement through intervention experiment

Supervisor: Giuseppe Quaglia

Partner University: Institute of Science Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: Mechanism design, robotics, automation 

Pedaling exercise load system of personal mobility vehicle for elderly

For the integration with the personal mobility vehicle for elderly developed by Well-be Lab, U-Tokyo, the pedaling exercise load system has been developed in LMSD, Science Tokyo. The system provides user exercise load to some muscles selectively by simple pedaling motion. However the performance is not enough confirmed through the experiments. The next step of the study includes:
Estimation of pedal force in the tangential direction of the path
Optimization of the pedal path and load based on the estimated pedal force
Mechanism design of the elliptical path pedal
Evaluation and improvement through intervention experiment

Supervisor: Giuseppe Quaglia

Partner University: Institute of Science Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: Mechanism design, robotics, automation

Productive green zones as a means for green infrastructures in metropolitan areas

Preservation and Creation of Greenery on Private Lands, Urban and periurban agriculture, green infrastructure planning and governance, metropolitan scale. The activity will be hosted by Murayama Lab, in the context of a research project by UTokyo in collaboration with Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Knowledge framework: see the EU EFUA Project

Supervisor: Claudia Cassatella

Partner University: The University of Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3 months

Required Skills: Spatial analysis using GIS

The partner university requires the student to pay a fee of 28,900 JPY (approximately 180 euros) per month.

Rural Oxymora: Policies and processes of transformation in the Japanese rural periphery

The aim of the thesis is twofold. First, it explores the existing policy framework targeting rural peripheries in Japan. Then, it focuses more in detail on one or more local cases, to investigate its implementation, the actors involved, and its implications for the local socio-economic context. The research will adopt a mixed-method approach, combining policy analysis and other qualitative methods

Supervisors: Giancarlo Cotella, Magda Bolzoni, Elisabetta Vitale Brovarone

Partner University: Ryukoku University

Mobility Duration: 5 months

Required Skills: Excellent English communication skills and enrollment in one of the following colleges: College of Planning and Design, College of Architecture and Design

Italy as source and inspiration for historicist Japanese architecture in the Meiji and Taishō periods

The thesis aims to delve into the cultural exchanges between Japan and Italy in the field of architecture, with particular reference to the period, between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, in which Japan initiated its own modernization, inspired by the technological, military, and also cultural developments of the West. Architecture played an important role in updating the country's overall image.

Supervisor: Mauro Volpiano

Partner Universities: Kyoto Institute of Technology (hosting institution) and Kyoto University of the Arts (supporting institution)

Mobility Duration: 3 months

Required Skills: Completion of exams in modern history and contemporary architecture