Academic Research Topics Catalogue: Japan

1- Testing and Modelling Reinforced 3D Concrete Printing

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) provides several advantages, including construction productivity and sustainability, although the presence of cold joints reduces structural performance, particularly in zones subjected to tensile stresses. In addition, it is difficult to reinforce 3DCP structures with conventional steel rebars, generally used to reinforce concrete. The goal of the thesis is to solve these problems by automatically inserting reinforcements with a new system, in which pin-shaped reinforcement connects the concrete layers of traditional 3D printing (herein called R3DCP)

Supervisor: Alessandro P. Fantilli

Partner University: Tohoku University

Mobility Duration: 4- 6 months

Required Skills: Basic knowledge of designing reinforced concrete structures

2- Preliminary study of experimental tests on dam models under seismic actions

The thesis is a feasibility study of experimental tests on the shaking table of E-Defense involving a portion of a dam model with gates

Supervisor: Fabrizio Barpi

Partner University: E-Defense facility of the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED)

Mobility Duration: 1-3 months

Required Skills: Basic knowledge of structural engineering

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

Investigation of the dissolution rate and surface properties of resorbable Zn an Zn alloys

The thesis focuses on Zn and Zn–Cu alloys as resorbable biomaterials. The stability of these materials in contact with water and aqueous physiological solutions will be investigated through soaking tests and zeta potential measurements. Furthermore, surface texturing will be performed to impart multifunctional properties to the surface.

Supervisor: Silvia Spriano

Partner University: Kyoto Institute of Technology

Mobility Duration: 3 months

Required Skills: materials characterization, biomaterials

Preparation and characterization of advanced materials for nuclear applications

This joint Master’s thesis between Politecnico di Torino (Prof. Ferraris M. and Kyoto University (Prof. Hinoki T.) focuses on the preparation and characterization of advanced materials for nuclear applications. The work will involve materials processing, microstructural and mechanical characterization, and the assessment of performance under conditions relevant to advanced nuclear energy systems.

Supervisor: Monica Ferraris

Partner University:  Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University

Mobility Duration: 6 months

Required Skills: None

Energy-Efficient AI for Internet of Things Networks

The deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in devices at the edge of the network is limited by the limited power and computational capacity of these devices. Therefore, it is important to develop solutions that reduce the energy consumption of AI in IoT systems. This thesis investigates how to make AI models used in IoT networks more efficient by combining two main ideas: on the one hand, pruning techniques (i.e., simplifying neural models by eliminating the less important parts) and, on the other, distributed learning methods in which multiple nodes collaborate without directly sharing data (federated learning). Pruning techniques will be analyzed, aimed at reducing model complexity in a structured way while maintaining good performance. The goal is to understand whether these techniques can be integrated into distributed multi-agent learning systems, in which each node in the network (e.g., an access point or an IoT gateway) locally trains and optimizes its own model. The thesis will seek to answer the following question: is it possible to simultaneously reduce energy consumption and communication traffic between nodes while maintaining good AI model performance?
The student will develop a system that combines these techniques and evaluate its performance in different IoT scenarios, analyzing the tradeoffs between accuracy, energy consumption, and communication efficiency.

Supervisor: Michela Meo, Greta Vallero

Partner University: National Institute of Informatics and The University of Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 4 months

Required Skills: The thesis requires skills of artificial intelligence, deep learning, data analysis and statistics, Internet of Things

1- A Universal Digital Twin Framework for Heterogeneous Bipedal Humanoid Platforms

This thesis proposes a platform-agnostic Generic Digital Twin for humanoid robots, synchronizing real-time telemetry with high-fidelity simulation. Using ROS 2, URDF abstraction, and Gazebo/Isaac Sim, it will mirror robot states, predict joint stress and motor loads, monitor health, and provide a safety-before-motion layer for testing gait and “what-if” scenarios.

Supervisor: Gianvito Urgese 

Partner University: The University of Aizu

Mobility Duration: 6 months 

 Required Skills: None

2- Neuromorphic Multi-Agent Coordination for Persistent Elderly Care Assistance

This thesis explores neuromorphic multi-agent control for elderly-care humanoids, using Nengo to implement SNN locomotion controllers and ROS 2 MultiThreadedExecutor for distributed robot coordination. Spike-based communication and collaborative task allocation reduce compute load and power consumption while preserving fast response to patient distress signals.

Supervisor: Gianvito Urgese 

Partner University: The University of Aizu

Mobility Duration: 6 months 

 Required Skills: None

3- A Universal Digital Twin Framework for Heterogeneous Bipedal Humanoid Platforms

This thesis proposes a platform-agnostic Generic Digital Twin for humanoid robots, synchronizing real-time telemetry with high-fidelity simulation. Using ROS 2, URDF abstraction, and Gazebo/Isaac Sim, it will mirror robot states, predict joint stress and motor loads, monitor health, and provide a safety-before-motion layer for testing gait and “what-if” scenarios.

Supervisor: Gianvito Urgese 

Partner University: The University of Aizu

Mobility Duration: 6 months 

 Required Skills: None

4- Event-Based Neuromorphic Visual Fusion for Robust Humanoid Navigation

This thesis develops a hybrid vision pipeline for NHURO using event-based cameras, Prophesee Metavision, YOLO semantic data, and ROS 2 navigation. A sensor-fusion node and low-latency visual-reflex loop enable immediate obstacle avoidance, reducing motion-blur effects and benchmarking latency gains over frame-based navigation.

Supervisor: Gianvito Urgese 

Partner University: The University of Aizu

Mobility Duration: 6 months 

 Required Skills: None
 

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 

Mechatronic assist devices

Two topics options:
1)Mechanical walking assist devices
If Ankle motions(dorsiflexion and plantar flexion) can be done by using only mechanism, It is possible to make a product reasonably. As a research, we will find light weight and compact mechanisms to assist both motions. we already proposed 4types of mechanism, by referring them we can design really usable device.

2) Joint keeping devices
The device can easily and immediately fix and unlock some joints, ex, knee, hip, back, shoulder, elbow, It is very useful for farmers, workers in the assembly factory, and so on

Supervisor: Giuseppe Quaglia

Partner University: Waseda University

Mobility Duration: 3 to 6 months

Required Skills: Mechanics Engineering

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

1- 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

2- Typological, morphological and spatial analysis of historic urban fabric in Italy and Japan. .Methodologies for knowledge and intervention

The aim of this thesis is to compare the methodologies for analyzing historic urban fabrics as they have evolved within the cultural discourse and in practical applications in Italy and Japan, from the 1960s to the present. These approaches to knowledge can shape choices and perspectives regarding the sustainable transformation of the built heritage. Is it possible to identify significant cases that highlight the virtuous relationship between knowledge and design in this field?

Supervisor: Mauro Volpiano

Partner Universities: Waseda University

Mobility Duration: 3 months
 

Understanding the impacts of demographic change in rural areas

This research thesis is framed by the Horizon Project “Adapting to and mitigating demographic trends in rural areas through evidence-based planning and innovative solutions” REROOTED (2026-2030). The overall theme is demographic shrinkage in rural areas and the assessment of its impact on social and environmental dimensions, as a contribution to policy design. The student will review international literature and reports, analysing how the phenomenon is assessed (indicators, variables, scales) in relation to policy domains (repopulation and revitalization of rural areas, social cohesion, et cetera). Hosted by the Department of Urban Engeneering, the student will learn about policy issues, methods of assessment and case studies in Japan. Testing a system of indicators on selected case studies (European and /or Japanese) may be forseen, and /or a comparison on the methods or on the policy issues.

Supervisor: Claudia Cassatella

Partner University: The University of Tokyo

Mobility Duration: 3-6 months

Required Skills: Spatial analysis by GIS. Preferred, but not compulsory, having taken the exam in Planning for Environment

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: 3 months

Required Skills: Knowledge of policy analysis, social research methods, strategic planning