Early-career research(J-PEAKS)

This research focuses on highly non-invasive and label-free Electrical Tomography (ET) technology with a focus on applications in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. ET technology is a method that images the internal electrical properties of an object by performing electrical measurements (such as impedance and capacitance) around the object and using inverse problem analysis. This research aims to utilize ET technology to capture electrical properties that change according to the type and state of cells and tissues, enabling the identification of cancer cells and visualization of organs and lesions. Additionally, ET technology is applied to cell measurement, focusing on ion transport inside and outside cells caused by the activation or inhibition of ion channels. In addition to imaging using ET technology, a unique measurement system that combines electrical impedance spectrum analysis with PCB-based sensors for cellular measurement is proposed. This system aims to establish a high-throughput evaluation method that closely mimics actual biological conditions, serving as a precursor to animal testing in the drug discovery process. This is expected to improve the efficiency of the drug discovery process and accelerate new drug development.

Furthermore, beyond applications in the medical and pharmaceutical fields, we are also focusing on the visualization of slurry processes in the battery and plant industries. Slurry is a mixture where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid, playing a crucial role in various industrial processes, such as the production of electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and raw material transport in chemical plants. The uniform dispersion of slurry and the aggregation of particles significantly affect product performance, making the visualization of its internal behavior essential for process optimization. ET technology can capture changes in the electrical properties within the slurry and analyze the dispersion and aggregation dynamics in real-time. This allows for the non-invasive observation of internal slurry behavior, which is difficult to achieve with conventional optical methods, supporting quality control and improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes. The visualization of slurry processes is expected to contribute to improving the uniformity of battery materials and enhancing plant operational efficiency, ultimately promoting the sustainability of the industry as a whole.

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Daisuke KAWASHIMA's Article / News Release / InfoGraphics