Doshisha University Advanced Materials and Structural Engineering Lab.
Welcome to our laboratory
Our laboratory belongs to the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering / Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Doshisha University. It is led by Prof. Kazuya OKUBO and Prof. Kiyotaka OBUNAI.
Research subjects (FY2026)
I. Structures of power machinery and power transmission units
1. Optimization of the transmitting behavior of general-purpose metal belt CVTs for automobiles during rapid shifting <joint research with an automotive industry association>
2. Improvement of the power transmitting performance of rubber belt CVTs for large motorcycles <joint research with a company>
3. Investigation of the effect of belt wear on the power transmission performance of rubber-belt CVTs for large motorcycles <joint research with a company>
4. Improvement of the power transmission performance of industrial linear-motion drive chains <joint research with a company>
5. Clarification of the shifting principle of V-belt type continuously variable transmissions: theoretical formulation of the energy change <fundamental research>
6. Construction and verification of a new transmission theory based on the force generating mechanism of highly elastic flat belts <fundamental research>
7. Development of a new transmission mechanism for EV competition vehicles <fundamental research>
II. Development of environmentally friendly new materials (for the SDGs and a low-carbon society)
1. Development of environmentally friendly composite materials reinforced with natural pineapple leaf fibers <joint research with a company>
2. Development of composite materials using recycled carbon fibers recovered from industrial waste <fundamental research>
III. Structures and development of advanced composite materials
1. Application of polymer nanofibers to composite materials <fundamental research>
2. Crack coalescence and interaction in composite materials <fundamental research>
3. Improvement of the adhesive strength between thin steel laminates for motor cores <joint research with a company>
Members (FY2026)
Professors : 2
Master's course students (2nd year) : 6
Master's course students (1st year) : 7
International students : 2
Undergraduate students (4th year) : 18
Activities
All students in this laboratory, including the master's course and doctoral course students, are requested to orally present their work at both domestic and international conferences. Relating to our studies, papers are published not only in major domestic journals but also in a number of international journals.
Our laboratory has collaborations with several companies to conduct specific research related to the above subjects. We also have special subjects supported by the National Science Fund provided by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan. Co-sponsorships with industry are welcomed as long as the results will be published in the future. International students are also welcomed. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
