Event Reports: "Experience Cutting-edge Research in Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Physics.

One of the outreach activities of the School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo is the "University of Tokyo Techno Science Café".
For this special event exclusively for high school students, we collaborated with 3 fields and 6 laboratories in the areas of chemistry, life sciences, and physics.
The theme was "Experience Cutting-edge Research in Chemistry, Life Sciences, and Physics!" and we held workshops in each laboratory.
Now, let us report on the highlights of the event.

Themes and Research Topics on the Day

The "34th University of Tokyo Techno Science Café" was held in person for the first time in four years. This time, we collaborated with six research laboratories in the fields of chemistry, life sciences, and physics to organize laboratory workshops aimed at high school students. As it was held during the summer vacation period, high school students from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Yamaguchi Prefecture, who are interested in "engineering," participated in the event.

Before conducting experiments in each laboratory, we first held a joint orientation for all participants. During the orientation, representatives from each laboratory introduced the experiments to be conducted in this event.

These six research laboratories are part of the "School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo," and they all conduct unique and original research. We wanted the participating high school students to develop a deep interest in the cutting-edge fields of chemistry, life sciences, and physics, which are the main areas of each laboratory. At the same time, we wanted them to understand that it would be a waste to simply categorize engineering with a single word, as there are many research opportunities in the field of engineering. That is why we planned this orientation.

After the orientation, the participants moved to their respective laboratories and took part in their research and experiments. We believe that they had a valuable time deepening their interests during this session.

For the high school students who participated, if this experience at the "University of Tokyo Techno Science Café" becomes a catalyst for envisioning concrete career paths, there is nothing more joyful than that.

In the future, we hope to further develop the content that conveys the allure of engineering repeatedly.

First, all participants gathered at the HASEKO-KUMA HALL in the Engineering Building No. 11. At the joint orientation, each laboratory introduced to the participants their specific research and the experiments they will be conductin

Project Associate Professor Kosuke Aikawa, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, who facilitated the orientation and took the photographs.

Assistant Professor Ken Sakamoto, Kato Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology.

Project Professor Daisuke Kawaguchi, Fluoroorganic Chemistry Lab, Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology.

Assistant Professor Takafumi Furuhata, Okamoto Laboratory, Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology.

Associate Professor Yusuke Hirabayashi, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Chemistry & Biotechnology.

Lecturer Yusuke Ito, Manufacturing Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Lecturer Toru Kizaki, Nakao, Nagato, Zhao, and Kizaki Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering.

A group of 6 high school students participated in the workshop entitled "Let's Make Functional Polymer Materials that Interact with Light" at Professor Takashi Kato Laboratory, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology. At the beginning of this workshop, Assistant Professor Takeshi Sakamoto from Takashi Kato Laboratory gave a lecture on the "liquid crystals" that would be used in the experimental section. He explained the world of liquid crystals related to functional polymer materials. High school students may not be familiar with liquid crystals. Liquid crystals are used in a wide variety of fields, such as TV and cell phone display screens, and high-strength fiber and films. The students enjoyed and tried their best to understand the topics even though they were not familiar with them.

After the lecture was over, the students moved to the laboratory and started to do experiments. First, we prepared the typical liquid-crystalline molecules to observe the microstructure of these liquid crystals with a polarizing optical microscope. An evaporator is used to dry molecular samples. The students seemed surprised by this unfamiliar instrument. While waiting for drying of the samples, the students prepared functional polymer materials that exhibited structural color induced by the ordered structures of liquid crystals. They had difficulties with mixing the highly viscous materials. However, they enjoyed the vivid shades of the structure’s color.

Finally, the students observed the liquid-crystalline molecules using a polarizing optical microscope. They were surprised at the behavior of the liquid-crystalline molecules that showed various beautiful textures depending on the temperature. We hope that this workshop could help the high school students to choose their career paths by stimulating their interest in engineering and chemistry.

(Takahiro Mikami : D1, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology)

Under the collaboration of the Fluorine Organic Chemistry Lab and the Interfacial Molecular Engineering Lab (led by Project Professor Daisuke Kawaguchi and Associate Professor Yoshimitsu Ito), the topic "Experience the Power of Fluorine" was explored.

After receiving lectures on the properties of fluorine-based materials and the principles of measurement, the students engaged in practical activities. They performed the deposition of fluorine-based polymer films and measured contact angles. After that, they were given a tour of both labs, where they were introduced to the experimental facilities and measurement instruments.

Following the lessons on the properties of fluorine and the methods of measurement, the students proceeded to practice creating thin films of fluorine-based polymers and measuring their water-repellent and oil-repellent characteristics. The process involved stretching solutions of fluorine-based polymers into thin films. The water and oil repellency of these films was then measured and compared with reference materials such as polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and silicon wafers. This analysis demonstrated quantitatively that fluorine-based polymers exhibit notably high water and oil repellency in comparison to the reference materials. The workshop concluded with a discussion on the factors underlying the water and oil repellency of fluorine-based polymer surfaces. It was emphasized that the reasons behind this characteristic are not fully understood at present, shedding light on the intricacies of chemistry and providing insight into the kind of inquiries pursued at the university level.

The students had the opportunity to tour the research labs and closely observe experimental apparatuses and measurement devices. This experience likely provided them with a clearer understanding of the research environment within a university setting.

(Misato Akamatsu : M1, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology)

We in Okamoto Laboratory participated with the title "Let's take a snapshot of the workings of molecules that protect the body" on the subject of life.

In the Okamoto Laboratory, recently, since protein degradation has been attracting much attention as a next-generation research topic in the pharmaceutical industry, we focused on the principle of protein degradation and conducted experiments and evaluations on protein-protein interactions using ubiquitin, which is considered important in proteolysis, and proteins called shuttle factors, which determine the proteolytic pathway. The high school students actually performed the experiments and evaluations themselves. This time, since we used laboratory equipment and devices that are not usually used in high school classes, we could see that the students enjoyed conducting the experiments even though they struggled with them.

Finally, a lecture on protein basic chemistry and protein degradation was given by assistant Professor Furuhata of Okamoto Laboratory. I think this event was a valuable experience for high school students to learn about the wonders of both chemistry and life, and it was a great opportunity that will motivate them in the future.

(Taiki Uno, D1, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology)

Participant's Comments

First of all, it was a fresh and very good experience for me to enter an actual laboratory and touch various instruments, including pipettes, and to participate in the experiments with my own hands. I was also strongly impressed by how difficult it was to handle the instruments. Unfortunately, I could not see the results of the experiments because they went on for too long, but I could see that this was part of the actual research, so I think I really had the experience of being in a real laboratory. Listening to the explanations of the lectures of the other professors, I was able to broaden the fields I wanted to study, and of course, through talking to the professors in charge, I was able to feel how interesting it is to master a single field.　
It was an incredibly enjoyable experience to be able to do things in the actual research lab that real researchers do. The professors were also very kind and created a comfortable atmosphere in the lab. I hope to have the opportunity to return again in the future.

In the Neurobiology Lab, we observed responses to synaptic stimuli within neurons which express fluorescent sensors for calcium ions and glutamate. Utilizing a high-speed fluorescence microscope, we monitored real-time changes in fluorescence intensity in neurons upon electrical and chemical stimulation, as well as the intricate neural circuits formed on a glass plate. The participants were surprised at the rapid propagation of neural activity, and how the morphology of organelles was much different from what is depicted in textbooks.

Furthermore, we observed immunostained mouse brain slices using confocal microscopy. This observation allowed us to vividly see how axons are bundled together and connect left and right sides of the brain.

We hope that these two observations – the formation of neural circuits on a glass plate and the actual axon elongation in the mouse brain – became a good opportunity for them to gain a deeper interest in the phenomena of life and biology.　

（Tomoka Ishiyama, M1, Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology）

Participant's Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience as it introduced me to numerous unfamiliar terms and allowed me to grasp the functions of neurons and the structure of the brain.　
I was able to experience the fascinating and captivating aspects of neurons and the brain, while also realizing the extent of my own lack of knowledge. Additionally, I learned a lot from the discussions with other students and the professors themselves, making it a truly meaningful and worthwhile experience.

In the session "Experience the Speed of Light" by Lecturer Yusuke Ito from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, six high school students participated.

The participants first entered the clean room, wearing special lab coats and shoes, and introduced themselves. Subsequently, Lecturer Ito explained what a femtosecond laser is, and the ultrafast imaging technique called the pump-probe method. Everyone listened with great interest and raised questions about unusual topics as laser processing and the distance light travels in femtoseconds.

Continuing, they proceeded to an experiment on wavelength conversion of light using a femtosecond laser and special crystals. They observed how infrared light, which is normally invisible to the naked eye, is converted into visible light. Afterwards, they conducted white light generation by shining the same laser on a sapphire crystal. After a short break, they moved on to an experiment on ultrafast imaging using a different femtosecond laser. First, they adjusted the mirrors in the path of the laser to achieve proper alignment for a camera capture. Using a timing synchronization system, they recorded femtosecond laser processing. By moving an automated stage, the delay time of the light was controlled, and they could observe the process progressing at the speed of light. Alongside the experiments, some of them showed interest not only in how to use the equipment but also in the more complex aspects, such as the theories behind the experimental results.

Many participants actively asked questions, creating an enjoyable atmosphere. Although it was not possible to cover all the planned contents due to the lively discussions, we believe that everyone had a great experience.

(Tomohiro Fukui, M1, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

During this event, the participants deepened their understanding of light through experiments such as wavelength conversion, white light generation, and plasma formation. In addition, in the experiment using the pump-probe method, the participants manipulated mirrors and stages themselves to gain a tangible sense of how light propagates within materials and its speed. Through these experiments, they gained insights into how light behaves within substances and its velocity. The participants showed great enthusiasm and curiosity, asking various questions about university studies and research. Through this event, they were able to experience the nature of light through hands-on experiments, acquiring knowledge that is often challenging to grasp through theory alone.

(Qinru Zheng,D1, Department of Mechanical Engineering)

Participant's Comments

It was interesting to see how the energy of green light transfers to the energy of red light. I was nervous because it was the first time for me, but it was a great opportunity to learn various things from Prof Ito and the TAs. I had no previous knowledge of engineering, but I found the process of seeking technological applications through trial-and-error experiments interesting. 　
I was curious about the technique of time-resolving at femtosecond orders in the experiment, but was impressed to learn that it was an ingenious way to control the time difference between distances using light. Thanks to kind professors and TAs, I was able to deepen my understanding of the phenomena. The atmosphere in the laboratory and the research of the TAs gave me a real feel for engineering.

The Nakao, Nagato, Zhao, and Kizaki Laboratory hosted "Let's Experience Ultra-Precision Machining with Mother Machines" by Lecturer Toru Kizaki. Participating high school students attended lectures and conducted experiments on "lathe machining" and "vibration analysis" in the workroom that the lab always uses.

In the first half of the workshop, after an explanation of the lathe machining process, the students actually performed lathe machining themselves, and then experienced precision machining of nameplates using a machining center (made by OKK).

In the latter half of the seminar, participants were able to experience vibration analysis and conducted an experiment to visualize vibration (EMA). During the hammering portion to visualize vibration, the participants found it unexpectedly difficult to perform hammering well. However, while they made errors, I hope they also understood the fun of conducting experiments and the importance of accumulating diligent work. We also hope that this experiment provided an opportunity to realize the meaning and importance of visualization.

The participating high school students also offered lively opinions and questions, making it an enjoyable and meaningful time for the laboratory.