Environmental Studies

Department

Ocean
Technology,
Polocy and
Environment

Laboratory

Toru Sato's
Loboratory

Faculty

Dr. Toru
Sato

Introduction of reseach activities and laboratory

Our research aims to form concepts of environmentally harmonizing

systems that coexist with natural environments for global sustainability.
For this purpose, we are developing computational models of
environments using physics, chemistry, and biology among other fields.
These models are then synthesized into simulation systems to predict
environmental impact and to develop public acceptance. Main areas of
laboratory research are: CO2 storage in the deep ocean and in sub-seabed
geological formation, simulation of fine particle movement in methanehydrate sediment, modelling of formation and dissociation of gas
hydrates, CO2 geological storage in the form of gas hydrates, development
of photobioreactors to culture microalgae for biofuel production,
development of multi-scale ocean model, modelling of flashing light effect
of photosynthesis, etc.

Key words

Projects or activities summer program students can participate

Tsunami;
Breakwater;
Numerical tidal
current simulation;
Hydraulic model
experiment

In this work, we consider the new breakwater construction plan in

progress at Ofunato Bay, which was a prime site for the farming of
oysters and other marine products, and thus its aquatic environment is
of great concern to nearby residents. But, in the past, this area had an
environmental problem caused by a breakwater constructed at the
bay entrance. This breakwater blocked the exchange of seawater
between the bay and offshore. This phenomenon had a negative
effect on water quality inside the bay. However, the Ofunato area was
heavily damaged in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. The
breakwater also collapsed due to the tsunami, but water quality
improved because of the enhanced exchange of seawater between
the bay and the surrounding sea. The concentration of dissolved
oxygen near the bay sea floor is increasing. However, a breakwater is
needed from the viewpoint of disaster prevention.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the
new Ofunato breakwater design. We will carry out numerical and
experimental analysis. In both analyses, we will make a comparison of
the situation with and without a breakwater. Additionally, we will
compare the performance of the old collapsed breakwater with the
new design. For our numerical analysis, we will use the MEC-ocean
model, which also allows us to perform an accurate water quality
evaluation.

Department

Introduction of reseach activities and laboratory

Key words

Projects or activities summer program students can participate

Ocean renewable
energy, floating
offshore wind
turbines, ocean
space utilization,
floating systems,
ocean natural
resources

Offshore wind is considered to be one of the promising renewable

energy resources. In Japan, several demonstration projects for
floating-type offshore wind turbines are under development.
Prediction of dynamic motion of wind turbines under conditions of
wind, wave, and current is important for appropriate designing from
the viewpoint of cost and strength. In this project, the effect of wind
coming to the turbine blade is examined by the water tank experiment
with wind tunnel facility. The experimental result will be used for the
validation and the improvement of the numerical model developed by
our laboratory.

Introduction of reseach activities and laboratory

Key words

Projects or activities summer program students can participate

The following research activities are on-going: i) marine accident analysis;

ii) resource assessment of ocean renewable energy; iii) optimum routing of
sailing cargo ship; iv) development of early Tsunami Warning system. In
the marine accident analysis, we are developing a downscaling model
where we start from the ocean spectral wave model in the Pacific basin,
downscale to where the marine accident occurred, and resolve the wave
phases using High-Order Spectral Method. Tank experiment will be
conducted using stereo photogrammetry to estimate free surface
geometry. In the ocean renewable energy project, we are making use of
the advanced third generation wave model to estimate marine wave
energy resources near the coast. A twenty-year hind-cast is ongoing and
will need model validation as well as estimation of available wave power
resources considering an array of wave energy converters. The third topic
includes analysis of marine winds based on reanalysis as well as ensemble
forecasts. A sailing cargo ship navigation support system is under
development and will be utilized to identify optimum route to dramatically
reduce the use of fossil fuel energy. The fourth project aims to plan for the
real-time monitoring of Mega-Tsunami. Possibility of the use of satellite
and air-borne remote sensing is considered.

The student will engage him/herself in a self-motivated research

project which includes but is not restricted to the followingresearch
topics: ocean renewable energy, freak waves, marine wind and so
forth. The research may involve analyses of ocean satellite image,
observation data and model outputs. Those motivated can challenge
in creating their own numerical model and analysis program as well.
The research will be guided by postdoctoral researchers, graduate
students and me. Our regular meeting will be held in English. The
Ocean renewable
following research topics were undertaken by the UTSIP students in
energy, freak waves,
the last two yeasr: development of phase resolving nonlinear wave
marine wind, stereo
model based on High-Order Spectral Method; diagnosis of East China
photogrammetry,
Sea density structure using ocean reanalysis data; Synthetic Aperture
observation system
Radar image analysis for ocean waves. The student with prior
simulation
programming knowledge with Matlab, Python, C, Fortran 90, GrADS,
etc. may have an advantage undertaking the project, but, those who
do not have any experience with programming will be guided by the
senior students. The research topics will be determined upon
discussion with me, which will start before coming to Japan via e-mail
exchange. Last but not least, we are happy to host those who are
interested not only in research but also in learning about Japanese
culture.

Laboratory

Faculty

Ocean
Technology,
Polocy and
Environment

Suzuki and
Hirabayashi
Laboratory

One of the key challenges of humankind in the 21st century is to establish

a sustainable society. Developing new types of resources and energies that
reduce global warming and negative environmental impact is a key issue.
Dr. Hideyuki
The ocean provides such opportunities. Development of ocean renewable
Suzuki
energy such as offshore wind, ocean current, thermal, wave, and solar
energies is one of the areas of our research. In addition, research on
development of platform technologies such as riser, floating platform,
station keeping and materials are investigated.
Main areas of laboratory research are (1) ocean renewable energy, (2)
mineral resources, (3) CO2 ocean sequestration, (4) space utilization for
Dr.
Shinichiro transportation, and (5) storage of resources.
Hirabayashi

Department

Laboratory

Faculty

Dr. Takuji
Waseda

Ocean
Technology,
Polocy and
Environment

Waseda
Laboratory