Masayoshi Mizutani: Materialmimetics

2023/06/26

Since taking on the role of managing a laboratory, I have had more time to think deeply about research once again.

My specialization is production and processing engineering, and I conduct research on what is known as monozukuri (manufacturing). I imagine that for many people, processing and manufacturing evoke "hard" terms such as craftsmanship and skill, but it is precisely on these foundations that Japan leads the world.

On the other hand, when it comes to manufacturing involving "soft" terms like IoT and AI, I cannot shake the impression that we are yielding our position to other countries. For example, which leaves a stronger impression: Japan's "Society 5.0" or Germany's "Industry 4.0"? In truth, Japan is at the world's top level regardless of whether it is "hard" or "soft"... it is quite frustrating.

I have thoughts on this matter as well, but I will save that for another time. I am challenging myself with "manufacturing that creates functions" using such manufacturing technologies.

This is also the core of biomimetics (= biological imitation); living organisms possess various functions by "changing" themselves to adapt to their environment through the process of evolution.

My research aims to give materials themselves various functions, just like living organisms, by imitating these creatures and adding "changes" to the materials. I have created many functions so far. This is truly the moment when manufacturing leaps off the "blueprints."

So, what to think about next? One direction is the expansion into "soft" manufacturing, such as how to optimize or automate the processes that create those functions. Process DX—this is, of course, essential. It is already in motion.

What else? You are likely familiar with iPS cells. These are pluripotent cells that can grow into desired tissues according to the internal environment by incorporating certain genes. Wait, then couldn't we make "materials" pluripotent? In other words, could we create "pluripotent materials" that can grow into desired functions according to the environment of use by incorporating something (modifying them)?

"Materialmimetics" (= material imitation)—this is a term I coined, but it would be interesting if living organisms, including humans, began to imitate the "growth" of materials.