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Works
TIMELINE
A case study in revitalizing Nara-machi: An example of using photosynthetic panels on the roof of a tourist rest area.
2017
2018
Examples of using photosynthesis panels in windows of houses in the city.
An example of using photosynthesis panels on the walls of a forest villa.
2018
2019
Photosynthetic Architecture of the Future: An Example of Using Photosynthetic Tubes on the Roof of a Train Station
2020
Photosynthesis Watch
2021
Photosynthesis Screen: A tribute to Eileen Gray
Photosynthesis Firefly Light
2021
2022
OASIS architecture at zero 2021 in California
By using photosynthetic panels on the roof, a mystical space is created where green light envelops the entire room. By irradiating a thylakoid membrane solution containing PS II with ultraviolet light, a space stained red is created.
Design Staff: Nayuko Ikeguchi (2014 student admitted to the Department of Living Environment Design)
This is a practical-looking house that uses photosynthesis panels in its windows. The proposal is to use the electricity generated by the photosynthesis panels to charge electrical appliances.
Design staff: Daisuke Seshita, Yuki Chikazawa, Kaname Yasuno (Students admitted to the Department of Living Environment Design in 2015)
Photosynthesis panels are used on the walls, enveloping the entire room in greenery. Just like in urban homes, the electricity generated by photosynthesis is used to charge electrical appliances.
Design staff: Kazunari Okuda, Yuki Kobayashi, Yoshimasa Kamegawa (Students admitted in 2015 to the Department of Living Environment Design)
This is a proposal for a futuristic train station modeled after Kayashima Station. It was exhibited at the "Japan-China University Forum 2019".
Design staff: Kokoro Naotomi, Katsunari Furukawa, Natsuki Miyake, Koki Yamakawa, Konatsu Tanaka, Kurumi Matsuda, Nene Kinoshita (Enrolled in the Department of Living Environment Design in 2016)
It generates its own electricity through photosynthesis. The fuel cell itself can function as a clock. Developed in collaboration with Green Display Inc.
Design staff: Kumi Ozaki, Reo Kunimatsu, Yuto Gotoda, Miki Tsukamoto, Moe Himeno, Kanako Megumi, Junya Yamamoto, Taira Miyachi (2017 students admitted to the Department of Living Environment Design)
Fuel cell staff: Akimasa Iwahashi, Yusuke Takahashi, Tomoki Koseki, Takashi Kawabata, Koichi Bando, Shotaro Teranishi, Sayaka Matsui, Misuzu Kawashima, Tomoki Koseki, Jinsei Semizo, Yuki Hirota (Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Symbiotic Functional Materials)
This photosynthetic screen, which uses photosynthetic panels, pays homage to Eileen Gray's screens. It generates electricity when exposed to light. It has been featured in the Mainichi Shimbun, Nikkei Architecture, Nikkei CrossTech, and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.
Design Staff: Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo Fuel Cell Staff: Akinari Iwahashi, Yusuke Takahashi, Tomoki Koseki, Takashi Kawabata, Koichi Bando, Shotaro Teranishi, Sayaka Matsui, Misuzu Kawashima, Jinsei Semizo, Yuki Hirota, Takeru Tsutsumi, Aoi Sugiyama, Yuto Gotoda (Department of Life Sciences, Symbiotic Functional Materials Laboratory + Interior Architectural Design History Laboratory)
A Christmas decoration item. It consists of glass spheres filled with PS II solution, which act as batteries, and the electricity generated by photosynthesis powers the lights.
Design Staff: Kanako Megumi (2017 student enrolled in the Department of Living Environment Design)
Fuel cell staff: Yusuke Takahashi, Tomoki Koseki, Jinsei Semizo, Yuki Hirota, Takeru Tsutsumi, Aoi Sugiyama, Haruyoshi Oshima, Ryusei Yabu (Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Symbiotic Functional Materials)
We designed a multi-unit housing complex tailored to the characteristics of the California region using photosynthetic architecture. This is a challenging proposal that attempts to overcome the weaknesses of photosynthetic architecture.
I applied to ARCHITECTURE AT ZERO 2021.
Design Staff: Ayaka Ono, Yui Kimura, Honoka Kosugi, Hibiki Takegami, Shota Nakano, Shoma Matano, Soichiro Yoshizawa (2019 students admitted to the Department of Living Environment Design)
Fuel cell staff: Yusuke Takahashi, Tomoki Koseki, Jinsei Semizo, Yuki Hirota, Takeru Tsutsumi, Aoi Sugiyama, Haruyoshi Oshima, Ryusei Yabu (Department of Life Sciences, Laboratory of Symbiotic Functional Materials)
２８組の中からファイナリスト１２組に選ばれ、１１月１６日に開催された「第２回関西テックプラングランプリ」で、企業賞として大和リース賞を受賞。川上教授と松尾教授のチームが開発した「光合成建築」について発表し、その結果、会場の投票でも１位を獲得。リバネスおよびパートナー企業によって構成される審査員により、１)新規性 ２)実現可能性 ３)世界を変えそうか ４)パッションがあるかの４つの項目を基準として審査が行われた。
川上 比奈子教授、生命科学科 松尾 康光教授、瀬溝 人生助教
2024
「第２回関西テックプラングランプリ」大和リース賞を受賞
8/19 大阪・関西万博会場内大阪ヘルスケアパビリオンのリボーンステージにて開催された「大学の智がとびらを開く－未来社会の可能性－」に出展。
作品:光合成パネル
帯同スタッフ:瀬溝人生,高橋佑輔
Ｍ2 栫颯吾,新出浩人
M1 坂根伸之輔,堀井一郎,鷲尾直子
B4 上田玲央音,遠藤亘朗,川瀬陽平,木下学人,城後怜歌,田路樹良,
藤原悠真,増田彩乃,三宅菜月,山下荘大
2025
大阪・関西万博 出展
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2025
ひろしま植物園 出展
帯同スタッフ:瀬溝人生,高橋佑輔
M1 今西悠貴,北尾ひより,坂根伸之輔,髙山景太,堀井一郎,鷲尾直子
B4 木下学人,城後怜歌,田路樹良,増田彩乃,三宅菜月,山下荘大
10/3～5 広島ゲートパークにて開催された「ひろしま植物園」に出展。開催期間中は雨にもかかわらず、200名を超える方々がご来場。
作品:光合成ベンチ
2026
ミラノ・サローネ 出展
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帯同スタッフ:瀬溝人生
M2 今西悠貴,北尾ひより,坂根伸之輔,髙山景太,堀井一郎,鷲尾直子
M1 川瀬陽平,木下学人,藤原悠真,山下荘大
世界最大規模の国際家具見本市へ
4/21～26、イタリア「ミラノサローネ」に招待され公式出展。会期中は1,000人を超える来場者が「光合成建築」のブースを訪れ、観覧者で常に溢れるその賑わいは、広い会場のなかでも特に際立っていた。２研究室の教員および大学院生が、研究成果をもとに展示内容やその意義を来場者一人ひとりに説明し、多くの好評の声をいただいた。
作品:光合成テーブル,光合成スクリーン,光合成バンブー
Research papers, presentations, media coverage, etc.
2018
Research presentation
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthetic Architecture," Innovation Japan 2018, August 30-31, 2018
Securing various grants and collaborative research, etc .:
- Selected for the FY2018 Research and Development/Survey Grant from the Yashima Environmental Technology Promotion Foundation.
2019
Research presentation:
・Yasumitsu Matsuo, Tomoki Furuseki and Hinako Kawakami: “Protonics with tissue derived biomaterials”, 9th World Congress on Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, 2019,0513-0514
- Takashi Kawabata, Hinako Kawakami, and Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Development of a Fusion-Type Basic Experiment Connected by 'Photosynthesis'", The 67th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Engineering Education, September 5, 2019 (Proceedings of the Engineering Education Research Conference, pp. 266-267, 2019)
- Akinari Iwahashi, Takuya Yamada, Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Proton Generation by Photosystem II and its Potential for Solid-State Biofuel Cells," 45th Symposium on Solid State Ionics, November 26-28, 2019 - Hinako Kawakami: "Integrated Research Photosynthesis Architecture Exhibited at Innovation Japan 2018 & JST Japan-China University Fair 2019 Japan New Technology Exhibition ~H2 produced from chloroplasts generates energy, and O2 returns to nature~," Setsunan University Institute for Integrated Science Lecture Meeting 2019, October 10, 2019 [Invited Lecture]
Workshop:
Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Let's Create Energy from Wasteful Natural Resources - Discarded Plants Can Perform Photosynthesis and Light Up LED Lamps!?", 2019 Inspirational Science (Selected by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), December 8, 2019.
Patent application:
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photo-biofuel cell utilizing photosystem II and its applications," Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-097215, May 23, 2019.
2020
research paper
・Akinari Iwahashi, Takuya Yamada, Hinako Kawakami and Yasumitsu Matsuo: “Novel Biofuel Cell Using Hydrogen Generation of Photosynthesis”, Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 11, 81(pp.1-15), 2020 [Refereed]
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthetic Architecture Integrating with Photo-Bio Fuel Cells," Journal of the Color Materials Association, 93, 12, pp. 393-398, 2020 [Peer-reviewed]
Research presentation
- Akinari Iwahashi, Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Proton Production by Photosynthesis-Related Proteins and its Application to Solid-State Biofuel Cells," The 75th Annual Meeting of the Physical Society of Japan, March 16, 2020.
Media coverage in architecture and design magazines, etc.:
・Hinako Kawakami and Yasumitsu Matsuo, “Beautiful renewable energy”, Impact -Advancing technology-,pp.39-41,2020
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: Press conference and media briefing, Setsunan University, February 25, 2020 - Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthesis Architecture Attracting Global Attention," J:COM Daily News ~Kitakawachi~, (February 26, 2020)
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthetic Fuel Cells in Architecture," Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, February 27, 2020, page 28.
Digital version : https://www.nikkan.co.jp/articles/view/549552
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthesis Panels - Aiming for the Practical Application of 'Planting' Architecture," Construction Communications Newspaper, (February 27, 2020, page 11)
Digital version : https://www.kensetsunews.com/archives/424153
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Generating electricity with 'photosynthetic buildings'", Mainichi Shimbun, (March 5, 2020, page 21)
Digital version : https://mainichi.jp/articles/20200305/ddl/k27/100/279000c
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Setsunan University develops 'photosynthesis panel' utilizing plant chloroplasts," Mega Solar Business website, (March 12, 2020)
https://project.nikkeibp.co.jp/ms/atcl/19/news/00001/00678/?ST=msb
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthetic Architecture: The Station of the Future"
Published in: "Photosynthetic Architecture that Generates Oxygen and Electricity: Aiming for a Circular Economy Using Plant and Biological Derived Materials," Nikkei CrossTech (April 9, 2020)
https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/column/18/00154/00846/
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "Photosynthesis Screen: An Homage to Eileen Gray"
Publication: "Photosynthetic Architecture that Generates Oxygen and Electricity: Aiming for a Circular Society Using Plant and Biological Derived Materials," Nikkei Architecture, April 23, 2020, p. 13.
2021
Research paper:
- Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo: "A Study on 'Photosynthetic Architecture' Using Algae - Integration of PSII Biofuel Cells Using Discarded Algae with Windows," Journal of the Institute for Fusion Science, Vol. 6, pp. 13-27, 2021 [Peer-reviewed]
・Yusuke Takahashi, Akinari Iwahashi, Yasumitsu Matsuo and Hinako Kawakami: “Solid-State Hydrogen Fuel by PSII–Chitin Composite and Application to Biofuel Cell”, J. Compos. Sci., 5, 317(pp.1-12), 2021 [Refereed]
Research presentation:
・Semiya Jinsei, Kawakami Hinako, Matsuo Yasumitsu: "Development of a Fusion-Type Basic Experiment Connected by Photo-Bio-Fuel Cells - A Novel Fusion-Type Comprehensive Experiment Applicable to All Fields of Science and Engineering -", 69th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Engineering Education, September 10, 2021 ・Tsutsumi Takeru, Sugiyama Aoi, Iwahashi Akinari, Kawakami Hinako, Matsuo Yasumitsu: "Optimal Concentration of PSII in Bio-Fuel Cells Using Proton Generation of PSII", Autumn Meeting of the Physical Society of Japan 2021, September 20, 2021 ・Sugiyama Aoi, Iwahashi Akinari, Tsutsumi Takeru, Kawakami Hinako, Matsuo Yasumitsu: "Creation of a Bio-Fuel Cell Utilizing Hydrogen Generation of Photosystem II", 73rd Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Biotechnology, October 29, 2021 ・Iwahashi Akinari, Takahashi Yusuke, Sugiyama Aoi, Tsutsumi Takeru, Kawakami Hinako, Matsuo Yasumitsu: "Iwahashi Akinari, Takahashi Yusuke, Sugiyama Aoi, "Takeru Tsutsumi, Hinako Kawakami, Yasumitsu Matsuo," 47th Symposium on Solid State Ionics, December 8, 2021.
Securing various grants and collaborative research, etc.:
- Selected for a research grant from the Union Foundation for Art and Culture. - Concluded a joint research agreement with Obayashi Corporation.
Featured in architecture and design magazines and other media:
・Hinako Kawakami and Yasumitsu Matsuo, “Japanese influence on architecture revealed -Exploring Gray areas-”, Impact,pp.92-94,2021
・Hinako Kawakami: "Introducing environmental issues, the connection between our department's learning and the SDGs, and the 'photosynthetic architecture' we developed with Professor Yasumitsu Matsuo of the Department of Life Sciences," FM Hirakata Hirakata Material (FM77.9), September 21, 2021 (Tue) around 17:35 - Live broadcast
2022
Research paper:
・Hinako Kawakami and Yasumitsu Matsuo: “Design of an Architectural Element Generating Hydrogen Energy by Photosynthesis—Model Case of the Roof and Window”, Designs, 6,58(pp.1-15), 2022 [Refereed]
- Jinsei Semizo, Yasumitsu Matsuo, Hinako Kawakami: Development of a Fusion-Type Basic Experiment Connected by Photo-Bio Fuel Cells - A Comprehensive Experiment Applicable to Multiple Fields of Science and Engineering -, Engineering Education, 70, pp. 83-87, 2022 [Peer-reviewed]
Research presentation:
Aoi Sugiyama, Takeru Tsutsumi, Akinari Iwahashi, Yasumitsu Matsuo, Hinako Kawakami: "Power Generation Mechanism in Photosystem II Fuel Cells (I)," The Physical Society of Japan 2022 Autumn Meeting, September 2022.
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