My research at Shinshu University focuses on biomechanical imaging: its methodology and applications. Mechanical fields like pressure and heat act on the bodies of all biological systems, whether we are in motion or are at rest. For example: when we grasp an object with our hands, when our feet contact the ground during walking, when we sit on a chair; in all these situations forces are distributed over a contact area. This force distribution may be captured experimentally as an image, and the same is true of other mechanical fields like heat and moisture. I am interested in developing new methods for analyzing those images.

My previous work includes foot pressure image analysis and visualization (see pictures below), footprint and gait modeling using finite element analysis, functional brain imaging, and finger coordination mechanics. I hope to take advantage of the community knowledge in each field to improve my work, and I hope that new image analysis and visualization techniques will help to improve our understanding of biomechanical fields. And, most of all, I hope that this work will some day help to improve the lives of those who suffer from movement-related diseases.

Figure 1. Example of foot pressures acting on sand during walking. This image was rendered using Blender, free 3D animation software.
Figure 2. Visualization of foot pressures generated during walking. Red areas indicate areas of high pressure and grey areas indicate low pressure. There is high pressure generated at the heel during the beginning of stance, and at the big in late stance, during push-off.

My research goal is to help develop the field of external biomechanical imaging with the hopes of helping to solve problems in biological movement science. My educational goal is to offer students at Shinshu University a supportive and flexible environment for learning Bioengineering concepts, to help them realize their academic and applied potential, and to help them find paths for their future careers.