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Nakamura Lab
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The lab studies sensors and actuators that see and move objects using ultrasound and light.
AboutAbout the lab
Seeing and moving objects with sound and light.
The Nakamura Lab studies sensors and actuators that use ultrasound and light waves.
The lab aims to use ultrasound and light to realize sensors and actuators that are difficult to build with other methods.
Its work includes motors driven by ultrasonic vibration and sensors that use optical fibers to measure stretching and temperature.
Each student takes charge of one theme on their own and is involved in everything from design to prototyping, analysis, and evaluation.
Key terms
- Actuator
- A device that converts energy such as electricity into force or motion to move objects. A motor is one example
- Ultrasound
- High-frequency sound that human ears cannot hear. The force of its vibration can also be used to move objects
- Optical fiber sensor
- A sensor that measures strain (stretching and compression) and temperature from changes in the light passing through an optical fiber
NewsLab news
Assistant Professor Wada and colleagues received the Science Crosspoint Award
A paper by a doctoral student was published in Acoust. Sci. & Tech.
A master's student received the Outstanding Master's Thesis Presentation Award of the Life Engineering Course
A paper by Assistant Professor Wada was published in Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.
Assistant Professor Wada received the Technology Award of the Japan Society for Computational Engineering and Science
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to use ultrasound and light waves to realize sensors and actuators that are difficult to achieve with other methods. It studies ultrasonic motors, devices that levitate and move objects with ultrasound, optical fiber sensors, and applications of high-intensity ultrasound.
Ultrasonic motors
The lab studies motors driven by ultrasonic vibration. It works on multi-degree-of-freedom motors that can rotate in several directions and on compact linear motors, as well as their miniaturization and arraying.
*Illustrative imageDevices that levitate and move objects with ultrasound
The lab studies devices that use the force of ultrasound to move objects while keeping them levitated. It works on levitation-type linear guides, self-propelled stages, high-speed rotating motors, and non-contact transport of objects.
*Illustrative imageOptical fiber sensors
The lab studies sensors that measure strain and temperature at each location along an optical fiber. It works on methods such as using plastic optical fibers that are resistant to breaking even when stretched significantly.
*Illustrative imageFluid control and applications of high-intensity ultrasound
Using high-intensity ultrasound, the lab studies pumps for moving liquids and air, devices for purifying muddy water, and technology for turning liquids into mist (atomization). It also works on applying ultrasound when compacting powders.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Nakamura Lab consist of faculty, administrative staff, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorKentaro NakamuraPublications ↗
- Program-Specific Associate ProfessorYuji Wada
VoicesStudent voices
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Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Ultrasonic motor” Yorkshire Terrier / Public domain (cropped)
- Devices that levitate and move objects with ultrasound: “October 19, 2012- Acoustic Levitation for Medicine ( )” ENERGY.GOV / Public domain (cropped)
- Optical fiber sensors: “Optical fiber with bend losses” photography taken by Christophe.Finot / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Fluid control and applications of high-intensity ultrasound: “330-ps-9124-usn- o” 作者不詳 / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (田原研究室): “Soundfield Water 4MHz TransducerRadius5mm” Michael Lenz / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (德田研究室): “Close-up of a polycrystalline solar PV panel” Guilhem Vellut / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (鈴木研究室): “Terahertz freq. metamaterial modulator” Hou-Tong Chen (Los Alamos National Laboratory) / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (當麻研究室): “Au nanoparticles” Nikonianman / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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