Research

1. Micro/Nano and Information Technology for Society (smart city, sensor network, SDGs, etc)

　(1) Information device: Analytical/medical diagnosis technology ✕ Microfluidics/nanofluidics
for environment, bio, and health (device, IoT, programming, microcomputer, etc)

(2) Semiconductor ✕ Microfluidics/nanofluidics

・Semiconductor cooling device
　　　　　JST “Next generation edge AI R&D” project 2025-2030

(3) AI ✕ Microfluidics/Nanofluidics

・Physics-guided machine learning for cyclone-based concentration device
　　　　　　Analytical Sciences 2026, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44211-026-00869-2
 ・Minimally Invasive Flow and Pressure Sensing in Microfluidics via Dissolvable Bubbles and Two-Stage Deep Learning
　　　　　　 IEEE Sensors Journal 2026, https://doi.org/10.1109/JSEN.2026.3681610
・ Real-time fluid control for mobile microfluidic device by cloud-AI
・ AI-based environmental pollution mapping with remote sensing, monitoring stations, and low-cost sensors
・Microfluidic simulation and AI for comprehensive fluidic science: AI for Science
・LLM-based smart fluidic control system

(4) Tissue engineering ✕ Mirofluidics

・Construct tissue using multilayer and erasable microfluidic devices

Examples of research topics

1. Environmental analysis (heavy metal, gas sensing, virus in air, etc.)
2. Food analysis (bacteria, heavy metal pollution, etc.)
3. Home healthcare (home blood checker with AI)
4. fL and pL ultrasmall volume analysis (single cell/exosome/bacteria)
5. Macroworld-to-microworld conversion liquid interface: concentration device
6. Microfluidic control by AI
7. Drone-based sampling system (water, environmental DNA, etc.)
8. Cloud-based microfluidic control for mobile devices
9. Low-cost production technologies (plastic fabrication, Arduino/Raspberry Pi, Programming, etc.)
10. Multimodal data integration and analysis using a microfluidic device
    Integration of remote sensing, monitoring stations, and low-cost sensor data in environmental monitoring

２. Micro/Nano Fluidics for Science

(1) Fundamental research on nanoscale liquids (chemistry, fluidics, and material science): Why water?

More than 20 papers have been published
Recent examples

・Cappirally filling in nanocapirraly
　　　　　　IEEJ Transactions on Sensors and Micromachines 2025, 　　
　　　　　　https://doi.org/10.1541/ieejsmas.145.184
・Proton diffusion and hydrolysis enzymatic reaction in 100 nm scale biomimetic nanochannels
　　　　　　Biomicrofluidics 2022, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0105297
・Water structure in 100 nm nanochannels revealed by nano X-ray diffractometry and Raman spectroscopy
　　　　　　Journal of Molecular Liquids 2022,
　　　　　　https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2022.118567

■What you learn in Mawatari laboratory

1. Micro and nanofabrication (similar to semiconductor technology) for glass and silicon
2. Micro/nano glass or polymer fabrication (2D and 3D printing), hot press, and injection molding
3. Plasma or VUV substrate bonding
4. Optics and ultrasensitive laser spectroscopy
5. Micro electrochemistry
6. Micro and nanofluidic control at nL, pL, fL, and aL
7. Surface modification (e.g., PEG, Lipids)
8. Signal processing and controlling electronics: AI control, IoT devices, cloud computing (AWS)
9. Microfluidics ✕ AI (LLM)
10. Commercialization activities (spin-off company)　
    Low-cost production and social implementation in collaboration with venture companies

■ Related industry

1. Analytical chemistry
2. Semiconductor (two students entered the related companies)
3. Pharmaceutical
4. Microfluidic engineering
5. Chemical engineering
6. Electric engineering