Project toward Smart Soft-Manufacturing Revolution

About Project

Research Outline

We research Future Manufacturing, mainly using soft "gel" materials and 3D printing technology. We develop new technologies, such as a 3D Gel Printer which can form gel materials into any shape, 3D food printer that creates food from paste materials, and an AI analysis robot that identifies food or drinks and converts that into data. By experiments or events for the visitors of Miraikan to experience these technologies, we gain ideas to develop new prototypes.

Future Vision

In a world where material communication becomes standard, all blueprints saved as digital data can be freely retrieved using a 3D printer and customized with the help of AI. Through the future of soft innovation, we will create a new, daily life no one can imagine!

Research Director

Research Director : Furukawa Hidemitsu

Yamagata University

Message from Research Director

I am a scientist who likes “soft gels.” I am working on research to implement state-of-the-art technology into society, from the perspective of soft and wet matter engineering. At Miraikan, I introduce visitors to 3D gel printers, 3D food printers, soft matter robots (such as the gel Hachiko and gel jellyfish) and other technologies, and I hope to spread the vision of a “Smart Soft-Manufacturing Revolution.”