大阪大学 工学研究科 海洋材料生産工学Lab.

Our laboratory conducts research aimed at enhancing the durability (long‑life performance) of ships and offshore structures exposed to extreme environments—such as the open ocean subjected to violent waves, the deep sea under extremely high pressure, and ice-covered waters experiencing temperatures near the melting point. We also work toward establishing optimal methods for design, production, inspection, and maintenance (including repair, reinforcement, and life‑extension). With the increasing severity of environmental conditions due to climate change and growing concerns over security, the importance of these advancements continues to rise as they are essential for addressing global challenges related to marine resources, the environment, logistics, and safety.

To achieve these goals at a high level, it is crucial not only to conduct sophisticated experimental investigations that assume extreme environments, but also to develop numerical simulation technologies capable of accurately predicting material deformation behavior and the progression of damage under real operating conditions. Accordingly, we advance our research by integrating experimental and computational approaches, and by fusing data science and physical AI with simulation technologies. Through this integration, we strive to drive “innovative technological development essential for future manufacturing and society.”

In our research on the durability of various materials and structural components, we address the entire process from nonlinear deformation behavior to fatigue (crack initiation and propagation), corrosion, wear, and ultimately failure. These physical phenomena strongly depend on environmental conditions and their time histories, and multiple factors may overlap and interact in a complex manner, resulting in highly nonlinear, multiphysics problems. Our research also spans a wide range of topics, including: improving the accuracy of future prediction through digital twins, optimizing manufacturing processes such as shipbuilding operations, cutting, forming, and joining (which are essential for enhancing durability and cost competitiveness), automating quality inspection in response to labor shortages and skill‑transfer challenges, and developing materials and structures capable of withstanding severe environments, which are expected to play a key role in opening new Arctic sea routes and exploiting frontier natural resources.

The core technologies developed in our laboratory—advanced experimental techniques and state‑of‑the‑art numerical analysis methods tailored for extreme environments—possess broad applicability beyond the maritime field. They can be leveraged to solve challenges across diverse industries and structural systems, contributing to Japan’s industrial sector and the global community. We warmly welcome students and industry partners to join us in this cutting‑edge research. Together, as the next generation of engineers and researchers, we look forward to taking on new challenges and shaping the future.