ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | MAY/JUNE 2025 30 professor, Hideyuki Kanematsu. This effort aims to bridge the gap between academic achievement and practical industrial application. CONCLUSION This collaborative project not only highlights the practical applications of 3D printing technology in materials science, but also demonstrates the effectiveness of international student cooperation in fostering innovative thinking and entrepreneurial spirit. Through such initiatives, the goal is to bridge the gap between engineering education and real-world industrial applications, ultimately contributing to the development of future leaders in science and technology. ~AM&P For more information: Hideyuki Kanematsu, Specially Appointed Professor of Osaka University, Japan, and President & CEO of BEL Inc., +81.90.8499.6124, h.kanematsu@mat. eng.osaka-u.ac.jp. dynamic processes—such as biofilm formation, cell division, and cancer cell proliferation—is crucial for understanding complex mechanisms. The incubator well was designed using 3D CAD software (Autodesk Fusion 360) and fabricated with a fused deposition modeling 3D printer (Prusa i3). It accommodates a multiwell plate (six-well) from Sumitomo Bakelite Co., with transparent films attached to both the top and bottom to enable microscopic observation (Fig. 1). Temperature control within the incubator is achieved through a 50-mm-diameter centrifugal fan, which effectively circulates gas. The heated gas flows beneath the multiwell plate, rises after encountering the sidewalls, and then moves over the top of the wells, thereby ensuring a uniform temperature distribution throughout the incubator. To validate performance, temperature distribution within the incubator was monitored using a thermal imaging camera (Seek Thermal CompactPRO). The results show effective temperature uniformity, although slight discrepancies were noted on the surface due to the varying infrared transparency of the film used in the incubator’s structure. In the future, efforts will focus on optimizing the gas flow path and adjusting the heater placement to achieve greater thermal uniformity. Further, there are plans to develop an integrated system capable of precise temperature and airflow control, complemented by mechanisms to regulate O₂ and CO₂ concentrations for advanced biological applications. FACULTY LEADERS, STUDENT TEAMS The design and basic concepts of this project were developed and led by faculty members, with students actively participating in the improvement, fabrication, and preparation processes (Figs. 2 and 3). The outcomes of this project are currently being prepared for commercialization by BEL Inc., a startup spun out from NIT KOSEN, Suzuka College, founded by the specially appointed SUZUKA COLLEGE KANEMATSU LAB The Suzuka College Kanematsu Lab was the research lab of Hideyuki Kanematsu, FASM, a Specially Appointed Professor at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) (KOSEN), Suzuka College, Japan, focusing on materials science, electrochemistry, surface finishing, corrosion science, and biofilm engineering. His research interests include the control of biofilms on materials surfaces, coatings, electromagnetic treatments, and electrochemical sensors for biofilms and biofouling. In April, Kanematsu transitioned from his professorship at NIT, Suzuka College, and is now a Specially Appointed Professor of Osaka University. Fig. 2 — Front row, from left: Arisa Ito, Momoka Nagae, Sakura Tsutsui, Nonno Nishizuka, and Prof. Hideyuki Kanematsu. Back row, from left: Shota Inokuchi, Jere Eskelinen (Turku University), Kyuto Kobayashi, and Takuto Oe. Fig. 3 — Teacher teams from Turku and KOSEN, most of whom are authors of this case study.
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