Research Organization for Next Generation VehiclesWaseda University

Above all, the combustion and catalytic technology of the internal combustion engine, the heart of the automobile, includes a wide range of technology to convert valuable energy resources, such as oil and natural gas, for easy use by society, and is important technology that supports Japan as an energy importing nation. While research to improve energy conversion efficiency and exhaust gas purification catalysts is being carried out throughout the world, there remain many unexplained phenomena. According to the predictions of the International Energy Agency (IEA), over half of all automobiles, a machine that consumes a great deal of energy, will continue to be run by internal combustion engines for the coming 30 to 50 years, despite the advancement of diverse technologies. Today, those automobiles consume roughly 50% of the world’s oil energy.

A research approach of horizontal specialization has spread in industry and academia overseas, particularly in Europe, which has contributed to a speeding up of development while enabling efficient human resource development through strong ties between industry and academia. Japan’s automotive industry appears healthy from the standpoint of the number of automobiles produced and sold, the industry has actually reached the limit in human resources and work hours, and the research and development system has reached its maximum capacity. With very limited support from the national government, there is a concern over a coming drop in international competitiveness with respect to the future expected technological advancement, though the individual technologies, which are being researched independently by industry (individual companies) and universities, are certainly not on the decline. The national government is beginning to develop a strong sense of urgency regarding this situation. This is because it is feared that the foundation of Japan’s industry will be greatly shaken if the automotive industry does not learn from the mistakes of other industries that have declined.

Given these conditions, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has allocated a budget starting in FY2014 to promote research and development on the clean diesel engine that is garnering attention in major markets such as Europe. On April 1, 2014, Japan’s eight domestic auto makers founded the Research Association of Automotive Internal Combustion Engines (AICE) in order to work on joint research and development with universities and incorporated administrative agencies.

Research on automobile engines and catalysts has a long history at this university, beginning in the Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering of the School of Creative Science and Engineering, and the Department of Applied Chemistry of the School of Advanced Science and Engineering. Our research results and organization for this domain is highly praised as being of the first order among Japanese universities.

It has been decided that this research institution will take a central role in the FY2014 “Research and Development Project for the Advancement of Clean Diesel Engine Technology” of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry via AICE. Further, next GV was chosen as the lead institution in the loss reduction team for “Innovative Combustion Technology” under the Cabinet Office – JST Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP).As a result of these developments, it was determined to establish a research facility at this university to maintain and advance international competitiveness in cutting edge combustion engine and catalyst development, and facilitate a smooth transition to next generation automobiles.