Aero/Aqua Biomimetics Lab (Hiroto TANAKA Lab)

About us

Our laboratory has started up in November 2015. We study biomechanics and fluid dynamics of flying / swimming animals aiming to create biomimetic small, agile, and safe aerial / aquatic robots. We also focus on biological micro structures of such animals and micro fabrication technologies for biomimetic components. Through these studies, we innovate biomimetic mechanisms possessing biological softness and micro structures.

Recruitment

For international doctoral course students

We welcome prospect doctoral-course students majoring in fluid dynamics, robotics, control system, micro fabricaiton, biomechanics, and other area related to our work. Please find admission information of the Tokyo Tech from the link below.

Information for international students

For postdoctoral researchers

You can apply to JSPS fellowship for funding support in Japan. Please check the link below.

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship for Overseas Researchers

*We do not accept research students.

News

2023

Feb. 7 [Paper] Bioinspiration & Biomimetics

Y. Shen and H. Tanaka, "Experimental analysis of the sweepback angle effect on the thrust generation of a robotic penguin wing," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, vol. 18, no. 2, 026007, 2023, doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/acb521.

2022

Dec. 22 [Paper] Journal of Experimental Biology

Photo credit: Nagasaki Penguin Aquarium
N. Harada and H. Tanaka, "Kinematic and hydrodynamic analyses of turning manoeuvres in penguins: body banking and wing upstroke generate centripetal force," J. Exp. Biol., vol. 225, no. 24, 2022, doi: 10.1242/jeb.244124

Inside JEB: J. Kay, "Penguin wings help them turn underwater," doi:10.1242/jeb.245356
Nov. 20-22 [International Conference] APS DFD 2022
S. Sayama, K. Kato, M. Katsuki, Y. Kawashima, T. Kamei, M. Natsuhara, H. Tanaka, "Shark-inspired high-low alternating riblets by inkjet printing of UV-curable ink," in 75th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Fluid Dynamics (APS DFD 2022), Indianapolis, IN, USA, November 22 2022, U17.01.
Nov. 18 [Award] Dang received Student Award at ISABMEC 2022
Jingqiang Dang received Student Award for his presentation at ISABMEC 2022. Congratulations!
Nov. 16-18 [International Conference] ISABMEC 2022
J. Dang, F. Tomoya, and H. Tanaka, "Design of a hummingbird-mimetic flexible wing with elastic passive feathering rotation limitation mechanism," in 8th International Symposium on Aero Aqua Bio-Mechanisms (ISABMEC 2022), Online, 16-18 November 2022, pp. 97-100.
Aug. 18 [Paper] Bioinspiration & Biomimetics

R. Saito, T. Yamasaki, and H. Tanaka, "Fluid drag reduction by penguin-mimetic laser-ablated riblets with yaw angles," Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, vol. 17, no. 5, 056010, 2022/08/18 2022, doi: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac7f71.
Jul. 7 [International Conference] SEB2022
R. Saito, T. Yamasaki, and H. Tanaka, "Drag reduction effect of penguin-feather-mimetic riblets under variation in flow direction," in SEB Annual Conference 2022, Montpellier, France (Hybrid), 5-8 July 2022.
Apr. 20 [Article] Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics
H. Tanaka, T. Nakata, and T. Yamasaki, "Biomimetic Soft Wings for Soft Robot Science," Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 223-226, 2022, doi: 10.20965/jrm.2022.p0223.
Apr. 1 [Move] Dr. Dale M. Kikuchi moved to Tokyo University of Agriculture
Dr. Dale Manjiro Kikuchi (former JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow) moved to Tokyo University of Agriculture as an assistant professor. Congratulations!
Jan. 27 [Invited talk] SWARM5
Hiroto Tanaka, "Penguin-mimetic robotic wing mechanism," in The Fifth International Symposium on Swarm Behavior and Bio-Inspired Robotics 2022 (SWARM 5th 2022), Online, 25-27 January 2022, Invited Talk (OS41).

2021

Dec. 7 [Invited talk] MHS2021
Hiroto Tanaka, "Underwater propulsion of penguins with flexible wings," in The 32nd 2021 International Symposium on Micro-NanoMechatronics and Human Science (MHS2021), Online, 5-8 December 2021, Keynote Talk (OS9).
Nov. 3 [Paper] Journal of Experimental Biology
Natsuki Harada, Takuma Oura, Masateru Maeda, Yayi Shen, Dale M. Kikuchi, and Hiroto Tanaka, "Kinematics and hydrodynamics analyses of swimming penguins: wing bending improves propulsion performance," Vol. 224 (21), jeb242140, 2021, DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242140.
Inside JEB: K. Knight, "Flexible wings take the effort out of swimming for diving penguins," DOI:10.1242/jeb.243603.
Oct. 1 [Move] Dr. Yayi Shen moved to NUAA
Dr. Yayi Shen (former postdoc) moved to Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics as an research associate professor. Congratulations!
Jul. 5 [Paper] IEEE Sensors Jounal
Collaborative study with Takahashi Lab (Keio Univ) has been published!
T. Kishimoto, R. Saito, H. Tanaka, and H. Takahashi, "Pitot-static-tube-based waterflow sensor for marine biologging via inside sealing of an incompressible liquid," IEEE Sensors Journal, 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2021.3094565.
Jun. 16 [Invited talk] AIFIT Biolocomotion (online via Zoom)
Date and time: 16 June 09h00 CEST (16h00 JST)
Title: Penguin-mimetic flapping-wing propulsion
Registration (free)
Jan. 3 [International Conference] SICB 2021
Natsuki Harada, Takuma Oura, Masateru Maeda, Yayi Shen, Dale M. Kikuchi, Hiroto Tanaka, "Kinematics and hydrodynamics analyses of flapping-wing swimming in a penguin," Online, 2021 January 1 - February 28, BSP-2-1.

2020

Nov. 16 [Paper] IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics
Yayi Shen, Natsuki Harada, Sho Katagiri, and Hiroto Tanaka, "Biomimetic Realization of a Robotic Penguin Wing: Design and Thrust Characteristics," DOI: 10.1109/TMECH.2020.3038224.

2019

Dec. 1-4 [International Conference] IEEE MHS 2019
A. Kawahara, M. Aizawa, T. Yamasaki, and H. Tanaka, "Fabrication of a Hummingbird-mimetic Flexible Flapping Wings " in 30th 2019 International Symposium on Micro-NanoMechatronics and Human Science (MHS 2019), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan, December 1-4 2019, pp. 138-140.
May 9 [Invited talk] Aquatic Bio-Inspired and Soft Robotics 2019
Hiroto Tanaka, "Turning maneuver in wing-propelled penguins and its robotics application," Beihang University, Beijing, China, 2019.
Jan. 30 [Paper] PLOS ONE
H. Tanaka, G. Li, Y. Uchida, M. Nakamura, T. Ikeda, and H. Liu, "Measurement of time-varying kinematics of a dolphin in burst accelerating swimming," PLoS ONE, vol. 14, e0210860, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210860

[Movie S2. Motion tracking.]
[Fig 9. CFD simulations.]
Jan. 4-7 [International conference] SICB2019 in Tampa, FL, USA
H. Tanaka, A. Kawahara, M. Aizawa, and T. Yamasaki, "Measurement of Flexural Stiffness of Hummingbirds's feathers and its aerodynamic effect in hovering," in SICB2019, Tampa, FL, USA, 2019, 138-4.
T. Oura, M. Maeda, and H. Tanaka, "Three-dimensional wing motions of a diving penguin," in SICB2019, Tampa, FL, USA, 2019, 140-7.
D. M. Kikuchi, M. Maeda, K. Shiomi, and H. Tanaka, "Fluid dynamics function of the rhinoceros auklets' horn in flying and swimming," in SICB2019, FL, USA, 2019, 140-5.

2018

Sep. 13 [Education] MOOC on "Monotsukuri"
Assoc. Prof. Tanaka appears in a new MOOC by Tokyo Tech as a lecturer.
Links:
- Tokyo Tech News
- "Monotsukuri" Making Things in Japan: Mechanical Engineering in edX
Jul. 1 [Paper] Journal of Bionic Engineering
T. Ikeda, T. Ueda, T. Nakata, R. Noda, H. Tanaka, T. Fujii, H. Liu, "Morphology Effects of Leading-edge Serrations on Aerodynamic Force Production: An Integrated Study Using PIV and Force Measurements," Journal of Bionic Engineering, vol. 15, pp. 661-672, 2018.
Mar. 13 Lab flyer for new undergraduate students is now available.
Feb. 20 [Paper] Renewable Energy
T. Ikeda, H. Tanaka, R. Yoshimura, R. Noda, T. Fujii, and H. Liu, "A robust biomimetic blade design for micro wind turbines," Renewable Energy, vol. 125, pp. 155-165, 2018.
Jan. 6 [International conference] SICB2018
D. M. Kikuchi, M. Maeda, K. Shiomi, and H. Tanaka, "Not ornament but aerodynamic device? New hypothesis for the horn of rhinoceros auklet," in Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting 2018 (SICB 2018), San Francisco, CA, USA, 2018, 97-5.

2017

Sep. 20 [Paper] Royal Society Open Science
M. Maeda, T. Nakata, I. Kitamura, H. Tanaka, and H. Liu, "Quantifying the dynamic wing morphing of hovering hummingbird," Royal Society Open Science, vol. 4, 2017.

[Movie S5]
[Movie S6]
Sep. 9 [Invited talk] The 10th Vietnam-Japan Scientific Exchange Meeting 2017
H. Tanaka, "Biomimetic flexible flapping wings," in The 10th Vietnam-Japan Scientific Exchange Meeting 2017, Toyosu Campus, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan, 2017.
Jul. 5 [International Conference] SEB2017
H. Tanaka, Y. Iwasaki, and M. Maeda, "Three-dimensional motion analysis of penguin swimming and estimation of the hydrodynamic force," in Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology 2017 (SEB2017), Gothenburg, Sweden, 2017, A11.25.
M. Aizawa, M. Maeda, T. Yamasaki, and H. Tanaka, "Aerodynamic effect of the distributed flexural stiffness of hummingbird's wing," in Annual Main Meeting of the Society for Experimental Biology 2017 (SEB2017), Gothenburg, Sweden, 2017, A11.28.
Link: Gallery
Mar. 14 "International Workshop on Hydrodynamic Biomimetics" will be held in Tokyo Tech.
- Time and date: 13:30-17:30, Tuesday, March 14th, 2017
- Venue: Rm. 304, Ishikawadai Bldg.3, Tokyo Institute of Technology
- Website: http://www.mech.titech.ac.jp/~biomimetics/HB2017/
Feb. 4 [Award] Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka was selected as the "Reviewer of the Year for Bioinspiration & Biomimetics for 2016" by IOP Publishing.
Links: Bioinspiration & Biomimetics; IOP Publishing

2016

Dec. 31 A joint paper with Assoc. Prof. Michiko Sugawara (Chiba University) has been published in BioMed Research International.
Michiko Sugawara, Hiromi Miyoshi, Takuya Miura, Hiroto Tanaka, Ken-ichi Tsubota, and Hao Liu, “Dynamics of Actin Stress Fibers and Focal Adhesions during Slow Migration in Swiss 3T3 Fibroblasts: Intracellular Mechanism of Cell Turning,” BioMed Research International, vol. 2016, Article ID 5749749, 16 pages, 2016. (doi:10.1155/2016/5749749)
Oct. 8 - 9 Our work was displayed in Tokyo Tech Festival. [Gallery]
Sep. 3 Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka gave an invited talk in a symposium "From neurons to bio-inspired flight: toward comprehensive understanding of animal flight" in The Japanese Society for Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry (JSCPB) Annual Meeting 2016, Tokyo.
Sep. 1 Dr. Masateru Maeda joined our lab as a postdoctoral researcher.
Aug. 15 A collaborative paper appeared in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B.
H. Liu, S. Ravi, D. Kolomenskiy, and H. Tanaka, "Biomechanics and biomimetics in insect-inspired flight systems," Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, vol. 371, pages 11, 2016.
Aug. 1 A new book "Biomimetics from the Perspective of Instrumentation" (in Japanese) was published. Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka contributed the Chapter 10 (pp. 211-213) to this book.
Jul. 6 A collaborative work with Assoc. Prof. Michiko Sugawara (Chiba University) was presented in IWEEE.
Ken Nakata, Michiko Sugawara, Yosuke Shimasue, Hiroto Tanaka, "Fibroblast Migration Response on Micro Wrinkle Substrates," in International Workshop on Effective Engineering Education (IWEEE), Kisarazu, Japan, 2016.
Jun. 8 Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka presented a collaborative work with Prof. Hao Liu (Chiba University) in CIMTEC2016.
H. Tanaka, Y. Shimasue, I. Kitamura, and H. Liu, "Parylene flapping-wings with self-organized micro wrinkles," in CIMTEC2016, Perugia, Italy, 2016.
May 31 Our flapping mechanicsm is displayed in a special exhibition of National Museum of Nature and Science from 19 April to 12 June.
Apr. 6 Two undergraduate students joined the lab.
Mar. 29 A new book "Biomimetics" (in Japanese) was published. Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka contributed the Chapter 3 Section 2 (pp. 74-81) to this book.
Mar. 25 A new book "A very easy book on biomimetics for beginners" (in Japanese) was published. Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka contributed two pages to this book.
Mar. 16 The websites is now open.
Mar. 8 Assoc. Prof. Hiroto Tanaka hosted Internaitonal Symposium on Biomimetic Robotics at the Tokyo Tech.
Jan. 9 A collaborative work with Prof. Hao Liu (Chiba University) was presented in the 28th JSME Bioengineering Conference (in Japanese).
K. Suga, H. Tanaka, H. Liu, "Effects of aspect ratio and passive feathering in small flapping wings on thrust generation" (in Japanese)

2015

Nov. 7 A collaborative work wigh Prof. Hao Liu (Chiba University) was presented in the 93th JSME Fluids Engineering Division Conference (in Japanese).
T. Ikeda, H. Tanaka, T. Ueda, T. Fujii, H. Liu, "PIV measurement of separated flow around owl’s primary feathers with serrated leading edges" (in Japanese)
Nov. 1 Hiroto Tanaka joined the Tokyo Tech as a tenure-track associate professor.