We will contribute to the development of the snowy region through analysis of snow-related hazards, proposing of countermeasure technology, and development of snow/ice cold heat utilization and innovative ice making technology.
Snow engineering laboratory
- Categories of technology seeds
- Environmental・Energy
- keyword
- Measurement of snowfall/snowcover、Disaster revitalizataion、Snow removal、Snow-related hazards/disaster prevetion 、Snow and ice engineering、Use of snow and ice for thermal storage、Ice making technology、Snow melting technology、
Faculty
KAMIMURA Seiji
Mechanical Engineering
Professor
- TEL:
- 0258-47-9717
- FAX:
- 0258-47-9770
- Detail
SUGIHARA Yukinobu
MechanicalEngineering
Assistant Professor
- TEL:
- 0258-47-9753
- FAX:
- 0258-47-9770
- Detail
Specialties
1. Thermal Engineering: Applied Thermodynamics
2. Environmental Science and Engineering: Disaster Prevention Engineering / Environmental Engineering
Research areas
1. Observation of radiative freezing process
2. Continuous Ice Drawing method for high quality ice
3. Measurement of road snow / ice and snow melting technology
4. Elucidation of the collapse mechanism of road snow banks
5. Risk Analysis of Human Snow Damage
6. Development and promotion of technologies to reduce human snow damage
7. Analysis of requests and complaints for road snow removal.
8. Development of technology to utilize snow and ice cold heat as renewable energy
9. Social activities contributing to the revitalization of heavy snow regions
10. Elucidation of Antarctic ice sheet flow and analytical method of core drilling holes
Other engineering issues related to snow and ice
Main facilities
Cold Laboratory (−30℃, -20℃, -10℃, -5℃), Cold liquid bath (-45℃)×3、AircGIS、Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, IRTracer-100), Multi-environment measuring instrument (testo 400), 3D printer, High speed camera (Vision Research PAC-MIROEX2-2048), Optical Microscope, Hydraulic pressure system, mechanical test
Forte of this laboratory's study
1. Radiative ice making technology
2. Thermal design and control of snow melting equipment
3. Snow information measurement of road surface and visibility
4. Utilization of cold heat from snow and ice
5. Risk analysis and countermeasures for human injury and snow damage
6. Text mining analysis of requests and complaints
7. Reconstruction support for disaster-affected areas
8. Workshop to improve disaster preparedness
9. Measurement of physical properties and mechanical testing of snow and ice
10. Polar observation
Achivements/proposals via industry-academia collabolations
1. Radiative ice making technology
2. Thermal design and control of snow melting equipment
3. Snow information measurement of road surface and visibility
4. Utilization of cold heat from snow and ice
5. Risk analysis and countermeasures for human injury and snow damage
6. Text mining analysis of requests and complaints
7. Reconstruction support for disaster-affected areas
8. Workshop to improve disaster preparedness
9. Measurement of physical properties and mechanical testing of snow and ice
10. Polar observation
Areas interesting to interact with
Needs of fine stable temperature condition at 0 degree C
Deign of house air condition system using green energy
Emergency stocks using snow energy and their transportation management
Application of single crystal ice for commercial use
Safe / secure and efficient snow removal operations and equipments
Road and site snow removal / snow melting and roof snow removal
Snow information measurement and deep drilling
Intellectual properties
Waterless snow melting system (Patent 2007-3998145)
Chilled water air conditioning system (Patent 2008-093312)
Liquid solidification method, ice making method and ice making equipment (Patent 2012-5135576)
Message
We are working on community-based themes, aiming for a future in which all people living in snow country can live in harmony with snow, make the most of its blessings, and be proud of snow country.
I am also a member of many committees related to new energy, including those of the national government, prefectural government, municipalities, and NEDO, and I hope to contribute to the development of industries that make the most of local resources.
We are also working on the promotion of heavy snowfall areas with depopulation and aging populations.
- Fig. 1. Clear single ice crystal by radiative ice making.
- Fig. 2. Snow height control inside the overhang prevention fence using far-infrared snow melting equipment.
- Fig. 3. Portable snow cooling system using stored snow
- Fig. 4. Snow-buried anchors and sit-harness safety belts used for roof snow removal
- Fig. 5 Measurement of road snow and ice information using a general-purpose laser range finder
- Fig. 6. ”One Picture” workshop to foster residents’ disaster preparedness