Here we cover what prospective students most want to know: daily life, support, and growth.
Our M1 (first-year master's) students took part in a joint seminar hosted by Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Germany, bringing together five universities from around the world. They exchanged ideas on thermal engineering and human space design with students from many countries, gaining fresh perspectives through exposure to different cultures and research styles. Since returning, they have been applying the insights and connections gained there to their own research.
We held our lab retreat at the Karuizawa Seminar House. M2 (second-year master's) students gave interim presentations and B4 (fourth-year undergraduate) students presented outlines of their graduation theses, sparking lively discussion of one another's research themes. In the evenings, everyone gathered around a barbecue to strengthen bonds, making for three days that balanced research with a chance to recharge.
The research conducted in our laboratory is a natural extension of what students learn as undergraduates. In particular, the analogy-based and theory-based design methods taught in our course "Analytical Design Exercises in Engineering" become a powerful tool for designing complex human spaces as integrated systems. How do the equations and theories learned in lectures actually transform real-world spaces? Through hands-on practice in the lab, we help students elevate classroom knowledge into living wisdom they can put to use in society.
Students operate our roughly JPY 600 million suite of cyber-physical facilities themselves, testing their own ideas instantly in "real space." Moving back and forth between simulation and physical experimentation builds genuinely practical skills.
Outstanding international students and researchers gather here from around the world. Through everyday discussion, you naturally cultivate a global perspective and strong communication skills.
Systems thinking that looks beyond individual component technologies (local optimization) to design the space as a whole (global optimization).
The ability to build broad understanding of adjacent fields — information and control (AI, MPC), architecture, and energy — while grounding your core expertise in mechanical engineering (heat and fluids).
The ability to independently run the full cycle of hypothesis, verification, and resolution when tackling unknown problems with no established answer.
We cultivate a mindset that goes beyond simply learning existing knowledge — one that builds new spaces from the ground up. By combining architecture, mechanical engineering, information and control, and energy, you will develop the ability to unravel the complexities of heat transfer.
Our lab has a very high proportion of students and researchers from overseas. You will take on large-scale research together with colleagues from around the world.
Through weekly seminars and events held throughout the year, we build a culture of sharing research progress and supporting one another.
From launching a research theme through experiments, analysis, presenting results, and writing papers, our faculty, researchers, and senior students provide ongoing support. Regular research meetings keep everyone informed of progress and challenges, and provide a structure where students can always consult about the direction of their research.
For each research theme, an assigned faculty member or researcher serves as a mentor to support the student's research activities. Students can consult their mentor day-to-day about planning, analysis methods, and any questions that arise in the course of research.
What I love about the Saito Laboratory is being able to see, first-hand, what approaches from the thermal field can effectively support a carbon-neutral society, and to feel how my own research and that of others in the lab contribute to society.
We are preparing additional comments from students and alumni. Coming soon.
It varies from person to person, and also depends on which research team you belong to.
It's an advantage to have it, but comprehension and communication skills in Japanese matter more.
Being comfortable using Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is enough.
You choose from the lab's existing themes, and assignments are made based on your ranked preferences.
