Role of the Laboratory

　Tne Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, originally known as the Government Mechanical Laboratory was founded in 1937 with the aim of doing original research which would contribute towards the development of the Japanese engineering industry, thus reducing its dependence on overseas technology. Since then, the laboratory has been able to make significant progress towards the achivement of this aim, producing original ideas and creative research which have helped contribute towards the rapid development of the mechanical engineering capability of Japanese industry.
　Mechanical engineering makes use of, and is used in, a wide variety of technologies, for instance: electricity, electronics, computers and information processing, and chemistry. There is therefore considerable overlap between Mechanical Engineering and other fields, and so as new techniques are developed it is necessary to oversee their assimilation into the technological community as a whole. For instance, mechatronics and opto-mechatronics are not only important in the Engineering Industries, but developments in these fields also have significant impact in many other areas. There are therefore often significant gains to be made by the appropriate combination of techniques from widely differing fields, and recognition and promotion of this is an important part of the role of the Mecanical Engineering Laboratory.
　Of course, the laboratory still maintains its traditional aim of developing traditional technologies to their fundamental limits, but the needs of modern industrial society mean that it must now also play an active role in the interfacing of mechanical engineering with other fields, and the development and introduction of a wide range of innovative ideas.
　Through its research and the knowledge base which it has built up over the years, the laboratory contributes towards the implementation of Government and MITI policies, and at the same time meets and supports the needs of Japanese industry for the development of new engineering technologiesfor the future.
　Research at MEL is carried out on the following seve main areas.

1 Materials Science & Technology

　There is increasing engineering demand for materials which have improved specific strength and toughness in addition to better performance in terms of tribology characteristics, corrosion resistance, and reliability. Research at MEL aims to meet these demands by work on the design and procesing of new metallic materials and evaluation of their reliability and tribological characteristics under extreme environmental conditions.

2 Bioengineering

　The aim of bioengineering research at MEL is to understand biological mechanisms and the relationship between human beings and nature, through the use of advanced technology. Throuch an understanding of the way in which biological systems operate (e.g. the way in which they process information, produce and apply biological materials, and covert energy), it is anticipated that new relationships vetween biology, physics, and mechanics will be developed, which can be applied to improving the welfare of the human race. Bioengineering research at MEL therefore covers a wide range, from basic investigations of the operation of biological systems to work towards the development of innovative machines, medical and human care equipments.

3 Information & Systems Science

　The efficient transfer of information is the key to successful operation of the complex systems which are increasingly found in modern society. Information Technology is therefore of great importance for the future of mechanical engineering. Some examples of MEL's research in this area are: Development of optical information processing techniques to improve on the performance of conventional electronic methods, development of instrumentation and control systems for use in extreme environments (e.g. space) , and investigations into distributed control theory for complex systems.

4 Advanced Machine Technology

　High performance machines already play a large role in the precision engineering commonly employed by modern industry, and will be increasingly important as precision engineering develops in the future. Work in this area at the laboratory centers around : Incestigations into the production and properties of micromechanisms, development of machine and design technology, and improvements in machine safety and reliability.

5 Energy Technology

　Energy policy in Japan includes the development of new energy resources, global and large area energy systems from the viewpoints of energy conservation and protection of the environment. In this context, extensive investigations are under way at MEL into wind power generation, energy generation from hydrogen, eco-energy systems, and ceramics gas turbines. The work also includes development of advanced reciprocating engines and direct power generation methods. Inaddition, research aimed at environmental protection includes studies of fixation of carbon dioxide in the deep sea, the electric vehicle and development of thechniques for the reduction of emissions from diesel engines.

6 Manufacturing Technology

　Continuing research into innovative manufacturing techniques and advanced manufacturing systems is necessary in order that Japan be able to maintain its leading posorion in manufacturing technology. Research at MEL is aimed at the development of high efficiency manufacturing technologies for quality products through * Work on the processing of new and difficult-to-machine materials, studies of ecologically conscious manufacturing systems (Ecofactory), and development of hybrid machinig technology, surface and interface technology, powder forming technology, production machines, and manufacturing information systems.

7 Robotics

　Robotics research at MEL is aimed at macroscopically understanding splendid functions living things have and developing new basic technologies to implement the functions. The fields of research include sophistication, integration, and fusion of fundamental functions of robots such as manipulation and locomotion, autonomous distributed systems for higher intelligence, human-machine interfaces and human friendly machines for the symbiosis of humans and robots, and development of high performance elements to constitite advanced robots.