News

Prospective candidates who want to join Kubo lab must first be enrolled or accepted into TUAT Ph. D. program. For more details, see here.

Please feel free to contact Wakana Kubo (w-kubo(at)cc.tuat.ac.jp) to discuss how to join Kubo lab.

Message to Prospective Students

The Kubo Laboratory conducts research that integrates nanotechnology, electromagnetics, and electrical engineering to achieve high degrees of control over light and heat, applying these principles to advanced energy devices.
In recent years, our main focus has been on two pioneering studies that we proposed and experimentally demonstrated for the first time in the world:
metamaterial thermoelectric conversion that enables power generation even in uniform thermal radiation environments, and metamaterial radiative cooling for efficient heat management.

Metamaterial thermoelectric conversion functions as an environmental power-harvesting device, capable of generating electricity in environments previously considered unsuitable for energy extraction. This technology has strong potential as a sustainable power source for IoT devices.
Metamaterial radiative cooling, on the other hand, offers a new approach for managing the rapidly increasing heat generation of highly integrated electronic devices, contributing to low-power operation, miniaturization of electric vehicles, and improved device durability.

Our research covers a wide range of activities—from device and material design, nanofabrication of metamaterials, optical and electrical characterization, to data-driven analysis using data science techniques. Students can thus experience the entire workflow from theory and fabrication to measurement and analysis.

Because we work with advanced nanofabrication equipment, careful and responsible experimental conduct is essential. To ensure both safety and efficiency, we have implemented a core-time policy (10:00–17:00) during which all members perform their experiments. This enables students to collaborate closely and ask for immediate support from senior members or faculty when needed, helping to prevent accidents or operational issues.

In our lab, we emphasize acting not merely as students but as young professionals.
Particularly, we stress the importance of reporting, communication, and consultation (the “Hou-Ren-So” principle)—a fundamental skill in any professional environment.
Our goal is for every member to acquire essential practical abilities that will serve them well beyond the laboratory, in both research and industry.

While some may find our lab rules—such as fixed core time and clear communication protocols—relatively strict compared to other laboratories, the philosophy behind them is simple:
we want each of you to grow into independent, capable individuals who can thrive in society.
These systems are not restrictions, but frameworks designed to help you build the skills and confidence required for your future career.

Since you will invest your valuable time, effort, and resources in your research, we hope you will gain even more in return—in learning, experience, and personal growth.
If you wish to challenge yourself, develop independence, and experience a truly rewarding research life, the Kubo Laboratory will be an ideal environment for you.
However, if your primary goal is simply to complete your thesis with minimal effort, this may not be the right place for you.

Goals by Academic Stage

Undergraduate (4th year)

• Practice proper communication and reporting.

• Engage actively in experiments and understand the purpose of your research.

• Follow instructions accurately and perform tasks reliably.

• Prepare and present well-structured presentation materials.

Master’s (1st year)

• Develop your own interpretations and ideas.

• Explain new ideas clearly in discussions.

• Plan and manage your research schedule proactively.

• Envision and articulate your future career goals.

• Present your research in English.

Master’s (2nd year)

• View your research and student life comprehensively.

• Plan backward from goals to build realistic timelines and adjust them as needed.

• Propose original ideas or alternative approaches.

• Understand the broader perspective and future outlook of your research field.

• Guide junior students and act as a role model.

• Present and discuss research in English.

Doctoral Students and Beyond

• Become independent as both a researcher and professional.

• Express and discuss your research opinions fluently in English.

Laboratory Life

• Morning meeting: 10:00 (approx. 5 min, online, in English)

• Core time: 10:00–17:00 (experiments after 20:00 are not allowed)

• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (weekend study in the lab is allowed)

• Weekly meetings: Mondays — Research progress presentations

  • B4 and M students present once every 2–3 weeks

• Vacations: ~2 weeks in summer and winter, ~10 days during Golden Week

• Recreation day: once every 1–2 months (April–August)

Annual Schedule (Typical)

A symposium entitled “Metasurfaces on the Verge of Practical Applications” will be held at the 73rd JSAP Spring Meeting on Monday, March 16, 2026.

Related site: Metaphotonics Forum

山本 彩葉 (M1), 久保 若奈, “スマートグラスへの展開を目的とした非エルミート構造の設計”, COMSOL Conference 2025 TOKYO, 東京 (Tokyo)，2025.12.05 (Poster presentation, Japanese)

上野紅奈 (M1), 久保 若奈, “メタマテリアル熱電変換特性を向上するビスマス薄膜吸収体の最適化”, 第73回応用物理学会春季学術講演会 (The 73th JSAP Spring meeting), 東京 (Tokyo)，2026.3.15 (Poster presentation, Japanese)

2026.3.9

Prof. Simpson（Univ. of Birmingham, UK) had an invited talk at GIR seminar.