JP

Organization

Research Division

Practical Research and Collaboration Division
Resilient EICT Research Promotion Office
Assistant Professor
Ph.D. (Engineering)
Graduate School of Engineering
Research Subject(s)
We are working on research and development of technologies that manipulate light and electromagnetic waves, such as intelligent reflect arrays that reflect radio waves in any direction using liquid crystals and optical lenses, concentrated photovoltaic power generation systems that generate power by focusing light, and optical wireless power transmission that converts light from multiple directions into electricity.
Key Words
Liquid Crystal / Intelligent reflecting array for electrowave reflection / Photovoltaic / Tracking Photovoltaic / Optical wireless power transmission
Website
Research Activities

We are working on research and development of technologies that manipulate light and electromagnetic waves, such as intelligent reflect arrays that reflect radio waves in any direction using liquid crystals and optical lenses, concentrated photovoltaic systems that generate power by concentrating light, and optical wireless power transmission that converts light from multiple directions into electricity.

There are mobility applications such as electric vehicles, satellites and electric aircraft that require energy but cannot be connected to the power grid. There is a device called a multi-junction solar cell that uses concentrated light and can achieve a conversion efficiency of nearly 50%. If a solar cell and a light-focusing system can be combined to track the sun with only small movements or electrical movements using liquid crystals, regardless of the angle of incidence, it will be possible to achieve a high area-to-conversion efficiency, making it an appropriate power source for mobility applications.

In recent years, the use of drones has become widespread. However the drones are limited in terms of the distance. If it were possible to transmit energy using laser light, it would be possible to extend the distance that drones can travel. It is necessary to have a laser light receiver that can receive laser light at any angle. By leading to a device that can convert light into electricity by concentrating light at any angle of incidence, it will be possible to achieve a drone with a long cruising range.

Selected Works

“Calculation of the interaction between an overlapping spherical lens and a pin-type second optical element for spherical lens microtracking concentrator photovoltaic with a wide angle of incidence”,Japanese Journal of Applied Physics  63(5)(2024.5) 052002-052002 Masakazu Nakatani

“Characterization of core-shell spherical lens for microtracking concentrator photovoltaic system”, Energies, Vol.12, No.18, pp.3517-3531 (2019)Masakazu Nakatani, Noboru Yamada

“Optical analysis of a PMMA–water core-shell spherical lens for microtracking concentrator photovoltaic systems”, OSA Continuum, Vol. 2, No. 11, pp.3165-3175 (2019) Masakazu Nakatani, Noboru Yamada

“Optical Simulation of Two-Shell Spherical Lens for Microtracking CPV System”, 2018 IEEE 7th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC) (A Joint Conference of 45th IEEE PVSC, 28th PVSEC & 34th EU PVSEC), pp.0927-0930, Waikoroa Hawaii USA, (2018.6)Masakazu Nakatani, Noboru Yamada

Selected Memberships
  • The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
  • The Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
Selected Awards
  • International Display Workshops Outstanding Poster Paper Awards (2023)