NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
TOKYO REGIONAL OFFICE

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Tokyo Regional Office periodically receives and disseminates reports on research developments in Japan that are related to the Foundation's mission. It also provide occasional reports on developments in other East Asian Countries.

These reports present information for the use of NSF program officers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF policy..

Special Scientific Report #02-01 (January 18, 2002)

I learned about the (JSPS) fellowship programs through the word-of-mouth within the American scientific community. My many years of fruitful collaboration with Dr. Ichiro Fujita at Kobe University represented the perfect opportunity to support my application for a JSPS short-term invitational fellowship. My application, routed through the U.S. National Science Foundation, included a research program focused on development and implementation of new capabilities of the quantitative flow visualization methods in the area of civil engineering. More specifically, the thrust of my activity during the fellowship was river hydraulics with emphasis on the use of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Particle Tracking Velocimetry (PTV) for investigation of sediment-laden flows. This research idea was originally discussed and assessed back in 1995, while Dr. Fujita visited the Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research - Hydroscience and Engineering, The University of Iowa, (USA) but left aside since then. At this time, this research topic is still in an early investigative stage worldwide. Being accepted as JSPS fellow, I came here in Kobe to put in practice our plan. Given the very good conditions and environment that I found at Kobe University and the special attention received from my host, Dr. Ichiro Fujita, all the planned items we carried out successfully.

Table 1 in Appendix summarizes the main activities conducted in the time interval of my fellowship: October 10 ? December 9, 2001. During the fellowship duration, I continuously interacted with researchers/faculty/students from various departments of Kobe University, i.e., intelligent manufacturing systems, computer science, combustion, and geotechnics. This dialog made me familiar with the high performance of the Japanese research in other than my area of activity.

The pioneering activity and research results of my host, Dr. Ichiro Fujita, are worldwide known in the river hydraulics scientific community. Actually, this is one of the reasons for applying for this fellowship. However, the depth and breath of the research could not be completely understood without a direct contact such as the one I experienced during my fellowship. The short time interval spent here allowed to observe the innovative new developments of the quantitative flow visualization techniques carried out by Dr. Fujita. There is no doubt that this effort will continue to maintain Dr. Fujita in a fore-front position in his area of expertise.

The main thrust of this fellowship, however, was to reiterate some earlier attempts to investigate sediment-laden flows using PTV. Despite that instruments and facilities are in place in several Japanese universities, the sediment transport investigation using the two-phase flow approach is not a popular research theme in Japan, yet. However, I noticed that Kyoto University and Kobe University (following my visit) are currently conducting (or plan to conduct) investigations on this topic.

I am not sure if this is the general situation for JSPS fellows, but the level of support for research and routine needs (such as computer and internet access, office space and supplies, etc.) was excellent throughout my fellowship. I consider that the JSPS financial support is good allowing a relatively comfortable out-of-work life. The paper work associated with the fellowship application/tracking/reporting processes is simple and runs smoothly.

The friendly nature of the Japanese people made the adjustment easy and led to quick integration in the remarkable Japanese team environment. The safe environment in all the places I visited in Japan made the life in and out the workplace acceptable from all the respects.

The intense and fruitful activity described above leaves no doubt that the JSPS initiative and perpetuation of the fellowship programs is remarkable. My only suggestion for JSPS is to initiate periodic meetings of the JSPS fellows from same geographic areas to share, centralize and disseminate better their experience in Japan.

I consider my whole experience during the past fellowship as outstanding. Despite the short duration of my tenure, I gained academic momentum and practical results that will be materialized in scientific contributions submitted to journals and scientific meetings. Living in Japan, in and out the academic settings, was an unforgettable endeavor that marked me for the rest of my life. I learnt a lot about the friendly, carrying, hard working, and moral nature of the Japan people. I admired the beauty of the natural environment and the effort of the Japanese to preserve it. I will recognize the generous JSPS support and my overall positive experience during this fellowship in all appropriate occasions. I am ready for a new Japanese experience of this kind at any time in the future.

Last but not least, I am thankful to JSPS and to my colleague Dr. I. Fujita for the excellent support during the fellowship. I would also like to thank NSF International Programs (Ms. M. Mcauliffe), NSF Tokyo (Ms. K. Shinohara), and Tokyo Tourist (Ms. Y. Tonegawa0 for the guidance and organization of the fellowship. I am grateful to IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering, especially to the IIHR director V.C. Patel, for allowing me to experience this unique excellent opportunity.

Thank you Japan!

Thank you my friend Ichiro!

APPENDIX
Table 1. Selected activities conducted during the fellowship

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