Students from Japan and Finland Collaborate on Startup Project

Abstract This case study describes a collaborative project between Japanese KOSEN and Turku University of Applied Sciences in Finland that combines engineering education with entrepreneurship through 3D printing technology. Students developed a custom compact incubator well for real-time biological observation under microscopes, designed using CAD software and fabricated with a fused deposition modeling 3D printer. The device incorporates temperature control through a centrifugal fan system and accommodates standard six-well plates with transparent films for microscopic observation. Performance validation using thermal imaging showed effective temperature uniformity. The project demonstrates how international collaboration can bridge academic learning, practical industrial applications, and entrepreneurship.