Research Exchange Goals

Aiming to establish an academic theory and center of excellence in “nanocarbon device science” that truly integrates synthesis and devices.

π-conjugated compounds have abundant functions such as electrical conductivity, optical absorption and fermentation, and are key materials in the development of future Yuki electronic materials. Recently, new developments in this field, both in molecular synthesis of carbon names with novel structures and in device evaluation and analysis, have been extremely active worldwide.

In this program, we will collaborate with the above-mentioned Japanese group in this fusion field. The program aims to establish an international research exchange center for the creation of carbon nanomolecules and their application to materials in the UK (University of St Andrews, University of Edinburgh, Imperial College London), Canada (McGill University, University of Alberta, Laval University), Germany, and Japan, which are leading the world in this fusion field. The project aims to form an international research exchange center for the creation of carbon nanomolecules and the development of their applications. In the past, synthetic chemists and device evaluators have shared the responsibility of conducting research. However, it is certain that researchers in both fields will now be involved in everything from molecular design and synthesis to device evaluation and analysis. Through the formation of this international center, we will foster young researchers who will become the next generation of interdisciplinary leaders, combining knowledge and practice in both cutting-edge organic synthesis and device fabrication/evaluation.

Outline of Research Exchange Plan

• Collaborative research: Focusing on carbon nanomolecule-based materials, we will promote the synthesis of new and brilliant molecules that are still considered difficult to synthesize. In addition, we will design and synthesize molecules that are expected to have high properties, and develop devices based on them. In addition, we will conduct light-related measurements and precise analysis of these molecules to deepen our understanding of their fundamental knowledge. We will promote these researches as a bi-directional exchange with exchange partners, and will rapidly and closely promote a series of feedback cycles consisting of molecular design and synthesis of nanocarbon materials, device fabrication and evaluation, and elucidation of the mechanism of physical properties using computational chemistry and advanced analysis, aiming to realize innovative organic devices, and to develop the next generation of nanocarbons based on cutting-edge nanocarbon materials. The goal is to create next-generation electronic materials and devices based on state-of-the-art nanocarbon materials.
• Seminars: A “Young Scientists’ Seminar” will be held once a year (5-6 days, rotating in each country), led by senior lecturers, for young researchers to learn the fundamentals of a wide range of fields such as organic synthesis, quantum chemistry, materials chemistry, photochemistry, high-speed spectroscopy, manufacturing processes, and device physics. This seminar enables young people to learn “basic matters” directly related to cutting-edge research, which cannot be obtained in ordinary university or graduate school lectures or at friendship conferences. By deepening the understanding of young researchers in this way, it will be possible to efficiently advance the actual cutting-edge research in this program. This seminar will continue to be held after the completion of this program as a place to foster researchers who will lead the future of this interdisciplinary field on a global scale.
  　In addition, a debriefing session will be held once a year, either in person or via the Internet. A total of 15 groups (4 from the U.K., 3 from Canada, 4 from Germany, and 5 from Japan) will make presentations, with each group promoting several joint research projects, resulting in dozens of themes being pursued.
• Researcher exchange: Several students and young researchers will be dispatched on a monthly basis among the centers, which have complementary research systems based on synthesis, devices, design and computation, and analysis. In addition, the research groups with different specialties, such as synthesis, analysis, and device, are participating in this project, and research exchange between these research fields is also extremely meaningful. We will promote the dispatch of mainly young researchers among these groups as well.