In April 2022, the five Research Institutes Alliance (Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Osaka University, and Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering, Kyushu University) will be reborn as the “Crossover Alliance” and establish the CORE2 Collaboration Center at the Tohoku University Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering as the core institution. The CORE2 Collaboration Center was established at the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials, Tohoku University as a core institution.
To commemorate this event, a kick-off symposium and the inauguration ceremony of the CORE2 Collaboration Center were held on Monday, May 16, 2012, in a grand online ceremony.
Following the greeting by Mr. Masami Terauchi, Director of Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Studies, Tohoku University (Director of the Alliance Division), and an explanation of the project, Mr. Ichiro Kuronuma, Director of the University Research Infrastructure Development Division, Research Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ms. Motoko Kotani, Tohoku University Director for Research, gave warm words of congratulations.
In the lecture section, first, Professor Masafumi Adschiri, Distinguished Professor of Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research (concurrently at AIMR), gave a special lecture titled “Reactions and Manufacturing in Supercritical Water -Mixing Unmixable-“. The content of the lecture was about nanomaterials that can be fabricated in the special environment of supercritical conditions, and it was a very valuable lecture that raised great expectations for the future society.
Invited Lecture 1 was “Mathematical Modeling for Nonlinear Phenomena and its Applications” by Professor Masaharu Nagayama of Hokkaido University’s Institute of Electronics. He explained his research on mathematical modeling of self-driven body motion together with simulation videos, showing the infinite possibilities and applicability of mathematics.
Invited Lecture 2 was “Real-time AI Technology for Big Data” by Prof. Yasushi Sakurai of ISIR, Osaka University. He spoke in easy-to-understand terms about AI technology, which is now in the limelight for the construction of a safe and secure society. It was a meaningful lecture that made us feel that we are approaching an era in which various hazard predictions, etc. will become technologically feasible.
This was followed by presentations by principal investigators of the groundbreaking programs ( CORE2-A Laboratory and Young Scientists Feasibility Study Program) that started this year.
First, as CORE2-A Laboratory Lecture 1, Professor Kenji Nagai of AIST gave a lecture on “Multi-network whole-cell analysis research using the trans-scale scope AMATERAS. In the profound research area of life and biotechnology, he has been conducting comprehensive research from investigation to manufacturing of his own instruments, and explained in detail the innovative innovations that contribute to humanity through the crossover of whole-cell analytical biology and data-driven science.
Next, as CORE2-A Lab Lecture 2, Associate Professor Seiji Yamazaki of AIST presented his lecture on “Development of Nanodevices for Characterization of Drug-Resistant Bacteria for Averting Pandemics. Associate Professor Seiji Yamazaki has formed a joint research team with Professor Kunihiko Nishino, Professor Yasushi Sakurai, and Professor Tsuyoshi Yanagida of Kyushu University’s Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering to develop a testing device that can detect drug-resistant bacteria on the same day through collaboration between nanomaterial science and recent genetic engineering. The team has proposed a new research area in which bacteria of any nature can coexist in symbiosis with each other, and we look forward to further progress in their research.
CORE2-A Laboratory Lecture 3 was presented by Professor Hitoshi Kasai of Tohoku University’s Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials on “Elucidation of Intracellular Metabolic Dynamics of Nano Prodrugs and Development of Novel DDS”. He explained in detail the efforts to develop next-generation anti-cancer drugs by observing the metabolic process of nano drugs, which has been difficult to measure so far. We are looking forward to the excellent results of this high-profile joint research project, which is being conducted with the involvement of outstanding center users.
Next, the principal investigators of the Young Feasibility Study Program gave presentations.
First, Lecturer Hiroaki Kobayashi of IMRAM, Tohoku University, gave a lecture on “Creation of Highly Active Electrode Materials Supported by Systematic Experimental Data and Exploration of Low-cost Data-driven Evaluation System for Frontier Catalytic Materials”. The lecture presented a new direction of materials development by integrating novel nanomaterials synthesis technology by Dr. Kobayashi, computational science using first principles by Assistant Professor Iwase, and data science by Assistant Professor Sugawara of the Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Institute for Chemical and Biochemical Research.
The second talk was “Creation of Optically Functional Molecules Using Supramolecular Capsule Tools” by Associate Professor Tomohisa Sawada of the Tokyo Institute of Technology’s Research Institute for Chemical Biology. He presented his highly original research, which aims to discover new functional materials by combining functional organic molecules with optical properties and supramolecular capsule tools that exhibit solubilization and confinement effects.
The final part of the lecture was given by Dr. Li Haobo, Assistant Professor at ISIR, on “Design of Highly Efficient Thermal Management Devices Using Nickel Hydride Oxides and Related Thermoelectric Materials”. He gave a meaningful presentation on the exploration of the potential of nickel hydride oxides as thermoelectric materials through close collaboration between the material creation technology of ISIR and the material evaluation technology of the ERI.
Mr. Toru Sekino, Director (Deputy General Manager of Alliance), gave closing remarks, thanking all those who support the Alliance, and gave an overall summary and future outlook.
The meeting was held online and 143 people participated, indicating a high level of interest in fusion of different fields and creation of new fields of research oriented toward solving social issues.
The Crossover Alliance for Creating the Future with People, Knowledge, and Materials will develop activities to enrich and develop the society in which “people” live and enhance “knowledge” together by promoting solutions to social issues, young human resource development, international/academic-industry collaboration, and technical assistance programs during the six years from fiscal years 2022 to 2027. We sincerely look forward to your participation.
(Supervisor) Tadashi Takashima, Professor, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research, Tohoku University [Head of Alliance Capital Division].
(Supervisor) Professor Tomoyuki Akutagawa, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research, Tohoku University
(Moderator) Prof. Akihide Hihara, Institute of Multidisciplinary Research, Tohoku University
