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Discovering the Latest in Nanotechnology from UTokyo at the 7th UTokyo Research, On-site Event

March 4, 2016

Date of activity: February 29, 2016

The seventh UTokyo Research, on-site event* took place in the Graduate School of Engineering's Institute of Engineering Innovation (IEI) at UTokyo's Asano Campus on Monday, February 29th, 2016. A total of seven guests (four international journalists and three science attachés from foreign embassies) attended this nanotechnology-themed event. Following opening remarks from Professor Shinji Suzuki, director of the Public Relations Office, presentations were given by the IEI's director and two other professors affiliated with the Institute. After engaging in stimulating conversation with the professors and fellow participants during a coffee break, the attendees were taken on a guided tour of the Institute's research facilities.

Professor Takayuki Terai, director of the IEI, first gave a brief overview of the Institute and its mission to contribute to the creation of a low-carbon society by developing new materials through nanotechnology. Then, Associate Professor Naoya Shibata of the Institute's Nano Characterization Center explained how he and his colleagues are working with Japanese companies to develop Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopes (STEM), which employ cutting-edge technology to more precisely define the characteristics of nanostructures in various materials. Participants peppered Professor Shibata with questions during his presentation, all of which he answered so passionately that he went over his allotted speaking time. The last presenter was Associate Professor Shinobu Ohya, who introduced the super clean room facility in the University's Takeda Building, calling it the "place with the cleanest air within the Yamanote Line circle." He then talked about the research conducted in this facility, which involves fabricating nanomaterials, as well as his own research on spintronics devices.

During the coffee break, the attendees gathered around the three speakers, asking them additional questions they had about the professors' research. Their conversations continued well into the next part of the event, the guided tours of the research facilities.

Participants were taken on two tours: a tour of laboratories housing various kinds of electron microscopes, and a tour of the Takeda Super Clean Room. As the IEI is one of the world-leading centers in the field of electron microscopy, the Institute has numerous types of electron microscopes that were available for the participants to see firsthand. Participants learned that the gargantuan, three-story tall high-voltage electron microscopes are being used less these days in comparison to the more modern technologies. However, when Associate Professor Shibata was a student, these gigantic microscopes were in their heyday. He said that the best time to observe materials with them was between the hours of 2AM and 4AM, as this was the period of time when electromagnetic waves interfered the least with the microscopes since fewer cars and trains were running. Also, the participants viewed live images of an ant and some pollen particles relayed from an SEM, which is a kind of microscope that is excellent for revealing the surface structures of specimens. The highlight of the electron microscope tour was viewing a STEM developed by UTokyo in collaboration with JEOL, a private sector company. This microscope boasts a world record-holding resolution (for detecting the smallest particle) of 0.045 nanometers (10-9 meters).

The participants were also taken to the Takeda Super Clean Room. To enter the room, participants had to undergo the unique experience of donning dustproof clothing from head to toe and taking an air shower. As Associate Professor Ohya stated earlier, this room is the "place with the cleanest air within the Yamanote Line circle," so participants fully enjoyed looking around the room without having to worry at all about the pollen allergies that have started to spring up outside. The professors said that the Takeda Super Clean Room is open for anyone within or outside the University to use, and the room contributes to the University of Tokyo's collaboration with industry.

After the two tours, the attendees and professors returned to the room where the event had started to hold another question-and-answer session. Questions came from the attendees one after the other about topics such as what kinds of materials can be made from nanotechnology research at UTokyo, how risk management is carried out in cases when measuring dangerous materials, whether foreign companies can use UTokyo's STEM and clean room, and what sorts of new breakthroughs are on the horizon in the fields of nanotechnology and electron microscopy. Finally, the professors reiterated that the IEI is proactive in cooperating with researchers from overseas, and strives to contribute to Japan and the rest of the world through nanotechnology. This event presented a good opportunity for people from overseas to learn about the latest in nanotechnology originating from UTokyo.

* UTokyo Research, on-site is an event organized by the University of Tokyo's Public Relations Office with the aim of introducing the University's research in English to Japan-based international journalists, foreign embassy science attachés and other such individuals.

  • Attendees excitedly taking pictures and video in the Takeda Super Clean Room
    Attendees excitedly taking pictures and video in the Takeda Super Clean Room
  • A technician using close-up images from an SEM of an ant and other specimens to explain to attendees about the microscopic world
    A technician using close-up images from an SEM of an ant and other specimens to explain to attendees about the microscopic world
  • A group photo of attendees, professors and organizers in front of the Institute of Engineering Innovation
    A group photo of attendees, professors and organizers in front of the Institute of Engineering Innovation
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