2/20-21 The 5th Nanotechnology Symposium -JAPAN NANO 2007-
The 5th International Symposium on Nanotechnology (JAPAN NANO 2007) hosted by Nanotechnology Researchers Network Center of Japan, nanonet was held on February 20-21, 2007, at Tokyo Big Sight, with about 1,000 people in attendance. Mr. Kanji Fujiki, Deputy Director-General of Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), mentioned research progress through the Nanotechnology Support Project and expectation for innovations for higher quality of life in the opening session of the symposium; Prof. Teruo Kishi, the chairperson of the Organizing Committee of JAPAN NANO 2007, explained the objectives of the symposium; and Prof. Tomoji Kawai, the chairperson of the executive committee of Nano Tech 2007, talked about the events during “Nano Week.”
In the plenary session, the following three key speakers delivered very stimulating lectures.
Prof. Akira Fujishima, Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology, gave a lecture entitled “Important Factors for Creative Research are Sense, Atmosphere, and Plus α
- In the Case of TiO2 Photocatalysis.” He talked about requirements for research, based on his own experiences: intuitive sense (inspiration, creativity, and flexibility), research environment and evaluation. He pointed out that we should look at not only patents or papers but also research outcomes such as new products and new concepts useful to our society.
Dr. Kazunobu Tanaka, Japan Science and Technology Agency/National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, gave a lecture entitled “Global Overview of National Nanotechnology Initiatives: Five-year Progress and Expectation.” He talked about budgets for nanotechnology R&D, national strategy/support policies, and research achievements in Japan, US, EU, and Asia (China, Korea and Taiwan). He talked about improvement of supporting systems in nanotechnology by the Science and Technology Basic Plan in Japan. He also pointed out that Japan should emphasize long-term basic research on self-assembly/organization and surface/interface science, young researcher training programs and the importance of user facilities for interdisciplinary exchange.
Dr. Junko Nakanishi, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, gave a lecture entitled, “Our Research Activities on Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Nanotechnology.” She said that there are new risks in new technology and risk assessment of the new technology is necessary. Based on the concept, she explained the framework, outline and procedure of the NEDO project in which she has been engaging.
At a poster session in the late afternoon of February 20, young scientists presented a total of 78 cases of their achievements in projects funded by the government. Many participants flocked to the presenters’ corners.
Three sessions were held on February 21. The titles of sessions 1-3 were “Nanobiotechnology and Its Medical Applications,” “Innovation from Nanomaterials to Nanodevices” and “Novel Information Communication Technology Pioneered by Nanodevices”, respectively. A total of nine lectures by leading researchers invited from both inside and outside Japan attracted the attention of many participants. We believe that many participants were convinced of the bright future of nanotechnology.
(Nobuo Toyokura and Takao Kitamura, nanonet)
