Young Researchers Exchange Program (2003/9/24-10/4)

1st Japan-US Young Researchers Exchange Program on Nanotechnology

Based on the Japan-US researchers exchange program on nanotechnology, Japanese delegates visited U.S. from Sep. 24 to Oct. 4, 2003.

This program is a cooperation task agreed in the 9th joint committee of Japan-US scientific and technological cooperation in April 2003. The main purpose is that the researchers in Japan and U.S. understand each other to have further opportunities for joint researches in future. This is a new trial that young researchers get together for the workshop and visit nanotechnology hubs both in Japan and U.S. for 20 days. The parental organization of this program is MEXT, Japan and NSF, U.S.

The main theme of this fiscal year is nanoelectronics. 12 young researchers each in Japan and U.S. (postdoctoral fellow, assistant professor and associate professor), total of 24 researchers, were selected from among the public. After the first U.S. visit by Japanese delegates, U.S. delegates visit Japan from Nov. 4 to 14, 2003. With Prof. S. Ushioda, Tohoku University and Prof. S. Komiyama, University of Tokyo in the lead, 12 participants were selected from Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, Nagoya University, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Osaka University, RIKEN, NIMS, AIST, NTT, CRL and JST. Additionally, with Prof. A. Bose, University of Rhode Island as a leader, U.S. participants were selected from MIT, Harvard University, University of Rhode Island, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Illinois, Tulane University, University of Southern California, UCLA, UC-Santa Barbara, UC-Berkeley and Stanford University.

In Sep. 24, 2003, Japanese delegates visited Boston and joined the U.S. delegates to have a workshop in MIT next morning. Starting from MIT, they visited 23 laboratories in 5 universities including Harvard Univ., UC-Santa Barbara, UC-Berkeley and Stanford Univ. to Oct. 2, 2003.

After the opening address by Y. Majima, Senior Specialist of Nanotechnology Research Promotion, MEXT, Prof. A. Bose, University of Rhode Island, Prof. S. Ushioda, Tohoku University and Prof. S. Komiyama, University of Tokyo stated the development and main purpose of this symposium.

At the symposium, 12 Japanese researchers gave the presentations. Their themes were electron transport of one dimensional nanostructures, spin semiconductor, carbon nanotube, spin electronics, scanning prove microscopy, silicon photonics, magnetic tunnel junction, molecular device etc. Then, 11 U.S. rusearchers gave the presentations, and their themes were hybrid organic/inorganic materials, molecular simulation, tuning surfactant morphology, droplet formation and manipulation, nanophotonics, polymeric materials, directed assembly of nanostructures, atomic layer deposition, self assembly of nano wires, nonlinear dynamic effects in MEMS.

There is a limit in time, however this workshop was very meaningful for both Japan and U.S. researchers to know their researches. Moreover, the diverse research fields seemed to motivate them. In November 2003, when the U.S. delegates visit Japan, we will take time to discuss further including future cooperation.