modified in FY2019

Application for Academy Center Certification
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Host Institution

Tohoku University

Research Center

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)

Host Institution Head

Susumu Satomi (Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2018), Hideo Ohno (Apr. 2018 -)Center Director

Motoko Kotani (Apr. 2012 - Sep. 2019), Shin-ichi Orimo (Oct. 2019 -)Administrative Director

Masaru Tsukada (Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2018), Susumu Ikeda (Apr. 2018 -)Please prepare this application based on the content of your center’s progress report and the progress plan you submitted for the center’s
final evaluation. Summarize the center’s future plans with regard to the following 6 items within three A-4 pages. (Also fill out the
appendices at the end of this form.)

1. Overall Image of Your Center* Describe the Center’s overall image including its current identity.

The mission of AIMR is to create new materials with innovative functions through an ingenious methodof atomic and molecular control departing from traditional approaches, construct devices based on new
fundamental paradigms, and contribute to society by building a foundation for safe and rich life. In orderto achieve this mission, AIMR stipulated its identity as “discovering common elements and universal
principles among different material fields and creating new materials science which can predict new
functions,” and proposed a new research strategy, “mathematics-materials science collaboration.”
Under the leadership of Prof. Motoko Kotani, a mathematician, AIMR strongly promoted mathematicsmaterials science collaboration unprecedentedly at an institutional level. In particular, at the initial stageof this challenge, AIMR organized a system for the mathematics-materials science collaboration by
establishing Mathematics Unit and Interface Unit (these two units have been unified into Mathematical
Science Group), and setting three Target Projects. Based on such highly motivated measures, AIMR has
published high quality papers appearing in Science , Nature’s sister journals , P hysical R eview

Letters and so on. AIMR also focused on strengthening international cooperation network with worldleading institutions, and now AIMR is recognized as a hub of international collaborations and global brain
circulation.
Although the English name of the center, Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), will be
never changed, Japanese name of AIMR was modified on April 1st, 2017 in order to make the name moreconsistent with the present AIMR’s status and fit the university’s organization.
In October 2019, AIMR plans to install Prof. Shin-ichi Orimo (current AIMR Deputy Director, Principal
Investigator, and the group leader of Device/System Group), as the new Center Director. Prof. Orimo, aspecialist of materials development and device fabrication, has participated in the AIMR's mathematicsmaterials science collaboration (Target Projects) in the past several years and has the potential ability toachieve the ultimate goal of AIMR, creation of new materials and devices which can contribute to society

Tohoku University- 1
AIMR

based on the new scientific principles established by the mathematics-materials science collaboration at
AIMR. Under the leadership of the new center director, AIMR will raise the mathematics-materials sciencecollaboration to the next stage where we develop real materials which contribute to society.

2. Research Activities* Describe how the center will challenge new research fields and adopt new strategies.

Through newly launched Advanced Target Projects, AIMR will deepen and mature the mathematicsmaterials science collaboration that has been developed over the past half a decade, and make it astandard aspect of materials science in the 21st century. Specifically, results are already emerging in“Spin-centered materials science” and “Design of hierarchical structure based on theoreticalprediction,” and AIMR is recognizing that these will be future priority areas. In the area 1), in order tocreate new device technologies based on recent spin physics, we will facilitate a new theoretical principle
to control energy and information transfer with mathematical guidance and will develop various energy
saving devices and a new power generation system. Furthermore, we will focus on not only spin but also
light elements (such as hydrogen) and biomolecules as important elements to produce functions ofmaterials and try to create real materials which will contribute to society. In the area 2), AIMR
implemented target projects to build the basis for materials science where material properties can bepredicted. We have revealed interaction among the layers of hierarchy and the relationship between the
dynamic structure formation of non-equilibrium systems and functions through the introduction ofmathematical indices. Based on these new findings, we will provide guiding principles to find new
structures, and to realize the proposed structures. We also develop theories to evaluate stability withnumerical validation. With a view to the construction of “Topological Design” that enables calculations forpredicting the properties of materials based on “computational homology,” we will build the foundationfor enabling the smart design of materials within a mathematical framework.
Another recent global trend is “application of big data analysis by high performance computing.” AIMR
can also play a central role here as its mathematics-materials science collaboration aims to discovercommon principles hidden behind the complicated structures, which is suited to this area. Along theselines, AIMR has already produced some promising results, with full potential to bring about a paradigm
shift. We plan to construct a new materials informatics method enabling molecular simulations and timeseries analysis of high-dimensional phase information, interactively based upon a homological database.
Based on these measures, AIMR plans flexible and quick strategy in line with present needs, and willcontribute to society by creating revolutionary functional materials based on the new materials scienceborn at AIMR.

3. System for Managing the Research Organization* Describe the research organization and management system that the center will use to carry out the research strategy and plan
described above.
* In Appendix 1-3, list the Principle Investigators, enter the number of center personnel, and provide a diagram of the center’s
management system.

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AIMR

Center Directors Motoko Kotani (Apr. 2012 - Sep. 2019) and Shin-ichi Orimo (Oct. 2019 -) and PIs
listed in Appendix 1 will be united, pursuing pioneering research. In the past few years, eight new PIs(Professors), Tomoteru Fukumura, Yong P. Chen, Masahiro Yamashita, Ayumi Hirano, Hiroshi Suito, Chris
Pickard, Takafumi Sato and Hayato Chiba joined AIMR and twelve PIs left AIMR. Although the change ofthe total number of PIs is not so large, the research areas to focus on have been slightly changed
depending on the recent global trend of materials science. As shown in Appendix 3, the center’s
management organization system follows the present system with five research groups, “Materials Physics,”“Non-equilibrium Materials,” “Soft Materials,” “Device/System,” and “Mathematical Science.” The top-down
management by the Center Director, a global standard research environment and support system, themerit-based salary system, as well as the position of Administrative Director (a researcher hold thisposition) will also be maintained. The center is managed with flexibility and quick decision-making. The
joint appointment system will further promote personnel exchange between AIMR and research groups in
the university, and inside and outside Japan. In particular, we will establish a career path for young
researchers by making a tenure-track system based on organic networking with other university
departments.
With respect to the organization for internationalization, if we can get support by WPI Academy, AIMR
will maintain some of the joint laboratories established at overseas satellites (see the next section 4) andpromote international collaboration through employing postdoctoral researchers at the joint laboratories
and closely exchanging information.
Overall organizational structure of AIMR consists of 80 researchers (42 full-time members, 15
concurrent members and 23 postdocs; excluding research assistants), 28 research support staffs and 18
administrative staffs (see Appendix 2).

4. International Circulation of Best Brains* Describe your policy and concrete plan for promoting the international circulation of the world’s best brains, which is an importantfunction of the WPI Academy.

Until FY2016, the proportion of researchers from abroad has been kept at around 50%. AIMR
completed the common equipment room, where even short-stay visitors can start experiments almost
immediately. AIMR has conducted joint research with 15 partner institutions, in which 14 are overseas
institutions. In particular, AIMR will continue to promote international collaboration by maintaining Joint
Research Centers (joint laboratories) at three satellites, the University of Cambridge, the University of
Chicago, and Tsinghua University which have been set up so far. At the Joint Research Centers,
postdoctoral researchers employed by AIMR accelerated international joint research, and these efforts
gave actual results in global brain circulation. The International Relations Unit (current International AffairsCenter (IAC)) of the Administrative Division (current Research Support Division) contributed greatly topromoting researcher exchange between AIMR and overseas institutions and steadily making AIMR a hubof global brain circulation by pursuing exchange agreements and operating original exchange programs,
such as GI3 (Global Intellectual Incubation and Integration) Laboratory Program and Brain Circulation
Program.

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AIMR

AIMR will maintain these international activities without ant break, keep the position in theinternational materials research community, and materialize global brain circulation through implementing
the following activities:(1) Joint Research Centers: AIMR maintains and develops the above Joint Research Centers without
any break and continues activities as a hub of international cooperation. We will reconsider research
themes and researchers at the centers any time and stimulate the new evolution of research.
(2) Foreign PIs, international collaboration and exchange: AIMR continues to invite excellent
researchers as PIs from overseas and performs fruitful collaborations through intensive discussion at AIMR.
We will invite/dispatch young researchers from/to overseas partner institutions at any time when neededin order to activate global brain circulations of young generation. We hope that, using the budget of WPI
Academy, we can continue GI3 Laboratory Program implemented during the WPI support period.
(3) Holding workshops with partner institutions: AIMR strengthens global network with existing 15
partner institutions, from present one-to-one style to many-to-many style, and AIMR acts as a hub in the
global materials research community. We need to organize workshops with the partner institutions andexpand the collaboration network to achieve the goal.
(4) Holding International Symposium: Every year, AIMR has organized AIMR International
Symposium (AMIS) to provide a forum of academic exchange; invited prominent researchers including
Nobel laureates, overlooked the forefront of wide range of materials science, and transmitted AIMR’s
research achievements to the world. Together with other three WPI centers related to materials science(MANA, iCeMS, and I2CNER), AIMR has jointly organized WPI one-day Symposium, for example, at themeetings of European Materials Research Society (E-MRS). Such efforts received a high evaluation andcontributed to increasing the international visibility of WPI and WPI centers. We hope that we can continue
such successful performances to establish the “WPI-brand” and contribute to the global brain circulation.

5. Support by Host institution* Describe measures that the host institution will take to support and sustain your WPI center. Describe your strategy for extending thesystem reforms achieved by the center via the WPI program to the host institution and other institutions.

(1) Host institution’s policy on support to sustain AIMR: The host institution, Tohoku University,
continues to maintain the position of AIMR as a regular department of the university, providing AIMR withauthority, resources and infrastructure given during the WPI period, even after the termination of the WPI
program support. It can be seen in the statements of Tohoku University’s “Third Mid-term plan” thatstrengthening AIMR and constructing world-leading research environment and research support system
are among the university’s goals. It is also expressed that Tohoku University will keep AIMR as the core toachieve the university’s goals, “establishing world-leading research institutes” and “jumping to world classas the hub of global brain circulation” stipulated in SATOMI VISION (which is followed by Tohoku University
Vision 2030 established by the current President Dr. Hideo Ohno), by putting AIMR in “Organization for
Advanced Studies,” the special ward for research. Tohoku University was named a Designated National
University by the Japanese Government in June 2017 and the university has established world-leading
research centers for four research fields (Core Research Cluster) including the research center for materials

Tohoku University- 4
AIMRscience; AIMR is leading the materials science of Tohoku University as the core department of the worldleading research center for materials science.
(2) Expansion of the achievements of the system reform as a WPI center to the inside andoutside of the university: The host institution, Tohoku University, established the “Organization for
Advanced Studies (OAS),” the special ward for research comprised of WPI-type institutes, in order tospread the expertise of internationalization and system reform which AIMR cultivated as a WPI center over
the whole university. Research system and administration system grown at AIMR have also spread into
fields other than materials science, and Tohoku University is planning to establish new WPI-type institutes(other than materials science) under OAS. Tohoku University established International Affairs Center(developed from Research Reception Center of AIMR) and let this center organize “Tohoku University Day,”the meeting held at overseas institutions hosted by Tohoku University, run administrative affairs ofinternational open laboratories such as “ELyTMaX (Lyon-Tohoku joint laboratory supported by CNRS,France)”, and Tohoku Forum for Creativity. These efforts are raising the value of administrative
organizations of OAS and AIMR, and largely contributing to increasing international presence of Tohoku
University.

6. Financial Measures* In Appendix 4, describe the measures to be taken by the host institution for sustaining the center’s functions and activities over a periodof 5 years, and describe what external funding will be used to carry out the center’s research activities.

President Satomi (Apr. 2012 - Mar. 2018) and President Ohno (Apr. 2018 -) pledged to keep permanent
staff members (nine tenure faculties and ten administrative staff) already placed at AIMR, and add ten
tenure positions. The five of the ten positions have been occupied by Professors Shigemi Mizukami (PI),Ayumi Hirano (PI), Hiroshi Suito (PI), Hayato Chiba (PI) and Associate Professor Hiroshi Yabu (tenuretrack Junior PI). The other remaining positions will be gradually offered via international recruitment. The
financial resource from the host institution will be used mainly to start the laboratories of such tenure
positions and to keep young researchers of Mathematical Science Group and the administrative/support
staff members. Part of the resource will also be used to maintain cooperative relationship with the overseas
satellites as mentioned above (see Appendix 4).
The host institution, Tohoku University, established the “Organization for Advanced Studies” tomaintain and develop the excellent research and organizational system which AIMR cultivated in the pastten years, and fixed AIMR as a regular department of Tohoku University. These activities have been
accepted as the relevant projects of the “National University Corporation Management Expenses Grants(to promote strengthening functions) 国立大学法人運営費交付金（機能強化促進分）” and “National
University Corporation Grants for Promotion of Strengthening Functions 国立大学法人機能強化促進費” in
FY2017 provided by the Japanese Government. AIMR will also make maximum efforts to keep positions
for young experimental researchers (assistant professors and postdoctoral researchers) by external funds.

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AIMR

Form 2WPI Academy Center
Form 2 FY 2019 List of Principal Investigators

NOTE:
・Underline names of principal investigators who belong to an overseas research institution. Place an asterisk (*) by names of investigators considered to be ranked among world’s top
・In case of researchers who newly participated in the center in FY 2019, state it in the "Notes" column.

<Results on October 1st, 2019>
Name

Center Director
Shin-ichi Orimo*

Affiliation(Position title, department, organization)

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Principal Investigators Total: 24
Academic
degreespecialty

Effort (%)*

Ph.D.
/
Materials
EngineeringandChemistry

80%

Starting date ofparticipation

Status of participation(Describe in concrete terms)

Notes

From Jan. 2013

Usually stays at the center

newly appointed
to Center Director

newly appointed
to Deputy Center
Director

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/
Mathematical
Modeling andNumerical
Simulation

100%

From Apr. 2017

Usually stays at the center

Tadafumi Adschiri* Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/Hybrid
Materials,
Supercritical
Fluid
Technology

80%

From start

Usually stays at the center

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Ph. D.
/Informatics

100%

From Apr. 2019

Usually stays at the center

Tomoteru
Fukumura*

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/
Solid State
Chemistry

80%

From Dec. 2016

Usually stays at the center

Ayumi Hirano*

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. of Science/
Bio-devices

80%

From Oct. 2016

Usually stays at the centerDr. of Science/Mathematics(Geometry)20%

Director: From
Apr. 2012 to Sept.
2019
Deputy Director: Usually stays at the center
From May 2011
PI: From Mar.
2011

Deputy Center
Director
Hiroshi Suito*

Hayato Chiba*

Motoko Kotani*

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University(Advisor to the Center Director)

Dmitri Valentinovich
Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University
Louzguine*

Dr. ofEngineering/
Materials
Science

Shigemi Mizukami* Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/
Applied
Physics,
Spintronics

Seiji Samukawa*

Professor, Institute of Fluid Science,
Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/
Nano-Process
Engineering

Takafumi Sato*

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Ph.D.
/Physics

20%

Professor: From
Dec. 2007
PI: From 2009

Cross-appointment (MathAMOIL, AIST 80% and AIMR,
Tohoku University 20%).
Usually stays at the center

100%

From Nov. 2014

Usually stays at the center

40%

From Apr. 2012

Usually stays at Institute of Fluid
Science, close to the center, andparticipate in the center's
activities

80%

From Apr. 2019

Usually stays at the center

Tohoku University - 1

newly participatedstepped downfrom the positionof Center Director
newly appointed
to Advisor to theCenter Director

newly participated

AIMR

Katsumi Tanigaki*

Masahiro
Yamashita*

Yuichi Ikuhara*

Eiji Saitoh*

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. ofEngineering/
Nano
Materials
Science80%

From start

Usually stays at the center

Professor, AIMR, Tohoku University

Dr. of Science/
Coordination
Chemistry

80%

From Dec. 2016

Usually stays at the center

Professor, School of Engineering,
Institute of Engineering Innovation, The
University of Tokyo

Dr. ofEngineering/
Ceramics,
Electronmicroscopy

40%

From start

Stays at the center once a
month

Professor, Department of Applied
Physics, School of Engineering. The
University of Tokyo

Dr. ofEngineering/
Quantum
Nano ScienceDr. ofEngineering
Professor, Johns Hopkins University,
Mingwei Chen*/
Whiting School of Engineering
Materials
Science
Ph.D./
Condensed
Professor, School of Electrical andMatterYong P. Chen*
Computer Engineering, Purdue University Physics,
NanotechnologyPh.D./
Professor, Head of Laboratory ofCondensed
Cryogenic and Spintronic
Tomasz Dietl*
MatterResearch,Institute of Physics,
Physics
Polish Academy of Sciences(Theory)
Professor,
Ph.D. in
Department of Materials Science &Metallurgy &Alan Lindsay Greer*
Materials
Metallurgy,
Science
University of Cambridge

Chris Pickard*

Professor,
Department of Materials Science &Metallurgy,
University of Cambridge

Professor,
Department of Polymer Science andThomas P. Russell*Technology, University of MasachuSetts
AmherstAlexander Shluger*

Professor, Department of Physics andAstronomy,University College London

Qi-kun Xue*

Professor,
Department of Physics,
Tsinghua University

Ph.D/Materials Theory
Ph.D. in
NanoScience
Technology
Ph.D.
in
Computational Materials
Science,
Condensed
MatterPhysics
Ph.D. in
Surface
Science

From Apr. 2012

Stays at the center once a
month

From start

・Stays at center four times(about two months in total) a
year.
・Attends the AIMR conference20%

From Apr. 2017

・Stays at center three times(more than two months in total)a year.
・Attends the AIMR conference20%

From Apr. 2012

・Styas at the center once a year
・Attends the AIMR conference20%

From start

40%

20%

20%

From Apr. 2016

・Stays at the center once a year
・Attends the AIMR conference・Conducts PD at AIMR Joint
Research Center.

20%

From start

・Stays at the center once a year
・Attends the AIMR conference20%

From start

・Stays at the center once a year
・Attends the AIMR conference20%

From start

・Dispatch a PD Researcher

moved to the
University ofTokyo(crossappointment)*Percentage of time that the principal Investigator will devote to his/her work for the center vis-à-vis his/her total working hours (total time for whole working activities including education, medical services, andothers as well as research).

Researchers unable to participate in the center in FY 2019

Affiliation(Position title, department, organization)
Yasuaki Hiraoka Professor, Institute for Advanced Study,
Kyoto University
Hideo Ohno
President, Tohoku University
Kosmas Prassides Professor, Department of Materials
Science, Graduate School of Engineering,Osaka Prefecture University,
Researcher, Sato Laboratory, AIMR,
TakashiTohoku University
Takahashi
Professor, California NanoSystems
Ali
Khademhosseini Institute, University of California Los
Winfried Teizer Professor, NanoLab in the Physics
Department, Texas A&M University
Name

Starting date ofparticipation
From July 2016
From April 2012
From April 2013
From start
From November 2009
From November 2009

Tohoku University - 2

AIMR

Appendix 3

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)
Diagram of management system

Tohoku University -1

AIMR