FY2024 Application Guideline for Joint Usage/ResearchPremier Research Institute for Ultrahigh-pressure Sciences (PRIUS)
The Premier Research Institute for Ultrahigh-pressure Sciences (PRIUS), operated by
the Geodynamics Research Center (GRC) at Ehime University, is approved as a JointUsage/Research Center by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology. The purpose of PRIUS is to effectively utilize (1) advanced high-pressure
apparatuses and analytical instruments, (2) techniques of ultrahigh-pressure
experiments and numerical calculations, and (3) nanopolycrystalline diamond (NPD,HIME Diamond) materials, at the GRC via collaborative researches to further develop
the ultrahigh-pressure sciences. For this purpose, PRIUS is calling for collaborative
research projects and research meetings in FY2024.
1. Types of collaborative research projects
PRIUS is calling for the following types of collaborative researches in the ultrahighpressure sciences and any related field. Full-time faculty at the GRC and researchers atuniversities and/or institutions other than Ehime University should be included as
project members.
A. Use of PRIUS facilities
This type of collaborative research project mainly utilizes equipment andapparatuses at the GRC including high pressure apparatuses, analyticalinstruments, and so on and/or GRC owned equipment and apparatuses at otherinstitutions such as SPring-8 etc. The following experimental apparatuses areapplicable. (Please see “GRC Facilities” for further details.)
Ultrahigh-pressure apparatuses and related apparatuses such as multi-anvilapparatuses and diamond anvil cells

Analytical instruments and processing equipment such as ATEM, FE-SEM, FIB,
XRD

Measuring instruments and ultrahigh-pressure apparatuses at synchrotron
radiation facilitiesB. Collaborative researchThis is a collaborative research project without utilizing any facilities(Supplementary use of the facilities is applicable). The followings are examples ofthe subject areas.
Utilization of HIME Diamond

Theoretical simulations such as ab initio calculations and computational fluid
calculations, etc.

Analysis and ultra-high-pressure synthesis of samples on request

C. Meetings
This is to organize a research meeting. In principle, the meeting will be held atEhime University. If necessary, it is also acceptable to be at another institution oruniversity (limited ONLY to Japan), and a statement of its necessity in theapplication form is required in this case. It is also acceptable to organize a training(internship) program combining lectures and practical training for the purpose ofimproving the research techniques of researchers and students.
YA. Young scientist proposal (use of PRIUS facilities)
YB. Young scientist proposal (collaborative research)
Young scientist proposal is collaborative research proposal of which project leader
is either a graduate student or a researcher who is less than 8 years after Ph.D.
acquisition. YA is the proposal which uses PRIUS facilities, and YB is without
utilizing any facilities. The project leader can receive preferential treatment intravel support and in use of some PRIUS facilities.
* If you plan to use both TEM (including FE-TEM) and other instruments, you may be
asked to submit two separate proposals, one mainly for conducting TEM analysis andthe other for using other instruments at a preliminary meeting with GRC host faculty
member(s) （hereinafter called “Host faculty member(s)”）.
2. Eligibility
The applicant should be a researcher (an eligible applicants for research grants) oran equivalent researcher (including graduate students) from universities,institutions, or companies. We also accept those who are approved by PRIUS steeringcommittee. If the applicant is a graduate student, he/she is required to possess thefollowing two conditions in order to apply: 1) In order to become a project leader,
his/her supervisor should take part as a project member, and 2) in order to become aproject member, he/she needs to obtain permission from his/her supervisor.
For clarity, graduate students who are project members are not allowed to solely use
our facilities without the assistance of their project leaders or others as a general rule.

3. Expenses
It is free of charge to use the GRC’s research facilities for those whose research
projects have been approved. There are cases where the user(s) is/are obliged tocompensate for any damage to the equipment and devices if the damage is the faultof the user(s). If there are any research supplies needed, the user should discuss about
the necessity of them with host faculty member(s) in order to purchase appropriatequantities. However, we cannot afford expensive consumables such as sintered/single
crystal diamond anvils, tungsten carbide anvils that are more than 52 mm square orused under the extreme condition of more than 25 GPa such as F05 (TF05), precious
metal components and so on. Travel expenses could be covered for the approved
research projects based on the regulations on travel expenses at Ehime University,
but the travel costs from overseas are basically difficult to be covered by PRIUS.
Please note that the accommodation fees could be covered at the amount equivalent
to our university guest house. The financial support on travel expenses for projecttypes A and B is provided up to a maximum of two times (one person × 2 or two people× 1) per project per fiscal year and that for project types YA and YB is provided up toa maximum of four times (only the project leader can receive the support more thanonce) due to our limited budget.
4. Application procedure
Please fill out the application form that can be downloaded from the website(http://www.grc.ehime-u.ac.jp/en/guidelines) and send it to the e-mail address(prius@stu.ehime-u.ac.jp) after consulting with host faculty member(s) about yourresearch project.
*Please read “Guideline for PRIUS Users” thoroughly for more information on theuse of Multi-anvil Device.
5. Application deadline

January 31, 2024
6. Contact information
PRIUS Office
Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University
2-5 Bunkyo-cho, Matsuyama Ehime, 790-8577, JAPAN
Tel: +81 89 927 8165 Fax: +81 89 927 8167
Email: prius@stu.ehime-u.ac.jp

7. Selection
The comprehensive review for applications is conducted at PRIUS steering committee
meeting, to be held in March 2024, for selection in terms of the necessity of theresearch project, originality, feasibility, and so on.
8. Notification of acceptance/rejection
We shall forthwith contact the project leaders after the deliberation at the steeringcommittee meeting.
9. Research results
Please add statements on the support for the research project from the joint
usage/research center for PRIUS at the GRC, Ehime University when the results ofthe research project are published. When the research results are published, please
send their reprints (either paper or digital (PDF) forms) to us via e-mail or mail (seeNo.6 for contact information).
Example: This work was supported by the Joint Usage/Research Center PRIUS,Ehime University, Japan.
10. Report on research results and meetings
The project leader is required to submit an annual report on the research results andmeetings after the end of fiscal year (the fiscal year ends on 31st March in Japan).
Please use the "Annual Project Report" form which can be downloaded from ourwebsite and send to us via e-mail or mail (see No.6 for our contact information). The
statements given in “Summary of Results” on the form will be released and printedfor publication as an annual report on collaborate research projects of PRIUS.
Note: The results of the research projects will be released as a general rule. Exceptionsare (1) all or parts of the result(s) are related to patent applications, and (2) the projectis still so ongoing that it is not appropriate for releasing at that time. Please consult
with us if a postponement on releasing the results is necessary due to the reason(s)above.
11. Participation on symposium
A symposium will be held regularly at the GRC for presenting the results of theresearch projects, therefore, the leader or a member of the project will be asked tohave a presentation at the symposium for reporting the results.
12. Intellectual property rightIf intellectual property is created by conducting the research project, the intellectualproperty offices (or any equivalent office) at institutions or universities of eachproject member should discuss the application, procedure, cost, rights, and so on.
13. Security export control
If research instruments, samples, or techniques are to be exported/transferred tooutside Japan and visiting us from abroad, if needed, the official procedure based on
the Regulation of Securities and Export Control in Ehime University will be
undertaken.
14. Insurance
Researcher(s) and student(s) coming to PRIUS must have travel insurance coverage
from the day they leave their country to the day they return.
15. Pledge
Please sign on the pledge at your first visit to PRIUS in FY2024. The pledge includes
1) observance of the rules of Ehime University and PRIUS, 2) limitation on transfersof samples and instruments etc. and technical information, and 3) understanding ofsafety and health policy of PRIUS.

Last updated：April 12, 2024