April 2012

2. Summary of Proposal(Compile in English within 3 pages.)
Host institution

Tohoku University

Head of host institution

Susumu Satomi, President, Tohoku University

Research center

WPI Advanced Institute for Materials ResearchCenter director

Motoko Kotani

Chief center-project
Yoshinori Yamamoto, Director, WPI Advanced Institute for Materials
officer (in October 2007) Research
The aims of the WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research are (1)to create new materials science and develop new functional materials
through deep understanding and control at atomic and molecular level, (2)to construct the processes and devices through those materials, and (3) toconstruct new systems using those devices and materials leading to social
welfare. Cooperation and unification of the existing institutes on individual
Project summary
discipline (materials science, physics, chemistry, and engineering) at
Tohoku University, whose activities are already at world-top level, together
with incorporating world top-class researchers from abroad and fromdomestic institutes, must organize a dream team for materials science.
Through interdisciplinary fusion and incorporating a mathematical
viewpoint, we create entirely new materials with innovative functions,contributing the welfare of mankind.
Since its establishment, AIMR has continuously pursued the creation of
new materials science and revolutionary functional materials by gatheringresearchers from various fields. The main goal is to promote the common
understanding of materials based on the knowledge of different size scales
from atoms to materials and different materials such as metals, ceramics,
polymers and biomaterials. There is no change in this concept. However,based on the results of discussion and collaborative research carried out
during the first five years, we crystallized our mission in a more clear form:
to discover common elements and universal principles among various
materials and create new materials science which can predict new
functions. To accomplish this mission, we inject mathematical viewpoints
into materials science and accelerate fusion research toward the goal. We
Mission statement
have established the three target projects (1) Non-equilibrium Materials
and/or center’s identity
based on Mathematical Dynamical Systems, (2) Topological Functional
Materials, and (3) Multi-Scale Hierarchical Materials based on Discrete
Geometric Analysis.
In AIMR, material scientists and mathematicians join hands in
explaining new phenomena measured by AIMR’s top class equipment andelucidate the mechanism lying behind the structure-function relationship.
This challenge to elucidate the mechanism of function manifestation andlink it to the creation of new materials is unprecedented anywhere else in
the world. Materials scientists from diverse backgrounds andmathematicians are gathered in a single place and challenge ambitious
investigations to create new materials with revolutionary functions, andcontribute to society—that is the identity of AIMR.
“From Atom and Molecule to Materials”, New materials science frominterdisciplinary research
Research fields

Research objectives

Integration of the six research fields on Material sciences, Physics,
Chemistry, Electronics engineering and information sciences, Precisionand mechanical engineering, and Mathematics
The main objective of the Center is to promote the creation of newmaterials science under a world-leading organization for interdisciplinaryresearch through deep understanding and control at atomic and molecularlevel, departing from the traditional approaches and moving towards thenext generation. In addition to basic research, the Center will pursue (1) tocreate new compounds and materials with innovative functions which
exceed existing ones, (2) to construct devices based upon a new
fundamental paradigm, and (3) to promote applied research projects onmaterials and system architecture that will generate direct societal impacts.
In addition, the Center will establish innovations in understanding diverse
material functions through the creation of new basic materials andcompounds which brings significant benefits for the future of humanity.
In the bid for a rapid and flexible decision making process, we maintaina top-down command system governed by our Center Director. The
Executive Committee composed of the Director, Administrative Director
and five Research Group leaders disseminates the Director’s message andintensifies exchange of information. Besides PI meeting and Staff meetingare regularly held. Aimed for the support of a Center Director’s top-down
decision making system, the “International Advisory Board” which includes
Nobel Laureate board members, advises the Center Director. We will also
prepare strong staff backup functions for accounting, personnel, researchsupport, liaison and public relations works so that the researchers canOutline of management
devote themselves to research. The International Relation Unit will assist
foreign researchers in a unified manner.
To secure the independence of the center administration, the hostinstitution will limit its authority to extremely important items such as theappointment and dismissal of the Center Director, and leave all otherpersonnel, budget execution and other items effectively under thediscretion of the Center Director. Also, the university will activate
environmental improvements concerning flexible approaches, revisions
and betterment of the university’s system upon the center director’s request
with help of the Executive Vice President in charge of Research as liaison.
・33 PIs (including 12 People from abroad); the number of total researchers
is 146 including 73 foreign people; the number of total people of theCenter is 220 at the final goal (at the end of FY2016).
Researchers and other ・Major PIs; Tadafumi Adschiri, Mingwei Chen, Masayoshi Esashi, Alancenter staffs, satellites,
Lindsay Greer, Yasumasa Nishiura, Hideo Ohno, Takashi Takahashi,
partner institutions
Paul S. Weiss, Qi-Kun Xue, Alain Reza Yavari・Satellites; (1) University of Cambridge, (2) Institute of Chemistry, Chinese
Academy of Sciences, (3) University of California, Santa Barbara
・15 partner institutions including the three satellites
Administrative director

Outline of research
environment

Masaru Tsukada
As to administrative tasks, we will prepare strong staff backup functions
for accounting, personnel, research support, liaison and public relations,outreach works so that the researchers can devote themselves to research.
Moreover, a Researcher Support Office will be set up where senior mentor
will arrange a one-stop-services for the researchers.
The performance of center researchers will be strictly evaluated and theresearchers’ salary assessments will be determined based on theevaluation results. Employment of researchers including PIs will bebasically determined by international recruitment. The necessary start-up
funds will be provided in cases when the invited researchers require funds
to vigorously continue their own research when they are initially transferredto the center.
In the recruitment of post-doctoral researchers, we will secure personnel
via international recruitment. The researchers will be strictly evaluated atrenewal time. We will provide the researchers with research support fromsenior mentors and otherwise promote the organic development ofresearch.
In addition to the existing research space of our university,
newly-created WPI main building provides the space for interactions andoutreach activities, such as combination room and multi-purpose hall.
（Host institution：Tohoku University

2

Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

The International Advisory Board, including Nobel Prize laureates as
members, which will report directly to the Center Director to support
top-down type decision making by the Center Director.
We also hold international research conferences assembling top-levelresearchers from over the world on a regular basis.
Researcher ID is continuously used for thorough evaluations ofresearch activities. Moreover, to evaluate our global standing in the field ina transparent manner, international and visible criteria such as the number
Outline of indicators forof international prizes, and number of citation of papers and top 1 % paper
evaluating a center’s
are also used. ISI Highly Cited Researcher List is also checked. For
global standing
research projects that take longer to generate outcomes, a comprehensive
approach to evaluation will be taken with peer reviews of distinguishedresearchers inside and out side Japan.
Tohoku University supports the fund for research, setting up instruments
and equipment necessary for research at the Center. Besides, Principal
Investigators annually obtain from subsidies the outside sources totaling
Securing research
US$ 28,500,000 on average. We expect to receive similar (or even higher)
fundingamounts of research funding years to come. In addition, the University
keeps paying salaries of Principal Investigators who were affiliated with thehost institution prior to joining AIMR.
Appropriations plan

FY

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Total

Cost

(Exchange Rate: JPY/USD=80)($ millions） 16.68

16.68 16.68 16.68 16.68 83.40

Tohoku University clearly stipulates the strengthening and support for
AIMR as a priority in its interim plan. The Tohoku University action plan
“Inoue Plan 2007 (Revised for 2011)” released in June 2011 also clearlystipulates that the university will reinforce the organization of AIMR as ameasure for playing a leading role as part of a top-class international
network. The support for the Center is a shared determination of theuniversity and the policy will be passed to the next president.
The host institution already provided the laboratory for the Mathematics
Unit and a library in the WPI-AIMR main building constructed with thesubsidies of MEXT. Additionally, the host institution will pay the personnel
expenses, other required items as research expenses and otherresearcher support, the installation of apparatus required for research at
the center, the refurbishing of research space.
To secure the independence of the center administration, the hostinstitution will limit its authority to extremely important items such as theappointment and dismissal of the Center Director, and leave all otherpersonnel, budget execution and other items effectively under thediscretion of the Center Director.
Summary of host
The host institution will support the In-house Council of AIMR
institution’s commitment
comprising heads of related departments and research institutes andcoordinate with the departments by taking their educational activities into
consideration.
We have already established the International Advisory Board which
advises the Center Director to support top-down type decision making.
Also, so that work at the center can be conducted smoothly in English,
we will assign staff with superior English skills, in addition to expertise insuch fields as accounting, personnel and research assistance, as
administrative staff on a priority basis.
A standing task team will also be established with the Executive Vice
President in charge of Research as its lead for rapid examinations andresponses in cases when the Center Director requests the flexible
administration, revision, improvement or adjustment of the host institution’s
systems, and the host institution will otherwise prepare an environment forthe smooth conduct of top management by the Center Director.
After the completion of the program, the cooperation among the related
departments and research institutes achieved by AIMR will serve as a basefor developing new integrated organization for materials research.
（Host institution：Tohoku University

3

Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

（Host institution：Tohoku University

4

Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

April 2012

3. Research Center Project (in English)
Host institution
Head of host institution

Tohoku University
・Name, position title

Susumu Satomi, President, Tohoku University

Research center

WPI Advanced Institute for Materials ResearchCenter director

Motoko Kotani
・Name, affiliation, position title (in October 2007)

Chief center-project
Yoshinori Yamamoto, Director, WPI Advanced Institute for Materials
officer(in October 2007)
Research・Briefly describe the general plan of the project.

Our world faces the global challenges concerning the energy andenvironment for the future generation. WPI Advanced Institute for Materials
Research (WPI-AIMR) will play an important role in addressing them with
scientific basis.
For this purpose, AIMR will carry out world-class research by gathering
excellent researchers in materials science, physics, chemistry, andengineering – fields in which Tohoku University has traditionally held aleading position in its research. Building on this excellence as a leading
research organization, AIMR aims to contribute to society by creating
innovative functional materials, which have a great impact on building thefoundation for the safe and enriched life of people.
We will conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary researches beyond
conventional ideas along with the following objectives:

Project summary

1) To elucidate fundamental principles lying behind functional
manifestation common to different kinds of materials2) To build a basis for “predicting” new functions and new materials
based on the newly-established principles
3) To create Green Materials to contribute to “Energy Harvesting”,“Energy Saving” and “Environmental Clean-up”
In order to achieve these objectives through top-level scientific activities,
we will make an ideal research environment in AIMR to attract excellent
and competent researchers from around the world. Researchers at AIMR
should be able to concentrate on their studies by being provided world top
level research facilities and equipment. For researchers from overseas, we
also provide housing, assistance for the daily life of their family members,
and information on Japanese culture and Japanese language learning. For
swift and flexible decision making, the center will be administered andgoverned by the top-down decision making by the Center Director. The
Center Director obtains advice from the International Advisory Board,consisting of highly reputed personalities including Nobel Prize laureates,and exchanges opinions with the In-house Council in order that the Director
can grasp global trends in research and carry out a system reform to make
AIMR a top level research center in the world.
Human resource development for the next generation is also an
important mission of the WPI centers, thus we will provide sufficient
support for young researchers in their career building at AIMR so that they
can grow to be research leaders in the next generation by providing an
ideal research environment for them. In addition, we will streamline

research activities within the organization, and establish a system forresearchers, including newly employed researchers, to carry out theirresearch promptly and smoothly by making the Research Support Center
consisting of (1) Common Equipment Unit, (2) Computation-Aid Unit, (3)Mathematics Collaboration Unit, and (4) Researcher Support Office.

In order to strengthen ties with overseas partner institutions andconstruct a “visible center”, AIMR has established 15 partner institutions in
the world, including three satellites (the University of Cambridge; theUniversity of California, Santa Barbara; and the Institute of Chemistry,
Chinese Academy of Sciences) to enhance its global linkage, collaboration,and joint research. AIMR promotes research exchange, especially withthese satellites, by establishing joint laboratories. Under the GI3 (Global
Intellectual
Incubation
andIntegration)
Laboratory
Program(institutionalized in 2009), excellent researchers from all over the world
gather at AIMR, and carry out joint research in collaboration with AIMR’s
principal investigators.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

2

In the future, the cooperation among the related departments andresearch institutes, which will be achieved by AIMR as locomotive, willserve as a base for developing new integrated organization for materials
research as a “World-leading center of intellect” at Tohoku University.
Major changes from initial project plan:

There is no major change in our plan to contribute to the human society
by establishing a new materials science, and creating innovative functional
materials based on it, by bringing together various materials
science-related fields. However, it has become clear that we need to
introduce mathematical viewpoints into our research in order to achieve ourgoal in five years by advancing interdisciplinary research. Thus, we will
establish Mathematics Unit. It will serve as a catalyst to find common
factors and functions of different kinds of materials. AIMR, together withmaterials scientists and mathematicians, aims to create a basis for new
materials science which can predict new functions.
・Briefly and clearly describe the mission statement and/or the project’s identity as WPIcenter.

Mission statement
and/or center’s identity

Since its establishment, AIMR has maintained a consistent viewpoint inaiming to cultivate new materials science fields and revolutionary functional
materials by gathering researchers:(1) who work in different layers of materials, including atoms,
molecules, materials, and devices to bridge the layers frommicroscopic to macroscopic scales;(2) who treat various materials such as bulk metallic glasses (BMG),
ceramics, polymers, and biomaterials to promote common
understanding of different materials from theory to application.
With the mission of utilizing this success to contribute to society, AIMR has
achieved several notable research results.
There is no change in this concept. However, during the first five years
researchers from different fields engaged in discussion and collaborative
research, and we crystallized our mission in a more clear form: to discovercommon elements and universal principles among different material fields
and create new materials science which can predict new functions.
1) We try to elucidate fundamental principles lying behind functional
manifestation common to different kinds of materials.
2) We will build a basis for “predicting” new functions and newmaterials based on the newly-established principles.
3) We will create Green Materials to contribute to “Energy
Harvesting”, “Energy Saving” and “Environmental Clean-up”.
We also proposed to take a new approach employing mathematical
viewpoints to accomplish the mission. Since mathematics simplifies
phenomena and abstracts principles behind them, it will accelerate fusion
research toward the goal.
In line with this mission the following three projects were established as
the targets to be tackled in 2012.
(1) Non-equilibrium Materials based on Mathematical Dynamical
Systems(2) Topological Functional Materials(3) Multi-Scale Hierarchical Materials based on Discrete
Geometric Analysis
These projects were selected by the new Center Director, amathematician, based on proposals from materials scientists.
The interface researchers who connect the materials science andmathematics are important. We will place these researchers (theoreticalresearchers in physics or chemistry, or researchers having a mathematicalbackground) into each project.
（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

3

In AIMR, material scientists and mathematicians join hands in
explaining new phenomena measured by AIMR’s top class equipment andelucidate the mechanism lying behind the structure-function relationship.
This challenge to elucidate the mechanism of function manifestation andlink it to the creation of new materials is unprecedented anywhere else in
the world. As pointed out by the program committee, this challenge will not
be easy. It is a tremendously arduous path; however, the researchers in
AIMR (both materials scientists and mathematicians) feel strong attraction
to the adventure based on the new strategy developed through theirrepeated discussions.
Materials scientists from diverse backgrounds and mathematicians aregathered in a single place and challenge ambitious investigations to create
new materials with revolutionary functions, and contribute to society—that
is the identity of AIMR.

(1) Research fields
・Describe in simple words and phrases within one line the research field of the project.
・ Choose relevant fields from among ①－ ⑦ below, specifying the interdisciplinary field(s) that the projectaddresses.
①Biosciences, ②Chemistry, ③Material sciences, ④Electronics engineering and information sciences,⑤Precision and mechanical engineering, ⑥Physics, ⑦Mathematics
・Describe the importance of the proposed research, including domestic and international R&D trends in the field andJapan’s advantages.
・If centers in similar fields already exist in Japan or overseas, please list them.

Research Field“From Atom and Molecule to Materials”, New materials science through interdisciplinary researchInterdisciplinary Fields
Material sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Electronics engineering and information sciences,
Precision and mechanical engineering, Mathematics
Mathematics functions as a catalyst for the fusion of different fields related to materials science,and in the process, discoveries of new methodologies in mathematics are also expected.
ImportanceMaterials science is one of the most important fields of science in order for Japan to lead theworld through science and technology. The most important foundation for all production activities
in modern society is materials. As such, we should keep promoting materials science as a coretechnology of Japan and maintain the current high level of technology.
Tohoku University’s research activities in materials science rank among the best in the world. Inorder to maintain the current level of research, which surpasses other universities and institutes in
the world, and pass down its proud history to the next generations, we have introduced viewpointsof physics, chemistry, and engineering - the fields in which Tohoku University has always excelled- into materials science. We have also added mathematics’ viewpoints. Through suchinter-disciplinary efforts, AIMR aims to contribute to the sustainable development of humansociety, by creating materials which contribute to the safety and enriched lives of humans, bycreating comprehensive materials science that exceeds its conventional boundaries.
This type of challenge to create new materials science is necessary for the future of mankind.
AIMR aims to lead the world by integrating the research activities of four materials science groups(Bulk Metallic Glasses, Materials Physics, Soft Materials, and Device/System) and of Mathematics
Unit.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

4

(2) Research objectives
・Describe in a clear and easy-to-understand manner the research objectives that the project seeks to achieve by theend of the grant period. In describing the objectives, the following should be articulated in an easily understandable
manner: What new domains are expected to be pioneered by fusing the target fields. In the process, whatworld-level scientific issues are sought to be resolved. What is the expected impact of the scientific advances to beachieved on society in the future.

・Describe concretely the research plan to achieve these objectives.

Research Goals and Fields to be Explored
Under the center’s motto “From Atom and Molecule to Materials,” researchers of materials
science in various fields gather at AIMR and carry out cutting-edge research in the field.
It is recognized that materials take various forms ranging from a microscopic atom or molecule
to an industrial material with 8-to-10 digit differences in size, and that there are multilayeredmaterials hierarchies, in which each layer is controlled by different physical laws. Finding how
these layers are connected in the structure of a material, and controlling macro-level physicalproperties of a material by controlling its micro-level layers is the ultimate achievement and themost difficult challenge for materials scientists. To study and understand a material at its atomic ormolecular level, and apply this knowledge in understanding its physical properties has become
more realistic, thanks to the invention and development of high-resolution electron microscopy,
scanning tunneling microscopy, and atomic force microscopy with atomic and molecularresolution, and research in various fields have actively pursued this endeavor. However, no one
has yet to achieve results that could give a unified solution to the challenge of creating a newmaterial by controlling its atoms and molecules. This has prompted AIMR to take up this newchallenge. In doing so, AIMR has upgraded its organization greatly, far better than conventional
research organizations, by implementing the following measures:
1) Gathering researchers who work in different layers of materials, including atoms, molecules,
materials, and devices to bridge the layers from microscopic to macroscopic scales.
2) Gathering researchers who treat various materials such as bulk metallic glasses (BMG),
ceramics, polymers, and biomaterials to promote common understanding of different materials
from theory to application.
3) In order to accelerate the fusion of knowledge in different fields, mathematicians also
participate in the research of materials science.
AIMR is now making an organization that can find a solution for the problem of the multilayer
hierarchy where researchers of various specialization share knowledge and technologies and help
（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

5each other. By implementing the above mentioned measures, we will be able to elucidate
hierarchical structures common to different kinds of materials and bring about a new materials
science that can help create a new material. In addition to these efforts, AIMR will also financially
support various joint and inter-disciplinary research projects among different fields including
mathematics, through the ‘Fusion Research Proposal Program’.
Expected Scientific Progress and its Impact on Society
By the fusion of mathematics and different materials science fields, the following scientificprogress and subsequent impacts on society are expected.
1) We try to elucidate fundamental principles lying behind functional manifestation common todifferent kinds of materials.
2) We will build a basis for “predicting” new functions and new materials based on the
newly-established principles.
3) We will create Green Materials to contribute to “Energy Harvesting”, “Energy Saving” and“Environmental Clean-up”.
Based on these progresses AIMR creates innovative materials with a great impact which provide
the base of safe and enriched life and contributes to the society.
The Role of Mathematics
The role of mathematics is visually described in the diagram below. AIMR is trying to elucidate
and systematize the structure and functional manifestation not only in each material system but
also in whole materials systems in the complicated hierarchy by introducing mathematicalmethods of simplification and abstraction, then find common factors among
material-structure-function relationships in order to predict undiscovered functions and, based onthese predictions, come up with clues which could lead to the development of a new material.

The following three materials systems include elements for which materials scientists of various
specializations share the same understanding and mathematical approaches can be applied.
Therefore, AIMR has decided to carry out research on these three materials, and search for the
possibility of creating a new material using unconventional methods.
1) Non-equilibrium Materials based on Mathematical Dynamical Systems
2) Topological Functional Materials3) Multi-Scale Hierarchical Materials based on Discrete Geometric Analysis（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

6

(3) Managementi) Center director
・Provide the name of the center director, his/her age (as of 1 April 2012), , specialties, and brief career profile(within 5lines).
・If there is a plan to change the center director, how does the new center director intend to construct the center andwhat is his/her vision of objectives to be achieved? Provide a synopsis written by the new center director (freeformat).

Motoko Kotani, 52 years old
Prof. Kotani has specialized in mathematics, and has made distinguished achievements in her
research activities. For example, she was awarded the 25th Saruhashi Award in 2005 for her workin “Discrete Geometric Analysis on Crystal Lattices.” Lately, she has been actively promoting
collaboration between mathematics and materials science fields as the leading researcher of “AMathematical Challenge to a New Phase of Material Science, Based on Discrete GeometricAnalysis”, a project of Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST) under theJapan Science and Technology Agency (JST). She has a lot of experience in both short-term andlong-term overseas research, and has acquired an international mindset. She is also wellequipped for management and participates in the operation of Tohoku University as a Special
Advisor to the President of Tohoku University. She is an Associate Member of the Science Councilof Japan (Committee on Mathematical Sciences), Member of the Board of Trustees ofMathematical Society of Japan, and a councilor of the Geometry Section of Mathematical Societyof Japan, and has contributed to the promotion of mathematics throughout the country.
At AIMR, she is vigorously promoting materials science research by making a full use of her
research experiences, and plays a bridging role between mathematics and materials science whileleading the administration and management of the institute.
ii) Administrative director
・Provide the name of the administrative director, his/her age (as of 1 April 2012),
profile(within 5 lines).

andhis/her brief career

Masaru Tsukada, 69 years old
Dr. Tsukada is a theoretical physicist (Professor Emeritus of the University of Tokyo)
specialized in condensed-matter physics and the theory of surface science. After being Professorof the University of Tokyo and Invited Professor of Waseda University, he has participated as
Principal Investigator in AIMR since its establishment, where he has driven the front-line researchand promoted the fusion research through planning and management of the Annual Workshop andJoint Seminars as well as redaction of the Institute’s scientific magazine ”WPI-AIMR News”. His
administrative skills enriched by his specialty knowledge demonstrated through these works haveobtained him a great confidence both inside and outside of AIMR. Moreover, he has abundant
experience of organization and management from assuming key positions of important academic
societies such as the President of the Surface Science Society of Japan, and he has aninternationalized personality gained through several stays in foreign research institutes. It is no
doubt that with his viewpoint of a theoretician deeply involved in materials science, he can support
the Director, with a view to realizing the Research Center Project through reinforcement of the
support system for research and administrative organization which contribute to promotion ofmathematics-materials science collaboration.
iii) Composition of administrative staff
・Concretely describe how the administrative staff is organized.

The Administrative Division is composed of the Administrative Director and the Deputy
Administrative Directors (two persons: one in charge of management, and another person in
charge of research) who assist the Administrative Director, the General Affairs Section, theProperty Management Section, the Accounting Section, and the International Relations Unit (theInternational Academic Research Cooperation Office, the Management Office for Safety and（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

7

Health, and the Outreach Office). They employ the eligible experts who can provide logistics
support which allows researchers to conduct their studies flawlessly and carry out the expansionof research results and planning, and can enhance proactive research development together withthe researchers. Consequently, this formation can significantly contribute to the Center’s researchgoal activities.
Specifically, for the daily routines such as in accounting, human resources, and researchsupport, highly experienced staff who can accomplish their duties without difficulties will beselected mainly from intramural administrative staff under the Deputy Administrative Director in
charge of management. To satisfy the means of the Center’s official language, which is English,
staff who have supportive abilities in the English language will be preferentially assigned, andexternal staff with a good command of English are also recruited. The international Relations Unit
manages a work in a unified manner a range of tasks from daily care of foreign researchers,
assistance to the application to the research funds to the secretarial work of the organization of thesymposium.
Excellent and experienced personnel from various fields including researcher evaluation,international research coordination, activating expansion, and public relation of research results,
planning, and support of research workshops will be allocated under the Deputy Administrative
Director in charge of research. We will proactively hire diverse professionals; not only experienced
at the University, but also from the private sector or non-Japanese with international experience orformer researchers, etc. utilizing an annual salary system.
iv) Decision-making system
・Concretely describe the center’s decision-making system.

In order to enable a rapid and flexible decision making process, the management of the Centeris determined by a top-down command system governed by the Center Director, and we will not
specifically launch a council system as a decision making organization within the Center.
However, we arrange the Executive Committee composed of the Center Director, Administrative
Director, and five Research Group Leaders in order to disseminate the message from the Center
Director and intensify exchange of information throughout the organization. Also, we will launch a
Principal Investigators (hereinafter called PIs) meeting and a monthly staff meeting by assistantprofessors and higher to get the decisions reflected immediately throughout the whole center.
Aimed for the support of a Center Director’s top-down decision making, the “International
Advisory Board”, which includes Nobel Prize laureates as board members, has been establisheddirectly under the Center Director position. We develop a proper environment utilizing Internet
technology so that the Center Director and board members can effectively exchange and share
their views together on implementation of system reform and other issues for creation of a world
premier international research center.
Also, the University will permanently implement a task force team established with a lead of the
Executive Vice President in charge of Research and will activate environmental improvements fora smooth execution of the Center Director’s top-down management in order to promptly review
and respond to the Center Director’s requests concerning flexible operation, revision, andbetterment of the University’s system.
v) Allocation of authority between the center director and the host institution’s side
・Concretely describe how authority is allocated between the center director and the host institution’s side.

To secure the independence of the center administration, Tohoku University will take only
limited authority of important items such as the appointment and dismissal of the Center Director,
and leave all other personnel, budget execution, and other items effectively under the discretion of
the Center Director.
For personnel matters, the University will only retain authority over the appointment anddismissal of the Center Director and have all other personnel items within the center including theemployment of Principal Investigators determined by the Center Director.
The budget allotted to the center (personnel expenses and non-personnel expenses) will be a
lump-sum payout for free execution at the judgment of the Center Director, and it will be possible
to carry over funds allocated for budget items that are not implemented by the end of the fiscal
year to the subsequent fiscal year.
（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

8

(4) Researchers and other center staffs, satellites, partner institutionsi) The “core” to be established within the host institutiona) Principal Investigators (full professors, associate professors or other researchers of comparable
standing)
numbers
Final goal
At beginning
At end of FY 2011
(March, 2017)

Researchers from within
the host institution
Foreign researchers invitedfrom abroad
Researchers invited from otherJapanese institutions
Total principal investigators

15

16

17

11

12

12

4

4

4

30

32

33

・Describe the concrete plan to achieve final staffing goal, including steps and timetables.
・Attach a list of principal investigators using the Appendix. Place an asterisk (*) by names of the investigators
considered to be ranked among the world’s top researchers. Describe the policy and strategy for inviting thePIs who are to be included after 1 April 2012.

b) Total members
Numbers
Final goal

At beginning

At end of FY 201160
< 19, 31%>
[ , %]
30< 12, 40%>
[ , %]
30< 7, 23%>[ , %]

132< 63, 48%>
[ 11, 8%]32
< 12, 38%>
[ 2, 6%]100< 49, 49%>
[ 9, 9%]146< 73, 50%>
[ 22, 15%]33
< 12, 36%>
[ 2, 6%]113< 59, 52%>
[ 20, 18%]

Research support staffs

44

43

50

Administrative staffs

35

23

24

Total number of people who form
the “core” of the research center

139

198

220

Researchers

Principal investigators

Other researchers(March, 2017)

・Enter the total number of people in the columns above. In the “Researchers” column, put the number andpercentage of overseas researchers in the < > brackets and the number and percentage of female researchers in
the [ ] brackets.
・Enter matters warranting special mention, such as concrete plans for achieving the Center’s goals, establishedschedules for employing the main researchers, particularly principal investigators.
（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

9ii) Collaboration with other institutions
・If the “core” forms linkages with other institutions, domestic and/or foreign, by establishing satellite functions, Provide
the name of the partner institution(s), and describe the role of the satellite functions, personnel composition andstructure, and collaborative framework between the host institution and the said partner institutions (e.g., contracts
to be concluded, scheme for resource transfer).
・If some of the principal investigators will be stationed at satellites, attach a list of these principal investigators and thename of their satellite organizations using the Appendix.
・If the “core” forms organic linkages with other institutions, domestic and/or foreign, without establishing satellite
functions, provide the names of the partner institutions and describe their roles and linkages within the center
project.

a) Satellites
Institution (1) University of Cambridge-Role
Joint research will be conducted continuously through the promotion of two-way exchanges ofresearchers, with the main theme of non-equilibrium materials and soft materials.
- Personnel composition and structure
Alan Lindsay Greer (PI), Bill Jones (Adjunct Professor)- Framework of collaboration
Upon the conclusion of the Agreement with the Department of Chemistry, Dr. E. Reisner, a fellowof the University Lecturer & EPSRC Career Acceleration, and Dr. M. Kato (post-doc) of the same
university were to have been invited to the Center in April 2011. However, it has been postponeddue to the major earthquake that struck eastern Japan.
A joint symposium on materials physics and soft materials was held at the University ofCambridge in June 2011.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students as visiting scientists.
Institution (2) Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences-Role
Joint research will be conducted continuously through the promotion of two-way exchanges ofresearchers, with the main themes of the research on molecular nanotechnology and devices.
- Personnel composition and structure
Li-Jun Wan (PI), Zhang Xu (post-doc)- Framework of collaboration
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students as visiting scientists.
Institution (3) University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)-Role
Joint research will be conducted continuously through the promotion of two-way exchanges ofresearchers, with the main theme of organic electronics and condensed phase phenomena.
- Composition of personnel, structureFred Wudl (Adjunct Professor)- Framework of collaboration
Professor Yamamoto, the Center Director, visited UCSB in May 2011 and discussed on more
concrete research prospects in the future. A joint symposium together with AIMR was held at
UCSB in January 2012.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students as visiting scientists.
b) Partner institutions
Institution (1) University of Wisconsin-Madison-Role
Joint research on materials physics（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

10

-Personnel composition and structure
John H. Perepezko (Adjunct Professor)-Collaborative framework
As part of joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD students
as visiting scientists.
Institution (2) Grenoble Institute of Technology-Role
Joint research on bulk metallic glasses-Personnel composition and structure
Alain Reza Yavari (PI), Konstantinos Georgarakis (assistant professor)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on bulk metallic glasses will be conducted continuously. Yavari has frequently
visited AIMR, promoting the BMG group’s joint research project. The Grenoble Institute ofTechnology has served as a collaborative institution which is working with the European satellite
set up at the University of Cambridge in 2008. Consequently, an added emphasis is put on
researcher exchange with the Grenoble Institute of Technology.
As a way of promoting research collaboration, Georgarakis has been posted in Sendai as an
assistant professor.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students at the Yavari research group at the Grenoble Institute of Technology as visiting
scientists.
Institution (3) University of Massachusetts Amherst-Role
Joint research on high polymer chemistry and soft materials-Personnel composition and structureThomas P. Russell (PI)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on high polymer chemistry and soft materials will be conducted continuously.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students at the Russell research group at the University of Massachusetts Amherst as visiting
scientists.
Institution (4) Chemnitz University of Technology-Role
Joint research on MEMS
-Personnel composition and structureThomas Gessner (PI) , Yu-Ching Lin (assistant professor), Yao-Chua Tsai (post-doc)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on MEMS will be conducted continuously. To strengthen the collaborative
relationship, Lin (assistant professor) and Tsai (post-doc) will be posted in Sendai. As part of thejoint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD students at theGessner research group at the Chemnitz University of Technology as visiting scientists.
Institution (5) University College London-Role
Joint research on surface physics and theoretical research-Personnel composition and structure
Alexander Shluger (PI), Sanliang Ling (post-doc), Peter Sushko (Adjunct Associate Professor)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on surface physics and theoretical research will be conducted continuously.
To strengthen the collaborative relationship, Ling will continue to be posted as a post-doc in
Sendai. As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including
PhD students at the Shluger research group at University College London as visiting scientists.
Institution (6) University of Cambridge
Refer to satellite institutions listed above
Institution (7) Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

11

Refer to satellite institutions listed above
Institution (8) University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)
Refer to satellite institutions listed above
Institution (9) University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)-Role
Joint research on materials physics-Personnel composition and structure
Paul S. Weiss (PI)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on materials physics will be conducted continuously. As part of the joint researchframework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD students at the Weiss researchgroup at the University of California, Los Angeles as visiting scientists.
Institution (10) Johns Hopkins University-Role
Joint research on bulk metallic glasses-Personnel composition and structure
Kevin J. Hemker (PI)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on bulk metallic glasses will be conducted continuously.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students at the Hemker research group at Johns Hopkins University as visiting scientists.
Institution (11) Tsinghua University-Role
Joint research on materials physics-Personnel composition and structure
Qi Kun Xue (PI)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on materials physics will be conducted continuously.
As part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD
students at the Xue research group at Tsinghua University as visiting scientists.
Institution (12) Texas A&M University-Role
Joint research on biophysics-Personnel composition and structure
Winfried Teizer (PI), Daniel Oliveira (post-doc), Aurelien Sikora (post-doc), Kyongwan Kim(post-doc)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on biophysics will be conducted continuously.
To strengthen the collaborative relationship, Oliveira, Sikora and Kim are posted in Sendai. As
part of the joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers including PhD students
at the Teizer research group at Texas A&M University as visiting scientists.
Institution (13) Harvard University-Role
Joint research on bio-devices-Personnel composition and structure
Ali Khademhosseini (PI), Serge Ostrovidow (post-doc), Samad Ahadian (post-doc)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on bio-devices will be conducted continuously.
To strengthen the collaborative relationship, Ostrovidow (post-doc) and Ahadian (post-doc) areposted in Sendai. As part of our joint research framework, AIMR will accept young researchers
including PhD students at the Khademhosseini research group at Harvard University as visiting
scientists.
Institution (14) Hong Kong University of Science and Technology-Role（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

12

Joint research on bio-devices-Personnel composition and structure
Hongkai Wu (PI), Xuetao Shi (post-doc), Haijun Yu (post-doc), Haixin Chang (post-doc), Jianhia
Zhou (post-doc)-Collaborative framework
Joint research on bio-devices will be conducted continuously.
To strengthen the collaborative relationship, Shi, Yu, Chang and Zhou are posted in Sendai.
Institution (15) The University of Tokyo-Role
Joint research on crystal interfaces and theory-Personnel composition and structure
Yuichi Ikuhara (PI), Susumu Tsukimoto (lecturer), Mitsuhiro Saito (assistant professor),
Zhongchang Wang (assistant professor), Chunlin Chen (post-doc)-Collaborative framework
Joint research will be conducted on crystal interfaces and theory.
To strengthen the collaborative relationship, Tsukimoto, Saito, Wang and Chen will continue to beposted in Sendai.

(５) Research Environment
・Concretely describe measures to be taken to satisfy each of the requirements outlined below, including steps andtimetables.

○ Provide an environment in which researchers can devote themselves exclusively totheir research, by exempting them from other duties and providing them with adequate staff
support to handle paperwork and other administrative functions.
We will continue to arrange the environment to the greatest possible extent so that the
researchers participating at this Center can devote themselves exclusively to research. The
environment provided by the Center to PIs is similar to that for Distinguished Professors in the US.
We will make arrangements so that the researchers themselves will not be involved in the
managerial work of not only the University but that of the Center. We provide thorough time
management (effort management) for the researchers and otherwise secure ample time for the
researchers to engage in research at this Center as much as possible.
To be more concrete, we will reinforce staff backup functions for accounting, personnel,
research support, liaison, and public relations work as well as outreach tasks to take care ofvarious paperwork on behalf of the researchers so that the researchers can devote themselves toresearch. In addition to these staff functions to perform day-to-day administrative tasks, we willassign individuals with outstanding experience in planning and support fields such as researcher
evaluation, international research coordination, the ordered development of research findings, thepublication of research findings, and the research conferences. We will also assign technical staff
as required to support research activities from a technical point of view, in order to progress theuse or development of the leading-edge research equipment smoothly and rapidly.
Moreover, we will set up a researcher support office and allocate senior mentors to arrange a
one-stop-service system that can handle all kinds of administrative procedures from research workof the researchers to issues related to their family's life.
○ Provide startup research funding as necessary to ensure that top-caliber researchers invited
to the center do not upon arrival lose momentum in vigorously pursuing their work out ofconcern over the need to apply immediately for competitive grants.
The necessary start-up funds will continue to be provided in cases when the invitedresearchers require funds to vigorously continue their own research when they are initiallytransferred to the Center.
We will provide the invited researchers with opportunities for research and informationexchange and brainstorming with researchers inside and outside the Center to examine thepotential for joint research. Also, we will continue to support their access to common experimental
and other facilities within the University, and encourage them for the vertical start-up of theresearch.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

13

○ As a rule, fill postdoctoral positions through open international solicitations.
(Open Recruitment Method)
In the recruitment of post-doctoral researchers, we will secure superior international personnel
via international recruitment using Tohoku University’s website (English and Japanese),international scientific journals, and Tohoku University’s overseas bases, specifically as follows.
1) International recruitment via the contents of the Center continuously posted on Tohoku
University’s website (English and Japanese).
2) International recruitment through recruitment advertisements in Nature, Science, and otherinternational scientific journals, and in the publications of academic societies in which Principal
Investigators are members.
3) International recruitment via the website of the JREC-IN (Japan Research Career Information
Network) personnel database (English and Japanese) administered by the Japan Science andTechnology Agency.
4) International recruitment using Tohoku University’s US office, China office, and other overseas
offices and bases, and by asking renowned universities worldwide to post the recruitment
information on their websites including global universities which have academic exchange
agreements with Tohoku University (155 institutions), and members of university consortia(The Association of East Asian Research Universities [AEARU], etc.).
5) Other international recruitment utilizing the international networks that PIs have developed ineach academic field.
(Employment Screening Method)
Post-doctoral researcher employment screening committees comprising several members will
be organized for each PI, with the PI serving as the committee chairperson. The post-doctoralcandidates will be determined through an initial selection by examination of documents and asecondary selection by interviews. The final employment decisions will be made by the Center
Director. This process will employ post-doctoral researchers with superior results in their field ofspecialization, and also positively employ post-doctoral researchers in “interdisciplinary research
fields” in order to promote cross-sectional interdisciplinary research efforts. The Center Director
will directly make the employment decisions to secure promising post-doctoral researchers inaccordance with the center concept.
(Employment of Female Researchers)
Consideration will be needed for employment so that the number of female candidate reaches
at least 15% of the total number of researchers including post-doctoral.
○ Establish English as the primary language for work-related communication, and appoint
administrative personnel who can facilitate the use of English in the work process.
We will continue to arrange an environment whereby the communication between researchers
and administrative staff can always be conducted all in English by assigning staff members who
can perform their work duties in English.
To these ends, for administrative staff in the Center promoted from the University, we willassign staff with English skills on a priority basis, in addition to expertise in each field such asaccounting, personnel, and research assistance. Additionally, to supplement the English abilitiesof those staff, we will also secure staff that are proficient in English by utilizing dispatched workers
system or the employment by annual salary system and allocate them in the administrative
division.
Furthermore, we will arrange systematic opportunities for administrative staff in the Center toparticipate in English training and constantly improve their English ability (including English inareas of expertise).
All application documents for internal use that must be filled out personally by the researchers
will be prepared in English so that the foreign researchers will be able to submit all relevant
documents in English.
We will also incrementally boost the ability to use English in the performance of duties at theCenter, and progressively shift to a system whereby “English will become the official language forall meetings inside the Center” and “English will be used for all documents drafted inside theCenter”.
In principle, all research papers by Center researchers will be written in English.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

14

○ Adopt a rigorous system for evaluating research and a system of merit-based compensation.
(For example, institute a merit-based annual salary system primarily for researchers fromoutside the host institution. As a basic rule, the salaries of researchers who were already
employed at the host institution prior to the centers’ establishment are to be paid by the hostinstitution.)
As for the evaluation of researchers, Tohoku University has already stipulated a university-wide
method for the assessment of individual faculty, with a researcher evaluation scheme at eachdepartment. The performance of researchers in the Center will also be strictly evaluated inaccordance with this scheme, and the researchers’ salary assessments (pay-raise system anddiligence allowance), reappointment and rise in rank, and incentives such as priority allocation ofresearch funds will be determined based on the evaluation results. For salaries in particular, in
addition to the active adoption of the annual salary system, special allowances will be granted toresearchers who make outstanding contributions.
We establish the International Advisory Board, including Nobel laureates as members, and an
external evaluation board. They help to evaluate not only the research of individual PIs but also
the system and organization of the Center.
Tohoku University’s “University Professor System” will be actively used for the invitation ofprominent researchers.
○ Provide equipment and facilities, including laboratory space, appropriate to a top world-levelresearch center.
To prepare an environment with facilities and equipment suitable for a global top-level center,
Tohoku University has installed a facility and equipment as a core for the Center’s activities since
its establishment in October 2007. This facility is equipped with flexible water supply and drainage
equipment, air conditioning equipment, and power sources in a room arrangement of large space
configuration so that the researchers of various branches of materials science can use it as a
research space that meets the usage demands of the respective theme and the status of theirresearch areas. With the intentions to encourage collaboration and frank exchange of opinion
among the researchers, the WPI main building, which was completed in late July 2011, has
combination room and a multi-purpose hall to be used actively. Also, based on the experience ofthe greatest earthquake on record, we will arrange the facilities and equipment to be upgraded fora more secure and safe environment that is suitable for a “global top-level center”.
In order for a smooth use and development of the leading edge research facilities, a Common
Equipment Unit and a Computation-Aid Unit will be newly established.
Arrangements will be made to provide the researchers with priority access to the leading edge
equipment through close coordination with the Technology Center for Research and Education
Activities and other related Tohoku University organizations.
○ Hold international research conferences or symposiums regularly (at least once a year) tobring the world’s leading researchers together at the center.
By positively utilizing Tohoku University’s US office, China office, Russia office, and 9 liaison
offices and other overseas offices and bases, and also by working together with global universities
which have academic exchange agreements with Tohoku University (155 institutions), member
universities of international consortia (Association of Pacific Rim Universities [APRU], The
Association of East Asian Research Universities [AEARU], and Top Industrial Managers for
Europe [T.I.M.E.]) will provide researcher and other personnel exchanges and institutional
relations for international joint research and will progress to an international development.
Specifically, we will first organize an international consortium among leading global universities
to advance research on the topic “new substances and materials from atomic and molecular
control, and functional innovation” and establish a structure to advance research and development
under international institutional cooperation.
Then, using this international consortium along with Tohoku University’s existing global network
described above, we will arrange periodic opportunities for mutual exchange including theshort-term overseas dispatch of the center researchers and the invitation of global researchers toJapan. We also hold pacesetting cutting-edge international research conferences assembling
top-level global researchers on a regular basis (twice a year or so). By making these efforts, weare continuously preparing an environment in which the Center’s researchers can engage ininternational research exchange, information exchange, and brainstorming with the world’s
leading researchers.
（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

15

○ Other measures to ensure that top-caliber researchers from around the world can comfortably
devote themselves to their research in a competitive international environment, if any.
We will advance the following approaches to build a center that compiles the latest global
information and drives research forward, and attracts the top minds initiating dramaticdevelopments of academic fields.
1) We established the “International Advisory Board”, including Nobel Prize laureates as
members, which reports directly to the Center Director to support top-down type decision
making by the Center Director. The members of the International Advisory Board are: Prof.
Herbert Gleiter (Director of Institute of Nanotechnology, Karlsruhe, Germany), Prof. J. Georg
Bednorz (Fellow in IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, Switzerland. Awarded the Nobel Prize inPhysics in 1987), Prof. Venkatesh Narayanamurti (Harvard University), Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi(Purdue University, USA. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2010), and Akihisa Inoue(President of Tohoku University). The Center Director and the International Advisory Board willorganically cooperate and exchange opinions, and positively implement system reforms tobuild a global top-level research center and promote globalization. The achievement
evaluations of researchers every year and the employment of post-doctoral researchers will be
conducted based on peer review by domestic and international specialists.
2) We will arrange a flat research organizational structure with as few hierarchical relations as
possible to create an environment where even young researchers can get and develop theirown ideas.
3) We will set up a Researcher Support Office to provide young researchers with research support
from senior mentors and promote the organic development of research.
Also, we will prepare a system to support the daily life in Japan of foreign researchers at theCenter and their families(6) Indicators for evaluating a center’s global standing
・Describe concretely the following points.

i) Criteria and methods to be used for evaluating the center’s global standing in the subject fieldii) Results of current assessment made using said criteria and methodsiii) Goals to be achieved through the project (at time of final evaluation）
ⅰ) Criteria and methods to be used for evaluating the center’s global standing in the subject field
AIMR continues to use Researcher ID to conduct thorough evaluations of our research
activities. We will also upgrade our website so that people can search the information from outside.
Moreover, we will evaluate our global standing in the field in a transparent manner, harnessing theinternational and visible criteria such as the number of international prizes awarded to our
researchers, the number of times our papers are cited, and the number of papers which made it to
the top 1%, and by checking the ISI Highly Cited Researcher List. For research projects that areconsidered to be particularly challenging and take longer to generate outcomes, we will take acomprehensive approach to evaluation using peer reviews of distinguished researchers inside andoutside Japan.
ii) Results of current assessment made using said criteria and methods
The number of papers written by senior principle investigators solely employed by AIMR andpublished during the past 10 years (2000-2010) is 3,255. 85 of these (2.61%) were ranked in the
top 1% in terms of the numbers of citations received, which is much higher than that ofcomparable institutions in Japan; JST (2.56%), RIKEN (2.49%), Tohoku University (1.21%), andNIMS (1.15%). AIMR’s ratio is still quite high when compared with overseas leading organizations
such as Max Planck (3.25%), NASA (2.59%), and CNRS (1.57%), indicating that it ranks among
the world’s leading institutions in the field.
In addition, after the establishment of AIMR, our researchers have received the followinginternational academic awards:(1) Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award of the American Chemical Society (ACS) (2007, Yamamoto,Center Director)(2) Membership of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) (2008, Russell, PI; Inoue, PI)(3) James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials of the American Physical Society (APS) (2009,
Inoue, PI)(4) Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize of the American Physical Society (APS) (2009,
Miyazaki, PI)（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

16

(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

The International Rubber Conference Organization (IRCO) Medal (2009, Nishi, PI)
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Centenary Prize (2009, Yamamoto, Center Director)
Unilever Award of the American Chemical Society (ACS) (2010, Khademhosseini, PI)
A. E. Alexander Lecture Award of the Colloid and Surface Chemistry Division of the Royal
Australian Chemical Institute (2011, Kurihara, PI)(9) Humboldt Research Award (2011, Ikuhara, PI)(10) Esashi (PI)’s research project was selected in the Funding Program for World-Leading
Innovative R&D on Science and Technology (FIRST) Program of the Japan Society for the
Promotion of Science.

iii) Goals to be achieved through the project (at time of interim and final evaluations）
As one of the outcomes, in the basic research fields, we strongly expect the world premieraward in science, or at the very least a world top-class international award to be given to a
researcher in our institute. Also, it is expected that the ISI citation ranking of Tohoku University will
be elevated dramatically. In the applied research fields, we are sure that many new systems will
be developed on the basis of the newly created materials, and their innovative functions will
become commercially realizable to contribute very much to society’s wellbeing.
(7) Securing research funding
Future prospects
・ Describe the concrete prospects for securing resources that match or exceed the project grant.
・ Calculate the total amount of research funding (e.g., competitive funding) based on the percentage of time theresearchers devote to research activities at the center vis-à-vis the total time they spend conducting research
activities. Be sure the prospects are realistically based on the past record.

ⅰ) Past record(the exchange rate used: JPY/USD=80)
FY2007 20,743,750
FY2008 30,342,308
FY200929,670,180
FY201028,889,669
FY2011
25,000,000(estimated)
Total

134,645,907(estimated)ii) Prospects after establishment of the centerIn the four years since the inception of AIMR in October 2007, Tohoku University has extended
funds to construct the institute’s facilities over a total space of 9,000 m2, including the mainbuilding. In addition, Tohoku University has kept paying salaries of Principal Investigators who
were members of Tohoku University and joined AIMR. Further, the fund for research, setting up
instruments and equipment necessary for research, arrangement of research space andlaboratories at the Center has been supported by Tohoku University.
Besides the above mentioned support from Tohoku University, AIMR’s Principal Investigators
annually obtain subsidies from outside sources totaling US$28,500,000 on average. We expect toreceive similar (or even higher) amounts of research funding in years to come.
Others・ Describe activities and initiatives to be taken after project funding ends.
・ Describe expected ripple effects （e.g., how the research center project will have trailblazing components that canbe referred to by other departments in the host institution and/or other research institutions when attempting to build
their own top world-level research centers）.
・ Describe other important measures to be taken in creating a world premier international research center, if any.

After the completion of this program, the cooperation among the related departments andresearch institutes, which will be achieved by AIMR as locomotive, will serve as a base fordeveloping new integrated organization for materials research as a “World-leading center ofintellect” at Tohoku University.
While this program is still being implemented, we will actively work to persuade other（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

17

departments and research centers of Tohoku University to adapt the know-how of treatment ofcompetent researchers and the researchers’ evaluation methods developed by AIMR. In order toconstruct a world-class research center, contributions not only to research but also to thedevelopment of human resources are strongly required, thus we plan to improve our post-doctoral
system, and organize its international summer school on a regular basis for qualified graduate
students from abroad.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center： Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

18

Vision of the Director
Motoko KOTANICenter Director,
WPI-AIMR
Tohoku University
1. Scope
The history of the development of materials is that of progress of mankind itself.
Whenever mankind has discovered new materials, such as stone implements,
earthenware, ironware, metals, ceramics, or polymeric materials, our society haschanged drastically, and along with changes in our society, new values have beencreated. It is not an overstatement that the ultimate goal of materials science isrealization of the dreams of mankind.
The Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) was established in 2007,
aiming to contribute to society through the creation of new and innovative materials bygathering researchers from all over the world in the fields of materials science, physics,
chemistry, and engineering – fields in which Tohoku University holds a leading positionin the world in its research. Since its foundation, while AIMR has consistently pursued
top-level research in individual research areas, it has also put much effort to create newmaterials science by interdisciplinary research. Through those activities, we haveidentified the objectives of the AIMR as follows:(1) To elucidate fundamental principles lying behind functional manifestation common
to different kinds of materials.
(2) To build a basis for “predicting” new functions and new materials based on the
newly-established principles.
(3) To create Green Materials to contribute to "Energy Harvesting", "Energy Saving"and "Environmental Clean-up".
Now we have introduced a mathematical viewpoint to deepen common understandingof materials and accelerate our research activities towards the goal, which is our new
characteristic. We shall establish a seamless and comprehensive materials research basewhere top level researchers with various backgrounds are gathered, and inspired eachother daily. We believe this is the way to introduce new values for the next generation
through development of materials science.
12. Management
In order to achieve the above goals, we manage the operation of the institute as follows:
1) Research Environment and the Support System for Researchers
As a center established under the WPI Program, it is essential to attract and gather
top-level researchers from all over the world, and provide for them an ideal research
environment. Researchers at AIMR should be able to concentrate on their studies likedistinguished professors in the U.S. by being provided world top-level researchfacilities and equipment. For researchers from overseas, we also provide housing,assistance for the daily life of their family members, and information on Japaneseculture and Japanese language learning.
Human resource development for the next generation is an important mission of the
WPI research center, thus we provide sufficient support in their research environment
for Junior PIs, independent investigators (young excellent researchers who can carry out
their research activities on their own independently), associate professors, lecturers,
assistant professors, and post-doctoral young researchers, so that they build their careers
at AIMR, grow to be research leaders in the next generation in the flow of a global
brain-circulation.
In addition, we need to streamline research activities within the organization, andestablish a system for researchers, including newly employed researchers, to start andcarry out their research without delay by making the Research Support Center with (1)Common Equipment Unit, (2) Computation-Aid Unit (3) Mathematics Collaboration
Unit, (4) Researcher Support Office.
2) Internationalization
Internationalization is the most important agenda for the WPI research center. In
order to construct a “visible center,” AIMR will establish satellites and partner
institutions in the world, and promote fusion and joint research on a worldwide scale.
Out of 15 partner institutions in total, the following three institutions – the University ofCambridge; the University of California, Santa Barbara; and the Institute of Chemistry,
Chinese Academy of Sciences – are designated as satellite institutions to carry out
active research exchange by establishing a joint laboratory. The University ofCambridge has the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy and that of2

Chemistry, both famous for their strong basic study and the Isaac Newton Institute forMathematical Science, a national and international visitor research institute, which is a
globally well-known institute where Dr. Andrew Wiles proved the Fermat conjecture.
The University of California, Santa Barbara, is famous for nanotechnology andconductive polymer material, and there is a strong tie between materials science andmathematics because the University is promoting the application of the fruits of theirresearch for practical use. AIMR conducts allied research focused on soft materials andleverage its applied research with the Institute of Chemistry, the Chinese Academy of
Sciences. The satellite function with these pioneering institutions is one of motives
which make excellent researchers attracted to AIMR.
As a specific measures to promote global research alliances further, WPI operates
its own exchange program called the GI3 (Global Intellectual Incubation andIntegration) Laboratory Program (which was institutionalized in 2009). As a result,while AIMR accepts excellent researchers and students who are active at the forefrontof research, AIMR also actively sends researchers and students overseas to promote
forcefully global fusion and tie-up research, and aims to establish a base of brain
circulation in materials science.
3) Organization
In order to promote system reform, which cannot be accomplished by traditional old
universities, the Center Director makes top-down decisions with my clear visions. In
order to support the Center Director, the Center regularly holds the Executive
Committee, consisting of the Director, the Administrative Director and group leaders,
and the In-house Council, consisting of heads of related departments and research
institutes, and the International Advisory Board gives advice to the Director from a
global perspective.
AIMR consists of not only researchers but also Administrative Division officers.
They aim to create a world top-level research center on their own initiative and topromote “visible administration.” In line with the vision of the Center Director, theAdministrative Director, who is also a materials scientist, the Deputy Administrative
Director in charge of research and the Deputy Administrative Director in charge ofmanagement will make an effort for the realization of an ideal research environment.
Following the principle of WPI Program, the official language at AIMR is English. For3

further smooth operation, the International Relations Unit has been established. The
Administrative Division shall reform the host institution by taking pioneering measures
which are free from conventional practices.
3. New approach: Materials science with the participation of Mathematics
AIMR has focused its efforts on creating new materials science using innovative
atomic and molecular control methods through “fusion research” and otherinterdisciplinary approaches, resulting in some outstanding results. Through successful
research outcomes achieved by each research group, we have recognized the importanceof focusing on functions of a wide range of materials. Innovative functional materials
that give a future vision to human society can be created only by recognizing theprocess from atoms and molecules through to materials, devices and systems as acomplex layered system and by elucidating the mechanism of the manifestation offunctions in layers and between layers with a function as an indicator. During the courseof these studies, we have recognized the importance of accelerating fusion andinterdisciplinary research more actively and effectively.
In order to accelerate fusion research across those different disciplines in a more
substantial way and to achieve a new scientific and technological breakthrough, AIMR
has realized the necessity of the power of mathematics, which has a long tradition ofproviding a common language to all the fields of science and technology. Moreover,mathematics simplifies complicated and diverse phenomena and abstracts principles
from them. Based on these principles, it may be possible to predict and create newfunctional materials. After intensive discussions, all the PIs and researchers of AIMR
have now recognized the importance of the injection of mathematics at AIMR. We areconvinced that mathematics will play a role of a catalyst to stimulate fusion researchmore extensively, thus creating a new materials science. This concept is in line with theinitial concept of AIMR, which is the establishment of a new materials science throughfusion research.
4. Concrete research plans
In order to promote our new approach, AIMR has set target projects. The concept ofsetting target projects was generated as the fruit of our efforts to concretize
math-materials science collaborations through the Joint Seminars and Math-Mate
4

Seminars that have been held since March 2011.
Each project will be carried out by an interdisciplinary team. This year, seventeen
proposals were submitted by materials scientists, and after elaborating on them from thepoint of view of injecting mathematics, they were categorized into the following threeprojects based on intensified discussions at several PI meetings.
1) Non-equilibrium Materials based on Mathematical Dynamical Systems
One of the major challenges in materials science is to synthesize
multifunctional materials, in which multi-functions emerge based on
non-equilibrium states, hybrid structures consisting of different types ofmaterials, or the inhomogeneity of systems. Based on Mathematical
Dynamical System, we focus on understanding mechanisms of dynamical
structural formulation in non-equilibrium systems. This enables us toaccurately control non-equilibrium and inhomogeneous materials and toachieve prescribed multi-functions under a given environment.
This project targets, for example, metallic glasses, polymer glasses, block
copolymers, bio-inspired materials, and super-hybrid multifunctional devices
for green society.
2) Topological Functional Materials
Topology is a mathematical concept for describing a shape up tocontinuous deformation. It is also a tool to abstract essential properties from acomplex shape and to make it into a simpler shape. One challenge inmaterials science using “topology” is to synthesize functional materials thatare robust under environmental change but achieve highly sensitive properties
at the same time.
This project targets, for example, spintronics materials, superconductors,
and MEMS devices for energy-saving, along with nanoporous metal catalysts
and new materials for photo-voltaic solar energy conversion andthermoelectric conversion for energy-harvesting.
3) Multi-Scale Hierarchical Materials based on Discrete Geometric Analysis
Innovative functional materials can be created only by recognizing the5complex multi-scale hierarchical structure in materials systems from theatom/molecule scale to the macroscopic scale of materials and devices.
Therefore, the understanding and the use of the multi-scale hierarchy are thefundamental research processes of AIMR. At AIMR, precise structure
analysis and control at each level of hierarchy from the atom/molecule scale
will be carried out using top-level equipment and new technology.
In addition to experimental technology, AIMR will apply a mathematicalmethod, namely Discrete Geometric Analysis to this hierarchical problem.
Discrete Geometric Analysis can make a bridge between scales and takeaccount of detailed geometric data. By employing these advanced tools, weare attempting to produce functional multi-scale hierarchical materials.
This project targets the identification of mid-range and long-range order in
the atomic arrangement of bulk metallic glasses and interfacial processes
from the atom/molecule level to macroscopic properties, such as grainboundaries for the improvement of electric conduction in devices andsolid-liquid interface control for the improvement of friction problems forenergy-saving.
Through the whole process of the target projects, direct interaction between
mathematicians / theorists / experimentalists is assured so that each stakeholder canmutually benefit from the research.
These are very ambitious projects, and we have to take an arduous way toaccomplish them. However, we would have never encountered this great opportunity
without AIMR, thus in order to make the best of the opportunity, we dare to challengethese projects.
The relationship between materials scientists and mathematics exists on a diverse
range of levels. The first stage of our cooperation is the daily consultation regarding theoperation of mathematics and the introduction to cutting-edge mathematics. The final
stage is to develop mathematical models and discover new principles. The world
top-level cutting-edge instruments in AIMR can produce new data and discover new
phenomena that nobody has found, and this will inspire the mathematicians / theorists tomake new mathematical models. Having opportunities to deepen and develop
mathematics makes a great impact on mathematicians and theorists in the world.
65. Contribution of mathematics to materials science and global trends:
There is a world trend of science and technology cooperating with mathematics. As
described above, in AIMR the contribution of mathematics to materials sciences has
been started. This is the first attempt in the world to promote math-materials sciencecollaboration at an institutional level. Consequently, our approach is just ahead of its
time. We will lead global trends by initiating direct interaction between mathematics
and materials science.

7

5．Host Institution’s Commitment (in English)
Date 2/8/2012
To MEXTName of host institution Tohoku university
Name and title of head of host institution
Akihisa Inoue, President
Signature
I confirm that the measures listed below will be taken faithfully regarding “Advanced Institute forMaterials Research” adopted under the World Premier International Research Center Initiative.
＜Provision in host institution’s mid-to-long-term plan＞
・Describe clearly the host institution’s mid-to-long-term strategy plan and how the center is positioned within thatstrategy.

National University Corporation, Tohoku University states in the second interim plan (from April
1st, 2010 to March 31st, 2016), under Article 2 “Measures to Achieve Research Goals (1) Measuresto Achieve Goals Concerning Research Levels and Research Results, section ①-3 Development ofWorld-Class Scientific Research on Priority Areas,” that in order to make Advanced Institute forMaterials Research (AIMR), selected and established by the World Premier International ResearchCenter Initiative (WPI), the top international research network center, Tohoku University will
strengthen and support its research and operation. Section ②-1 “Drive Innovative Researchthrough International Advanced Research and Education Organization” states “The host institution
will promote innovative research by making use of International Advanced Research and Education
Organization, WPI-AIMR, the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering.” In addition, taking
account of the importance of human resource development, under Article 1 “Measures to Achieve
Educational Goals,” section ② -4 “Fostering of the Highly-Qualified Researchers in theMultidisciplinary Area” states “The host institution will carry out education programs to train humanresources of high-level multidisciplinary research under the collaboration of International Advanced
Research and Education Organization, AIMR, and Global COE Program.”
The Tohoku University Action Plan “Inoue Plan 2007 (Revised for 2011)” introduced in June
2011 clearly states that Tohoku University takes steps, including reinforcing the organization of the
WPI, in order to play a leading role as part of a top-class international research network. The
support for the center is a shared determination of the university and the policy obtained theunderstanding of the entire members of the university. This policy will be passed down to the nextpresident.

＜Concrete Measures＞
・Describe the concrete measures that the host institution will take to satisfy the following requirements.

(1) How it will support the center’s need to secure resources that match or exceed the project grantthrough such means as competitive grants obtained by researchers participating in the project,in-kind contributions and other forms of assistance by the host institution ( including partial
payment of salaries, provision of research space), and/or external donations.

As a core facility of research activities, the WPI-AIMR main building was built in July 2011 by a
subsidy from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the matching
fund of the host institution. The main building holds research space for approximately 10 PIs, a
combination room for interactive activities, and a multi-purpose hall especially for outreach activities.
As a host institution, Tohoku University constructed laboratories for Mathematics Unit and a library inthe same building. AIMR plans to use existing facilities in Katahira campus for WPI-AIMR andpromote research activities under one roof. Additionally, the host institution will basically pay the
personnel expenses of all researchers who are also affiliated with the host institution prior to theformation of the center. Beyond that, the host institution will expend enough money each year on suchitems as research expenses and other researcher support, the installation of apparatus required forresearch at the center, the refurbishing of research space, and management, administration and otheritems required for the smooth execution of the center’s research. Aside from that, the host institution
will provide the researchers with priority access to the Technology Center for Research and Education
Activities’ high-performance electron microscopes and other research equipment and assistance sothat the center can implement global top-level research.
In addition to this support from the host institution, the researchers who will participate in thecenter obtained funds totaling approximately US $ 29,000,000 from outside organizations, based on
the actual achievement of FY 2010. The amount of the total funds is projected to remain at the samelevel or more in the future, too. Thus overall, the host institution fully expects to secure an amount of
resources for the center that is equal or greater than the amount of support provided by this program.
(2) How it will institute a system under which the center’s director is able to make substantive
personnel and budget allocation decisions necessary to implementing the center project—asystem, which in practice, allows the center director autonomy in making decisions regarding thecenter’s operation.

To secure the independence of the Center administration, the host institution will only retain its
authority of extremely important items such as the appointment and dismissal of the Center Director.
The other items such as personnel affairs, budget execution and other items effectively will be
determined by the Center Director.
In other words, with regard to personnel affairs, the host institution will only retain authority over
the appointment and dismissal of the Center Director. The other personnel affairs within the center
including the employment of PIs will be determined by the Center Director.
The budget allotted to the center (personnel expenses and non-personnel expenses) will beturned over in its entirety for free execution at the judgement of the Center Director, and it will bepossible to carry over funds, allocated for budget items that are not implemented by the end of the
fiscal year to the subsequent fiscal year.

(3) The support it will provide to the center director in coordinating with other departments within thehost institution when recruiting researchers for the center, while giving reasonable regard to theeducational and research activities of those departments.

The host institution will support the In-house Council of AIMR, comprising heads of related
departments and research institutes, and coordinate with other departments by taking their educational
activities into consideration.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

2

(4) Its flexibility in applying, revising, or supplementing the host institution’s internal systems asneeded for the center to effectively implement new management methods (e.g.,
English-language environment, merit-based pay, top-down decision making) unfettered byconventional modes of operation.

We established the International Advisory Board, including Nobel Prize laureates as members,
which advises the Center Director to support top-down decision making by the Center Director. An
environment will be established, including the use of Internet technologies, to facilitate swift consensus
building and organic linkages between the Center Director and the International Advisory Board.
Also, so that work at the Center can be conducted smoothly in English, we will continue to assign staff
with superior English skills, in addition to expertise in such fields as accounting, personnel andresearch assistance, as administrative staff on a priority basis.
Tohoku University’s “University Professor System” will also be actively used to invite the world’s
cutting-edge researchers to the center.
A standing task team will also be established with the Executive Vice President in charge of
Research as its lead for rapid examinations and responses in cases when the Center Director requests
the flexible administration, revision, improvement or adjustment of the host institution’s systems, andthe host institution will otherwise prepare an environment for the smooth conduct of top managementby the Center Director.

(5) Its accommodation of the center’s infrastructural requirements (for facilities, e.g., laboratory
space; equipment; land, etc.).

As a core facility of research activities, the WPI-AIMR main building was built in July 2011 by a
subsidy from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the matching
fund of the host institution. The main building holds research space for approximately 10 PIs, a
combination room for interactive activities, and a multi-purpose hall especially for outreach activities.
As a host institution, Tohoku University constructed laboratories for Mathematics Unit and a library inthe same building. They plan to use existing facilities in Katahira campus for WPI-AIMR and promoteresearch activities under one roof.
In addition, an accommodation facility for researchers from overseas is planned to be built near
the WPI-AIMR main building in the spring of 2013, and about 30 rooms will be allocated for the
researchers invited by WPI-AIMR. To secure research space in accordance with the advance of theresearch and the expansion of the center’s research organization, the center will be given priority useof joint-use space at the university or campus level, and the Facilities Preparation and Administration
Committee will deliberate all items of concern regarding the use of research space and other facilities
and accommodate the center’s needs.

(6) Other types of assistance it will provide to give maximum support to the center in achieving its
concepts and objectives and becoming a world premier international research center in both nameand deed.
As mentioned above, National University Corporation, Tohoku University’s interim plan and the“Inoue Plan 2007 (Revised for 2011)” clearly state their support for WPI-AIMR.
Tohoku University intends to provide its maximum continued support to the center as a special
research zone within the host institution, arrange organic relations with the International Advanced
Research and Education Organization and other plans of internationalization, making them into
vehicles for education and research and help us contribute, as one of the world’s leading universities,（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

3

to the development of our society.
As an outlook for the future, after the completion of this program, the cooperation among therelated departments and research institutes, which will be achieved by AIMR as locomotive, will serve
as a base for developing new integrated organization for materials research as a “World-leading
center of intellect” at Tohoku University.

（Host institution：Tohoku University Title of Center：Advanced Institute for Materials Research）

4

（Appendix）(in English)

List of Principal Investigators
・If the number of principal investigators exceeds 10, add columns as appropriate.
・Place an asterisk(*) by the name of the investigators who are considered to be ranked among the world’s top
researchers.
・Give age as of 1 April 2012.
・For investigators who cannot participate in the center project from 1 April 2012, indicate the time that their
participation will start in the “Notes” column.

Name

Age

Current affiliation(organization,
department) andspecialties

Academic
degreeTadafumi Adschiri*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute forMaterials Research /54
Hybrid materials,
Supercritical Fluid
Technology

Dr.of Engineering

Mingwei Chen *Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for46
Materials Research /Materials ScienceDr.of Engineering

Masayoshi Esashi*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
63 Materials Research / Micro Dr.of Engineering
Electro Mechanical
Systems

Motoko Kotani*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
52
Materials Research/Mathematics (Geometry)

Dr. of Science⑤

Kazue Kurihara*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
61 Materials Research /Colloid and Interface
ScienceDr.of Engineering⑥

Dmitri
Valentinovich
Louzguine*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
44
Materials Research /Materials ScienceDr.of Engineering⑦

Tomokazu Matsue*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
58
Materials Research /Biosensing Engineering

Dr. of Pharmacy⑧

Terunobu
Miyazaki*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
68
Materials / Magnetic
Properties of Materials

Dr.of Engineering

①

②

③

④

Notes

（Host institution：Tohoku UNiversity Abbreviation of the Center： AIMR ）1

（Appendix）
Yasumasa
Nishiura*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
61 Materials Research/Applied Mathematics(Nonliner Dynamics)

Hideo Ohno*

Tohoku University,
Research Institute of
Dr. of Engineering
57
Electrical Communication /Nanoelectronics⑪

Eiji Saitoh*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
40
Materials Research /Quantum Nano Science⑫

Seiji Samukawa*

53 Institute for Fluid Science / Dr. of Engineering⑨⑩

Dr. of ScienceDr.of Engineering

Tohoku University,
Nano-Process Engineering⑬

Masatsugu
Shimomura*Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
58
Materials Research /Polymer Science⑭

TakashiTakahashi*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute forDr.of Science
60
Materials Research/SolidState Physics

Katsumi Tanigaki*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute forDr.of Engineering
57
Materials Research / Nano
Materials Science

Michio Tokuyama*

Tohoku University,
Advanced Institute for
63
Materials Research /Statistical Physics

Dr.of Science

Kazuyoshi
Yamada*High Energy Accelerator
Research Organization(KEK) , Institute of62
Materials Structure
Science / Solid-State
Physics

Dr.of Science

Yuichi Ikuhara*

The University of Tokyo,
School of Engineering,
53
Institute of Engineering
Innovation /Dr.of Engineering

Tomasz Dietl*

Polish Academy of
Sciences, Institute of61
Physics / Condensed
Matter Physics (Theory)

Ph.D

Tomas Gessner*

Chemnitz University ofTechnology, Center for
Ph.D
57
Microtechnologies / Device
Science/Technology

⑮

⑯

⑰

⑱

⑲

⑳

Dr.of Engineering（Host institution：Tohoku UNiversity Abbreviation of the Center： AIMR ）2

（Appendix）
Alan Lindsay
Greer*

University of Cambridge,
Department of Materials
56 Science & Metallurgy /Metallurgy & Materials
Science

Ph.D

Kevin J. Hemker*

Johns Hopkins
University,Department of
50
Mechanical Engineering /Physical Metallurgy

Ph.D

Ali
Khademhosseini*

Harvard-MIT Division of
Health Sciences andTechnology, Brigham and36 Women’s Hospital,
Harvard Medical School/Bioanalysis, Microfluidics& Biomaterials

Bioengineering /Ph. DThomas P.
Russell*

University of
Masachusetts,Polymer
59 Science and Engineering
Department /Polymer
Science and Engineering

Ph.D

Alexander Shluger*

University College
London,Department of
Physics and Astronomy
Ph.D
57/Computational Materials
Science,Condensed Matter
Physics (Theory)

Winfried Teizer*

Texas A&M University ,Department of Physics andDirector of Center for
Ph.D
40
Nanoscale Science andTechnology / NanoPhysics

Li-Jun Wan*

Chinese Academy of
Sciences,Institute of
54 Chemistry /SPM,Physical
Chemistry,Nanoscienceand technology

Ph.D

Paul S. Weiss*

University of California,
Los Angels, California
52
NanoYsstems Institute /Surface Science

Ph.D

㉙

Hongkai Wu*

Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology,
33 Department of Chemistry / Ph. D in Chemistry
Bioanalysis, Microfluidics& Biomaterials㉚

Qi kun Xue*

48 University,Department of

㉑

㉒

㉓

㉔

㉕

㉖

㉗

㉘

Tsinghua
Ph.D

Pysics / Surface Science（Host institution：Tohoku UNiversity Abbreviation of the Center： AIMR ）3

（Appendix）
Grenoble Institute of㉛

Alain Reza Yavari*

62 Technology /Physical

Ph.D

Metallurgy（Host institution：Tohoku UNiversity Abbreviation of the Center： AIMR ）4