Message from the Director
A wide array of materials including metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and polymers contribute to modern technologies in every field from energy to ICT, medicine, healthcare, and high-speed transport, and many technological domains have developed together with the creation of advanced materials. Progress in materials science will continue to be essential as an academic platform for acceleration of such materials creation.
With support from the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), the Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR) aims to contribute to society through the creation of innovative materials. Founded in 2007, AIMR brings together international researchers in materials science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other fields. Since its establishment, AIMR has advanced top-level research in each of its research fields and conducted interdisciplinary research. In 2012, AIMR appointed the mathematician Professor Motoko Kotani as director and started the collaboration between mathematics and materials science with a view to identifying universal principles common to different material systems. Working together under one roof, materials scientists and a wide range of mathematicians spanning pure and applied mathematics have achieved major successes and continue to build new academic platforms for materials science based on predictions.
As well as further reinforcing AIMR’s unique academic foundations as a WPI Academy member, by developing actual technological fields in concert with cutting-edge technologies in areas such as measurement, we will create materials that make a genuine contribution to society. Through such interdisciplinary research we will also develop young researchers from Japan and abroad who have diverse skills and promote multi-faceted international ties to provide powerful impetus to the global advanced materials science.
Considering that Tohoku University in 2022 marked the 115th year since its founding, AIMR at 17 years old is still relatively young. Since its establishment, a Director-led top-down decision-making approach was introduced, a basic WPI concept, and various system reforms have been carried out. AIMR has made many advanced efforts, such as the introduction of a new human resources system and provision of diverse support programs for international researchers. The sharing and utilization of AIMR accomplishments are helping to strengthen the globalization and research capabilities of the entire University. We intend to continue going ahead steadfastly as a part of Tohoku University.
AIMR is striving to bring advanced materials science to the world. I look forward to your continued support for us.
Shin-ichiORIMO
Director
Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University
