To strengthen research capabilities and industry-academic collaborative functions, the Materials Innovation Lab was formed in October of 2018 as a research hub and center for the creation of revolutionary international macromolecular and composite new materials. It is expected to produce materials with electronic, optical, and thermal properties which have not been obtainable through conventional macromolecular materials; molding processes and universal designs which have not been possible with conventional inorganic materials (ceramics); and materials which take advantage of the idiosyncratic behavior and characteristics of nanomaterials. In conjunction with the FY2018 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) Program for Enhancing Common Infrastructure of Science and Technology under the Operations for Promoting Science and Technology System Reform, we established an ‘Open Lab’ where professors and graduate students from multiple academic fields and programs are encouraged to join us in conducting research, we are making equipment available which is essential to macromolecular and fibrous materials, organic materials, ceramics, and nanomaterials researchers. In cooperation with the manufacturers involved in comprehensive analytics and device production with whom we have been collaborating on device development, we are currently promoting a ‘share lab,’ the first of its kind, where new materials are being developed as human resources are trained.

This laboratory aims to build a research center for the creation of new fields of next-generation materials by “super-hierarchical networks” that involve “expression of functions and performance beyond the hierarchy of materials”, “communication through interaction beyond the hierarchy of people”, and “harmony beyond the boundaries of disciplines”. We promote international collaboration centered on attracting overseas units to conduct cutting-edge research related to the development of new materials. From the aspect of industrial and regional development, we accelerate further joint research with companies in cooperation with local communities and industries, and promote human resource development for young researchers and graduate students and recurrent education for company researchers through “research exchanges in different fields”