Japan

The Government of Japan has long recognized the importance of the nanotechnology sector for economic growth and development, prioritizing nanotechnology and nanomaterials as one of four key research fields since 2001. Since then, major investments have been made in clean energy, electronics, advanced nanomaterials, and nanotechnologies to support healthy lives. As a result of this investment, Japan has also become an attractive place for commercialization for nanotechnology-based products and innovations, with a large private sector for manufacturing and R&D activities. 

As such Japan is a top priority for WIN, with areas of common strength and vision including electric/electronic materials, polymers and organic molecules, biomaterials, optical materials, sensors & actuators, quantum materials, and green research on energy & environmental materials. 

WIN has participated in the annual NanoTech Japan Exhibition and Tradeshow at Tokyo Big Sight where WIN participated in the Canadian program with NanoOntario and NanoCanada, meeting with the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) for programs on faculty exchanges and funding.

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)

The National Institute for Materials Science is one of the largest scientific research centres in Japan, established in 2001 with four campuses – Sengen, Namiki, Sakura and Meguro within the city of Tsukuba, each hosting distinct scientific research units and approximately 1500 researchers and engineers in total. NIMS is dedicated to materials research, emphasizing synthesis, characterization and applications of metals, semiconductors, superconductors, ceramics, and organic materials for applications in electronics, energy, communications and biotechnologies. The overlap of research interests between WIN and NIMS is significant, and NIMS has been a valued and trusted partner.

The renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between WIN and NIMS Japan was signed Nov 2016 with a duration of five (5) years.

Additionally, every year NIMS hires University of Waterloo Nanotechnology Engineering undergraduate students for a research internship program and in 2020 the Cooperative Graduate Agreement between UW and NIMS Japan was signed in October 2018. This agreement is designed to provide a mechanism for PhD students from UW to engage in research by providing funding for living accommodations. In January 2020, NIMS hosted the first two UW PhD students from this program, Monika Snowdon (Chem) and Sirshendu Misra (MME), for an 8-month internship.

History of WIN-Japan Activities and Initiatives

  • WIN has participated in the NanoTech Japan Exhibition and Tradeshow at Tokyo Big Sight every year since 2011, where WIN participated in the Canadian program with NanoOntario and NanoCanada, meeting with NIMS for programs on faculty exchanges and funding