JST is to fund 4 research projects coordinated by Japan and France within the
framework of the Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)

On the 30^th October 2015, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the French National Research Agency (ANR)^*1) announced that they would commence support for 4 coordinated projects on the topic of “Molecular Technology”. This support, within the framework of JST-ANR Coordinated Research, will be provided as an activity of JST’s FY2015 Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)^*2. The selected projects are as follows:

(1) “Development of optically active flexible materials based on molecular assembly-templated chiral hybrid nanostructures”

Hirotaka IHARA, Professor, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kumamoto University Reiko ODA, Research Director, Institute of Chemistry and Biology of Membrane and Nano-objects, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)

In this project, we propose a new strategy for fabricating next-generation light-management systems using molecular assembly-based enhanced chirality. The project is also aimed at realizing high-intensity circularly polarized luminescence and tunability in its luminescent band.

(2) “Innovative materials from sequence-controlled segments in macromolecules”

Makoto OUCHI, Associate Professor, Department of Polymer Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University François TOURNILHAC, Director of Research, Soft Matter and Chemistry Laboratory, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)

In this project, sequence-controlled segment is precisely introduced into polymer chain to control self-assembly and/or crystallization behavior. Finally we develop innovative materials beyond conventional polymeric counterparts specific to the incorporated sequence segment.

(3) “Molecularly-directed hybrid nanobuilding block self-assembly towards original 2D and 3D mesoscale architectures for catalysis”

Kazuyuki KURODA, Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University Michel WONG CHI MAN, CNRS Senior Researcher, Institut Charles Gerhardt Montpellier, Ecole Normale Superieure Chimie Montpellier (ENSCM)

This research is aimed at creating a novel class of ordered hybrid functional nanomaterials designed at the molecular level by ordered assembly of siloxane-based nanobuilding blocks towards various applications, including highly efficient catalysts, selective membranes, and drug-delivery carriers.

(4) “Molecular design of biocatalytic 3D nanocarbon architectures for long-lasting glucose fuel cells”

Yuta NISHINA, Associate Professor, Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University Michael Holzinger, Researcher, Department of Molecular Chemistry, Joseph Fourier University – Grenoble

This research aims to produce biocompatible and long-lasting biofuel cell by molecular design of the electrode materials.

A total of 24 proposals were submitted in response to the joint call for proposals implemented by JST and ANR, which closed in May 2015. Separate expert evaluations were commissioned by the two parties and conducted according to their respective criteria. The evaluations assessed the quality of the research plans and expected effectiveness of exchange, among other aspects. Based on those evaluations, the Program Officers, the advisors (JST side) and the panel committee (ANR side) jointly decided on the four successful projects to select for funding. Support to both the Japanese and French teams will continue for about three years.