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 9^th August 2016, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) announced that they would commence support for 4 coordinated projects in cooperation with the French National Research Agency (ANR)^*1) 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 FY2016 Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)^*2. The selected projects are as follows:

(1) “Molecular Memory with Phase Change Coordination Polymers for future PCRAM ”

Satoshi HORIKE, Assistant Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University

Aude DEMESSENCE, researcher, Institute of Researches on Catalysis and Environment at Lyon

The aim of this research is to develop a new class of molecular memory device. Phase transition of molecular network system in coordination polymer crystals will be utilized for the switching ON/OFF.

(2) “Intracellular tracking of protein function by design and synthesis of fluorogenic probes for MEMORY imaging”

Kazuya KIKUCHI, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University

Jens HASSERODT, Professor of Chemistry, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon

By the design and synthesis of protein tracking probes, the evidence of protein localization can be imaged. This MEMORY imaging can solely be materialized by the molecular techniques of applicants.

(3) “On-surface synthesis of covalent networks with integrated optical functions”

Yousoo KIM, Chief Scientist, Surface and Interface Science Laboratory, RIKEN

Sylvain CLAIR, CNRS Senior Researcher, IM2NP (Institut Matériaux Microélectronique Nanosciences de Provence)

The present PHOTONET project aims at developing an adaptive 2D covalent network as a universal scheme for creating robust organic surfaces possessing targeted integrated photoactive functions to create a photoactive surface with designed optical properties. The development of the new material targeted in this project will have potential long-term applications in a wide range of different domains, such as light-emitting devices and photovoltaics, molecular memory, chiral surfaces, and intelligent membranes.

(4) “Versatile ultra-sensitive FET sensor: Application to the detection of Cesium in natural waters”

Yutaka WAKAYAMA, Group Leader, International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics,

National Institute for Materials Science

Anne CHARRIER, CNRS researcher, CINaM (Centre Interdisciplinaire de Nanoscience de Marseille)

The main purpose of this project is to develop organic field-effect transistors (OFET) for sensing versatile ions with ultra-high sensitivity and selectivity. For this purpose, the device components, including calixarene for Cs+ ion recognition, lipid membrane for insulator and organic semiconductor for a transistor channel, will be appropriately designed and assembled into the OFET-based device configuration.

A total of 17 proposals were submitted in response to the joint call for proposals implemented by JST and ANR, which closed in April 5^th, 2016. Based on the results of evaluation conducted by experts, JST and ANR 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.