Swiss-Japanese Hydrogen Technology and Energy Storage Workshop

Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)
http://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/sicorp/index.html
October 5&6, 2016 in Tokyo, Japan

The Swiss-Japanese Hydrogen Technology and Energy Storage Workshop was jointly run by Japan Science and Technology Agency JST (Department of International Affairs), Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich ETHZ, Paul Scherrer Institute and the Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER) Heat & Electricity Storage.

In its previous Strategic International Research Cooperative Program (SICP)*1, JST had been implementing joint calls and supporting collaborative research with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) in the field of life science. Following the workshop on Energy Materials in Switzerland in March 2016, the theme of the October workshop was related to Hydrogen Technology and Energy Storage, with the aim being to promote research exchange between the two countries and explore new research fields that have synergetic effects for both countries. Hereafter, a new support will investigate the new framework of the Strategic International Collaborative Research Program (SICORP)*2.

The workshop was organized and led by the scientific chairs Prof. Shin-ichi Orimo (Head of Orimo Laboratory “Hydrogen Functional Materials Division” at the Advanced Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku Univeristy) and on the Swiss side Dr. Thomas Schmidt (Head of Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER) Heat & Electricity Storage) and Dr. Rörg Roth (Coordinator of Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER) Heat & Electricity Storage). During the workshop, participants presented their research through speeches and in poster sessions in the fields of Hydrogen Technology, Energy Scenario and System, Interface and Catalyst for Energy Device and Biomolecule and Chemical Process for Energy Harvesting, followed by lively discussions. Also, the participants and organizers were honored to listen to the opening speech of H.E. Mr. Jean-François Paroz, Ambassador of Switzerland to Japan.

About 40 researchers took part in the two-day event and exchanged useful information on both countries’ research efforts and the latest research trends. Through the workshop, new collaborations on research between Japan and Switzerland is expected in the research fields discussed.

• (*1) JST has been implementing the Strategic International Research Cooperative Program (SICP) since 2003. As part of that framework, JST has supported collaborative research projects with Switzerland in the fields of medicine (2008 and 2009), molecular medicine (2011) and medicine for an aging society (2012).
  ( http://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/sicp/country/switzerland.html )
• (*2) JST has been executing the international joint research program called SICORP since FY2009, together with leading countries and regions in various research fields. The aim of this program is to contribute solutions to challenges facing world today and to bolster Japan’s scientific and technological capabilities through collaboration with a broad range of countries.
  ( http://www.jst.go.jp/inter/english/sicorp/index.html )