Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

Call for Applications Available: Monday, May 19, 2025 (JST) Application Period: Monday, June 16 – Wednesday, July 16, 2025 (JST)   The Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University, plans to seek qualified candidates for the position of assistant professor. The selected individuals will belong to the Creative Interdisciplinary Research Division and, as Principal Investigators (PIs) of the University for International Research Excellence, will be engaged in research activities focused on one of the following areas, including all disciplines: 1) Materials and Energy, 2) Life and Environment, 3) Information and Systems, 4) Devices and Technology, 5) Human and Society, or 6) Advanced Basic Science, and interdisciplinary research activities within and outside of the area. # Dedicated website for Tohoku University’s accreditation as a University for International Research Excellence: https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/research_excellence/   For details, please refer to the official Call for Applications, which will be published on our institute’s website on Monday, May 19, 2025 (JST). An online information session for this call will be held in early June 2025. Details regarding registration for the session will also be provided in the Call for Applications.   This recruitment will be carried out based on the New Human Resource Strategies of FRIS under the University for International Research Excellence, as well as FRIS’s “Frontier Researchers for Interdisciplinary Sciences Shoshi Program (FRIS Shoshi Program)”.   Summary (Tentative): (Note) Please be sure to review the official Call for Applications before applying. Position Assistant Professor (PI) Number of Positions Tenure-track (7-year fixed term) A tenure review will be conducted between the third and fifth year after the initial appointment. If successful, the candidate will be promoted to Associate Professor (tenured). If unsuccessful, the candidate will continue in the current position until the end of the 7-year term (reappointment is not possible). Location Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences 6-3 Aramaki aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan Qualifications Those who have a doctoral degree upon taking up the post Those who are eager to actively participate in interdisciplinary research Those who can manage a laboratory as Principal Investigator (PI) and explore original research topics Those who have distinguished research achievements in their own field of expertise Those who have abilities to communicate in English We welcome applications from diverse individuals in terms of expertise, gender, nationality and culture. Application Deadline    2025.07.16 (Wednesday) 12:00 (noon) (JST) Starting Employment 2026.04.01 Required Documents In addition to the applicant’s resume information and information about researcher ID (Scopus Author ID, ORCID iD, researchmap URL), and information about four referees (two or more of whom must be from outside Japan), the following documents will be required:   (1) Curriculum Vitae with a list of research achievements (2) Description of up to five major papers or up to five major achievements (3) Research activity plan (in the specified format) (4) Self-evaluation report on research performance (in the specified format)   (Note) Please be aware that the types and contents of the required application documents differ significantly from those in previous assistant professor recruitment calls at our institute. Be sure to carefully review the official Call for Applications before applying.

Our universe is filled with cosmic rays, high-energy protons and atomic nuclei. However, where and how these cosmic rays are accelerated remains one of the major unsolved mysteries in astrophysics. One of the most promising candidates for the origin of cosmic ray acceleration is supernova remnants—structures left behind after supernova explosions. It is believed that cosmic rays are accelerated by shock waves formed when the matter ejected during a supernova collides with the surrounding interstellar gas. Recent observations of supernova explosions have revealed that extremely dense circumstellar material ubiquitously exists around exploding stars. When the ejected matter from the supernova collides with this dense material, strong shock waves are generated, which can accelerate cosmic rays. These accelerated cosmic rays then interact with the dense circumstellar material, producing gamma rays and neutrinos. By observing these gamma rays and neutrinos, we may be able to identify the sites and mechanisms of cosmic ray acceleration.   A research team, Shigeo KIMURA at FRIS, Tohoku University and Takashi MORIYA at Division of Science, NAOJ, developed a new method to calculate neutrino and gamma-ray emissions produced when a supernova explosion interacts with dense circumstellar material. Applying this method to SN 2023ixf—a supernova that occurred in a nearby galaxy in 2023—they succeeded in placing constraints on the efficiency of cosmic ray production. Using radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, the team reproduced the structure of the circumstellar material and the ejecta from the explosion that matched optical observations of SN 2023ixf. Based on this simulation data, they constructed a framework to compute gamma-ray and neutrino emissions. The calculations revealed that if the cosmic ray production efficiency were greater than 10%, it would contradict the fact that current gamma-ray telescopes did not detect any signals from SN 2023ixf. This method will be applied to multiple supernovae in the future, potentially revealing the efficiency of cosmic ray production at shock fronts.   These results were published in The Astrophysical Journal on May 2nd, 2025. Figure: SN 2023ixf appeared in the Pinwheel Galaxy. Credit:International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA Image Processing: J. Miller (Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), M. Rodriguez (Gemini Observatory/NSF NOIRLab), M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab), T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab) & D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab). Publication information Title: High-energy gamma-ray and neutrino emissions from interacting supernovae based on radiation hydrodynamic simulations: a case of SN 2023ixf Authors: Shigeo S. Kimura, Takashi J. Moriya Journal: The Astrophysical Journal DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/adc716 URL: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/adc716 Press Release: Division of Science, NAOJ https://sci.nao.ac.jp/main/en/highlights-en/highlight20250507

Scientists are racing against time to try and create revolutionary, sustainable energy sources (such as solid-state batteries) to combat climate change. However, this race is more like a marathon, as conventional approaches are trial-and-error in nature, typically focusing on testing individual materials and set pathways one by one. To get us to the finish line faster, researchers at Tohoku University, including Dr. Linda Zhang of FRIS, developed a data-driven AI framework that points out potential solid-state electrolyte (SSE) candidates that could be "the one" to create the ideal sustainable energy solution.   This model does not only select optimal candidates, but can also predict how the reaction will occur and why this candidate is a good choice - providing interesting insights into potential mechanisms and giving researchers a huge head start without even stepping foot into the lab.   These findings were published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition on April 17, 2025. Figure 1: Big data-driven AI analysis of hydride SSEs. (A) Left: Temperature profiles of the ionic conductivity of all types of SSEs extracted from available experimental data reported to date. Right: Computational Ea values obtained using different methods for all types of SSEs reported to date. (B) Temperature profiles of the ionic conductivity of hydride SSEs extracted from available experiments reported to date. Point size represents the Ea value, with larger points indicating higher Ea. (C) Benchmarking analysis between experimental Ea and the computational Ea from different methods (D) Schematic diagram of the proposed workflow to develop high-performance SSE. ©Qian Wang et al. "The model essentially does all of the trial-and-error busywork for us," explains Professor Hao Li (Advanced Institute for Materials Research). "It draws from a large database from previous studies to search through all the potential options and find the best SSE candidate." The method is a pioneering data-driven AI framework which integrates large language models (LLMs), MetaD, multiple linear regression, genetic algorithm, and theory-experiment benchmarking analysis. Essentially, the predictive models draw from both experimental and computational data. Computation-assisted research gives researchers a solid lead for which avenue might have the most successful outcome.   A goal of this study was to understand the structure-performance relationships of SSEs. The model predicts activation energy, identifies stable crystal structures, and improves the workflow of scientists overall. Their findings demonstrate that ab initio MetaD represents an optimal computational technique that shows high levels of agreement with experimental data for complex hydride SSEs.   Figure 2: Experimental and simulated cation migration barriers of hydride SSEs. (A) Typical cations, anions, and neutral molecules in hydride SSEs. (B) Comparison between experimental Ea and the simulated Ea from MetaD simulations, for structures with (filled icons) and without (half-filled icons) neutral molecules. (C) Snapshots of MetaD simulations of Mg(BH4)2·2NH3. (D) The projected spatial track of Mg2+ ion (Mg-track project) during the simulations. (E-F) The unit structure (E) and migration process (F) of Mg(BH4)2·2NH3 and LiBH4·NH3. (G) The potential energy surface of Mg(BH4)2·2NH3 captured by MetaD simulations. ©Qian Wang et al. Moreover, they identified a novel "two-step" ion migration mechanism in both monovalent and divalent hydride SSEs arising from the incorporation of molecular groups. Leveraging feature analysis combined with multiple linear regression, they successfully constructed precise predictive models for the rapid evaluation of hydride SSE performance. Notably, the proposed framework also enables accurate prediction of candidate structures without relying on experimental inputs. Collectively, this study provides transformative insights and advanced methodologies for the efficient design and optimization of next-generation solid-state batteries, significantly contributing toward sustainable energy solutions.   The researchers plan to broaden the application of this framework across diverse electrolyte families. They also foresee a use for generative AI tools that may be able to explore ion migration pathways and reaction mechanisms, thus improving the predictive capacity of the platform.   The key experimental and computational results are available in the Dynamic Database of Solid-State Electrolyte (DDSE) developed by Hao Li's team, the largest solid-state electrolyte database reported to date.     Figure 3: Correlation analysis between the migration Ea of hydride SSEs and theoretical descriptors. (A) Feature analysis with the calculated coefficient of determination (R2) for the considered eight properties against the Ea, including the volume of a unit cell per formula unit (V), Pauling electronegativity (X), atomic number of the system (Z), the binding energy of a moving cation (bm), anion distance (d), number of the neutral molecules (n), atomic radius (ratom), and ionic radius (rion). (B) Multiple linear regression for divalent SSEs with neutral molecules. ©Qian Wang et al. Publication Details: Title: Unraveling the Complexity of Divalent Hydride Electrolytes in Solid-State Batteries via a Data-Driven Framework with Large Language Model Authors: Qian Wang, Fangling Yang, Yuhang Wang, Di Zhang, Ryuhei Sato, Linda Zhang, Eric Jianfeng Cheng, Yigang Yan, Yungui Chen, Kazuaki Kisu, Shin-ichi Orimo, Hao Li* Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202506573 Press Release: Tohoku University https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/how_can_we_optimize_ssbs_try_asking_ai.html Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/achievements/press/2025/20250430_001967.html Institute for Materials Research https://www.imr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/news/results/detail---id-1743.html  

Actinomycetes are an important group of microorganisms in drug discovery and industry, known for their ability to produce beneficial compounds, including antibiotics. The production of these compounds is regulated by signaling molecules (self-regulatory molecules). These signaling molecules play a crucial role in the exceptional biosynthetic capabilities of actinomycetes; however, only a few have been clearly identified. One reason for this is that signaling molecules are produced at extremely low concentrations, making their analysis highly labor-intensive. In this study, FRIS Associate Professor Yuta Kudo and his group have developed two original methods for the rapid identification of signaling molecules: By co-culturing actinomycetes with a resin (adsorbent) that enhances the production of signaling molecules, they successfully isolated and determined the structure of these molecules at a scale 1/100 of conventional methods. They established a chemo-enzymatic synthesis method by combining organic synthesis with enzymatic reactions utilizing biosynthetic enzymes from actinomycetes. This method enabled the efficient synthesis of signaling molecules and their rapid identification from various actinomycetes employing 12 synthetic standards. Furthermore, this research marks the first discovery of optical isomers of signaling molecules from actinomycetes. By elucidating the structural diversity and distribution of these molecules, the study expands our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms governing secondary metabolism in actinomycetes. Moving forward, these findings are expected to contribute to the increased production of valuable compounds and the discovery of novel bioactive substances. The results of this study have been published in RSC Chemical Biology, a journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and were made available online as an early release on February 25, 2025. The paper is open access. Publication Details: •Title: Establishment and Demonstration of a Rapid Identification Method for Microbial Signaling Molecules Regulating Compound Production •Author: Yuta Kudo*, Keiichi Konoki and Mari Yotsu-Yamashita (*corresponding author) •Journal: RSC Chemical Biology •DOI: 10.1039/d5cb00007f •URL: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/cb/d5cb00007f

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a groundbreaking titanium-aluminum (Ti-Al)-based superelastic alloy. This new material is not only lightweight but also strong, offering the unique superelastic capability to function across a broad temperature range—from as low as –269°C, the temperature of liquid helium, to +127°C, which is above the boiling point of water. This discovery holds significant potential for a variety of applications, including those in space exploration and medical technology.   Figure 1: Lightweight flexible alloy developed in this study. Sheng Xu, an Assistant Professor at Tohoku University’s Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences, emphasized the importance of the alloy’s wide operational temperature range. "This alloy is the first of its kind to maintain superelasticity at such an extreme range of temperatures while remaining lightweight and strong, which opens up a variety of practical applications that were not possible before. The alloy's properties make it ideal for future space missions, such as creating superelastic tires for lunar rovers to navigate the extreme temperature fluctuations on the Moon’s surface." The alloy’s flexibility at extremely low temperatures makes it a promising material useful at liquid hydrogen environment, holding promise for applications in the forthcoming Hydrogen Society and various other industries. Of course, the alloy can be used in everyday applications requiring flexibility, such as medical devices like stents.   Figure 2: Stress-strain curves at various temperatures for the Ti-Al-Cr superelastic alloy. The surface temperature ranges of Earth, Mars and Moon are also shown. Currently, most shape-memory alloys—materials capable of regaining their original shape after force is removed—are limited to specific temperature ranges. The new Ti-Al-based alloy overcomes this limitation, offering wide applicability in fields that require materials with exceptional strength and flexibility, from space exploration to everyday medical tools. The research team employed advanced techniques such as rational alloy design and precise microstructure control. By using phase diagrams, the researchers were able to select alloy components and their proportions. Additionally, they optimized processing and heat treatment methods to achieve the desired material properties. The implications of this study extend beyond immediate practical applications. "This discovery not only sets a new standard for superelastic materials but also introduces new principles for material design, which will undoubtedly inspire further breakthroughs in materials science," Xu added.   Details of the breakthrough were published in the journal Nature on February 26, 2025.   Figure 3: A comparison between Ti-Al-Cr alloy and other superelastic alloys in terms of lightness and operational temperature range.   Publication Details: Title: A lightweight shape-memory alloy with superior temperature-fluctuation resistance Authors: Yuxin Song#, Sheng Xu#*, Shunsuke Sato, Inho Lee, Xiao Xu, Toshihiro Omori*, Makoto Nagasako, Takuro Kawasaki, Ryoji Kiyanagi, Stefanus Harjo, Wu Gong, Tomáš Grabec, Pavla Stoklasová, Ryosuke Kainuma* Journal: Nature DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08583-7   Press Release: Tohoku University https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/a_lightweight_flexible_alloy_for_extreme_temperatures.html School of Engineering, Tohoku University https://www.eng.tohoku.ac.jp/english/news/detail-,-id,3130.html J-PARC Center https://www.j-parc.jp/c/en/press-release/2025/02/27001478.html

As the world moves toward sustainable energy, hydrogen will likely play an invaluable role as a clean and versatile fuel. Yet, adoption of hydrogen technologies hinges on overcoming key challenges in electrocatalysis, where costly and scarce platinum-group metals have long been the industry standard. Taking one step to rectify this, a research team including Assistant Professor Linda Zhang from FRIS has now developed a new strategy that fine-tunes electronic interactions at the atomic level. The study introduces an innovative electronic fine-tuning (EFT) approach to enhance the interactions between zinc (Zn) and ruthenium (Ru) species, resulting in a highly active and stable catalyst for both the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). By anchoring Ru clusters onto hierarchically layered Zn-N-C nanosheets (denoted as Ru@Zn-SAs/N-C), the team has designed a material that outperforms commercial platinum-based catalysts. "Our work demonstrates how precise control over electronic structures can fundamentally reshape catalytic performance," says Hao Li, associate professor at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) and corresponding author of the paper. "By leveraging the synergy between Zn and Ru, we have developed a cost-effective alternative to conventional platinum catalysts, offering new possibilities for sustainable hydrogen production." Key to this breakthrough is the strong electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) between Zn and Ru, which optimizes the adsorption energy of critical reaction intermediates. X-ray absorption spectroscopy and computational modeling confirm that this synergy shifts *OOH and *OH adsorption energies to an optimal balance, enhancing ORR efficiency. Simultaneously, Ru sites achieve near-ideal hydrogen binding free energy, placing the catalyst at the peak of theoretical HER activity. "This research is not just about replacing platinum," Li explains. "It's about understanding how electronic properties at the atomic level dictate catalytic efficiency. That knowledge allows us to design better, more accessible materials for real-world applications." (a) Schematic illustration of synthesis procedure for Ru@Zn-SAs/N-C catalysts, where the electrostatic potential diagram of the iso-surface value is 0.03 e Å-3; (b-d) SEM images with different magnification; (e) TEM image; (f-g) HRTEM images, (f) the inset is the corresponding particle-size distribution of Ru clusters and (g) the inset shows the Moiré images extracted from the FFT; (h) AC HADDF-STEM image and integrated pixel intensities; (i) AFM image and corresponding height profiles of Ru@Zn-SAs/N-C ©Hao Li et al. These findings have significant implications for the affordability and scalability of hydrogen energy. By reducing dependence on expensive platinum while improving performance, this research contributes to the development of cost-effective hydrogen fuel cells, water electrolysis systems, and sustainable industrial processes. X-ray absorption spectroscopic characterization of Ru@Zn-SAs/N-C. ©Hao Li et al. Looking ahead, the team plans to further refine the EFT strategy, improve catalyst stability under real-world conditions, and develop scalable production methods. Applications in zinc-air batteries, fuel cells, and carbon and nitrogen reduction reactions are also under investigation. The research has been made available through the Digital Catalysis Platform (DigCat), the largest experimental catalysis database to date, developed by the Hao Li Lab. Details of its findings were published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. The article processing charge (APC) was supported by the Tohoku University Support Program. Theoretical calculation analysis. ©Hao Li et al. Publication Details: Title: Synergistic Effects of Ruthenium and Zinc Active Sites Fine Tune the Electronic Structures of Augmented Electrocatalysis Authors: Tingyu Lu, Jing Li, Jingwen Ying, Ningkang Peng, Linda Zhang, Yizhou Zhang, Di Zhang, Songbo Ye, Lin Xu, Dongmei Sun, Hao Li, Yanhui Gu, Yawen Tang Journal: Advanced Functional Materials DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202422594 Press Release: Tohoku University https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/electronic_finetuning_unlocks_superior_performance.html Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/achievements/press/2025/20250219_001933.html

Researchers at Tohoku University have achieved a significant advancement in opto-magnetic technology, observing an opto-magnetic torque approximately five times more efficient than in conventional magnets. This breakthrough, led by Mr. Koki Nukui, Assistant Professor Satoshi Iihama, and Professor Shigemi Mizukami, has far-reaching implications for the development of light-based spin memory and storage technologies. Opto-magnetic torque is a method which can generate force on magnets. This can be used to change the direction of magnets by light more efficiently. By creating alloy nanofilms with up to 70% platinum dissolved in cobalt, the team discovered that the unique relativistic quantum mechanical effects of platinum significantly boost the magnetic torque. The study revealed that the enhancement of opto-magnetic torque was attributed to the electron orbital angular momentum generated by circularly polarized light and relativistic quantum mechanical effects. When circularly polarized light is incident perpendicular to the surface of a nano-thin film of cobalt-platinum alloy, which consists of cobalt and platinum, an opto-magnetic torque is generated (red and blue vectors) that changes the magnetization direction (black vector). The opto-magnetic torque consists of components out-of-plane (red vector) and in-plane (blue vector). ©Nukui et al. This achievement allows for the same opto-magnetic effect to be produced with only one-fifth of the previous light intensity, paving the way for more energy-efficient opto-magnetic devices. The findings not only provide new insights into the physics of electron orbital angular momentum in metallic magnetic materials but also contribute to the development of high-efficiency spin memory and storage technologies that use light to write information. "These improvements could result in faster and more energy-efficient devices in the future," explains Mizukami. The research aligns with the growing interest in opto-electronic fusion technologies, combining electronic and optical technologies for next-generation applications. This discovery marks a significant step forward in controlling nanomagnetic materials using light and magnetism. These findings were published in Physical Review Letters on January 2, 2025. Examples of experimental data on magnetization oscillation driven by opto- magnetic torque measured by the pump-probe time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect: (a) Cobalt nano-thin film; (b) Cobalt-Platinum nano-thin film (Platinum concentration is 65% atomic ratio); (c) Platinum concentration dependence of the magnitude of opto-magnetic torques evaluated from the measured magnetization oscillations. Both the in-plane and out-of-plane torques increase with the platinum concentration. ©Nukui et al. Publication Details: Title: Light-Induced Torque in Ferromagnetic Metals via Orbital Angular Momentum Generated by Photon Helicity Authors: Koki Nukui, Satoshi Iihama, Kazuaki Ishibashi, Shogo Yamashita, Akimasa Sakuma, Philippe Scheid, Grégory Malinowski, Michel Hehn, Stéphane Mangin, Shigemi Mizukami Journal: PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.134.016701 Press Release: Tohoku University https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/breakthrough_in_optomagnetic_technology_5x_torque.html Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/achievements/press/2025/20250107_001905.html School of Engineering, Tohoku University https://www.eng.tohoku.ac.jp/english/news/detail-,-id,3107.html

The global climate crisis, driven by the depletion of fossil fuels and rising atmospheric CO2 levels, has intensified the need for sustainable energy solutions. Among these, the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR), particularly when integrated with renewable energy sources, has emerged as a promising approach. This process not only mitigates CO2 emissions but also addresses energy storage challenges by converting CO2 into high-value, carbon-neutral fuels. One of the standout products of CO2RR is formic acid (HCOOH), valued for its versatility in industries such as tanning, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, as well as its role as a high-energy-density liquid hydrogen storage medium.   "Formic acid is an indispensable chemical in various industries, and its potential as a hydrogen carrier makes it a critical component for a sustainable energy future," said Xue Jia, an assistant professor at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR). Recent techno-economic analyses have also highlighted the practicality and economic feasibility of synthesizing formic acid through CO2RR, emphasizing its adaptability for future industrial applications.   To advance the development of efficient CO2RR catalysts, Jia and her colleagues conducted a comprehensive study, analyzing over 2,300 experimental reports from the past decade. Their findings underscored the superior activity and selectivity of tin-based catalysts, such as Sn−N4−C single-atom catalysts (SAC) and polyatomic Sn, for HCOOH production. These catalysts consistently outperformed others, including metal-nitrogen-carbon (M−N−C) catalysts and various metals, in terms of formic acid Faradaic efficiency (FE). Figure 1: Summary of the experimental CO2RR performance of 2,348 reported catalysts via a large-scale data mining. ©Hao Li et al. A significant aspect of the study was the influence of pH on catalyst performance. The team's analysis revealed that the selectivity and activity of HCOOH production increase with pH levels, as demonstrated in catalysts like SnO2 and Bi0.1Sn. However, conventional theoretical models that treat pH-dependent energetic corrections as constants failed to accurately predict activity at the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) scale.   "By incorporating electric field effects and pH-dependent free energy formulations, we were able to analyze the selectivity and activity of catalysts under actual working conditions, which is a significant step forward," explained Hao Li, associate professor at WPI-AIMR. This advanced modeling approach provided critical insights into the reaction mechanism, enabling a deeper understanding of the pH-dependent behavior of Sn-based catalysts.   The study also addressed a longstanding challenge: understanding how the structural differences between single-atom and polyatomic Sn catalysts impact their performance. The team discovered that Sn−N4−C SAC exhibits a monodentate adsorption mode, while polyatomic Sn adopts a bidentate mode. These distinct adsorption modes result in opposite dipole moments for the intermediate OCHO, significantly influencing the catalysts' activity and selectivity for CO2RR.   "This structural sensitivity, combined with pH-dependent modeling, has provided a comprehensive understanding of Sn-based catalysts and aligned our predictions with experimental observations," said Linda Zhang, Assistant Professor at Tohoku University's Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS). The research highlights the importance of considering structural and kinetic factors, beyond conventional thermodynamic models, for precise catalyst design. Figure 2: Surface reconstruction analyses. ©Hao Li et al. The implications of this work extend beyond CO2RR. By employing advanced computational techniques, such as density functional theory (DFT) and machine learning force fields (MLFF), the researchers demonstrated the potential of tailoring catalysts for specific reaction conditions. This approach is expected to drive the development of high-performance systems for a range of electrocatalytic processes.   "Precise modeling and advanced computational techniques are enabling us to design catalysts tailored for specific reaction conditions, paving the way for more efficient CO2 reduction technologies," adds Li. The study's integration of experimental and theoretical perspectives marks a significant step toward addressing climate challenges through innovative catalyst design. The findings were published in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, with the authors expressing their gratitude to the Tohoku University Support Program for covering the article processing charge. Figure 3: pH-dependent modelling and benchmarking between theory and experiments. ©Hao Li et al. Publication Details: Title: Divergent Activity Shifts of Tin-Based Catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction: pH-Dependent Behavior of Single-Atom versus Polyatomic Structures Authors: Yuhang Wang, Di Zhang, Bin Sun, Xue Jia, Linda Zhang,, Hefeng Cheng, Jun Fan, and Hao Li Journal: Angewandte Chemie International Edition DOI: 10.1002/anie.202418228 Press Release: Tohoku University https://www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/researchers_unlock_new_insights_into_tin_based_catalysts_for_electrochemical_co_reduction.html Advanced Institute for Materials Research (WPI-AIMR) https://www.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/en/achievements/press/2025/20250115_001913.html  

Artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-enabled robots are becoming a bigger part of our daily lives. Real-time, flexible interactions between humans and robots are no longer just science fiction. As robots become smarter and more human-like in both behavior and appearance, they are transforming from mere tools to potential partners and social entities.   This rapid evolution presents significant challenges to our legal and ethical frameworks, including concerns about privacy, safety, and regulation in the context of AI and robots. The Cambridge Handbook of the Law, Policy, and Regulation for Human-Robot Interaction, published by Cambridge University Press on November 21, 2024, explores and addresses these emerging issues. It is now available online as of December 2024.   Edited by Woodrow Barfield, Yueh-Hsuan Weng, and Ugo Pagallo, three experts in AI-related legal issues, the handbook gathers insights from social sciences, computer science, and engineering. It is the first book to specifically address issues of law, policy, and regulation focusing on human-robot interaction.       “Humanities are crucial to AI development,” says Yueh-Hsuan Weng, Associate Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), Kyushu University, and the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences (FRIS), Tohoku University (Cross-appointment). He is also a co-editor of the book. “Tech professionals can create cutting-edge systems, but without input from legal and humanities perspectives, these systems may struggle to coexist with humans. We hope this book serves as a compass for developers, ensuring AI systems better benefit our society.”   Comprising 46 chapters, the handbook is organized into four parts. The opening section introduces the legal and ethical challenges arising from human-robot interaction, addressing issues such as trust for robots and anthropomorphism—where non-human entities are given human-like emotions or intentions. The second section explores the societal impacts of human-robot interaction, discussing questions about whether AI entities should be granted legal personhood and what steps are needed for the growing integration of robots into human life.   The third section looks deeper into ethical, cultural, and value-based issues in human-robot interaction. A key aspect of AI governance is aligning AI’s value judgments with human values, which can vary across regions, contexts, and cultural value systems. Through a range of scenarios, including the role of robots in long-term assistance, their potential function in religious settings, and intercultural challenges, this chapter reveals the complexities of value alignment. The book concludes by discussing the legal challenges posed by AI’s integration into society, offering insights into how consumer law, criminal law, and constitutional law may need to evolve to accommodate intelligent systems. This handbook brings together authors from various countries and presents case studies from across the globe. By offering diverse perspectives, it provides valuable insights into the ethical dilemmas emerging from our personal interactions with robots, sparking a global dialogue on these issues. “A major issue I addressed in the book is the AI pacing problem,” says Weng. This refers to the gap between rapid AI advancements and the slower pace of legislation. While many countries and organizations are working on regulations for AI-enabled robots, creating comprehensive laws often struggles to keep up with AI’s progress. “Governance mechanisms have been proposed, ranging from ‘hard’ legislation to ‘soft’ ethical guidelines. What’s needed now are solutions that balance enforceability and flexibility.”   One solution Weng proposed in his chapter is global AI ethics standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization. Currently, Weng chairs a working group at the IEEE and is compiling a database of AI-related ethical cases from various countries, modularizing core issues and region-specific concerns, aiming to help developers navigate and apply them effectively.   The handbook also addresses critical topics like anthropomorphism, robots in healthcare, and privacy protection, all requiring continued focus and collaboration. As algorithms enable robots to perform human-like actions, such as robot dogs dancing jazz, these behaviors challenge traditional ethical expectations and may reshape how future generations perceive concepts like “dogs.” Meanwhile, when people, especially older adults, are unfamiliar with robots, they may view robotic caregivers as true companions, leading to emotional challenges. Ethical guidelines are needed to ensure responsible use in these sensitive contexts. Additionally, balancing high-quality services with data security remains an urgent task that demands innovative regulatory solutions.   Reflecting on these topics, Weng emphasizes, “As human-AI interactions become more common, I hope designers, manufacturers, and users of robots will engage with our book. Responsible research and innovation are crucial for the development of AI and robots, and this requires input from people across various societal sectors. We warmly invite everyone to explore this book and join us in creating IEEE’s global standards for AI ethics.”     Publication Details: Book Publised: The Cambridge Handbook on the Law, Policy and Regulation for Human-Robot Interaction Woodrow Barfield, Yueh-Hsuan Weng and Ugo Pagallo (Eds), Cambridge University Press Title: Ethical Design and Standardization for Robot Governance Author: Yueh-Hsuan Weng DOI: 10.1017/9781009386708 ISBN: 9781009386708 URL: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-handbook-of-the-law-policy-and-regulation-for-humanrobot-interaction/5740D8AEA42968E6A195BEDF5CBD0E5C Press Release: Kyushu University https://www.kyushu-u.ac.jp/en/researches/view/318    

FRIS has established the Interdisciplinary Platform for Advanced Health Sensing (Endowed Research Division) through a contribution from Milbon Co., Ltd. This division, led by Associate Professor Masaki Okumura from the Creative Interdisciplinary Research Division, brings together researchers from six different fields: protein science, physical organic chemistry, bio-measurement, mass spectrometry, structural biology, and cosmetic science. The division aims to conduct interdisciplinary research that contributes to the development of cosmetics and quasi-drugs. By integrating knowledge from each field, the division expects to develop cutting-edge measurement techniques for biological systems and gain new insights. Specifically, the research will encompass areas such as proteomics and drug molecular design, contributing to advances in the medical and drug discovery fields, with the goal of exploring new approaches beyond traditional cosmetic research.   With the establishment of this division, a new interdisciplinary platform will be built to accelerate the development of new cosmetics and aim for social implementation, from basic research to product development. Tohoku University, aiming to become a leading research university in Japan and on par with global standards, and Milbon, a pioneer in innovative hair and skin research, will collaborate to drive new innovations.   Press Release: Milbon Co., Ltd. https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000095.000028306.html (in Japanese)