The Inamori Foundation announced the 2022 fellows for the Inamori Research Institute for Science (InaRIS) Fellowship Program on March 18, 2022. This year, we will welcome two new fellows, Shunsuke Fukami (Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University) and Daishi Fujita (Associate Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University), who were selected from 56 applicants.
2022 InaRIS Fellow
Fukami, Shunsuke
Professor, Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University
| Research Topics | Induction of “intelligence” in materials by artificial control and its development to computing |
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| Summary | Using current artificial intelligence based on sequential and deterministic algorithms to address complex problems such as recognition and decision making requires a huge amount of computation and power. If one develops computers that can execute such problems more efficiently, it will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is known that some of the algorithms that have led to the current artificial intelligence were inspired by the inherent properties of materials and substances, such as analog, probabilistic, and bidirectional properties. This research aims to develop a new computer that can execute such original algorithms of artificial intelligence naturally by utilizing these inherent properties of materials and substances. Based on the insight obtained from spintronics research to date, the unexplored functionalities of materials that could be applied to new computer have already been examined, and the first steps toward development have already been taken. |
2022 InaRIS Fellow
Fujita, Daishi
Associate Professor, Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University
| Research Topics | Matrix synthesis for bio-originated materials and creation of new functions |
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| Summary | In living organisms, proteins can convert chemical, light, and electrical energy into each other with almost 100% efficiency. This conversion efficiency is something that cannot be reached by artificial materials. However, because proteins are fragile outside the biological environment, it has not been possible to utilize their excellent functions outside the biological environment, such as in solids. One way to solve this problem is to encapsulate the protein in a giant capsule-type molecule (cage). Based on the new design guidelines for self-assembling systems developed so far, this research aims to create custom-made cages according to a type of proteins and protect the protein, thereby applying its functions to devices. |