Nanotechnology in Japan

Starting in 1992 (the year Nanosystems was published), Japan spent a decade developing the foundations for bottom-up nanotech. According to this article, they worked on four things:

1) "identification and manipulation of atoms and molecules" -- Obviously of great importance for bottom-up nanofabrication.

2) "formation and control of nanostructures on the surface and at the interface of materials" -- Likewise, very important.

3) "spin electronics" -- I'm not sure why this was in there; possibly to provide a short-term profitable spinoff (no pun intended).

4) "theoretical analysis of the dynamic processes of atoms and molecules" -- This sounds like research into bonding, and quite possibly relevant to mechanochemistry.

The leader, Kazunobu Tanaka, designed a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative working environment. He called for strong university participation. He put together a laboratory with 100 scientists sharing facilities, including cafeteria and relaxation room. He also recommends active use of sabbatical leaves and flexible university curriculums.

According to the article, "Dr. Tanaka says nanotechnology in Japan will not make any progress unless project leaders and researchers with a wide outlook are brought up. He adds that the master plan for developing nanotechnology in Japan should be discussed from the mid- and long-term viewpoint by young researchers with strong physical and intellectual ability."

This sounds to me like a very effective process for developing advanced technology. And this is not just theory; it's been put into practice in a decade-long foundational project that finished two years ago. Japan has now put hundreds if not thousands of research-years into bottom-up fabrication. (It's also worth noting that as of April 1999, 30 private enterprise companies were connected to the "Angstrom Technology Partnership"; see the first image in the sidebar.) And they've had plenty of time to think about the implications and applications.

I'm encouraged that they appear to be socially conscious. The reason for the sabbaticals is to allow the researchers to "reconfirm the positioning of their own studies in society." And the purpose of the flexible university curriculums is "to respond quickly to changing times and to meet current social needs." But planning with respect to a single society won't be enough to address the planet-scale issues that molecular manufacturing will create.

Chris Phoenix

Comments

[Nathan Agola]

Could you kindly let me know if there are any social network/advocay groups in Japan concerned with emerging technologies and byproducts - nanotechnology specifically

[Mike Treder, CRN]

We don't yet know of any in Japan, although that doesn't mean they don't exist. We have contacts in China, Russia, Europe, and South America, but none in Japan. If you find any that we should be aware of, please let us know.