#Japan #Okayama #Okayama University #interdisciplinary research #Photon Nexus

Okayama University Hosts the 4th Meeting of Photon Creation Nexus

On January 6, 2026, Okayama University, located in Okayama City, Japan, held its fourth meeting of the Photon Creation Nexus. This event took place at the Co-Creation Innovation Lab (KIBINOVE) on the Tsushima campus.

The Photon Creation Nexus is designed to foster collaboration among researchers from diverse fields who utilize light as a means of research. The primary objective is to create new research themes and promote practical applications that stem from interdisciplinary cooperation. Building on the success of the previous three meetings, this session was structured as a poster session, encouraging a relaxed atmosphere for discussions while participants enjoyed light refreshments.

This meeting was open to the entire university community, drawing around 30 participants, including faculty members, members of the AI-HPC Partners initiative, URA, CD (collaboration between industry and academia), and students. The diverse representation encouraged vibrant discussions, contributing to an engaging exchange of ideas and fostering potential collaboration among researchers from various academic backgrounds.

During the poster session, participants not only shared their research findings but also addressed common challenges in their respective fields, alongside their hobbies and specialties. This unique setup allowed for conversations that transcended specific research themes, showcasing the enthusiasm among educators eager to engage in dialogue. Active question-and-answer sessions further enriched the interactions, leading to the emergence of innovative ideas and prospects for future joint research initiatives.

The Photon Creation Nexus emphasizes inclusivity, serving as an open platform for researchers eager to challenge themselves or connect with disciplines beyond their own. Looking forward, it aims to grow as a hub of collaboration and co-creation. The next meeting in this series is scheduled for January 22, 2026, and we encourage continued support for Okayama University's distinctive approach as a core research institution in the region.

Key Presentations from the Meeting

Several intriguing research topics were presented during the session, showcasing a wide array of innovative work:

1. Plasmon Color Change Accompanied with Dewetting Phenomenon of Gold Nanofilms by Nobuko Fukuda, Professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Life Science (Engineering).
2. Development of Peptide Phase Separation Droplets that Disappear with Light by Takashi Ohtsuki, Professor at the Graduate School of Health System Integrated Sciences.
3. Light-Molecule Construction Method Enabling Spatio-Temporal Control of Pharmacological Activity by Hideki Okamura, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Medicine and Dentistry.
4. Solid State Fluorescence Changes through Unequal Reaction of Dihydropentacene Derivatives by Tomoyuki Tajima, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Life Science (Engineering).
5. Crystallographic and Electronic Structure Analysis of Dion-Jacobson-Type Layered Perovskite Materials by Jun Kano, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Life Science (Engineering).
6. Development of Organic Photocatalysts Utilizing Visible Light as an Energy Source by Kenta Tanaka, Assistant Professor at the Advanced Research Institute for Basic Science.
7. Development of Semiconductor Polymers with an Electron-Deficient Complex Polycyclic Aromatic Compound as the Main Backbone by Yuki Mori, Assistant Professor at the Advanced Research Institute for Basic Science.
8. Understanding and Reconstruction of Life Systems through Light by Yosuke Senju, Associate Professor at the Advanced Research Institute for Basic Science.

The atmosphere at the KIBINOVE facility was one of enthusiasm and collaboration, reflecting Okayama University's commitment to advancing science through mutual engagement and interdisciplinary research. This initiative adds to the broader efforts of the university to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and embrace innovative solutions for global challenges.

To learn more about the Photon Creation Nexus and the ongoing activities at Okayama University, visit their official website.