Introduction of Affiliated Research Institutes

• Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology
• Center for Crossover Education

Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology    　　　WEBSITE

Introduction to the Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology
The history of Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology goes back to the Research Institute of Underground Resources founded under Akita Mining College in 1948. The name of the institute was changed to the Research Institute of Natural Resources in 1986, to the Research Institute of Materials and Resources in 1996, to the Center for Geo-Environmental Science in 2006, and to the Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology in 2018. In accordance with the time, our main research field has shifted from mining and fuel chemistry based on mineral resources to engineering field. Since the reorganization to the Center for Geo-Environmental Science, we have been conducting comprehensive research aimed at realizing a sustainable recycling society and at developing new functional materials to maintain a better global environment associated with harmonious coexistence of nature and human beings. Through discussions and the reorganization to the Graduate School of Engineering Science and, the Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology was established in April, 2018.

Aim of the Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology
We pursue to form a strategic research cluster and focus on creating new values based on materials, which is our long-standing strength in Akita University. Our aim is to both further advance our progressive research in each research field and play a significant role in conducting strategic research by forming collaborative partnerships with courses, with relevant research institutes, domestic and overseas universities and public research institutes and companies.

Research Theme
Electrode materials and catalysts for hydrogen production
Electrode materials for storage batteries
Electron transport layer material for solar cells

Members of the Research Center of Advanced Materials for Breakthrough Technology
Our center consists of professor (Michihisa Fukumoto) and technical staff, supporting professors from each research field and clerical workers. Also, visiting professors, foreign visiting researchers and post-doctoral fellows serve as our research partners. Since we consider education through advanced research activities as another important mission of our center, we accept undergraduates, Master's and Doctor's students, and exchange students.

Center for Crossover Education 　　　　　WEBSITE

Introduction to the Center for Crossover Education

The Center for Crossover Education was reactivated in April 2019 as an affiliated facility that implements a variety of new initiatives related to science and technology-based practical education. The reactivation of previously existing center, was done by reorganizing the affiliated manufacturing creation engineering center. The center is responsible for the development of new methods for science and technology education, internationalization of education and teaching duties, and consists of the following three divisions devoted to the improvement of the quality of education for both students and teachers.

We will continue to carry out children's manufacturing classes that we have been working on at the Creative Engineering Center for Progress. The Center for Crossover Education aims to be a center familiar to students, teachers and everyone in the Faculty of Engineering Science.

1) Education Methods Development Division

In charge of developing educational methods such as Project Based Learning (PBL) and Active Learning. We will develop and practice classes that integrate, or cross, specialized fields, instead of PBL education and active learning, such as Creative Studio Training, which have been tackled separately in each course so far. In addition, we will create a new curriculum for educational methods in cooperation with local companies, including internships.

2) Globalization Division

Responsible for promoting study abroad and accepting foreign students. Studying abroad and living in another country is the ultimate hands-on experience and learning practice.

With a vision of future internationalization of Akita, we will handle the dispatch and acceptance of foreign students at the Faculty of Engineering Science. We will offer consultation to students who want to study abroad. Furthermore, the number of lectures with English as a medium of instruction at Akita University is expected to increase due to the growth of foreign student enrollment. We will develop innovative lectures in English so that each instructor can provide high quality English lectures.

3) Teacher profession-related Division

Responsibilities will relate to obtaining a teacher license. The center will be the contact point for students who wish to acquire a teacher's license and aim for a junior high school teacher position. Interested students are always welcomed to come here for consultation.