2025 Activity Report vol.21:Nagoya University

The Sakura Science Exchange Program was held from January 19 to February 7, 2026, at Nagoya University (SAITO Laboratory). The program aimed to promote hands-on research training and explore future collaborative research opportunities through academic exchange with faculty members, researchers, and students. Participants developed research ideas, conducted laboratory work, attended lectures and seminars, and visited advanced materials analysis facilities. Through continuous engagement and discussions with Japanese and international students as well as experts from academia and industry, the program strengthened participants' research skills and established networks for future collaboration.

At the beginning of the program, an orientation session was conducted to introduce the faculty members and students of SAITO Laboratory, as well as the laboratory's research areas. Participants presented their previous research conducted in Thailand to share their skills and backgrounds, and discussions were held to clarify the objectives and expectations of the program. The orientation also included an introduction to the research workflow, laboratory safety training, and guidance on daily life in Japan. In addition, participants visited the Nobel Prize research exhibition at Nagoya University, which provided inspiration and highlighted the importance of fundamental scientific research and its potential to impact society.

In this program, the participants explored the use of abundant Thai biomass to produce carbon supports for Pt catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells using the solution plasma technique. Participants first joined introductory lectures and safety training, then moved to hands-on laboratory practice under the guidance of Saito Laboratory members. Through experiments, electrochemical device preparation, and basic material characterization, they strengthened practical research skills in data handling, troubleshooting, and teamwork through close interaction with faculty and international students.

In addition, participants attended the BMMP2026 Symposium, which showcased cutting-edge research on biomimetic materials and their applications in energy and environmental fields. The symposium stimulated active discussions and broadened participants' perspectives within an international research context. Moreover, participants visited Toyota-related automotive facilities to learn about energy technologies and their practical implementation in industry, particularly concepts related to clean-energy vehicles and sustainable energy use. The program also included a visit to the Aichi Synchrotron Radiation Center, where participants learned about the role of advanced research infrastructure in materials analysis through lectures on synchrotron operation, beamline selection for specific analytical purposes, and key techniques such as XAFS. This experience enhanced participants' understanding of the importance of large-scale research facilities in modern materials science.

Participants also visited Nagoya Castle and the Nagoya City Science Museum to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and the scientific mindset that has supported Japan's research and technological development, which is an important aspect of conducting research exchange in Japan.

After multiple rounds of experiments, data analysis, and group discussions, participants delivered final research presentations summarizing their findings to faculty members and students. They concluded that biomass-derived carbon materials exhibit strong potential for fuel cell applications and proposed future directions for collaborative research. Through this process, participants not only enhanced their technical skills and scientific knowledge but also established sustainable academic collaboration networks.

In summary, the Sakura Science Exchange Program successfully achieved its objectives by integrating advanced research training and academic exchange. It strengthened international collaboration and motivated participants to pursue future joint research. With intensive efforts by the participants and valuable feedback from Professor SAITO Nagahiro, the program outcomes will be further developed and prepared for submission to an academic journal in the near future. We sincerely thank JST and all members of SAITO Laboratory for their generous support.