In April 2024, we interviewed Lecturer Yuki Tokumoto and Professor Kazuo Goda of Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, and published articles introducing their respective research in June and July. This time, we are treating our readers to a cross-talk featuring Tokumoto and Goda. What did Tokumoto and Goda, two researchers involved in the completely different fields of solid state physics and computers, learn about the other’s work and what were their respective impressions? Join us for their in-depth and energetic dialogue.

Researchers from #UTokyo_IIS have found that ice starts forming near the surface of water via structures similar to a rare, recently discovered type of ice, which helps us understand ice formation better.

Typically speaking, computers use a combination of hardware and software to operate. Connecting these two elements is the system software. System software is an unseen element that supports the computer at its core. Professor Kazuo Goda, of Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, considers himself a computer lover down to his very core. Over his many years working with computers, Professor Goda found himself drawn to the workings of system software, and has dedicated himself to research activities in that field. System software developed by Professor Goda today serves a major role in various fields, including health care and social infrastructure. We spoke with Professor Goda about how system software operates and what he sees as the future of computers.

Researchers at #UTokyo_IIS implement a genetic algorithm to automatically design phononic crystals with desired vibrational properties, which may help with future computer and communication devices.

We have prepared introductory and advanced articles to introduce our research in an easy-to-understand manner to middle and high-school students and the general public. The website aims to serve as a "platform for dialogue" between society and #UTokyo_IIS by allowing visitors to post their expectations, anxious concerns, and free comments on the articles. Why don't you think about the future of the latest engineering research and send your opinions to the researchers?Updated on the first Friday of every month!

Researchers from France, Japan, and Italy have developed BiœmuS, a low-cost, flexible, and real-time biomimetic tool designed for biohybrid experiments. This system enables closed-loop interactions between artificial and living neural networks. Moreover, BiœmuS offers accessibility and ease of use, facilitating real-time emulation of neural network dynamics both in vitro and in vivo. This interdisciplinary collaboration aims to enhance bioelectrical therapeutics and neuroprosthetic development.

Researchers from #UTokyo_IIS have efficiently removed oxygen from high-oxygen-concentration titanium, which might help reduce the production cost of an otherwise versatile metal.

Solids can be divided into three groups depending on their structure. Crystalline solids have atoms that have a periodic arrangement. Amorphous solids have atoms that are arranged with no definite form. And, lastly, quasicrystals, which differ from either of these two groups. Among these, we have only come to know about the existence of quasicrystals relatively recently, and their properties are still not well known. While researching a quasicrystal categorized as van der Waals layered quasicrystals, Yuki Tokumoto, Lecturer at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, discovered that the quasicrystal have superconductivity. We spoke with Tokumoto about the meaning of this world’s-first discovery and expectations for future development.