Oct. 2 - During a recent visit to Tohoku University, I met two remarkable people. One is Dr. Tadahiro Ohmi, an accomplished Japanese scientist whose discoveries have been applied commercially by both U.S. and Japanese semiconductor manufacturers. Dr. Ohmi's research has contributed to improvements in computers and other products that use semiconductors. The other is Alfredo Martinez-Morales, a young Ph.D student from the University of California at Riverside who is studying under Dr. Ohmi. Alfredo was visiting Tohoku University on a summer exchange program from the Biomedical and Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of California at Riverside.

Alfredo was extremely excited to work with a scientist as famous as Dr. Ohmi. Moreover, he explained, Tohoku University's world-class equipment provides him new opportunities for his research. Together these two are part of a team that aims to redefine how we manufacture solar cells - those tools that convert the sun's energy into electricity. Dr. Ohmi explained that the high production cost and low efficiency of the current generation of solar cells are major impediments to their widespread adoption.

His lab is studying new techniques that will reduce their manufacturing cost, while dramatically improving the efficiency compared with the existing generation of solar cells.

Alfredo was very optimistic that the joint research project between Tohoku University and U.C. Riverside would develop this new technology so it could be commercialized within five years. "We are moving forward amazingly fast," he said. Alfredo told me that the opportunity to come to Japan and work with Dr. Ohmi was a "life-changing experience" that he would carry with him when he returned to Riverside. He was very confident that American and Japanese scientists, by collaborating, could develop the new technologies needed to address the serious challenges of global warming. Their energy, spirit of collaboration, and optimism about the future encouraged me greatly.

Until next time,

Jim