“Materials science” is a core industry in Japan. There have been remarkable advancements in this field, and novel research results are constantly being reported globally. Therefore, to maintain and further improve our international competitive edge in the field of materials science, it is essential to establish academic principles and technologies based on new concepts, which will lead to a shift in paradigm with a new perspective where artificial intelligence (AI) leads the research.

At the Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, Kumamoto University, we focus on the research and development of a special synthesis process toward the basics, applications, and practical realizations, with a group of talented researchers in the field of two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as nanosheets and surface/grain boundary. We aim to report impactful results that will facilitate the basic research on two-dimensional materials as well as the industrial innovation.

We aim to:

• Establish a consistent research system through theory, foundation, application, and industrial development of nanosheets and two-dimensional materials
• Provide a theoretical support by improving material informatics
• Obtain a synergy among several departments through integrated studies
• Promote industrial innovation through large-scale industry-academia collaboration projects for organizations

At our institute, we have talented researchers working in five departments: “two-dimensional materials” (“two-dimensional nanomaterials department” and “surface/grain boundary department”) at the center; “material informatics department” that provides theoretical support; and “biomaterial department” and “material process department” for applications. In this manner, the integrated studies of two-dimensional materials are accelerated toward achieving creative and impactful fundamental research results. We also aim to propose and establish the next-generation research style led by futuristic AI technologies. With “large-scale industry–academia collaboration projects for organizations,” which transverse each department in response to social requirements and can be organized quickly and flexibly, we plan to achieve industrial development with a clear target.