Aim and scope:

NIMS Conference 2015 focuses on the “advanced characterization technologies” contributing to innovations in novel and high-performance materials. Novel functional materials for energy, environment, IT, life science, and other fields are in high demand to realize a sustainable society. It is the materials characteristics (structures, compositions, states, etc.) that generate the useful functionalities of "advanced materials" in response to social needs. In this regard, various demands are assigned to advanced characterization: firstly, the further pursuit of high resolution and high sensitivity, and secondly, the development of operando characterization connected with applications owing to its possibility of accelerating materials innovation.
To clarify the fundamental mechanisms of materials functionalities, elucidation based on characterization, theory, and computational science is demanded. In particular, because of the rapid increase in the amount of data and information, the new concept of “materials informatics” has become indispensable. Advanced characterization technologies have attracted worldwide attention as being critical to innovation, and global research projects are underway. Since characterization instrumentation and methodologies are connected with global industrial applications, international standardization is also needed. Therefore, collaboration of academia and industry beyond geographical borders is essential for projects from basic sciences to industrial applications.
Recognizing the importance of advanced characterization to drive materials innovation in the 21st century, NIMS has pursued research projects in the field of advanced characterization and taken the lead in international standardization efforts in cooperation with researchers from different fields.
In order to discuss these key issues, NIMS will organize the “NIMS Conference 2015” entitled “Materials Innovation Driven by Advanced Characterizations” from July 14th to 16th, 2015, in Tsukuba. This conference covers the state-of-the-art characterization techniques for advanced materials research, such as high-resolution electron microscopy, 3D/in situ electron microscopy, advanced probe microscopy, microscopic imaging of spin and magnetism, advanced synchrotron beam analysis, advanced neutron beam analysis, advanced solid-state NMR, materials informatics by advanced characterization, and operando characterization for green innovation.
We hope this conference will provide new insights and ideas in innovative materials research based on advanced characterization and analysis technologies.