The research center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA) is one of the centers belonging to the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS).
Research Environment Open to the World
Research Foundry
NIMS offers state-of-the-art research facilities, supported by skilled and experienced technical staff who provide reliable support in English for international researchers.
Research Support System
MANA brings together outstanding researchers from around the world. To support this diverse community in focusing on their research, MANA promotes internationalization by ensuring that English is used as the common language by all staff, including administrative personnel. In addition, MANA fosters international collaboration through unique programs such as the Short-Term Invitation Program and the Dispatch Program, which facilitate joint research with academic and research institutions worldwide beyond MANA.
Seminars & Symposia
MANA actively promotes international collaboration through seminars and symposia held within NIMS and with external partners. The monthly "MANA Seminars," featuring guest speakers from outside NIMS, provide opportunities to share the latest research and encourage researcher interaction. Young scientists also benefit from regular seminars hosted by MANA researchers and visiting scientists. The annual MANA International Symposium invites distinguished researchers from around the world, providing a platform for high-level research presentations and academic exchange. MANA also supports participation in international symposia and workshops, helping researchers build a global research network.
Innovation Lounge
Our building offers a variety of spaces where researchers from diverse nationalities and backgrounds come together. These meeting points serve as hubs for
next-generation innovation, nurturing unique ideas and fostering a vibrant research community.
A research institution with significant influence and high-quality publications.
Number of Papers 9,228（2007-2024）
The number of papers published by researchers affiliated with MANA has been increasing every year, reaching 9,228 papers between 2007 and 2024. As mentioned later, MANA's publications have also achieved highly significant results in terms of both quality and impact.
Top 1％ Highly Cited Papers 9.0％（2021-2024）
MANA's publications have had a significant impact not only domestically but also on researchers worldwide. This is evidenced by the high percentage of 9.0% of papers being in the top 1% most-cited, a remarkably large figure. Additionally, many researchers from MANA have been selected as "Highly Cited Researchers" by Clarivate Analytics.
Internationally Co-Authored Papers 70.7％（As of June 2025）
The papers published by MANA reflect its mission and vision, with many being international co-authored papers. Since 2013, more than half of the total papers have been international co-authored, and As of June 2025, the percentage of international co-authored papers reached 70.7%.
FWCI（Field-weighted Citation Impact）2.03（2021-2024）
M's FWCI significantly exceeds the global average of 1.00 (domestic average of 0.93), with a figure that rivals the top research institutions in the world. This demonstrates the high citation impact of MANA's publications.
Patent Registrations 507 As of December 2024
The number of patents held by MANA, a research field full of potential in nanomaterials, has reached 507. This reflects MANA's proactive efforts in the development of new materials and technologies, covering both fundamental and applied research.
