A five-university Japan-Taiwan research consortium - led by Principal Researchers Yoshitane Imai (Professor, Kindai University) and Ming-Chia Li (Associate Professor, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) - has been selected for the 2026 Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association Joint Research Grant Program in Natural and Applied Sciences. The participating institutions include Kindai University, Ibaraki University, Osaka Metropolitan University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and National Central University.
Through this international collaboration, Japanese and Taiwanese researchers are developing core technologies for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs), a type of next-generation semiconductor optical device that natively emits circularly polarized light.
To launch the project, the "2026 Taiwan–Japan Joint Symposium on Next-Generation Circularly Polarized Luminescence Technology" will be held on September 1–2, 2026, at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University and National Central University in Taiwan. A delegation of researchers and students from Kindai University, Ibaraki University, and Osaka Metropolitan University will travel to Taiwan to present their latest scientific findings. The two-day program features dedicated sessions for early-career researchers, laboratory tours, and strategic planning meetings to align research objectives for the upcoming three-year initiative.
Key Points
Content
Circularly polarized light (CPL) is light that propagates with an electric field vector rotating either clockwise or counter-clockwise. By introducing a new dimension of information—the direction of rotation—alongside intensity and color, CPL holds immense potential for next-generation displays, optical communications, information security, 3D imaging, and biosensing. Among these innovations, circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) are drawing significant attention as advanced light-emitting devices that convert electrical energy directly into CPL. However, commercial implementation still faces critical bottlenecks, including the need to simultaneously achieve high luminous efficiency and polarization density, expand available materials, and increase device design flexibility.
Supported by the Japan–Taiwan Exchange Association’s joint research grant program, a bilateral research team is advancing the development of foundational technologies for next-generation circularly polarized semiconductor optical devices. This research is co-led by Professors Yoshitane Imai (Kindai University), Professor Hiroyuki Nishikawa (Ibaraki University), and Professor Shigeyuki Yagi (Osaka Metropolitan University), Associate Professor Ming-Chia Li (National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University) and Assistant Professor Hsiao-Fang Wang (National Central University).Through collaborative research, academic symposia, and dedicated early-career researcher exchanges, the project aims to accelerate breakthroughs in circularly polarized light emission technology while cementing a robust, long-term scientific network between Japan and Taiwan.
To achieve these goals, the project integrates the Japanese research team's extensive expertise in spectroscopic measurement of CPL, evaluation of photoluminescence under magnetic fields, and the fabrication and evaluation of organic EL devices with the Taiwanese research group's leading capabilities in circularly polarized luminescent materials, polymer and semiconductor materials, self-assembly, and structural analysis for advanced materials. By combining these cutting-edge technologies, the collaborative initiative aims to induce asymmetry in the electronic states and electron spins of luminescent materials through external magnetic or electric field stimuli, thereby establishing highly efficient, high-performance circularly polarized luminescent materials and novel device principles that span a broad wavelength range from visible to near-infrared light.
Specifically, the project focuses on magnetic-field-induced circularly polarized luminescence (MCPL) to induce CPL via magnetic fields, electric-field-induced circularly polarized luminescence (ECPL) to control CPL via electric fields, and the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect to select electron spins passing through chiral molecular structures. By integrating these foundational principles, the team aims to develop novel CP-OLEDs that transcend the limitations of conventional chiral luminescent molecules.
Event Overview
Event:
2026 Taiwan–Japan Joint Symposium on Next-Generation Circularly Polarized Luminescence Technology
Date/Time:
Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, 10：00–17：00
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, 10：00–15：40
Venue:
Tuesday, September 1st, 2026: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Bo-Ai Campus (No. 75, Boai Street, East District, Hsinchu City, Taiwan)
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026: National Central University (No. 300, Zhongda Rd., Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan)
Participants (tentative):
Thirteen faculty members and students from Kindai University, Ibaraki University, Osaka Metropolitan University, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, and National Central University
*Auditors from universities in Taiwan are also scheduled to attend.
Joint Research Project Overview
Research title:
Development of Fundamental Technologies for Next-Generation Semiconductor
Light-Emitting Devices Based on Circularly Polarized Luminescence
Supported project:
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association
2026 Joint Research Grant Program (Natural and Applied Sciences)
Research period:
From FY2026 to FY2028
Research objectives:
Development of organic EL devices that directly generate circularly polarized luminescence using a new principle (leveraging magnetic fields, electric fields, and electron spins) without relying on conventional chiral light-emitting molecules.
Expected outcomes:
The project will formulate definitive design benchmarks for novel light-emitting materials and devices, successfully balancing circular polarization intensity with optimal luminous efficiency. By exploring multi-field interactions among magnetic fields, electric fields, light, and electron spins, the team will establish a new scientific domain targeting breakthroughs in next-generation displays, optical and quantum communications, information security, sensing, and spintronics. Continuous reciprocal exchange programs—including joint research presentations and hands-on experiments—between graduate students and early-career researchers from Japan and Taiwan will foster the next generation of international scientific leaders.
Research structure:
[Japan]
Yoshitane Imai, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University (Principal Investigator / Japan Representative)
Hiroyuki Nishikawa, Professor, Department of Science (Chemistry Course), Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Science), Ibaraki University
Shigeyuki Yagi, Professor, Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka Metropolitan University
[Taiwan]
Ming-Chia Li, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Science and Technology, Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (Taiwan Representative)
Hsiao-Fang Wang, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University
Message from the Principal Investigators
(Japan Representative)
Yoshitane Imai
Affiliation: Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kindai University / Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kindai University
Title: Professor
Degree: Ph.D. in Engineering
Message: Our joint Japan-Taiwan team will merge its expertise in materials design, circularly polarized light spectroscopy, semiconductor devices, and structural analysis to develop groundbreaking, next-generation Circularly polarized luminescence technologies. A vital pillar of this project, ‘Development of Fundamental Technologies for Next-Generation Semiconductor Light-Emitting Devices Based on Circularly Polarized Luminescence,’ is to support active cross-border exchanges among early-career researchers and graduate students, building a lasting scientific network to drive future collaboration between Japan and Taiwan. As we inaugurate this three-year bilateral initiative, we look forward to the kickoff symposium in Taiwan establishing a strong, collaborative trajectory for our joint research program.
https://research.kindai.ac.jp/search/detail.html?systemId=87072588490f5e09&lang=en&st=researcher
(Taiwan Representative)
Ming-Chia Li
Affiliation: Department of Biological Science and Technology, Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
Title: Associate Professor
Degree: Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Message: Focusing on magnetic field-induced circularly polarized luminescence and chiral-induced spin selectivity effects, the research will aim to create high-performance circularly polarized luminescent materials and develop high-performance CP-OLEDs. Through the integration of state-of-the-art materials, complementary spectroscopic methodologies, structural characterization techniques, simulation, semiconductor manufacturing and device expertise from both Japan and Taiwan, the project will develop a theoretical and technological framework for externally field-controlled circularly polarized optoelectronic systems. This collaboration is expected to significantly deepen the fundamental understanding of light–field–spin interactions and to establish a sustainable, Taiwan–Japan research network spearheaded by the next-generation young scientists, in alignment with the original intention founding vision of this project initiative.