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Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University


Low temperature graphene growth opens a route to sustainable resource recycling

Researchers from Tohoku University and Queen Mary University of London have developed a low-temperature method for graphene production, utilizing acetylene gas and cerium oxide. This breakthrough enables precise control over the material's final form and paves the way for sustainable resource recycling.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 30, 2026

DigBat: An AI-ready digital platform for solid-state battery research

DigBat brings together solid-state electrolyte data, simulations, machine learning, and AI to support battery materials research, providing a clearer view of the solid-state electrolyte landscape. Researchers can compare experimental and computational data, build machine-learning models, and gain insight from the data.

AI-powered closed-loop system could accelerate the discovery of energy materials

Researchers have developed an AI-powered framework that combines multiple AI technologies with automated experiments to accelerate the discovery of advanced energy materials. The '4th+ paradigm' approach enables near-atomic-level accuracy in predicting material properties and rapidly analyzing experimental data.

New electrocatalyst helps clean polluted waters and industrial chemical production

A new electrochemical system converts biomass-derived compounds into valuable chemicals while reducing energy consumption, producing essential products such as glutaric acid and ammonia. The nickel-vanadium layered double hydroxide catalyst accelerates both chemical reactions efficiently.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 24, 2026

AI and physics draw a blueprint for better hydrogen storage materials

Researchers at Tohoku University have created a clearer map for searching for hydrogen storage materials, identifying key physical factors that control their performance. The study suggests adjusting geometry and lattice flexibility to raise capacity while tuning stiffness to keep equilibrium pressure near everyday conditions.

Data-driven approach quickly screens for durable, efficient catalysts

Researchers from Tohoku University and East China University of Science and Technology developed a data-driven approach to quickly screen for durable and efficient catalysts. By analyzing experimental data and scientific theories, they identified promising candidates that outperformed commercial RuO2 catalysts.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 16, 2026

Finding hidden catalytic knowledge from literature data

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research have developed a method to summarize decades of scattered literature data into actionable information for catalyst design. By combining human intelligence, regression models, and AI agents, they can uncover new discoveries hidden in the literature data.

New magnesium alloy design improves stability and ion transport in solid-state batteries

Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new magnesium alloy anode that balances interfacial reactions for improved battery efficiency. The optimized Mg-Sn alloy demonstrated significant improvements in electrochemical performance, including stable cycling behavior and enhanced ion transport.

AI automates quantum dot voltage tuning: toward scaling up quantum computing

Researchers developed an AI method to automate charge transition line extraction from charge stability diagrams, enabling high-efficiency single-electron region definition and virtual gate configuration. This breakthrough aims to scale up quantum computing by handling vast numbers of qubits beyond human capability.

Reliable material databases bridge AI- and experimental-led material discovery

Researchers from Tohoku University examined the role of materials databases in supporting modern artificial intelligence tools used in materials science. They found that database architecture can directly affect AI model performance and reliability. The study aims to improve database quality, connectivity, and develop new AI systems th...

Bio-inspired structural design improves impact resistance and energy absorption

Researchers developed a lightweight lattice structure inspired by butterfly wings, exhibiting enhanced mechanical strength, impact resistance, and energy absorption capabilities. The new design outperforms conventional lattice designs under compression and dynamic impact loading.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalInternational Journal of Mechanical Sciences·DateApr 8, 2026

Precisely designed oxygen carriers enable low-temperature methane reforming

Scientists at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research have created a more efficient way to turn methane into hydrogen by combining chemical looping with water splitting. This new method achieves low-temperature methane reforming at 500-600°C, significantly reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.

AI agent accelerates catalyst discovery for sustainable fuel development

Researchers used AI to identify key characteristics of catalysts and guide their designs, discovering a universal design principle for copper-based single-atom alloy catalysts. The approach uses machine learning to predict catalyst performance and inspire generalizable design principles.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 26, 2026

Ultrasonic welding creates lithium-garnet interface in seconds

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research developed an unprecedented method to bond lithium metal directly to garnet-type oxide electrolyte using ultrasonic welding. This technique reduces interfacial resistance and establishes direct solid-state contact without melting or thermal activation.

Comprehensive digital materials ecosystem streamlines material design

Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a comprehensive digital materials ecosystem that integrates AI tools to streamline materials design, enabling faster and more accurate discovery of new materials. The ecosystem uses databases, AI, and scientific workflows to predict material properties and optimize design processes.

Y-doped catalyst transforms ammonia into sustainable hydrogen energy

A new Y-doped catalyst has been developed to efficiently transform ammonia into sustainable hydrogen energy, enabling a cleaner energy future. The catalyst, composed of nickel and yttrium, improves the performance of the ammonia decomposition reaction, overcoming issues of intrinsic activity and energy barriers.

Atomic precision unlocks smarter oxygen reduction catalysts

Researchers at Tohoku University discovered that subtle variations in coordination symmetry significantly alter reaction energetics and product selectivity in single-atom electrocatalysts. Asymmetric Co-N3 sites exhibited enhanced overall ORR activity, while lower-symmetry Co-N5 centers achieved the highest selectivity toward hydrogen ...

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 26, 2026

Researchers create distortion-resistant energy materials to improve lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research developed distortion-resistant energy materials for lithium-ion batteries, improving efficacy and cost-effectiveness. The cathode design utilizes 'interfacial orbital engineering' to neutralize Jahn-Teller distortions, achieving near-perfect cycling stability.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 25, 2026

Holistically improving the process of producing hydrogen from water

Developed at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research, the new catalyst enables smoother hydrogen formation under alkaline conditions. The auxiliary-driving strategy improves both steps of the hydrogen evolution reaction, resulting in higher hydrogen evolution activity and efficient production with low energy loss.

Controlling magnetism to unlock better hydrogen storage alloys

A team of researchers from Tohoku University's WPI-AIMR has developed a new class of hydrogen storage alloys that can store large amounts of hydrogen while remaining thermodynamically stable. By controlling magnetism, the researchers were able to design materials that combine high hydrogen capacity with good stability.

How topological surfaces boost clean energy catalysts

Researchers discovered that topological surface states can survive and be optimized by electrochemical reconstruction, leading to near-peak ORR activity. The study reveals the importance of considering quantum topology and electrochemical surface chemistry together for next-generation electrocatalysts.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateJan 29, 2026

An AI-based blueprint for designing catalysts across materials

Researchers developed a computational framework to identify effective catalysts for producing hydrogen peroxide from water and electricity. The approach successfully predicted key reaction properties across diverse materials, leading to the discovery of promising candidate lithium scandium oxide.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 24, 2025

Breakthrough in carbon-based battery materials improves safety, durability, and power

A breakthrough in carbon-based battery materials has improved safety and performance by re designing fullerene molecule connections. This research provides a blueprint for designing next-generation battery materials that support safer fast-charging, higher energy density, and longer lifetimes.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 23, 2025

Tohoku University and Fujitsu utilize causal AI to discover superconductivity mechanism of promising new functional material

Researchers used causal AI to extract insights from ARPES data of cesium vanadium antimonide, a kagome superconducting material. The technology revealed that the chemical bonding state of cesium atoms strongly influences the electronic state of the V3Sb5 layer, responsible for superconductivity.

Rare-Earth Europium substitution allows for more control over CO₂-to-fuel conversion

Researchers at AIMR discovered that Europium substitution in Cu2O catalysts allows for selective control of electrochemical CO2 reduction products. By leveraging the Eu3+/Eu2+ redox couple, they demonstrated how subtle changes in electronic structure can favor either C-C coupling or deep hydrogenation.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 12, 2025

Recycling a pollutant to make ammonia production greener

Researchers have developed an electrocatalyst that efficiently converts nitrate into ammonia at low concentrations and gentle voltage. The catalyst reduces emissions linked to fertilizer and chemical manufacturing, and enables recycling of nitrate, a common pollutant found in groundwater and agricultural runoff.

Better predicting the lifespan of clean energy equipment, towards a more efficient design

A new damage-driven lifetime design methodology has been introduced to predict the lifespan of mechanical equipment used in clean-energy systems. The research offers more consistent lifetime predictions than conventional models and provides a framework for designing reliable and climate-conscious infrastructure.

Interpretable machine intelligence for materials design of metal hydrides

Researchers developed a transparent and interpretable model to predict performance metrics of hydrogen storage materials, using atomic features as key descriptors. The model identified a fundamental trade-off between high capacity and suitable thermodynamic stability, revealing unique beryllium-based alloys with balanced characteristics.

Controlling triple quantum dots in a zinc oxide semiconductor

A team of researchers at Tohoku University has successfully created and electrically controlled triple quantum dots in zinc oxide (ZnO), a promising material for quantum computing. This breakthrough opens a new pathway to exploring complex quantum behaviors and developing potential architectures for quantum computation.

Unlocking oxygen's hidden role in turning propylene into useful chemicals

Researchers have discovered a new way to make valuable industrial chemicals from propylene using lead dioxide as a catalyst. The oxygen atoms inside the catalyst play an active role in the chemical reaction, making it more sustainable and affordable. The study's findings were published in Catalysis Science & Technology on October 7, 2025.

Researchers find that temperature matters for RhRu₃Ox during acidic water oxidation

The study reveals a temperature-dependent mechanism evolution effect on RhRu3Ox catalysts, leading to more stable oxygen evolution reactions. The researchers demonstrate that the catalyst remains stable for over 1000 hours at room temperature, paving the way for efficient and durable electrochemical devices.