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On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the Activity Report Meeting of the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis for Fiscal Year 2025 was held in person at the Cultural Exchange Room in the Media Center on the Sugimoto Campus. During the morning session, reports on research activities were presented by each research division.

The afternoon session featured an opening address by Professor Kevin C.-W. Wu from National Taiwan University, a retrospective on the five years since the center became an official university department, and research presentations by seven students. This was followed by a special lecture given by Dr. Yukari Sato from the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST).

The meeting concluded with a farewell address by Professor Masazumi Tamura, who transferred to Kyoto University at the end of this fiscal year, followed by an award ceremony for the Student Activity Awards and Student Presentation Awards.

Greeting by Professor Kevin C.-W. Wu

Special lecture by Dr. Yukari Sato

(From left) Professor Amao, Professor Ishida, Dr. Sato, the award recipients, Professor Kevin,
and Professor Yamada

FY2025 Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis Student Activity Award

Kyosuke Yamada (Second-Year Master's Student, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science)

"I am truly grateful to receive the Student Activity Award. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me along the way. There were times during my research when results did not emerge as hoped. However, each time, I engaged in deep discussions and continuous trial and error with my academic advisor, Professor Amao, and my colleagues in the laboratory. I feel that this award is the fruit of our shared efforts. Furthermore, presenting at academic conferences provided valuable opportunities to discuss my work with researchers both from Japan and overseas, which served as a catalyst for broadening my horizons. The experience of articulating the significance of my research in my own words while accepting different viewpoints has become an invaluable asset for my transition into society. Although I will be embarking on a new path as a working professional, I will never forget the spirit of inquiry nurtured through my research activities and strive to grow into an individual who can create new value for society. Thank you very much."

Shintaro Yoshikawa (Second-Year Master's Student, Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science)

"It is a great honor to receive this prestigious Student Activity Award. I have spent three years engaging in research on hydrogen energy at the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis. I am deeply grateful to my academic advisor, Professor Amao, and everyone in the laboratory for providing such an excellent research environment and supporting me, making this award possible. The invaluable experiences gained through writing research papers and participating in international conferences have not only refined my expertise but also expanded my interdisciplinary and global perspectives. Although I will step into a new environment starting next fiscal year, I will fully leverage the experiences gained through my research activities and dedicate myself to becoming a professional who can deliver new value to society."

Professor Amao and Mr. Yamada

Professor Amao and Mr. Yoshikawa

FY20254 Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis Student Presentation Award

(Platinum Award)

Kosei Arata (First-Year Doctoral Student, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University)

"I am highly honored to receive this presentation award. It has been about a year since I moved to Osaka, and while I was initially navigating my research and life by trial and error, the professors and everyone at the center provided immense support and assistance. Furthermore, in advancing this research, I received extensive guidance and advice from professors at both Tokyo Metropolitan University and Osaka Metropolitan University. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to them. As this research still leaves substantial room for improvement in areas such as catalyst design and the elucidation of reaction mechanisms, I will redouble my efforts to report even better research outcomes in the future. Thank you very much."

(Gold Award)

Seiya Iwai (Second-Year Master's Student, Graduate School of Engineering)

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude for being selected for the Student Presentation Award. This past year has truly made me realize once again how much I am supported by so many people. Continuing from last year, Professor Tamura, Professor Kita, and the staff and students of the Tamura Laboratory provided me with continuous guidance and advice. Furthermore, amid changes in the laboratory environment this year, Professor Yamada and Specially Appointed Lecturer Nakazono offered immense counsel to help me continue my research. The members of the Yamada Laboratory welcomed me warmly and taught me many things, including how to use the laboratory facilities. Additionally, the members of the Ishida Laboratory provided profound cooperation regarding the use of measurement apparatuses. Moving forward, I will continue to dedicate myself to my work, keeping in mind my deep gratitude for the support that makes this research possible."

(Silver Award)

Yuya Yamakawa (Fourth-Year Undergraduate Student, School of Engineering)

"I am extremely delighted to receive this presentation award. Receiving this honor is entirely thanks to the professors who guide me daily, as well as the seniors and peers who have supported me. I express my deepest gratitude to all of you. Encouraged by this award, I will dedicate myself even further to my research."

Toshiaki Tsukuo (Fourth-Year Undergraduate Student, School of Science)

"Thank you very much for providing me with this valuable opportunity to present my work. I am deeply honored to receive the Presentation Award. Encouraged by this recognition, I will continue to strive even harder in both my research and presentations."

Professor Amao and Mr. Arata

Professor Amao and Mr. Iwai

Professor Amao and Mr. Yamakawa

Professor Amao and Mr. Tsukuo

Professor Amao, Mr. Tsukuo, Mr. Yoshikawa, and Mr. Yamada

Professor Ishida and Mr. Arata

Professor Yamada, Mr. Yamakawa, Mr. Iwai,
and Specially Appointed Lecturer Nakazono

Established in 2013, the Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis marked its fifth anniversary in the 2025 fiscal year since being reorganized as an independent university department in 2020.
We are pleased to present a report on the research activities conducted by each research division during the 2025 fiscal year, explained in an accessible manner for the general public.

• Date and Time: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 10:00–17:00
• Venue: Cultural Exchange Room (1st floor), Media Center, Sugimoto Campus, Osaka Metropolitan University (Campus Map No. 11:(https://www.omu.ac.jp/en/about/campus/)
• Target Audience: General Public and Students
• Participation fee: Free
• Co-hosts:
  Chemistry Human Resource Development Program
  Joint Usage/Research Center for Catalysis
  Research Group on Carbon Dioxide Conversion Catalysts, The Catalysis Society of Japan
  Research Group on Bio-related Catalysts, The Catalysis Society of Japan
  Carbon Neutral Coalition Promotion Office / Innovation Working Group

Registration closed at 12:00 (noon) on Monday, March 2, 2026.

Special Lecture

	[Storing Electricity in Liquids: Redox Flow Batteries] Dr. Yukari Sato (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology)

Activity Report Meeting Program

• Activity reports from the four research divisions and cooperating laboratories
• Activity report marking the fifth anniversary of the center’s establishment as an independent department
• Special lecture by an external researcher
• Presentation of research results by students dedicated to research at the center

And many other insightful sessions

⇒FY2025 Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis Activity Report Meeting Flyer (Japanese ver.)

プログラム

Activity Reports from Research Divisions and Cooperating Laboratories

Student Research Presentations (7 minutes for presentation and 3 minutes for Q&A)

Special Lecture

Important Notes

• There will be no online streaming available for general participants.
• Please refrain from attending the event if you are feeling unwell on the day of the session.

Inquiries

Research Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, Osaka Metropolitan University　
3-3-138 Sugimoto, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan
E-mail: recap-colab[at]ml.omu.ac.jp (Please replace [at] with @)