Advanced Science

Tokyo, 19 April - A research team at RIKEN has succeeded for the first time in selectively controlling for reaction products in the dissociation of a single water molecule on an ultrathin film. The reaction opens the door to the creation of novel functional catalysts and applications in clean energy production.

Mapping the shape and dynamics of a molecule’s outer electron cloud is now possible using a novel experimental technique

On 19 January 2010, RIKEN and the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science (MPG) signed a memorandum of understanding toward the establishment of a new joint center focused on research in chemical biology.

A team headed by researchers at RIKEN and the Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics has uncovered details explaining the growth of galaxy clusters, the largest gravitationally-bound objects known to exist, offering new clues about the evolution of our universe.

Press Release - Electrons that carry orbital angular momentum are generated for the first time by researchers at RIKEN, Japan

Initiated with the goal of spotlighting leading advancements in a given field, the RIKEN Conference series provides a unique opportunity for scientists to build and expand international networks for cutting-edge research.

Using a simple glass capillary, atomic physicists at RIKEN are developing an ultra-narrow ion beam that pinpoints a part of organelles in a living cell, enabling biologists to visualize how the damage affects cell activities.

Introducing additional complexity to a simulation gives researchers better insight into how cellular signaling networks might operate

Geometric factors can have a strong influence on the seemingly random walk of objects across pores in a thin membrane

The identification of a gene involved in steroid hormone signaling in plants could benefit agriculture and reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide

* Agreement to establish a Joint Center with the Max Planck Society (MPG) * General agreement for cooperation with the Technical University of Munich (TUM)

Long-predicted physical effects confirmed for the first time by a model system of strongly interacting electrons

A microchip fabricated with femtosecond lasers at RIKEN allows the rare observation of microalgae behavior

X-rays emitted from the remnant of a supernova provide clues to its explosive history

Molecular fluorescence applied in an unconventional way allows the life-sustaining chemical reactions in genes to be observed in real time

Combining design concepts produces a high-sensitivity detector that could enable greater exploitation of terahertz radiation

Controllable quantum systems that allow us to better understand complex physical processes are now within reach

A new terahertz light source and detector could open the way for the practical application of terahertz waves

The joint symposium was held on November 12, 2009 at the RIKEN Wako campus and featured presentations by five visiting members of the UoL and five RIKEN researchers.

Genetic analyses help decode symbiosis in the termite gut as a model for the highly efficient conversion of plant cellulose

The plant hormone abscisic acid makes use of a surprisingly elegant and straightforward system to regulate its many essential functions

Surprising complexity underlies the seemingly simple process of chromosome pair separation during cell division

A fluorescent sensor helps scientists track specific chromosomal modifications that can alter gene activity

Visualization of stress in the cell’s protein factory, the endoplasmic reticulum, may lead to new treatments for many debilitating diseases

Astrophysicists at RIKEN lend their expertise to biologists to develop one of the world’s fastest and most sensitive cameras to observe cell behavior at the nanometer scale.

Researchers at RIKEN created a new graphite nanotube that conducts electricity when exposed to light, which could lead to efficient solar batteries based on organic materials and developed molecular devices that can respond to various types of stimuli, similar to living organisms.

Photosynthetic processes in an artificial system can be described accurately by a quantum physical theory

Press Release - A review in Science this week outlines the main theoretical and experimental aspects of quantum simulation and emphasizes some of the challenges and promises of this fast-growing field.

Radiation bursts from thunderclouds may not always be associated with lightning

Mutual controllability of electricity and magnetism in a weak magnetic material points the way to low-power electronics