Imperial team wins award for scientific collaboration with Japan

A team of Imperial researchers won a 2016 Daiwa Adrian Prize last month in recognition of their work with a Japanese university.

The team from the Department of Materials was rewarded for its research into ceramic oxide surfaces with Kyushu University, following an assessment by a panel of Fellows of the Royal Society.

The team, led by Professor John Kilner, were awarded £10,000 by The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation at a ceremony in November. Other team members include Professor Stephen Skinner, Matthew Niania and Dr Sam Cooper.

The collaboration between Imperial and Kyushu– which has been active for over 20 years – has grown closer in recent years with the foundation of the International Institute for Carbon Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER), where Professor Kilner manages a small research group and works closely with Professor Tatsumi Ishihara.

The group’s research focuses on the science of mixed conducting oxide surfaces and gas phase interactions for application as air electrodes in solid oxide electrochemical cells. Their aim is to understand the air electrode processes and use this to optimise performance and cut degradation rates to meet commercial targets.

The collaboration is of direct interest to industry both in the UK and Japan, and Professor Kilner is confident that the project will help the profile of UK science and technology to remain highly visible in Japan.

Professor Kilner said: "The Daiwa Adrian award has meant a great deal to both myself and Professor Ishihara (Kyushu University) as it is a recognition of our very fruitful and longstanding collaboration and the strong, historic ties between the UK and Kyushu Island."

Daiwa Adrian Prizes are awarded by The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation every three years in recognition of significant scientific collaboration between British and Japanese research teams.