Number of Research Area	2801
Term of Project	FY2016-2020
Head Investigator	Hiroshi Fujioka
Research Institution	The University of Tokyo, Institute of Industrial Science

 

Crystalline materials comprise periodically arranged atoms. Traditionally, any disorders found in a crystal have been regarded as structural defects that ought to be eliminated. However, our “singularity-structure project” is trying to introduce a Copernican revolution by focusing on crystals containing intentionally introduced defects. We are seeking an understanding of the basic characteristics of such structures, which we call “singularity structures.” We intend this to lay the foundation for an entirely new discipline within crystallography and physics. Taking advantage of the physical properties of these singularity structures, we aim to fabricate novel electronic devices that cannot be achieved with conventional perfect crystals. We expect the singularity structures to be used across a wide range of conventional applications, including lighting, communications, data processing, power control, and energy generation; furthermore, it would find applications in new fields such as agriculture, medicine, pharmaceuticals, and chemical synthesis.
This project will be collaboratively run by researchers in the following four areas: A01: Crystal growth and construction of extended crystallography, A02: Processing and application for novel electronics，B01: Structural characterization of defects and their properties，and B02: Optical characterization of defects and their properties. In addition to our original research plans, we intend to incorporate new ideas across all topics related to the growth, characterization, or application of singularity structures. We welcome novel ideas from any source, including computational science with first-principles calculations and the formation physics of crystalline defects. Ideas from young researchers will be especially welcome. We are also open to research on new applications of the singularity structures, such as their use in chemical processes.

Research Group	Upper Limit of Annual Budget (Million yen)	Number of research projects scheduled to be selected
A01: Crystal growth and construction of extended crystallography	Proving Research on A01-B02: 4 Basic experimental/theoretical research on A01-B02: 2	3 10
A02: Processing and application for novel electronics
B01: Structural characterization of defects and their properties
B02: Optical characterization of defects and their properties