German Innovation AwardGerman Companies in Japan Strengthen Industry-Academia Partnership through German Innovation Award 2009
l 1st prize granted to Dr. Yuuji Kimura (41 yr.) from The National Institute for Materials Science
l Joint project by 12 German companies, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan and the German Academic Exchange Service to support young Japanese scientists
l Commemorative speech by Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Peter Gruenberg
Tokyo, February 8 –Launched last year by twelve technology-focused German companies and the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, the German Innovation Award supports young scientists in Japan. The four winners of the Gottfried Wagener Prize 2009 have been announced today.
The 1st prize was granted to Dr. Yuuji Kimura (41) and his team from The National Institute for Materials Science for highly important results in the development of stronger and tougher steel at low temperatures. Dr. Kimura’s team was awarded with prize money worth 4 million Yen and a sponsorship by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for a 2-months stay at a German research institution or university of their choice in Germany.
The award ceremony took place today at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Tokyo. In his commemorative speech, 2007 Nobel Prize laureate Prof. Dr. Peter Gruenberg congratulated the winners on their achievements.
A total of 63 applications from 34 Japanese universities and research institutes went into the evaluation process for the Gottfried Wagener Prize 2009. Researchers were encouraged to submit research work in the areas of environment & energy, healthcare and safety & security. The prize is awarded for application-orientated research work that proposes solutions in the fields of automotive, chemicals, electronics, medical equipment, biotechnology, manufacturing, energy generation, urban infrastructure and related fields.
After pre-selection by technical experts of the awarding companies, a Jury composed of a standing committee and expert members and chaired by Prof. Dr. Masuo Aizawa (Executive Member of the Council for Science and Technology Policy and former President of Tokyo Institute of Technology,) evaluated and selected the awardees.
Named Gottfried Wagener Prize after a German researcher who contributed to Japanese science in the Meiji Period, the German Innovation Award is granted under the patronage of Dr. Annette Schavan, German Federal Minister of Education and Research. In its second year, the German Innovation Award is living up to its promise to foster industry-academia collaboration between Japan and Germany. First year winners have used their grants to visit partner companies, universities, and research institutes in Germany, thus contributing to further strengthen scientific-industrial relations between both nations.
Winners of the Gottfried Wagener Prize 2009
1st Prize
Dr. Yuuji Kimura (41)
National Institute for Materials Science, Structural Metals Center
Development of stronger and tougher steel at low temperatures
Team members:
Dr. Tadanobu Inoue (41), National Institute for Materials Science
Dr. Fuxing Yin (44), National Institute for Materials Science
2nd Prize
Dr. Takafumi Fukushima (34)
Tohoku University
Surface-tension-powered chip self-assembly technology for three-dimensional IC fabrication
3rd Prizes
Dr. Tadahisa Iwata (43)
The University of Tokyo
High functionality of biodegradable microbial polyesters
Dr. Masuo Kondoh (40)
Osaka University
Development of a novel mucosal vaccine using a Claudin binder
Jury members
Besides the chairman Prof. Dr. Masuo Aizawa, Executive Member of the Council for Science and Technology Policy and former President of Tokyo Institute of Technology, the jury consists of five permanent members: Prof. Dr. Hans-Jörg Bullinger, President of Fraunhofer Society, Prof. Dr. Junichi Hamada, President of the University of Tokyo, Prof. Dr. Teruo Kishi, Former President of National Institute for Materials Science, Prof. Dr. Hiroshi Matsumoto, President of Kyoto Universitiy, Prof. Dr. Katsuhiko Shirai, President of Waseda University.
Partner companies
The German Innovation Award is a project sponsored and supported by twelve German private companies (in alphabetical order): BASF Japan Ltd., Bayer Ltd., Bosch Corporation, Mercedes-Benz Japan Co., Ltd., Evonik Degussa Japan Co., Ltd., Henkel Japan Ltd., Merck Ltd., Münchner Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG, SCHOTT Nippon K.K., Siemens K.K., TRUMPF Corporation and TÜV Rheinland Japan Ltd.
Contact
German Innovation Award Secretariat
c/o German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan
Regine Dieth / Pascal Gudorf
Sanbancho KS Bldg., Sanbancho 2-4, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0075
Tel: 03 5276 8827
info@german-innovation-award.jp
For further information
www.german-innovation-award.jp
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