Co-Creation Research Center

Co-Creation
Research Center

DOWA Holdings and the Tohoku University established the “DOWA × Tohoku University Co-creation Research Center” on April 1, 2022, to enhance research activities aimed at resource recycling and the creation of superior materials and technologies.

Co-Creation Research Center

DOWA Holdings and Tohoku University established an endowed chair (Control of Environmental Materials) in the Graduate School of Environmental Studies at Tohoku University in 2004. Subsequently, in 2007, a partnership agreement was concluded with the entire university, and active joint research and exchange have been promoted, including the dispatch of researchers from DOWA Holdings.

To further strengthen the promotion and enhancement of joint research over the years through endowed chairs and other initiatives, and to build a more robust industry-academia collaboration system, the Co-creation Research Center was established in April 2022.

This has enabled a deeper integration of Tohoku University’s advanced technological seeds with DOWA’s proprietary technologies, aiming to create cutting-edge technologies that contribute to resource recycling and the provision of superior materials and technologies, while also addressing sustainability issues such as carbon neutrality and the decline in the working population.

Themes for Activities in the Initial Phase (Fiscal 2022 to 2024)

The project will search for specific research themes related to (1) carbon-neutral technology, (2) innovative technology fusing artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and materials informatics, and (3) new materials for automobiles (EVs), information communication, the environment and energy, and medical and healthcare, to launch at least five joint research projects.

Overview of the DOWA × Tohoku University Co-creation Research Center

Purpose of Establishment: To advance research activities to create an affluent and recycling-oriented society

Activities

1) Exploring joint research themes: Exploring specific research themes, through cross-departmental cooperation, connected to the development of a wide range of new materials, the development of technologies that will contribute towards the shift to becoming carbon neutral, and new value creation with utilization of digital technologies

2) Human resource development: Young DOWA researchers will actively be dispatched to joint research, and highly skilled engineers will be developed through working adults acquiring Ph.D.’s

Operating Structure * Positions are as of 2022

General operating director
SATO Kimitaka, Specially Appointed Professor (Research), Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
(General Manager of the Business Innovation Research Dept. and the Quality Assurance Dept., DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.)
Operating support director
SUTO Yuji, Professor, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
General operating advisor
SUGAWARA Akira, Specially Appointed Professor (Visiting Professor), Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University
(Director supervised technologies and business innovation research, DOWA HOLDINGS CO., LTD.)

Installation Location: Engineering Laboratory Complex Building at Tohoku University

Duration: From April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2025

The Online Co-creation Research Center Grand Opening Ceremony (Left: President OHNO, Tohoku University; Right: President SEKIGUCHI, DOWA)
The Engineering Laboratory Complex Building at Tohoku University, where the Co-creation Research Center was established.

For information on the dialogue between the DOWA × Tohoku University management, please refer to pages 38 to 41 of the “DOWA REPORT 2022”.