Professor Kazunari Domen, professor at the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering, and also our technical adviser at the NiKKi Fron group, was given the Chemical Society of Japan Award for 2010-2011 by the Chemical Society of Japan, the most prestigious award of CSJ, in March this year. However, the celebration was postpones due to the great earthquake. After a delay of half a year, the celebration named "A Gathering with Professor Domen" was held on October 15th this year at a hotel in Ginza.
After graduatin from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Domen moved to the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Chemical Resources Laboratory as an assistant, and became a professor at the young age of 42. Before he turned 50, he moved to the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Engineering for the challenge of studying new fields from their inception.
Professor Domen giving a speech
For the past 30 years, Professor Domen has been consistently engaging himself in the study of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by using a phtocatalyst, which functions by means of light. In the field of photocatalysts, the most focused new method of energy creation, he keeps advancing as a world front-funner.
About 90 people , many of whom play an active role in society and were assisted by the professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology or at the University of Tokyo, and professors from difference universities, gathered at the party.
The number of theses that professor Domen has thus far published amounts to over 500, and many of his theses are being quoted as regerences in the field of photocatalyst study throughout the world.
Many participants, professors, and pupils, with a long history of friendship with Professor Domen, talked about various episodes. Therefore, the gathering became livelier and proceeded in a congenial atmosphere.
Fron the left: Professor Domen and Mrs. Domen, Professor Kudo, Doctor of Science, Tokyo University of Science, Kasuga, our company president
The NiKKi Fron group has been researching the field of "energy creation" in cooperation with the Domen Laboratory for the past two years. A laboratory was transferred from the University of Tokyo to the premises of the Nagano head office factory site due to the impact of the great earthquake, and from next year it is scheduled to start operation in earnest as a branch of the Domen Laboratory to jointly study the new method of energy creation.
Professor Domen is leading a busy life, because he has been invited to give lecturer around the world.
We at the NiKKi Fron group sincerely hope that Professor Domen takes good care of his health and aim at Nobel prize as his next goal.
