Hokkaido University Research Profiles

Japanese

Open Facilities: 5

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  • Life Sciences
  • Information and Communication
  • Nanotechnology / Materials
  • Manufacturing Technology
  • Human and Social Sciences
  • Energy
  • Environment
  • Tourism / Community development
  • Arctic Research
  • Social Infrastructure
  • Open Facilities
  • A Single Microscopic Image Can Tell the Whole Story

    A Single Microscopic Image Can Tell the Whole Story

    The Nikon Imaging Center was established as a facility where researchers throughout Japan can use the latest biological microscopes, and is now operated by the Research Institute for Electronic Science. Our dedicated staff will explain how to operate the equipment and software to beginners who may never have touched a microscope before.

    Research

    Recent years have seen an increasing demand for bioimaging and significant performance improvement in gene transfer technology, molecular and cellular marking technology using fluorescent proteins and observation equipment such as microscopes. However, high performance microscope systems are very expensive, and it is difficult to obtain all the necessary equipment, especially at the start. Another factor that makes imaging technology difficult is the fact that not everyone can easily obtain excellent data
    The center’s equipment is made available for researchers outside the university and we not only provide instructions on the operation of the equipment and software, but also technical know-how on imaging. We have also joined the Advanced Bioimaging Support (ABiS) platform from this year, and are involved in supporting the use of cutting-edge microscopes in collaboration with other microscope facilities in Japan. We’d like companies that are exploring the application of imaging to consider the use of our services.

  • Nanotechnology Platform

    Microfabrication and microstructure analysis

    To support research and development of microfabrication and microstructure analysis, we make Hokkaido University’s state-of-the-art equipment and technical know-how available. In close cooperation with implementing institutions throughout Japan, we also support approaches to solving problems in the industrial field and at research sites under a nationwide system of equipment sharing.

    Research

    For microfabrication, we support the fabrication of devices on a micrometer to nanometer scale using a broad array of equipment for thin film formation, metal nanostructures, etc. Examples include pattern formation using a state-of-the-art electron beam lithography system installed in a clean room, film deposition using a multidimensional sputtering and atomic layer deposition system, etching using a reactive ion etching system, and device evaluation using FE-SEM.
    For microstructure analysis, we offer support for material analysis through internal structure observation using aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) and compound beam microscopy (FIB-SEM). We also support surface and state analysis using a scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), Auger electron spectrometer (AES) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), and assist with measurements under special beams and environments using ultra-high voltage electron microscopy, time-resolved photoelectron microscopy and spin SEM.

  • Open Advanced Research Facilities Initiative (Project for Creation of Research Platforms and Sharing of Advanced Research Infrastructure)

    Microscopic imaging platform for atoms and molecules

    Promotion and expansion of the isotope microscope system installed at the Equipment Management Center for shared use by industry, academia and government.

    Research

    We invite, select and implement proposals for the effective use of stable isotope imaging technology, which is a special feature of the isotope microscope system, to expand it to industrial innovation.
    Upon hearing the word, “isotopes,” the concept of “age measurement” immediately comes to mind. Actually, until now, isotope microscopes have been used to analyze isotope ratios, primarily in minerals and other areas of space science. This is a result obtained by observing the as-is cross-section of the obtained sample. However, by changing the concept of the measurement method, we can expand the use of isotope microscopes to industrial application. In other words, by actively doping a target sample with an isotope element, rather than observing it “as such,” it becomes possible to measure the desired imaging we were unable to see before. The use of stable rather than radioactive isotopes also allows us to work safely.

  • Open Advanced Research Facilities Initiative NMR Shared Platform

    Program for promotion of shared use of advanced NMR facilities

    The Advanced NMR Facility is the largest NMR facility in Hokkaido, and is not only open to local industries, but also to industry, academia and research institutes nationwide.

    Research

    The Faculty of Advanced Life Science and the Faculty of Science of Hokkaido University play the central role in managing the Advanced NMR Facility. In cooperation with the Institute for the Promotion of Business-Regional Collaboration and the Global Facility Center of the Creative Research Institution, we aim to promote new applications, primarily in industry. For more information on the specifications of the 800 MHz solution NMR, 600 MHz solid-state NMR and other instruments, as well as application procedures for their use, please see our website. We hope that you will take advantage of the project to promote shared use of the Advanced NMR Facility at Hokkaido University.

  • Open Facility

    From “ownership” to “sharing” of facilities

    This is a sharing system of facilities to improve the level of research at Hokkaido University and in the region by opening the University’s advanced research facilities to researchers in- and outside the university for shared use.

    Research

    About 200 research instruments have been registered in the Open Facility. Users who have attended a training course on their use can use the most advanced instruments by paying a usage fee. Our highly skilled and knowledgeable staff will also kindly provide advice on the operation of the instruments and respond to technical questions.
    Reservations for the use of the instruments are accepted 24 hours a day via the web page “Instrument Reservation Management System.”
    Please contact us about instruments you would like to use by filling out the form on our website.

    Global Facility Center