Chairman: Masahiro Sokabe (Professor of Graduate School of Medicine, Department of Cell Science, Nagoya University School Medicine)

Adaptive cell responses to stimuli are the essence of life. The process is called cell signaling and realized by the signal flow (reception and transduction of stimuliintracellular signal processingcell response). Each step of cell signaling is conducted by nanometer-sized biomolecules (nanodevices) such as receptors, singnaling molecules, cytoskeletons and membrancs, through their structural changes and specific interactions. Cell can be regarded as an information-processing machine driven by molecular networks.
The research committee aims to formulate a research strategy to clarify mechanisms of signal transmission by biomolecules and cell information processing by molecular networks.

Chairman: Hiroshi Tokumoto (Deputy Director of Nanotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Industrial Science and Technology)

Recent marked progress of scanning probe microscope technolgy has brought an opportunity to observe, identify and manipulate single molecules in a molecule-by-molecule mode. The technology enables the study of various material properties and phenomena from the stand point of molecular scale level, which have been studied in the form of mass-collection of molecules by thermodynamic method.
The present research committee discusses topics covering (1) molecular manipulation technology, (2) formation of self-assembled monolayer films and their functional origins, (3) structures of DNA molecules and carbon nanotubes as representative large scale molecules and their functional origins, and (4) formation of interface between organic molecules and inorganic materials such as silicon and its functional origin. Based on the discussions, the research committee tries to explore new technology fields promising for nanoelectronics, molecular electronics, biotechnology and related fields.

Chairman: Teruya Shinjo (Professor of Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University)

Recent technological development in thin film technology has made it possible to synthesize artificial lattice by controlling thickness of each layer of metallic multilayers on an atomic scale.
Using microfabrication techniques, size and shape regarding in-plane directions can be controlled, and thus dots and wires of magnetic materials can be prepared. Basic studies on behaviors of nanoscale magnetic systems and interplay of magnetism and transport may lead to the discovery of novel physical properties.

Chairman: Kazuhiko Matsumoto (Principal Research Scientist, Center of Nanotechnology Research Institute, National Institute of Industrial Science and Technology)

The research committee takes up variety of materials including semiconductors, metals, and related molecules. The research committee discusses possible new physics phenomena and principles as well as nano-fabrication process in the region of nanometer-order-structure,and possible applications to the development of nanoelectronics.

Chairman: Nobuo Niimura (Prime Scientist of Advanced Science Research Center, Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute)

Small angle neutron scattering (SANS) technology provides non-destructive direct observation of shape and interior structure of nano-particles such as biological macromolecules, polymers, magnetic and functional materials and other relevant materials.
In view of the promising results obtained in recent years, the developments of neutron experiment techniques are expected to expand their feasibility and applications, as well as to materialize visualization of results of SANS. It will open up new fields of SANS by realizing the visualization of nano-particle structure.