Mission and Goals

Mission
Our mission is to promote basic research into and new theories of pulsed power science through international-oriented problem solving on an interdisciplinary basis as well as to train globally active young researchers and engineers.

Goals
The Institute of Pulsed Power Science has had over the 10 years since its establishment the following six goals:

1. Exploration of scientific principles of materials, including biological materials at the boundary of the pulsed power reaction field.
2. Development of new medical technologies and discovery of new materials using the boundary of the pulsed power reaction field.
3. Creation of new science through the fusion of pulsed power science and leading-edge scientific fields.
4. Strategically apply researchers and research results of pulsed power science for extensive problem-solving in the international community.
5. Formation of an international research center on comprehensive pulse power science through activities of an international consortium.
6. Development of young researchers and engineers able to demonstrate international leadership.
   

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Greetings from the Director

Institute of Pulsed Power Science, Kumamoto University
Director, Sunao Katsuki

Pulsed power is an instantaneous energy - electrical energy, chemical energy, mechanical energy, optical energy and the like - which, when temporally compressed, can exert a tremendous amount of electricity and power. The magnitude of this type of pulsed power is equivalent to electric energy consumption in Kyushu, in Japan, even globally.

At the Institute of Pulsed Power Science, in order to find solutions for various problems the international community is facing such as the realization of a society which is safe and secure, which fosters environmental protection and recycling, and which advances medicine and social welfare, we conduct development of basic research and new theories in pulsed power science and technology and in its related fields and work to resolve issues from the viewpoint of pulse power technology. Under an environment of international research, we produce international leaders of an interdisciplinary type.

In order to fulfill such of the Institute's missions, the Institute is organized into various groups: the "pulse power infrastructure group," which works with the formation and control of pulsed power science and technology over a variety of extreme reaction fields; the "extreme physical property science group," which conducts development of synthesis and novel properties of new materials using a variety of extreme reaction fields; the "bioelectrics group," which researches and develops applications of life phenomena born by the action of pulsed power to the living body; and the "international cooperation visitor's group," which promotes international cooperation utilizing the international research consortium.

This Institute boasts facilities and equipment of the world's highest level, including the sole comprehensive "explosion experiment facility" of all Japanese universities; the only "bioelectrics research facility" in Japan; "pulse power infrastructure equipment" of great variety at world-class levels; and the world's first "super-gravity generation equipment," developed at Kumamoto University. In addition for use with its own research, the Institute provides facilities and equipment to researchers in disparate fields of both enterprises and other universities, and as such is widely deployed in related fields of pulsed power science and technology.

The history of the Institute begins with the establishment in 1971 faculty of engineering- based impact energy laboratory. The shock and extreme environmental research center with its cryogenic equipment laboratory was established in 1999, and the bioelectrics research center in 2007. These two centers, with the addition of related researchers from the Graduate School of Science and Technology, were merged to form the Institute on April 1, 2013. At the same time, through activities of the 21st Century COE Program "application and deepening of impact energy science" and the Global COE "impact energy engineering leading global hub", the Institute and its associated instructors have experienced ten years of close cooperation in research education. While this Institute is newly established, it exhibits characteristics of an organization with already 10 years of experience.

As a world-class research institution in pulsed power science and technology and its related fields, and as an organization to lead the world in the creation of human resources and innovation from multidisciplinary fields, we aim to be an institute which will be a credit to Kumamoto, to Japan, and to the world. We look forward to your kind support and encouragement now and in the future.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　April 2013

HISTORY

1971-

Faculty of Engineering-based impact energy laboratory established.

1999-　

Shock and extreme environmental research center founded.

2007-

Bioelectrics Research Center established.

2013-

Institute of Pulsed Power Science established.