Prof. Hiroshi Okamoto, Prof. Sachihiro Matsunaga, Prof. Hiroyuki Koizumi, and Prof. Kenta Iyoki at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences received commendations from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for the year 2025.

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Awards for Science and Technology (Research Category)

Study on Ultrafast Electronic-Phase Controls in Strongly Correlated Electron Materials Using Terahertz Pulses

Hiroshi Okamoto, Professor, Department of Advanced Material Science

Message from Prof. Okamoto

I am truly honored and humbled to receive the commendation at the beginning of my last year at the University of Tokyo for my research that demonstrates the ultrafast electronic-phase controls in strongly correlated electron materials using single-cycle electromagnetic field pulses called terahertz pulses. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the importance of teamwork and collaboration among the staff and students in my laboratory, and the co-workers in this achievement. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who supported me. Thank you, everyone.

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Awards for Science and Technology (Research Category)

Molecular Biological Analyses of the Regulation Mechanism for Chromatin Dynamics to Ensure Plant Survival Strategies

Sachihiro Matsunaga, Professor, Department of Integrated Biosciences

Message from Prof. Matsunaga

I am incredibly honored and grateful to have received the commendation. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the graduate students and staff members of my laboratory. Moreover, I would like to thank all university staff who always support our research. I will continue to devote myself to my research, aiming to make more remarkable discoveries and develop technologies.

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Awards for Science and Technology (Development Category)

Development of a Water-Based Propulsion System for Enhanced Satellite Integrability and In-Situ Space Resource Utilization

Hiroyuki Koizumi, Associate Professor in Department of Advanced Energy, Co-Founder and Board Director of Pale Blue Inc.

Message from Prof. Koizumi

It is a great honor for me to receive the commendation. This recognition is awarded for the use of the water-based propulsion technology known as the AQUA Resistojet Propulsion System (AQUARIUS). This system was developed, trained, and operated as the main engine of the ultrasmall EQUilibriUm Lunar-Earth point 6U Spacecraft (EQUULEUS). It served various purposes, including a demonstration during a lunar flyby.

The development, training, and operation of AQUARIUS were achieved by the hard efforts of all who have been involved in this technology. AQUARIUS' significance is that it is a resistjet thruster using water and the steam supply system that can be operated stably and without fail, which can be the base technology to advance ion thruster, hall thruster, and even metal-water combustion propulsion. I am proud that this project, which started in 2016, contributed to the achievement of EQUULEUS' lunar flyby mission. This recognition inspired me to further my contributions to the core research and technology for next-generation space exploration.

Center: Prof. Hiroyuki Koizumi

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The Young Scientists'Award

Research on Modification of Zeolite Adsorbents and Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide

Kenta Iyoki, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Systems

Message from Prof. Iyoki

I am very pleased to have the honor of being given this award. I would like to express my sincere appreciation and thanks to all who supported me. The recognized research was the improvement of adsorbents to have higher functions and applications. I would like to contribute to solving global environmental problems by further improving the functions. I will continue to make even greater efforts in order that I may deserve this honor.

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For more details, refer to the MEXT website. The awardee list is at the end of the page below. (PDF, in Japanese)
https://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/houdou/mext_01503.html