Presently, each research unit is making steady progress in their research activities, with the aim of the further development of AIST. New research centers and laboratories have been established and we are confident to produce notable achievements for our endeavors. Furthermore, AIST has embarked on various projects including the improvement of intellectual property management systems, the establishment of Innovation Center for Start-ups, the introduction of venture support systems that facilitate the launch of venture businesses capitalizing on the research achievements of AIST. In the year 2003, AIST will further reforms for staff's self awareness and carry out new research frameworks in accordance with its existing operating policy. AIST will operate in a way such that the visible results of a series of reforms will be produced. AIST will also step up through the efforts to popularize the concept of type-II research and positively encourage full-scale research projects.

Operational assignments for independent administration institutions including AIST are determined by the medium-term goal given by the state minister in charge (Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry for AIST). The first medium-term goal of AIST runs for four years from FY2001-2004. Each organization prepares a medium-term plan to achieve the respective goals. A yearly plan for each year is to be developed before the beginning of the new fiscal year.

This document provides a summary of AIST's annual research plan for FY 2003. For further details, please visit our website.

AIST set up two major goals in this field: (1)Realization of the Sustainable and (2)A Realization of Active Aged Society. At the forefront of advanced biotechnologies, AIST will engage in the wide range of research programs including bioinformatics in the post-genomic era for the industrial application of gene information, the development of applied life technologies such as glycotechnology, ageing technology etc. Furthermore, AIST will proceed with cross-disciplinary projects for research and development, including the application of brain science in the development of brain-type computing systems, regenerative medical engineering and researches on nanobio machines. As a core organization of this field, the institute will pursue the researches in the establishment of intellectual infrastructure to meet the social demands in environmental measurement /purification /maintenance and waste disposal research.

In FY2003, Research on protein structure-function relation ship will be continued as part of the Basic Biotechnology Research Program for Health Maintenance and Improvement. AIST will also set up new research projects as follows: Glycoscience project; research and development of profile diagnosis system based on genome-proteome; the development of a protein system chip for protein isolation, the application of IT to protein analyzer; Advanced bio-nanodevice Project etc. Green biotechnology programs as part of the Creative program of recycling manufacturing system with biological feature are to be continued. Further progress will be expected in the researches on regenerative medical engineering, the development of medical and welfare devices in the framework of the Advanced programs for medical appliances for a better and longer life. (See Table 1)

In FY2003, with a view to the further progress of a high speed/ large volume information life line, AIST will promote the research programs on grid technology, large volume optical data storage technology, and femtosecond technology. The aim is to establish global standards for large scale data communication/processing technologies. Further efforts will be made in the development of basic technologies such as femtosecond light sources and data reception technology which forms the basis of ultra high speed optical communication.

In the area of security dependability including secure certification systems for Internet and software, AIST will conduct substantive studies of open source software in desktop environments, as well as researches on software validation and web security. As part of the national strategic planning for the semiconductor industry, the MIRAI Project (45nm) will be implemented with a focus on the development of standard process/material for next generation semiconductors (65nm), strengthening the linkage with the Asuka Project.
In the development of low power consumption devices that support mobile human interface, researches on the technology to eliminate standby power requirements for the realization of on-demand devices will be pursued focusing on spintoronics, that is nonvolatile functional device technology.

For the practical application of advanced data processing, interdisciplinary research cooperation will be encouraged in the areas of technology which require high performance communication environments such as bioinformatics and nanosimulation etc.

In the field of environment and energy, with the aim of contributing to the establishment of a sustainable recycling-oriented society, AIST will conduct research and development to solve the issues of global warming, environmental pollution, as well as to secure stable energy resources. As a resolution to global warming, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted at the Third Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3) in 1997, thereby it was made mandatory for Japan to cut greenhouse gas by 6% in comparison with the emission level in 1990. This requires a significant improvement in levels of technology. There is a strong demand for the research and development of risk assessment/reduction technologies of chemicals as typified environmental endocrine disrupters. The exhaustion of fossil fuels still remains a critical issue. The crucial challenges in the medium and long term are the reduction of green gas emission and the shift of primary energy from oil to natural gas, ultimately to a regenerative energy source.

With the recognition of a present state of relevant issues, AIST places emphasis on technologies that reduce causative agents of green house effect, technologies to raise the efficiency of and to distribute energy systems, researches on environmentally friendly manufacturing processes in the framework of the technologies to prevent global warming. Concerning environmental pollution, chemical substance risk management and reduction technologies are given due attention. In addition, in regards to the goal of attaining stable energy supplies, researches into cleaner and more diverse energy sources will be pursued. Another priority research area is techniques for the integrated assessment of environmental and energy systems including life cycle assessment (LCA) (See Table 3).

In FY2003, AIST will launch a basic research for the standardization of energy and environmental technologies. This is indispensable for the establishment of the standards that are required to disseminate the technologies in the areas of energy saving and new energy sources. In aiming towards the popularization of distributed energy sources in society, including the introduction of fuel cells and hydrogen energy, further efforts will be made in the primary research of energy leveling technology of distributed energy systems and research and development towards energy saving technologies for the treatment of environmental pollutants.

With regards to the relationship between the risks associated with industrial activities and social security, social-scientific studies on environmental/energy technologies will be implemented at the Center for Technology and Society. In 2003 AIST will participate in the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's research and development program. Development efforts will focus especially on chemicals risk assessment methods, ultra low loss power device technologies, proton-exchange membrane fuel cell system technologies, superconducting technologies and other areas. For the promotion of LCA methods, AIST will also start research into the regional environment in cooperation with local authorities. Other collaboration projects will be in areas which include methane hydrates, biomass, development and assessment of substitutes of fluorine compounds and diesel exhaust control technologies.

In this field, through the development of frontier technologies that contribute to dramatic improvements of material and production technologies, AIST will work towards the establishment of a technology basis that will enable the realization of reliable life, concerning to belong to well-being, aging society. These efforts will also underpin the foundations of an advanced information society as well as the sustainable development of a society that coexists in harmony with the environment.

Research efforts will focus especially on the establishment of the foundations of "nanoindustry" by boosting the industrial application of nanotechnology which enables material production/processing at nanoscale (1/1 million mm) level. AIST strives for the practical application of material production technologies, focusing on material production technologies that significantly reduce environmental burden and ensure safety and reliability for human beings. Another important subject will be the establishment of a highly developed manufacturing infrastructure.

In 2003, the Nanotechnology Program will go on the Nanostructure Polymer Project, the Synthetic Nano-Function Materials Project, Advanced Nanocarbon Application Project and Nano Structure Forming for Ceramics Integration Project. On the other hand, under the framework of the Material Industrial Competitiveness Strengthening Program, major projects include the development of materials and process technology for high precision parts, and the research on metallic glass (See Table 4) AIST will also develop simulation and metrology technologies that will support the development of nanotechnology. For the innovation of production technologies that South East Asian countries have been rapidly progressing in, AIST will proceed with research and development of NENS technology together with partner companies. Cutting edge researches will be implemented in areas including nano biodevice, high efficient photocatalist etc. High-tech “Mono-zukuri” Manufacturing Project is another vital task.

With a view towards the exploitation and preservation of the nation's land which is required for the sustainable development of a society, resource and energy development and environmental conservation, AIST will carry out geological surveys to collect and provide basic geoscientific data as well as research and studies on marine geology, environment and resources. Projects in the area of security of the nation's land include researches on geological disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes. The program of environmental conservation covers a wide range of researches, from environmental issues of local ground/water areas to global environmental concerns. The collected basic information through these activities will be provided in the form of maps and databases. AIST will venture into uncharted areas and explore new fields of technology on the basis of state-of-the-art technologies, increasing coordination with other research areas such as environmental technology and life science. Furthermore, AIST will continuously offer foundational information of geological science including geologic maps. Taking advantage of the potential to conduct comprehensive research programs on geological science, the research efforts will be poured into the elucidation of an elementary process in geological science through the development and utilization of the advanced technologies.

In FY2003, AIST will complete the 1:50,000-scale geological maps of 6 areas and carry out geological surveys in 25 areas. As to the project of 1:20,000-scale geological maps, 3 maps will be completed and the surveys are to be conducted in 6 areas. By use of a digital geological map, AIST will work on the preparation of a geological map with which provides seamless coverage across area boundaries. Other tasks include the preparation of maps related to the earth sciences, such as active structure maps and active fault strip maps, maps for predicting damages from earthquakes and tsunamis, geological maps of volcanoes, and volcanic scientific information maps. The comprehensive data base will be constructed for the collection and provision of geological information. In the research program of active faults, the results of surveys at 5 sites will be publisized for the preparation of a draft of the assessment of major active faults across the country. In the area of volcanic research, AIST will further the surveys at Mt. Unzen, Miyake Island, Mt. Fuji etc. The surveys on deep geological environment will contribute to solve the issues relating to the geological disposal of radio-active waste. As part of this program, researches on 3-dimensional geological models, chemical reactions, rock properties and numerical models will be enhanced for the numerical analysis of transition of radionuclide. The results of these programs will be utilized for the prediction not only of disasters but the process of a long-term change in the geological environment. AIST will proceed with the exploration for, and the assessment and development of coal-seam gas, as well as minerals in the earth's crust or on the deep sea floor, and other energy and mineral resources such as methane hydrate existing undersea or in sea water, and strive for the development of the mining technologies. International joint research programs are organized by the Coordinating Committee for Geoscience Programmes in East and Southeast Asia (CCOP). Partnerships and cooperation with Asian countries will be reinforced in areas including the sharing of geological information through a network. AIST will also cooperate with research organizations and relevant committees throughout the world for the standardization of geological information. As a new initiative, AIST will launch a comprehensive geological research program which will lead to geological risk reduction and environmental preservation in metropolitan areas. The development of survey/assessment/management techniques for land pollution will be conducted in coordination with the field of environmental researches.

In the field of oceanography, the projects include: oceanic geological surveys by geological survey ships for the preparation of oceanographic geological maps and superficial deposits maps; the upgrading of databases on oceanographic geology; and researches into global environmental issues by means of paleomagnetic and geochemical methods. Further efforts will be given to the research projects on the environment in nearshore waters and metal /biomass resources in sea water.

In the field of Standards and Measurement Technology, in order to facilitate the development of Japanese economic activities in the international market, a consistent policy concerning measurement standards and legal metrology has been formulated. Based on this, AIST is working on the establishment of measurement standards, tests and inspections of measuring instruments, research and development as well as providing the relevant instructions. The Metrology Management Division, the Metrology Training Center of the Public Relations Department and the International Metrology Cooperation Office of the International Affairs Department are jointly responsible for these researches and services as the Metrology Institute of Japan.

In 2003, AIST aims to begin the provision of at least 24 physical standards and 33 reference materials, that is to say, the introduction of at least 57 standards in total among the medium-term target of 200 measurement standards. Furthermore, AIST will promote the early provision of reliable measurement standards based upon the standard development plan established by the government. To ensure a sustainable and stable system which can provide measurement standards, and to assure compliance with international standards, AIST also will operate the quality system conforming to ISO/IEC17025 and ISO Guide 34 and intends to complete ASNITE-NMI accreditation in over 21 reference materials as to the proof of compliance with ISO/IEC 17025. In the area of measurement standards and measurement and analysis technologies, AIST will also be using the Nanoscopic Measurement Technological Infrastructure Project to work on research and development for next-generation standards. By means of the measure equipment with calibration intelligence (e-trade project), AIST will attempt to become a world leader in the research for developing a network-based standards provision method. AIST will promote the mutual approval of measurement standards and legal metrology, and will play a role for representing Japan in international activities in this area. Regarding the international cooperation, AIST will be involved in the managing body of the Asia Pacific Metrology Program (APMP) and chair and organize the Asia-Pacific Legal Metrology Forum. AIST has been providing technical cooperation to Thailand.