The National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) has been supporting the promotion of research and development of industrial technologies in Japan and the enhancement of Japan's industrial competitiveness. The research achievements presented here are the fruits of efforts by the Nanotube Research Center and the Nanosystem Research Institute, both of AIST in the Nanotechnology, Materials and Manufacturing field. The research topics reflect our keen awareness of originality, making a strong impact on industries, and addressing challenges that may be too risky for corporations to take on by themselves. Specifically, we are aiming to develop industrial applications of nanometer-scale structures, namely single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), organic nanotubes (ONTs), and bio-nanotubes which are tubular, and graphene which is planer. SWCNTs are expected to have wide-ranging industrial applications. Methods to mass-synthesize high-purity SWCNTs and to generate high-quality SWCNTs have finally been developed 20 years after their discovery, offering the prospects of actual industrial applications. In the area of electronic applications of CNTs, the development of techniques for the separation of semiconductor and metallic SWCNTs has advanced, and further progress in the electronics field is expected. In addition, we are also investigating applications for medical examination and treatment utilizing the excellent absorption properties of carbon nanohorns and ONTs. We are aiming to expand the use of nanotubes through nanotube formation for specific purposes and functionalization. Evaluations of the physical properties of SWCNTs by optical or electro-optical measuring methods are the basic technologies for applied nanotube research and they also contribute to international standardization (such as by the International Organization for Standardization). The development of a world-leading ultra-high-resolution electron microscope and the establishment of a method for evaluating CNTs with the microscope are world-class accomplishments of the Nanotube Research Center.

The Tsukuba Innovation Arena (TIA) framework is an approach for establishing a globally attractive nanotechnology research base by integrating world-class nanotechnology research capabilities gathered in Tsukuba and combining the efforts of industry and academia.

There are six core research areas in the TIA framework, one of which is the area of CNTs. In this core area (TIA-CNT), we are aiming to develop technologies to synthesize SWCNTs, a novel carbon material, in a variety of ways to utilize their excellent properties across a range of industrial applications, and to make such applications possible by improving their quality and forming them into components. Through various basic research efforts, our aim is to create an SWCNT industry that can contribute to the realization of an energy-conserving society for the future.

TIA-CNT constructed and commenced operation of a pilot plant as a supplementary budget project in FY 2009 to verify the mass production of SWCNTs synthesized by the super-growth method, which is a process developed at AIST. We are promoting large-scale collaborative research between AIST and individual firms that can make use of a large supply of SWCNTs synthesized by this method.

The issues in realizing the practical application of SWCNTs include (1) developing synthesis and industrial production technologies for SWCNTs having optimized properties for the intended purpose, (2) developing fabrication technologies for SWCNTs that does not deteriorate their properties, (3) establishing a risk assessment method to ensure safety, and (4) finding cost-competitive specific usages. In that context, we are participating in the "Innovative Carbon Nanotubes and Their Application Project," a FY 2010-2014 project implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

In addition to the super-growth method, we are conducting research on the development of applications of SWCNTs synthesized by the enhanced direct injection pyrolytic synthesis (eDIPS), which is a method developed at AIST, and semiconductor and metallic SWCNTs, which are isolated by the gel column separation method. We are also working to establish international standards for CNT assessment methods. Furthermore, we have started research on graphene which is considered as a new promising nanocarbon material.

Within TIA-CNT, we are developing these basic technologies and as the implementation of open innovation, we are sharing results with internal and external research groups, inviting the participation of corporations to conduct application development using these basic technologies, and initiating applied research and development.