Vol.4 No.1 2011

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−74−Synthesiology Editorial BoardEditor in Chief: A. OnoSenior Executive Editor: N. Kobayashi and M. Seto Executive Editors: M. Akamatsu, K. Naito, T. IshiiEditors: S. Abe, K. Igarashi, H. Ichijo, K. Ueda, A. Etori, K. Ohmaki, Y. Owadano, M. Okaji, A. Kageyama, T. Kubo, T. Shimizu, Y. Jigami, H. Tateishi, M. Tanaka, E. Tsukuda, S. Togashi, H. Nakashima, K. Nakamura, Y. Hasegawa, J. Hama, K. Harada, N. Matsuki, K. Mizuno, N. Murayama, M. Mochimaru, A. Yabe, H. YoshikawaPublishing Secretariat: Website and Publication Office, Public Relations Department, AISTContact: Synthesiology Editorial Boardc/o Website and Publication Office, Public Relations Department, AISTTsukuba Central 2, 1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba 305-8568, JapanTel: +81-29-862-6217 Fax: +81-29-862-6212E-mail: URL: http://www.aist.go.jp/synthesiology*Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.Synthesiology - English edition Vol. 4 No. 1, Sept. 2011Edited by Synthesiology Editorial BoardPublished by National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)Letter from the editorWhile all the research results published in this issue are original and are geared toward practical application, they are subjected to different interpretations when viewed from the perspective of how a technology evolves and becomes established as a new technology, or how to overcome the valley of death in the course of taking the technological development to practical use.From the perspective of the evolution of technology, in the “Development of laser-assisted inkjet printing technology”, the laser-assisted method, which is a new surface treatment method, is devised and established as the ultra-fine wiring technology through demonstration experiments, based on the experience of the successful R&D of aerosol deposition method. It is offered as the solution for reliability that is a major issue in the advancement of inkjet technology, as well as the differentiating factor from the conventional technologies. In the “Challenge for the development of micro SOFC manufacturing technology”, the compact-size of fuel cells is achieved and demonstrated through the idea of highly applicable ceramic integration process. It is a case where the technology moves forward through fusion of different technologies, and is an excellent example of how the technology evolves.“Spectral database system for organic compounds” is an example of an R&D whereby the valley of death is overcome by maintaining close relationship with society and by spending effort on social acceptance. The process by which the database would eventually become widely used is a general process of acceptance in society, and the paper is a fine example that analyzes the methodology of that process.In the “Formation of research strategy and synthetic research evaluation based on the strategy”, the importance of having a goal for the research program and the scenario to attain the goal as part of the strategy formation is emphasized. It is also stated that for evaluating the research, it is important to have a synthetic evaluation method that combines the elemental evaluations based on the inference through deduction, induction, and hypothesis formation, while comparing them with the research strategy. Overall, it points to the importance of strategy and its evaluation to overcome the valley of death.There are two discussions on the general methodology for overcoming the valley of death. “Methodology for technological integration for open innovation hub” discusses how the evolution of technology may lead to innovation from the side of technological potentials, while “Japanese manufacturing and synthesiology” discusses the promotion of design science by strengthening the competitive power, the system for increasing the level of synthesis, and the establishment of the outlet toward the circulating society, from the standpoint of society as an outlet of social technology. The two articles are discussed from opposing stances; the evolution of technological development that is the entrance to the valley of death; and the establishment of the social technology at its exit. Here are the two sides of the general discussion for overcoming the valley of death. I think the importance in organizing the discussion for the synthesis methodology to overcome the valley of death will be reackowledged in the future. EditorAkira Yabe

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