[MANA E-BULLETIN Vol.11 - Feature] An Interview with Dr. Yoshihiko TAKANO

With their ability to transport electricity without loss and at zero resistance, superconductors are a technology that could solve a host of environmental and energy problems. The Nano Frontier Superconducting Materials Group at MANA, led by Prof. Yoshihiko Takano, is focusing on the physical properties of high-temperature superconductors, as well as carbon nanotubes and other functional materials. The group is also developing cables incorporating new superconducting materials. Recently, they have been searching for new substances by utilizing machine learning, and have discovered a series of new superconductors, as they work toward the ultimate goal: room temperature superconductivity. Currently, this research requires extremely low temperatures and extremely high pressures, so the team is also developing artificial intelligence for materials search, as well as high-pressure technologies.