This doctoral program targets students in the fields of science, medicine, and information science. Through a collaborative curriculum with top research institutions and corporations within and outside Japan, its objective is to train people capable of social implementation of innovative quantum beam application technologies to create a safe and super-smart society with abundance, health, and longevity.
Lead the frontier of quantum beam applications
Confronted with the reality of rapid aging and a low birthrate, our country must address the urgent task to realize prosperous longevity and a super-smart society with a clear vision of Society 5.0. Academia, including universities, are expected to address this issue and create new value through interdisciplinary cooperation. In this context, quantum beams created by accelerators are being applied in innovative ways to solve problems of modern society. Radioactive isotopes (RIs), which support nuclear medicine, have been essential in cancer research. RIs played a critical role in the rapid evolution of gamma imaging technology and targeted alpha therapy. In addition, cosmic rays contribute to soft errors, which were originally discussed in devices operating in harsh environments such as space. However, due to the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), cosmic ray-induced soft errors have also become an issue on the ground. Therefore, accelerated testing using quantum beams is urgently needed to evaluate and implement countermeasures. Despite the high potential of quantum beam applications, the development of human resources to support research and advance technologies is lagging.
This program aims to "continuously develop human resources to lead the creation of next-generation quantum beam application technologies" by targeting students mainly in the fields of science, medicine, and information technology in cooperation with domestic and foreign universities, institutions, and companies related to various quantum beams, including radionuclides, neutrons, and muons.
Educational program incorporating diverse knowledge utilizing the strengths of Osaka University
Osaka University's campus has the largest accelerator in Japan and a clinical research core hospital. Hence, the university is well suited to develop nuclear medicine therapy using alpha particles. Since 2015, this project has evolved into a joint project among different organizations. In 2017, it became a JST Program on Open Innovation Platform with Enterprises, Research Institute and Academia (OPERA) and the Quantum Innovation for Safe and Smart Society (OiSS) was founded. Currently, Osaka University is developing nuclear medicine therapy using alpha particles in collaboration with corporations.
In addition, Osaka University has been establishing measurement technologies and universal standards of soft errors caused by the cosmic rays on IC devices as a part of the OPERA project (OiSS) in collaboration between industry and academia since 2017. This program offers a curriculum that leverages the quantum beam application initiative of Osaka University as well as a strong collaboration network with partner institutions and corporations within and outside Japan.
Students enrolled in this program participate in diverse joint research and overseas training programs at accelerator laboratories with different features. Students not only build knowledge about the basics to applications, but also gain a wide range of multidisciplinary and socially connected experiences.