Okayama University Hosts J-PEAKS Synergy Session on Superconductivity's Role in the Future, from Fusion to Quantum Medicine and Dark Matter

On June 17, 2026, Okayama University announced that it held the 'Okayama University J-PEAKS Synergy Session: The New World of Quantum, Green Energy, and Dark Matter Observation Opened by Superconductivity' on June 8 at its 50th Anniversary Hall on the Tsushima Campus. The event was part of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's (MEXT) 'Japan Program for Enhancing Research Universities' (J-PEAKS).

Superconductivity is a phenomenon where the electrical resistance of certain materials drops to zero when cooled to extremely low temperatures, enabling lossless energy transport and the creation of powerful magnetic fields. The symposium aimed to explain how superconductivity, which has fascinated scientists for over a century, will bring innovation to future society. Over 100 researchers, students, and industry representatives from both inside and outside the university gathered for the event.

President Yasutomo Nasu delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing that the symposium is a vital opportunity to connect basic science knowledge to social implementation and innovative research through the J-PEAKS initiative. The keynote lecture was given by Principal Professor Takanobu Kisu, Dean of the Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering at Kyushu University, on 'Development of Superconducting Fundamental Technologies for the Early Realization of Fusion Energy.' He explained the development and future prospects of superconducting magnets, which are key to fusion power generation, as part of a JST Moonshot R&D project.

Following this, Professor Kohei Higashikawa from Kyushu University's Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering gave an invited lecture titled 'A Carbon Neutral Society Opened Up by Superconducting Power Technology,' presenting concrete examples of the connection between superconductivity and the real world.

Subsequently, five lectures were delivered by researchers from Okayama University. Associate Professor Hiroshi Ueta, Professor Shigeki Kasahara, Associate Professor Hiroto Adachi, Professor Toshihiko Kiwa, and Associate Professor Shunsuke Adachi presented on a wide range of research topics. These included energy and medical applications of high-temperature superconductivity, exotic superconductivity, superconducting/magnetic nano-multilayer films, the fundamentals and biomedical applications of Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs), and dark matter observation.

The symposium served as a venue to deepen exchanges among researchers on the theme of superconductivity and create opportunities for new collaborations. Okayama University's 'Plant and Light Energy Development Hub,' a key research strength, aims to utilize superconductivity for applications such as energy transmission materials. The university plans to leverage the knowledge and networks gained from this event to create innovative outcomes.