Note: This page was translated by AI from the Japanese original. In case of any discrepancy, the Japanese version shall prevail.

A new ARIM (Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials) shared facility search feature has been added to the chatbot (CINTS Chatbot β) on the CINTS website.

■ Overview
The chatbot can now suggest equipment, based on your purpose and sample conditions, from among the instruments introduced on the ARIM shared facility page (https://nanonet.go.jp/facility.php), part of the Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials (ARIM) program by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

■ Details
– New Feature: ARIM Shared Facility Search Mode
– Description: For equipment introduced at https://nanonet.go.jp/facility.php, the chatbot suggests suitable instruments based on your research purpose and other conditions.
– How to Use: Click the chat widget (“CINTS Chatbot β”) at the bottom-right of the screen and ask about shared facility search or equipment recommendations.

■ Notice & Precautions (Trial Operation)
– This feature is currently under trial operation.
– Suggestions provided by the chatbot may contain errors. Please always verify equipment details and the latest availability by following the link to the official ARIM shared facility page (https://nanonet.go.jp/facility.php).
– Specifications may be changed, or the service temporarily suspended, without prior notice for system improvement and testing.

■ Contact / Inquiries
Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support, Tohoku University (CINTS) Office
Email: office.cints@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

Nanote-kun

Nanote-kun is the main mascot character of CINTS. His most distinctive feature is the large pentagonal hat on his head. This pentagon symbolizes the collaboration and bonds among the center, its research divisions, and users. The wire-like lines connecting the vertices of the pentagon evoke the image of nanoscale structures.

As introduced in Newsletter Vol. 8 (published in FY2015):

“I am the mascot of the Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support, Tohoku University — Nanote-kun! The pentagon represents the collaboration among the center, microfabrication, molecular synthesis, structural analysis, and users.”

The body of Nanote-kun bears the letters “CINTS,” expressing his pride as a member of the center.

Mirai-chan

Mirai-chan is the adorable green child character who accompanies Nanote-kun. She was introduced in Newsletter Vol. 13 (published December 2020):

“The pentagon of CINTS (pronounced ‘Saanzu’) mascot character Nanote-kun symbolizes the collaboration among the center, three research divisions, and users. The green child is Mirai-chan! Please take care of us!”

True to her name — “Mirai” (未来) means “future” in Japanese — she embodies the hope and expectation for the future of science and technology that CINTS-supported research will help create.

We Look Forward to Your Support!

Nanote-kun and Mirai-chan will continue to watch over CINTS activities going forward. When you spot them on the website or in newsletters, please give them a warm welcome!

For inquiries about using the facilities or services of Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support, Tohoku University (CINTS), please feel free to contact the CINTS Office.

*Note: This post was created by an AI agent.

A chatbot (CINTS Chatbot β) designed to assist with information retrieval and facility usage guidance has been introduced on a trial basis on the Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support, Tohoku University (CINTS) website (https://www.cints.tohoku.ac.jp/).

■ Overview
By clicking the chat icon located at the bottom-right corner of the website, you can ask questions and search for information regarding CINTS support programs (Structural Analysis and Micro/Nano Fabrication fields), shared equipment, user guides, and application procedures in an interactive conversational format.

■ Details
– Location: Chat widget at the bottom-right of the screen (“CINTS Chatbot β”)
– Key Features and Response Modes:
– Site Information Mode: Answers questions based strictly on information published on the official CINTS website and public documents.
– General Technical Knowledge Mode: Answers questions incorporating general scientific and engineering knowledge on nanotechnology, electron microscopy, structural analysis, and microfabrication.
– Technical Consultation Mode: Offers consultation on equipment selection and experimental methods suited to your research objectives and sample conditions.
– Guide Characters: Ability to switch between multiple assistant persona characters.

■ Notice & Precautions (Beta / Trial Release)
– This service is currently a beta release for testing and evaluation purposes.
– Frequent specification updates, behavioral adjustments, or temporary service suspensions may occur without prior notice for system improvement.
– Chatbot responses are generated using AI and may not always reflect the latest or complete information. For exact specifications, current operational statuses, and formal application procedures, please check the official website pages or contact the CINTS Office directly.
– Please refrain from entering confidential or personal information.

■ Contact / Inquiries
Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support, Tohoku University (CINTS) Office
Email: office.cints@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

This page is a provisional, independently compiled list of links to institutions participating in the Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials and Nanotechnology in Japan (ARIM). It links to the websites of the relevant implementing units at participating institutions and is not an official list. Where a current website could not be confirmed, the link may lead to a former Nanotechnology Platform site or to the institution’s main website.

Compiled by CINTS, May 17, 2022.

Center Hub Institution

• National Institute for Materials Science: ARIM

Hub Institutions

• Tohoku University: CINTS
• The University of Tokyo: ARIM
• Nagoya University (microfabrication): Nanofabrication Platform
• Kyoto University: Nanotechnology Platform
• Kyushu University: Nanotechnology Platform

Seven Priority Technology Areas

Materials enabling advanced device functions

• Tohoku University: CINTS
• University of Tsukuba: ARIM
• Toyota Technological Institute: ARIM
• Kagawa University: Nanotechnology Platform

Materials enabling innovative energy conversion

• The University of Tokyo: ARIM
• Hiroshima University: Nano Net
• Japan Atomic Energy Agency: JAEA

Materials with innovative functions enabled by quantum and electronic control

• National Institute for Materials Science: ARIM
• Hokkaido University: Nanotechnology Platform
• Tokyo Institute of Technology: Support Program
• National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology: Nanotechnology Platform
• National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology: ARIM

Technologies for advanced materials circulation

• National Institute for Materials Science: ARIM
• National Institutes of Natural Sciences: NINS
• Nagoya Institute of Technology: Facilities
• The University of Electro-Communications: ARIM

Next-generation biomaterials

• Nagoya University: Nanofabrication Platform
• Waseda University: ARIM
• Chitose Institute of Science and Technology: Nanotechnology
• Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology: ARIM

Next-generation nanoscale materials

• Kyushu University: Nanotechnology Platform
• Shinshu University: Nanotechnology

Multimaterial technologies and next-generation polymer materials

• Kyoto University: Nanotechnology Platform
• Osaka University: Nanotechnology Platform
• Nara Institute of Science and Technology: ARIM
• Yamagata University: ARIM

※This post was created by an AI agent.

The website for the ARIM Project Unit, Analytical Research Core for Advanced Materials, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University has opened.

※This post was created by an AI agent.

Dear all,

We are pleased to announce that the Center’s regulations have been established and updated.

The new regulations can be downloaded from this page.

※This post was created by an AI agent.

Dear users,

A scheduled power outage will be conducted for periodic inspection of the power receiving and distribution facilities at the Katahira substation on the dates below. During and around the outage, servers operated by the Center will be unavailable. This website and myPage will therefore be inaccessible. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Schedule

Power outage: August 5, 2023, 7:30 p.m. to August 6, 2023, 6:00 p.m.
Website and related services: from the afternoon of August 4 to the morning of August 7, 2023.

※This post was created by an AI agent.

Event information has been updated.

※This post was created by an AI agent.

The Center has made part of its former website, which was operated during the Nanotechnology Platform Project, available as an archive.

Archive URL

https://www.cints.tohoku.ac.jp/old-site

Purpose

The archive preserves information that was published during that period, including research support, facility information, and achievement reports. It includes pages that are no longer in operation; accuracy and currency are therefore not guaranteed.

Coverage

The archive contains material published approximately from fiscal year 2012 through fiscal year 2021.

Notes

• Descriptions may differ from the current research-support framework and facility-use procedures.
• Broken links, missing images, or layout issues caused by Shift_JIS character encoding may occur.

Current Information

For current activities, support arrangements, and reservation procedures, please use this website.

※This post was created by an AI agent.

Under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Advanced Research Infrastructure for Materials and Nanotechnology in Japan (ARIM) project, in which Tohoku University participates, a nationwide shared-use framework for advanced facilities has been established at 26 universities and research institutions. Materials data generated through shared-facility use have been collected and accumulated in forms suitable for use in data science and related fields.

From September 30, more than 110,000 data records will be made available for shared use for the prescribed fee. The number of available records is expected to grow as facilities continue to be used. Broad use of materials data generated by diverse facilities across institutional boundaries is expected to accelerate data-driven materials research and development and strengthen Japan’s international competitiveness.

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announcement
ARIM portal
Center for Integrated Nanotechnology Support
Materials Data Platform

※This post was created by an AI agent.