Held on March 16-17, 2026, the two-day workshop highlighted the growing importance of bamboo as a versatile and renewable resource with wide-ranging applications in energy, construction, and environmental management. It also served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, enabling participants to identify shared challenges and explore opportunities for joint research and innovation between Japan and the Philippines.

Technology, innovation, and opportunities in bamboo research

Session 1 took place on March 16 at the Environmental Studies Hall on the Higashiyama Campus. Researchers from both countries exchanged insights and experiences, followed by a panel discussion on potential areas for collaboration.

Professor Hiroki Tanikawa, Dean of the Graduate School of Environmental Studies, opened the session by stressing the importance of greater collaborative research on bamboo as a strategic resource for sustainable development.

Associate Professor Masahiro Nagao of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø led off the presentation, introducing innovative work on utilizing bamboo as a source of hydrogen and methanol through electrolysis, as well as the application of LiDAR technologies for bamboo forest monitoring in Japan.

Representing the Philippine perspective on bamboo as a renewable energy source, Dr. Anniver Ryan Lapuz of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippines, then presented research on bamboo pellet production and densification technologies as possible source of bioenergy. The presentation detailed the process of converting bamboo into pellets, including collection, drying, and processing methods, with energy density calculations showing comparable results to rice straw.

Associate Professor Hiroaki Shirakawa of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø discussed the social and economic value of bamboo, including the potential for carbon credits through bamboo biochar production. He concluded that while carbon credits alone cannot cover management costs, a comprehensive evaluation of bamboo utilization must consider both economic and social benefits, such as the need for better database management and life cycle assessment of bamboo products.

Ms. Aralyn Quintos of DOST-FPRDI presented their research on bamboo durability and thermal modification techniques, finding that thermally modified bamboo with polyurethane coatings showed superior durability compared to untreated bamboo. She also discussed the evolving bamboo industry in the Philippines, from traditional uses to modern applications in construction, furniture, and engineered bamboo products. The presentation concluded with an overview of the DOST-FPRDI¡¯s R&D Roadmap for 2025-2032, focusing on transitioning from basic property evaluation to advanced industrial applications and establishing a circular bioeconomy.

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Marianne Faith G. Martinico-Perez of the Asian Satellite Campuses Institute (ASCI) and GSES. The discussion underscored the challenges in bamboo sourcing and processing technologies, as well as the complementary strengths of Japan and the Philippines: Japan¡¯s expertise in advanced technologies and material science, and the Philippines¡¯ strong foundation in bamboo resources and applied research.

Several priority areas for collaboration were identified, including leveraging the advanced laboratory facilities and analytical techniques available at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø for the characterization of Philippine bamboo species; the joint development of low-cost, environmentally friendly adhesives for engineered bamboo; the design and transfer of affordable processing technologies and machinery; and collaborative research on life cycle assessment (LCA) and socio-economic impacts.

In his closing remarks, Professor Akira Yamauchi, Director of the Asian Collaborative Development Department of ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration and expressed optimism about strengthening partnerships with Philippine institutions.

Field-based learning and technology demonstration

Session 2 was held on March 17 at the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens for hands-on, field-based learning activities. The session showcased various bamboo species found in Japan and offered demonstrations on the application of advanced tools and methodologies, such as the use of LiDAR technologies for bamboo forest monitoring and non-destructive techniques for bamboo species characterization.

The workshop reaffirmed a shared commitment between ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and its Philippine partners to advance bamboo as a key resource for sustainable development, climate action, and inclusive economic growth through joint research, technology development, and capacity-building initiatives.

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø researchers used iron and blue LEDs to synthesize natural molecules, cutting the need for expensive chiral components by two-thirds.

Photocatalysts facilitate chemical reactions by absorbing light. Metal-based photocatalysts are widely used in organic synthesis due to their durability and the ability to tune their function by modifying the ligands attached to the central metal atom.

Most metals used in photocatalysts, such as ruthenium and iridium, are rare and expensive. Researchers at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Japan, previously developed an iron-based alternative, but it required large amounts of costly chiral ligands, which act as spatial templates to determine the three-dimensional structure of chemical products.

In a recent study published in the, the researchers developed an iron catalyst that reduces the use of chiral ligands by two-thirds and enables photocatalytic reactions under energy-efficient blue LED light.

Using this new catalyst, they completed the asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A, a natural compound from medicinal plants that suppresses respiratory bursts.

Professor , Assistant Professor , and graduate student Hayato Akao at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Graduate School of Engineering developed this technology.

Redefining the design of iron catalysts

In , the researchers developed an iron photocatalyst that used three chiral ligands per iron atom, but only one-third of these ligands contributed to enantioselectivity, making the process inefficient.

Meanwhile, the newly developed iron photocatalyst combines cost-effective achiral bidentate ligands with chiral ligands to target a specific iron(III) salt structure. The chiral ligand controls the three-dimensional configuration, while the achiral bidentate ligand tunes the catalytic activity.

Using this catalyst, researchers achieved a precise radical cation (4 + 2) cyclization, joining two molecules to form a hexagonal ring. This method enables the synthesis of 1,2,3,5-substituted adducts, structures common in natural products such as heitziamide A.

“The new catalyst design represents the definitive form of chiral iron(III) photoredox catalysts,” stated Ohmura, one of the study’s corresponding authors. “We believe this achievement marks a significant milestone in advancing iron-based photocatalysis.”

Advancing artificial synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A

While artificial synthesis of heitziamide A has been previously reported, the total asymmetric synthesis of its natural enantiomer has not yet been achieved.

Using selective six-membered-ring formation with an iron photocatalyst activated by blue light, the researchers achieved the first total asymmetric synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A. This indicates that using the mirror-image catalyst would also allow the synthesis of (-)-heitziamide A, thereby enabling the selective production of both enantiomers.

Significance and future perspectives

The newly developed iron photocatalyst enables the precise synthesis of complex molecules, including pharmaceutical precursors, using abundant iron and blue LEDs instead of rare metals.

“Achieving the first-ever asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A using this catalytic reaction is a remarkable accomplishment,” stated Ishihara, the study’s other corresponding author. “Several additional bioactive substances can be accessed through total synthesis, with enantioselective radical cation (4 + 2) cycloaddition serving as a key step. We intend to publish follow-up papers on the asymmetric total synthesis of these compounds in the near future.”

Paper information:

Hayato Akao, Shuhei Ohmura, and Kazuaki Ishihara (2026). A Rational Design of Chiral Iron(III) Complexes for Photocatalytic Asymmetric Radical Cation (4 + 2) Cycloadditions and the Total Synthesis of (+)-Heitziamide A, Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Funding information:

This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI grants 24K17677 and 23H05467.

Expert contact:

Kazuaki Ishihara
Graduate School of Engineering, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
ishihara.kazuaki.s7@f.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Media contact:

Naomi Inoue
International Communications Office, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
icomm_research@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Top image:

The newly designed iron photocatalyst (front) and the previous catalyst (back)
(Credit: Yuzuru Endo)

As part of their continuing collaboration, the Graduate School of Environmental Studies (GSES) and the Asia Collaborative Development Department will hold the Nagoya¨CPhilippines Workshop on Bamboo Research and Sustainability on March 16-17, 2026.

This two-day workshop aims to provide a platform for the exchange of knowledge, research findings in bamboo-based science and technology between Japan and the Philippines, and identify priority areas for Nagoya¨CPhilippines collaborative research initiatives in bamboo and sustainability.

The workshop will be conducted in two (2) sessions, as outlined below:

Session 1 ¨C Open Session

Date & Time: March 16, 2026 (14:00¨C16:00 JST)
Venue: ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Environmental Studies Building, 1F Lecture Hall
Participation: Open to all participants (on-site and online) – Registration is encouraged

Zoom Access: Nagoya¨CPhilippines Bamboo Workshop

Meeting ID: 883 6296 0074
Passcode: GSES

Session 2 ¨C By Invitation Only

Date & Time: March 17, 2026 (9:00¨C12:00 JST)
Venue: Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Garden

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø researchers break conventional rules to develop heat-resistant, recyclable metal alloys for automotive and aerospace use.

Aluminum is prized for being lightweight and strong, but at high temperatures it loses strength. This has limited its use in engines, turbines, and other applications where parts must stay strong under high temperature conditions. Researchers at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø have developed a method that uses metal 3D printing to create a new aluminum alloy series optimized for high strength and heat resistance. All new alloys use low-cost, abundant elements, and are recycling-friendly, with one variant staying both strong and flexible at 300¡ãC. The study was published in . 

Breaking with tradition to create the perfect aluminum alloy

¡°The design centers on iron, which metallurgists usually don¡¯t add to aluminum because it makes the metal brittle and vulnerable to corrosion,¡± Naoki Takata, lead author and professor at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø , explained.

¡°The extreme cooling rates in laser powder bed fusion, which is a representative process of metal 3D printing technologies, cause molten metal to solidify in seconds. This changes fundamental rules¡ªthe rapid cooling traps iron and other elements in arrangements (formation of metastable phases) that can¡¯t form under normal manufacturing conditions. By carefully selecting which elements to add, we created new alloys that are both heat-resistant and strong.¡±

The researchers developed a systematic method to predict which elements will strengthen the aluminum matrix and which will form protective micro or nano structures. They tested these predictions by creating new alloys with copper, manganese, and titanium, and then confirmed the results through electron microscopy.

The best performing alloy contains aluminum, iron, manganese, and titanium (Al-Fe-Mn-Ti), and outperforms all other 3D-printed aluminum materials by combining strength at high temperatures with flexibility at room temperature.

¡°Our method relies on established scientific principles about how elements behave during rapid solidification in 3D printing and is applicable to other metals. The alloys also proved easier to 3D print than conventional high-strength aluminum, which frequently cracks or warps during fabrication,¡± Professor Takata noted.

Watch how advanced aluminum alloys are made using 3D printing. ?This video shows a laser melting metal powder layer by layer to create strong, lightweight aluminum parts. Copper, manganese, and titanium are added to improve strength, durability, and performance. Credit: Aichi Center for Industry and Science and Technology, Toyota

Lighter vehicles, fewer emissions 

The new materials could enable lightweight aluminum components in parts that operate at elevated temperatures, such as compressor rotors and turbine components. Lighter vehicles consume less fuel and produce fewer emissions. 
 
The aerospace industry may also benefit, as aircraft engines require materials that combine light weight with heat resistance. Beyond these applications, the research provides a framework for designing new classes of metals specifically for 3D printing, with potential to accelerate development across multiple industries.

Paper information: 

Naoki Takata, Koki Minamihama, Takanobu Miyawaki, Yue Cheng, Yifan Xu, Wenyuan Wang, Dasom Kim, Asuka Suzuki, Makoto Kobashi, and Masaki Kato (2025). Design of high-performance sustainable aluminum alloy series for laser additive manufacturing. Nature Communications, 16, 11105. DOI:

Funding information: 

This research was supported by JST PRESTO (Grant JP22688912) and JSPS KAKENHI (Grant 24H00378).

Research Contact: 

Naoki Takata 
Graduate School of Engineering 
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø 
Email: takata.naoki@material.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Media Contact: 

Merle Naidoo
International Communications Office
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø
Email: icomm_research@t.mail.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Top image:

Microscope image showing the layered structure of a new 3D-printed aluminum alloy. The wave-like patterns are ¡°melt pools,¡± traces left by the laser as it melted metal powder layer by layer. The small dark dots are nanoscale particles that give the alloy its exceptional strength and heat resistance. Credit: Takata et al., 2025