Dr. Hideo Hosono stands as a preeminent figure in materials science whose pioneering work has fundamentally transformed multiple technological domains. Currently serving as Honorary and Institute Professor at the Institute of Science Tokyo and Distinguished Fellow at the National Institute for Materials Science, he leads the Materials Research Center for Element Strategy with visionary leadership. After earning his PhD in Applied Chemistry from Tokyo Metropolitan University in 1982, he embarked on an academic journey that included positions at Nagoya Institute of Technology and the Institute for Molecular Science before joining Tokyo Institute of Technology as a professor in 1999. His research trajectory has been marked by strategic vision and consistent innovation, establishing him as one of Japan's most influential materials scientists with global recognition.
Professor Hosono's groundbreaking contributions span multiple revolutionary discoveries that have reshaped materials science and technology. He pioneered the development of transparent amorphous oxide semiconductors, most notably IGZO (InGaZnOx) thin film transistors, which now power high-definition liquid crystal displays and large-sized organic light-emitting display televisions worldwide. His landmark discovery of iron-based high-temperature superconductors in 2008 opened an entirely new pathway for superconducting materials research, challenging previous assumptions about superconductivity mechanisms. Additionally, his creation of room-temperature stable electride materials, particularly C12A7:e, has enabled novel applications in catalysis, including efficient ammonia synthesis processes with significant industrial potential.
As a recipient of the prestigious Japan Prize and election as a Foreign Fellow of the Royal Society, Professor Hosono's contributions have received international recognition for their transformative impact on both fundamental science and practical applications. His work exemplifies the powerful synergy between fundamental materials research and technological innovation, with multiple discoveries transitioning from laboratory breakthroughs to commercial products within remarkably short timeframes. Currently directing the Materials Research Center for Element Strategy, he continues to advance the field through his focus on sustainable materials development using abundant elements, addressing critical global challenges in resource scarcity. Professor Hosono's enduring legacy lies in his ability to bridge fundamental physics and chemistry with practical engineering solutions, inspiring generations of materials scientists to pursue research with both scientific depth and societal relevance.
