Material Science Special Seminar Ⅱ

Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Mr. Iimura

I stayed with the Fichtner group at KIT, which is conducting state-of art research on magnesium battery materials, for a year. At the beginning of my stay, I had planned to work on both oxide-type and sulfur-type materials. For the oxide-type materials, I already knew the synthesis methods from my previous work at Tohoku University, which allowed me to start my experiments smoothly. In contrast, the sulfur-type material research was entirely new to me, and I anticipated it would be a challenging theme to tackle.

For the first six months, I worked on both topics in parallel but struggled to achieve the desired results in either. However, through regular group discussions, I gained valuable insights into battery evaluation techniques and electrode synthesis, which gradually helped me overcome some of the difficulties I faced. The support from my colleagues, combined with access to state-of-the-art facilities, was instrumental in helping me push forward in my research. The experimental environment at the Fichtner group was truly exceptional, providing the freedom to explore new approaches and test ideas I had long wanted to try.

Nevertheless, I encountered some challenges related to the stricter chemical handling protocols in Germany compared to Japan. While this level of caution is of course important for safety, I occasionally felt frustrated by the slower pace of experiments and the additional administrative processes involved.

Besides, regarding the German life, I made many friends not only from Germany but also from Japan. They helped me a lot constantly and we together spent some weekend and went on a trip inside or outside of Germany. It was really enjoyable time and I hope these connections broaden my life.