Lab, Osaka University expand collaboration

Earlier this year, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Japan’s Osaka University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to conduct academic exchange in mutually agreed areas of basic science and technology. This MOU replaces a previous five-year agreement continuing the successful collaboration in broader areas for another five years.

Last week, the two organizations met with representatives from the Department of Energy at DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C. to discuss expanding cooperative research in a variety of areas, including the science of fusion, high energy density science and lasers. Following this event, the participants reconvened at LLNL for further discussion.

The LLNL visit was hosted by Pat Falcone, deputy director for Science & Technology, and Jeff Wisoff, principal associate director for NIF & Photon Science. The Japanese delegation was headed by Ryosuke Kodama, distinguished professor and director for the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University (OU). He was joined by representatives from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Japanese Embassy and Osaka University.

The two-day visit included presentations and posters from both LLNL and OU representatives on four key topics, plus several Laboratory facility tours and a ribbon cutting for the newly established Osaka University office space in the NIF User Office, as a symbol of the growing relationship between the two organizations.