Ceremony for the signing of the agreement between RCAST and CNRS on "LIA Next PV

To celebrate the inauguration of the International Associated Laboratory for Next PV (Laboratoire International Associe, or ""LIA""), a ceremony for the signing of the agreement between RCAST and CNRS was held on 24 May 2012. This LIA, which aims to promote exchange and collaborative research activities between researchers (especially on novel materials and concepts such as quantum dots/quantum wells, III-V heterostructures, organic materials, and dye-synthesised solar cells), is the seventh associated laboratory supported by CNRS in Japan.

Yoshiaki NAKANO, Director of RCAST, and Mme Claudine SCHMIDT-LAINE, head of the French delegation and Director of INSIS (Institute for Engineering and Systems Sciences) and CNRS, signed the agreement. At the beginning of the ceremony, Director NAKANO expressed his gratitude for CNRS's cooperation to establish the LIA, and stated that all members involved in the project will be making efforts to enhance activities that will not only deepen photovoltaic R&D, but also endeavour in other novel or innovative technology fields, such as biomass and hydrogen energy. Director SCHMIDT-LAINE, as the representative of the French side, later conveyed that the launch of LIA Next PV should be welcomed by and very significant for the wider world as its exploration of more promising renewable energy technologies is greatly anticipated, especially following the catastrophe caused by the Tohoku Earthquake on 11 March 2011 and subsequent Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster.

After the signature ceremony, the attendees enjoyed lunch and conversation in a relaxed atmosphere.


Attendees gather in front of Building 13, RCAST.


A "toast" to the future of LIA Next PV, at lunch.