The NSF-funded Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics (CDP) hosted its semi-annual technical review meeting in Kyoto, Japan June 16-17 as a means of technology and knowledge transfer to its member companies. CDP students, postdoctoral scholars and faculty from North Carolina State University and The Pennsylvania State University along with academic and industry guests from several universities and companies presented their most recent scientific accomplishments and technical breakthroughs in dielectrics research.  Students and postdocs from Penn State and NCSU also had a unique opportunity to visit Murata Manufacturing and Shoei Chemical for scientific, technical and cultural exchanges.

Visits to Murata Manufacturing Nagaokakyo and Yasu plants and Shoei Chemical’s Tosu plant marked another level of the relationship between the CDP and its member companies. The CDP students and postdocs presented their research, interacted with local engineers, and toured through analytical facilities, while also having an opportunity to learn about the companies’ histories and cultures. For some students, it was the first time they were able to see how research is performed in a world-leading manufacturing company and communicate with engineers working in a different culture. “Our visit to Japan was a wonderful learning experience, both academically and culturally. Face-to-face collaboration with industry engineers at Murata and Shoei was a wonderful opportunity for aiding my graduate career,” said Richard Floyd, a PhD candidate NCSU and NSF Graduate Research Fellow.

Professor Elizabeth Dickey, CDP Director, says “We were extremely pleased to host the semiannual meeting of the CDP in Japan, as it provided a tremendous opportunity to interact with our Japanese members. The scientific and technical exchanges at the meeting and company visits were truly outstanding, giving our students a unique opportunity to present their research in an international setting. We are incredibly grateful to Murata Manufacturing and Shoei Chemical for being such gracious hosts.”

About Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics

The CDP is an NSF industry/university cooperative research center (I/UCRC) that aims to train young scientists and support industries in the dielectrics and piezoelectrics field. CDP is a joint collaboration between North Carolina State University (NCSU) and The Pennsylvania State University (PSU) and is supported by the NSF and CDP members.