NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute for FY 2012 in Japan

该行动资助波特兰州立大学的Nicholas Day于2012年夏天在大坂吹田的大坂大学开展一项题为“促进二氧化碳转化为甲醇的光吸收催化剂”的研究项目。 主持科学家是Shunichi Fukuzumi博士。该研究项目的智力价值是推进潜在的可再生能源的知识。 这项研究的直接重点是研究一种新型材料，该材料具有使用可再生资源生产液体燃料的潜在能力，可用于现有的基础设施。特别地，钴金属化的聚-四-5，10，15，20-（4-氨基苯基）卟啉被用于仅使用阳光将二氧化碳还原成甲醇。甲醇被认为是一种可行的能源，在不久的将来。更广泛的影响，一个EAPSI奖学金包括提供研究员在美国以外的第一手研究经验;介绍各自所在地的科学，科学政策和科学基础设施;以及社会，文化和语言的方向。 这些活动符合NSF的目标，即在科学家，工程师和教育工作者的职业生涯早期进行国际合作教育，从而确保具有全球意识的美国科学工作者。 还计划在宝冢北高中向学生演示太阳能电池。考虑到日本和美国对新能源的高需求，在日本向学生提供可再生能源教育具有重要意义。

This action funds Nicholas Day of Portland State University to conduct a research project, entitled "A light-absorbing catalyst to stimulate the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol," during the summer of 2012 at Osaka University in Suita, Osaka. The host scientist is Dr. Shunichi Fukuzumi.The Intellectual Merit of the research project is advancing the knowledge of potential renewable energy sources. The direct focus of this research is to investigate a novel material with the potential ability to use renewable resources to produce liquid fuel which can be utilized with current infrastructure. In particular a cobalt metallated poly-tetrakis-5,10,15,20-(4-aminophenyl)porphyrin is being used to reduce carbon dioxide to methanol using only sunlight. Methanol is seen as a viable source of energy for the near future.The Broader Impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce. Also planned is a solar cell demonstration to students at Takarazuka-Kita high school. Providing education of renewable energy sources to students in Japan is highly relevant considering the high demand for new energy sources in Japan and the U.S.