Tohoku University and Chulalongkorn University have selected four joint research projects for support under the Academic Year 2026/27 Joint Seed Fund program.
This seed fund was established based on an agreement between the two universities to promote and strengthen collaborative research. In this first call for proposals, a total of 28 applications were submitted. Following a joint review conducted by both institutions, four projects listed below were selected for funding.
The four selected projects will receive research grants to support their activities for up to one year, beginning in October 2026.
| Research Areas | Chulalongkorn University Lead | Tohoku University Lead | Project |
| Zeolite Catalysis for CO2 Utilization, Biomass Valorization, and Sustainable Chemical Production | Prof. Chawalit Ngamcharussrivichai
(Faculty of Science, Department of Chemical Technology) |
Assoc. Prof. Ryota Osuga
(Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials (IMRAM)) |
Engineering Hierarchical Multifunctional Zeolites for CO2 Fixation into Biomass-Derived Limonene Dioxide toward Sustainable Polymer Building Blocks |
| Artificial intelligence, Data science, Solid-state ionics, Electrochemistry, Energy storage materials, Defect chemistry | Asst. Prof. Jiaqian Qin
(Department of Materials Science, Faculty of Science) |
Assoc. Prof. Eric Jianfeng Cheng（Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)） |
Artificial intelligence-guided discovery and mechanistic validation of advanced doping strategies for garnet solid electrolytes |
| Sustainable Materials, Electrochemistry, Nanomaterials, Electrochemical Devices, Advanced Characterization | Lecturer Chanon Pornrungroj
(Faculty of Engineering) |
Asst. Prof. Wijak Yospanya Assoc. Prof. Eric Jianfeng Cheng（Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR)） |
Co-Development of Sustainable Nano-Architecture Materials from Tropical Biomass in Advanced Electrochemical Devices for Conversion of Waste to High-Value Chemicals |
| Disaster Anthropology, Environmental Communication, Cultural Studies, Intangible Cultural Heritage, Climate Risk Reduction | Asst. Prof. Jirayudh Sinthuphan(Institute of Asian Studies and Faculty of Communication Arts) |
Prof. Hiroki Takakura
（Center for Northeast Asian Studies） |
Performing the Anthropocene: Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage and Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Coastal Community Disaster Mitigation in Japan and Thailand. |
Contact:
Global Strategy Office
Tel: +81 22 217 6311
Email：kokusai-c*grp.tohoku.ac.jp (Please replace “*” with “@”)