Research Collaboration Blog

While many of us tend to view research collaboration at the individual, lab, or organizational level, nations can also be the unit of collaboration. In an exciting development, The United States and Japan agreed to collaborate in eight research areas that include solar power generation, carbon capture and storage, nanotechnology and hydrogen technology. Japanese officials expect a final agreement by the end of April. U.S. President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed on energy and environment research collaboration when they met in February 2009. The Japanese National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, an affiliate of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, will work together with five U.S. institutes. The emphasis of this collaboration is to promote environmentally friendly energy solutions. Efforts at reducing deleterious human effects on the environment are critically important. It is heartening to see commitment at the highest levels of government to improving our planet. Every endeavor, no matter how small, is significant. Throughout U.S. history, abundant natural resources blessed the United States and many people in the U.S. were very cavalier about the environment (amazingly some still are). We applaud the efforts of the Japanese Prime Minister and the President of the United States. Perhaps some of you will be lucky enough to work on one of these projects. If you do, please consider using green practices in your work. Using electronic media (such as MyNetResearch.com) can help you print less and travel less, as well as help you get your tasks done on time and within budget. We are counting on you and thank you for your efforts.