Collaboration with Industry (The Baton Zone)

The Baton Zone at RIKEN promotes R&D through collaborations between RIKEN and industry both in basic research and practical application of research outcomes. There are various systems for working together with industry.

Collaboration Centers

Collaboration Centers, with the collaborating company’s name as part of the Center name, work on mid- and long-term challenges incorporating proposals from companies. These Centers aim to create new research fields by collaborating with industry, and to foster human resources in an environment that combines the culture of RIKEN and industry. Eight Centers are set up and running as of April 2022.

• RIKEN CBS-EVIDENT Open Collaboration Center
• RIKEN CBS-TOYOTA Collaboration Center
• RIKEN RSC-Rigaku Collaboration Center
• RIKEN-JEOL Collaboration Center
• RIKEN CBS-KAO Collaboration Center
• RIKEN BDR-Otsuka Pharmaceutical Collaboration Center
• RIKEN BDR-DAIKIN Collaboration Center
• RIKEN RQC-FUJITSU Collaboration Center
  

Integrated Collaborative Research Program with Industry

A Team Leader will be appointed from industry to lead a term-limited collaborative research team that focuses on initiatives of the development staff. Research is conducted by connecting the needs of industry and society with RIKEN’s cutting-edge research seeds. Eight Teams are actively carrying out research as of April 2022.

• Mid-Infrared Laser Source Lab (Oxide Corporation)
• Microalgae Production Control Technology Lab (Euglena Co.,Ltd.)
• Hydrogen Energy Storage Technology Lab (ATSUMITEC CO.,Ltd.)
• Vaccine Innovation Lab (Animal Allergy Clinical Laboratories Inc)
• Satellite Orbital State Control Laser Laboratory (SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation)
• Bio-monomer Production Laboratory (Zeon Corporation/ The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.)
• Cell and Gene Therapy in Ophthalmology Laboratory (Vision Care Inc.)
• Virus Inactivation LED Laboratory (Farmroid Co., Ltd.)

Sponsored Laboratories

Sponsored Laboratories are run with corporate funds that are used to invite outstanding researchers to carry out research. one laboratry is in active operation as of April 2022.

• Yokoyama Laboratory

Sponsored Units

External funds are used to operate Sponsored Units to promote technology transfer through collaboration with the industry sector.

What is The Baton Zone?

RIKEN aims to develop a system that leads to smooth technology transfer and practical application by contributing both explicit knowledge, such as patents and research papers, and know-how, or tacit knowledge. The name of the system alludes to the baton zone in track and field sports. The program has successfully achieved many innovative research outcomes from early stages.