Reiki Ishibashi presented his research at Kyushu University Creators in Science Project, also known as QFC-SP.

1. Please tell us about your research, and why you chose the topic.

I researched on how the weld joints of a material used in steam pipes of thermal power plants deform under load for extended periods under high-temperature conditions. I chose this research topic because it was within my supervisor’s field of expertise and contributes to increasing the efficiency of thermal power plants, which is related to energy issues.

2. What was it like to present to both the QFC-SP group and at the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials annual meeting?

Research activities are not only about doing the investigation but also about presenting the significance and role of the research to the public in an easy-to-understand manner.

The QFC-SP Research Results Public Hearing was an oral presentation session by Kyushu University Future Creators in Science Project (QFC-SP) research students, and the presentation at the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials annual meeting was a poster session by researchers from all over the country. In the presentation, I tried to thoroughly explain the significance of the research, why the method used was chosen, and what was and was not made clear by the research. I was happy that the experts listened to me earnestly at both sessions.

Researchers are also expected to share the possible effects of their research on people, society and the environment in a neutral and objective manner and to engage in constructive discussion with society. The Q&A session after the presentations was a good training ground since I had to answer difficult questions followed by even more difficult ones. It was a very meaningful time for me to be part of a high-level discussion.

I was also honoured to receive the grand prize for the high school poster presentation at the conference.

3. How has this experience impacted your vision for your future?

In my first year as a 10th grade student, I spent most weekends in a laboratory at the International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research, Kyushu University (WPI-I2CNER), researching on chemical engineering. This lab moved to another university so for my second year I went to the Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University (IGSES) once or twice a week after school to do research on materials. The daily life of doing research late into the night was so exciting and enjoyable that I was convinced that I would be able to live in a research laboratory when I became a university student!

Researchers are expected to make new discoveries through their research activities and are called upon by society to solve various problems society faces. My aspiration is 'making the world better with science and technology'. In the future, I will make steady progress step by step to become a researcher who contributes to solving environmental and energy issues.

My experience at QFC-SP has been very important to me. I hope to return the favor to Kyushu University and the teachers who gave me this wonderful opportunity in some way in the future.