Ideal Star

Ideal Star was founded in September. Development plans were formed.Creative Venture Firm Award was granted in December with research funds by Miyagi Prefecture. A development project was launched to create new equipment for mass synthesis of endohedral fullerenes. Collaboration scheme was formed with universities and companies. Funds for technology and business development were granted by Sendai City, JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency) and METI. Tohoku University extended technology for synthesis of endohedral fullerenes. Test equipment (alpha type) was designed and assembled. A strategic alliance was formed with Frontier Carbon Co, supplier of fullerenes. Development work was undertaken for fullerenes encapsulating nitrogen atoms in close collaboration with Prof. Hatakeyama Group of Tohoku University. The program was sponsored by JST. Further collaboration and alliance was formed with universities and companies. Funds were granted by METI and 77 Bank. Also raised were funds from Tokyo Toshi Ikusei (VC) and Daiichi Jitsugyo. Fullerenes encapsulating natrium were synthesized. A development program started for an advanced version of synthesis equipment which consumes less electric power with more production capacity. Analysis work started to identify unique property of endohedral fullerenes. In collaboration with a patent advisor office, work started to create strategically a net work of IPs. Joint work with Technology Department of Tohoku University started, named as Super Atom Project. Mass synthesis model of equipment (beta type) was developed with study groups of Tohoku University and companies in local area. New features on electric conductivity of fullerenes were identified (property evaluation). Research funds were granted by NEDO. A wide network among researchers and academicians was formed for the research program. Two models of beta type were assembled. Completed is the first sample of Li@C60 (lithium inside: 001A).Purification was pursued. NEDO research program was targeted at finding new property of endohedral fullerenes and its applications. A nationwide net work of researches and academicians was organized by initiative of Ideal Star. Staff increased to enhance manufacturing capability. Started preparing sales of Li@C60s. Established a stable manufacturing process. Activities of public relations were taken such as participation at Nanotech Workshop, Fullerenes Symposium, etc. An agreement on technology development and material transfer was made with a research institute. A device using fullerenes (gas sensor) was proposed and a test sample of the device was assembled. Granted were funds from Ministry of Environment for development of organic solar cells. A nationwide net work of R&D was established among research institutes. A symposium was held at Sendai City. A portal site for sale of Li@C60s was launched to aim at world market. New products of Li@C60 (001B and 001C) were completed. For the first time in the world, isolation of Li@C60 was achieved. Encouraged by this innovation, Ideal Star planned to create a worldwide market for Li@C60s as high value added products. Ideal Star made progress on industrial application of endohedral fullerenes. Fullerenes encapsulating other metal atoms (M@C60s) were also synthesized on a test basis.