From September 14 to 17, Hirata, Zhang, Sano (M2), and Kondo (M1) from our laboratory participated in the 7th DLC EAST ASIA Symposium 2026, held in Busan, South Korea. Sano and Kondo presented their research findings in the poster session, and Kondo received the Best Poster Award.

Dr. Volker Weihnacht from Fraunhofer IWS, with whom our laboratory is conducting collaborative research, also participated in the symposium. In addition to discussing our ongoing research collaboration, we had a valuable opportunity to deepen our professional and personal exchange.

The symposium was hosted by the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS). We also enjoyed Busan’s local cuisine, including crab dishes at the welcome party and a variety of Korean dishes at the banquet. After the symposium, we visited the beaches and local markets of Busan, where we enjoyed fresh seafood, the local specialty nakgopsae, and the city’s night views. In addition to research presentations and international academic exchange, the symposium provided a wonderful opportunity to experience Korean culture and cuisine, making it a highly memorable and rewarding visit.