Professor, The University of Osaka, Japan.
Professor Yoshitada Morikawa is a leading Japanese physicist and materials scientist specializing in quantum simulations. Born in Osaka in 1966, he currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Precision Engineering at Osaka University. With a rich academic journey spanning Kyoto University and the University of Tokyo, he has significantly contributed to computational physics, surface science, and AI-driven materials design. Professor Morikawa is known for combining quantum mechanics with machine learning to explore and optimize surface/interface phenomena, catalysis, and semiconductor behavior. His scholarly work includes over 218 peer-reviewed publications and a remarkable h-index of 49. His impact is further demonstrated through leadership roles in the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science and the Physical Society of Japan. Widely respected for his visionary research and scientific leadership, Professor Morikawa is a strong advocate for a carbon-neutral society through fundamental science.
📌Author’s Profile
🎓 Education
Yoshitada Morikawa received his B.Sc. in Physics and Chemistry in 1989 and M.Sc. in Chemistry in 1991, both from Kyoto University. He then earned his Ph.D. in Physics in 1994 from the Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo. His education laid a robust foundation in theoretical and computational science, equipping him with the necessary tools to explore the intersections of quantum mechanics, chemistry, and material interfaces. During his doctoral studies, he held a prestigious Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Fellowship (DC), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship (PD) at Kyoto University. These early roles catalyzed his deep involvement in atomic-scale material analysis and first-principles simulations. Professor Morikawa’s academic path exemplifies a seamless integration of multi-disciplinary domains and a commitment to scientific rigor, establishing him as a globally recognized figure in quantum materials research and theory-driven computational modeling.
🧪 Experience
Professor Morikawa’s career spans over three decades of distinguished service in academic and national research institutions. After his Ph.D., he joined the Joint Research Center for Atom Technology (JRCAT) and later served at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). He held visiting positions at JAIST and the Technical University of Denmark. Since 2004, he has been with Osaka University, first as an Associate Professor at ISIR and then, from 2009, as a full Professor in the Graduate School of Engineering. He has supervised major projects involving surface physics, electrochemistry, and materials simulations. His leadership roles include serving as Vice President of the Japan Society of Vacuum and Surface Science and Representative of the Physical Society of Japan’s Division 9. Professor Morikawa’s vast experience in academic, industrial, and international contexts makes him a valuable leader and a mentor in materials science innovation.
🔬 Research Focus
Professor Morikawa’s research explores quantum mechanical simulations of surfaces and interfaces, targeting real-world problems in energy, catalysis, and semiconductor technology. His lab develops first-principles electronic structure methods integrated with molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo, and machine learning algorithms (including deep learning and Gaussian processes). The primary goal is to bridge the microscopic quantum world with macroscopic material properties. Applications range from designing efficient CO₂ conversion catalysts to improving fuel cell performance. His recent focus on AI-enhanced materials design supports the global drive toward a carbon-neutral society. By decoding physical origins of material behavior, he provides theoretical guidelines for improving functionality, efficiency, and sustainability. His comprehensive approach offers insights into both fundamental and applied materials science.
📚Publication Top Notes
1. Experimental and Theoretical Investigations on pH-Dependent Molecular Structure, Electronic Structure, and Absorption Spectra of Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Extended Ligand
Journal of Molecular Structure, November 2025
Contributors: Zi Ying Yeoh, Yoshitada Morikawa, Siow-Ping Tan, Mohammad B. Kassim, Siew San Tan
Summary: This work combines experimental spectroscopy and first-principles simulations to analyze how pH variation influences the molecular geometry and electronic structure of ruthenium(II) complexes. The study demonstrates that protonation states significantly affect the absorption spectra, providing insights into their electronic transitions and potential in sensing and catalytic applications.
2. VibIR-Parallel-Compute: Enhancing Vibration and Infrared Analysis in High-Performance Computing Environments
Journal of Open Source Software, April 15, 2025
Contributors: Kurt Irvin M. Rojas, Yoshitada Morikawa, Ikutaro Hamada
Summary: This publication presents a new open-source computational tool designed to improve the efficiency of vibrational and infrared spectral analysis in large-scale simulations. The tool utilizes parallel computing to accelerate data processing, enabling high-throughput simulations of complex molecular systems in quantum chemistry and materials research.
3. Stabilization of Oxygen Vacancy Ordering and Electrochemical-Proton-Insertion-and-Extraction-Induced Large Resistance Modulation in Strontium Iron Cobalt Oxides Sr(Fe,Co)Oₓ
Nature Communications, January 2, 2025
Contributors: Yosuke Isoda, Thanh Ngoc Pham, Ryotaro Aso, Shuri Nakamizo, Takuya Majima, Saburo Hosokawa, Kiyofumi Nitta, Yoshitada Morikawa, Yuichi Shimakawa, Daisuke Kan
Summary: This collaborative study investigates resistance changes in Sr(Fe,Co)Oₓ caused by reversible proton insertion and oxygen vacancy ordering. Using both experimental data and theoretical modeling, it uncovers mechanisms relevant to next-generation memory and switching devices based on complex oxides.
4. CO Hydrogenation Promoted by Oxygen Atoms Adsorbed onto Cu(100)
Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2024
Contributors: K. Nagita, K. Kamiya, S. Nakanishi, Y. Hamamoto, Y. Morikawa
Summary: This research explores how the presence of adsorbed oxygen atoms on a copper (100) surface alters the catalytic pathway for carbon monoxide hydrogenation. The study combines surface science experiments and density functional theory to propose a more efficient CO-to-methanol conversion mechanism, relevant for sustainable fuel production.
5. Effect of Fluorine Substitution on the Electronic States and Conductance of CuPc on Cu(100)
Applied Surface Science, 2024
Contributors: H. Okuyama, S. Kuwayama, S. Hatta, T. Aruga, Y. Hamamoto, T. Shimada, I. Hamada, Y. Morikawa
Summary: This paper investigates the electronic behavior of copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) molecules modified with fluorine atoms when adsorbed on a Cu(100) surface. The study reveals how fluorine substitution modifies the molecule–metal interaction, enhancing electronic tunability for organic semiconductor and device engineering applications.
🏆 Conclusion
Professor Yoshitada Morikawa is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award, especially for awards that prioritize:
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Long-term scholarly excellence,
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Interdisciplinary research, and
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Cutting-edge integration of AI with quantum materials science.
His career is marked by rigorous academic scholarship, leadership in the scientific community, and a forward-looking research agenda tackling environmental and energy-related grand challenges.
