The Institute of Fluid Science (IFS) at Tohoku University has appointed Professor Yiguang Ju, Robert Porter Patterson Professor at Princeton University, as Distinguished Professor (Visiting) under the University for International Research Excellence (UREX) program, effective November 1, 2025. Together with Professor Mani Sarathy, Professor Ju will contribute to strengthening IFS’s international research presence and excellence.

▶︎News: Professor Mani Sarathy joins the IFS

     Professor Ju is a world-renowned authority in interdisciplinary research integrating combustion science, green fuels, plasma science, and nanomaterials. He is particularly highly regarded for his pioneering fundamental research and technological innovations in chemical reaction kinetics under near-critical and supercritical conditions, plasma chemistry, and the non-equilibrium synthesis of hydrogen, ammonia, e-fuels, and energy materials. His outstanding achievements have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Alfred C. Egerton Gold Medal from the International Combustion Institute and the AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award. In addition, he serves as Director of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Earthshot Research Center (EERC) for Hydrogen, leading major national-level research initiatives.

     Professor Ju is also actively engaged in societal impact. He has co-founded several energy-related startups and has promoted the development of innovative technologies, including advanced lithium-ion battery recycling methods and plasma-based ammonia synthesis. These innovations have attracted significant international attention, with the plasma synthesis technology receiving the prestigious 2025 R&D 100 Award.

     At the Institute of Fluid Science, Professor Ju’s plasma-science-based expertise will be integrated with reaction research conducted by existing faculty to accelerate the establishment of an international research hub for decarbonization, including ammonia combustion. Through his appointment, the Institute seeks to further strengthen its academic and societal contributions toward the realization of a net-zero society.

Message to IFS members from Professor Yiguang Ju :

Dear faculty, staff, and student members of IFS,

     I am very humbled and pleased to be appointed as a distinguished professor (Visiting) at IFS through the University for International Research Excellence (UREX) Program. I am very excited about this opportunity.

     First, I would like to thank everyone, especially the faculty members at IFS
for their kind support, the IFS Director, Professor Maruta, and IFS administrative members to make this happen.

     I was a former graduate student at IFS from Prof. Niioka Lab. I was so fortunate that IFS accepted me to study combustion when I lost my opportunity to study heat transfer in the U.S. IFS has had the strongest combustion program in the world. I learned the basics of combustion at IFS. Without the strong graduate education, I could not have achieved any of today’s success in my career. I am very proud that I am a member of IFS. Thank everyone for providing me the 2nd opportunity.

     Secondly, I would like to say that Tohoku University, especially IFS and Material Sciences, are among the top in the world. You have distinguished faculty and students. As the world facing many challenges and opportunities in decarbonization, AI, and energy, I would like to take this opportunity to work with our distinguished colleagues at Tohoku University to find solutions to these challenges and to mentor young generation of leaders.
Thank those who have offered great help in creating this collaborative research environment. I look forward to working with all of you.

Best,
Yiguang Ju

Professor Yiguang Ju


【Links】
University for International Research Excellence
Global Collaborative Research and Education Center for Integrated Flow Science (IFS-GCORE)