Trip Report – Juliana Maier
How long were you in Nagoya and with which research group?
I have been 3 months in Nagoya (September – November 2022) in the research group of Prof. Kakimoto.
What did you research while you were there?
I prepared bulk samples by spark plasma sintering with a variation of grain sizes to investigate the influence of grain size on the functional properties. This dependency will be used for understanding the properties of aerosol deposited films better, which have a nanometer sized grain size in the as-processed state. Also, we measured the first energy harvesting properties from an aerosol deposited film. TEM and PFM measurements on free-standing aerosol deposited films were organized.
What was the most interesting thing about your experience?
The earthquake training, where we had to hide under our desks.
What was one thing that you found especially different?
The lower amount of space. Therefore, the students, PhD student and Assistant Professors share two offices. In the labs the equipment is close together – sometimes even stacked vertically. Despite that, everything is very organized. Also, I liked sitting on tatami mats on the ground while sputtering my samples.
What was one thing that you found very similar?
Japanese katsu is very similar to German Schnitzel (cutlet). In Nagoya, you get a special type, i.e., Miso-katsu, which is one of the famous dishes there. It´s very delicious.
Where else did you travel in Japan?
I traveled to Inuyama, Kyoto, Takayama, Shirakawago, Tokyo, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Miyajima
What will you always remember?
The kindness of the Japanese people, especially from my research group. Also the trips and evenings with the IRTG and JGGE members.
