Host institution/organization in Japan:
The University of Tokyo
Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Systems,
School of Engineering
May-July 2014

My experience at Someya organic transistor lab

My stay in Japan and the experiences at Someya Organic Transistor Lab are one of the most memorable days in my life. Right from the first day learning took centre stage and started following an exponential curve. From literature reviews to fabrication, from stimulating discussions to characterizing devices and from lively group meetings to publishing papers and the presentations, working at the lab, opened up a wide range of productive activities and a world-class laboratory to be explored.
While interacting with the lab members, I came to know about the variety of research topics that the lab members were working on. My short stay did not permit me to have a look at all of them. So I worked on two of these experiments and closely observed a third one. The first set of experiments required me to fabricate and characterize organic thin film transistors and the second one made me work on elastic conductors, which was quite a fascinating topic for me. Finally, I keenly observed the fabrication of OECTs (Organic Electrochemical Transistors). Simultaneously, I would have discussions with other lab members regarding theories behind the experiments and future prospects of the current research. I also developed presentation skills both on and off the stage. All of this was accompanied by some useful work that I finally produced with respect to Elastic Conductors and some contributions to the draft of a text book on organic electronics.
Apart from academics, we went for an excursion to Mt. Oyama, an amazing trekking experience. The lab group members regularly go out for lunches and dinners to relax and enjoy. We were also invited by Professor Someya for a house party at his place, thanks to Professor Someya and his wife for an awesome meal and kind hospitality.
Also, I travelled quite a lot with friends, on weekends. I went in and around Tokyo. Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, yokohama and finally I climbed Mt. Fuji. It was exhilarating.
People in Japan are just awesome. Many qualities define them e.g. honesty, helping nature, polite behavior, hard working etc. They have a different and unique tradition altogether.
Japan itself consists of variety of places from cities like Tokyo and Osaka to places like Kyoto and Fuji. I regret not being able to go to Hokkaido and Okinawa.
Apart from the language barrier and food sometimes, its just the place to be. I miss Japan