Erin Sanehira - NanoJapan 2009
University of Rochester
Major/s: Electrical & Computer Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: May 2011
Hokkaido University, Research Center for Integrated Quantum Electronics
Advisor: Prof. Fukui, Website
Research Project: Growth of Semiconductor Nanowires for Solar Cells
Project Abstract & Poster:

Why NanoJapan?
This program helps develop a sense of international collaboration in research. I think it is a great opportunity for students because it broadens your experience and understanding of how research is not an isolate effort. In the broader perspective, it is also phenomenal to see how these laboratories in Japan are so open to working with student from America. I can only hope that as these more international efforts continue to increase as our world becomes increasingly more globalized.

More personally, I was inspired by a lot of the students I met in Japan. Many of the people I met actively challenged themselves to become proficient in English and learn about American culture. In fact, many of the students knew more about American culture, such as current shows on Broadway, than I did. Although this is a science and technology-focused program, I also felt that the experience in Japan has helped me appreciate Japanese culture and inspired me to explore many more cultures.

In a broader view, NanoJapan provides an opportunity to expose the next generation of engineers and scientists to working and interacting across cultures. This skill becomes increasingly more important as developing technologies continue to flatten the world. International experience can provide a competitive edge within the United States workforce, but more importantly it is also fosters a collaborative culture among the global community. It is quite apparent that many of the problems that we hope to overcome, such as climate change, cannot be solved by one country alone, but rather by a joint international effort.

Erin Sanehira Receives Honorable Mention for Best Poster Presentation at 2009 RQI Summer Research Colloquium
Erin Sanehira received an Honorable Mention for the Texas Instruments Best NanoJapan Poster Presentation award at the 2009 Rice Quantum Institute Summer Research Colloquium for her poster presentation on the Growth of Semiconductor Nanowires for Solar Cells.

In the cleanroom with my research mentor, Yoshimura-san.
Research Project Overview: Semiconducting Nanowires for Solar Cells
Project Abstract & Poster
NanoJapan fit perfectly with my future goals. Since I want to conduct research in photovoltaic technology in the future, I was more than elated when I was assigned a project that focused on that topic. I conducted research at Hokkaido University in Sapporo, Japan in Prof. Fukui's lab. My research project was to create nanowires for a photovoltaic, solar cell device. We created nanowires using MOVPE (metal-organic vapor-phase epitaxy). Since a lot of my work involved shadowing experiments, I was heavily dependent on my research mentor to set my schedule. Since I was shadowing my mentor at times I felt that I didn't do much of the actual research or work, but I did learn a lot. The lab also had a lot of useful English resources such as journal submissions and textbooks. Although I was initially drawn to travelling to Japan for personal reasons, I learned that making connections in Japan is great for solar cell research as Japan is among the global leaders in solar power production.

Overall, I was highly encouraged by this research to continue pursuing my goal of research in photovoltaics. Although, I do not predict future work in MOVPE or crystal growth, this has reaffirmed my belief that electrical engineering can provide a solid foundation for research in this field.

Eri-san, Will and I, enjoying the Jinpa (Genghis Khan Party/BBQ).
Daily Life in Japan
During the research internship, I was able to set my own lifestyle in Japan. Typically, I had experiments once or twice a week. I would work with my research mentor during these experiments. Otherwise, I would eat lunch and interact with the other lab members. On a couple of the weekends during my stay, my lab members would plan fun things for us to do. For example, I saw the Yosakoi Soran (a dance festival), watched hanabi (fireworks), enjoyed onsen, and had a Genghis Khan party (BBQ party). One of my favorite parts about living in Sapporo would have to be soup curry. I am not joking. Soup Curry is probably one of my top five favorite foods from Japan and I could make it whenever I wanted in my dormitory.

My favorite experience in Japan was...
Possibly my travels to Hiroshima and Miyajima. On the other hand, I also loved talking to and meeting students in Japan who I hope to see again someday.

While I was in Japan I wish I had...
Bought more meaningful souvenirs for myself. I was attracted to getting a lot of cheap, cutesy things instead of a couple of really nice items. I also wish I had more time and money.

Tips for Future NanoJapan Students

• Use your research mentor to help clarify meetings with your professor. Initially, I thought that my professor was very straight-forward and direct, but I later paid the price for this assumption. When I presented my professor with the first draft of my abstract he made a couple of comments, but said that overall it was “good.” I assumed that the abstract was okay and only made minor changes after that. Just as a final check, I ran my abstract by the professor a couple days before the due date. He mentioned that the background information was not entirely applicable to the focus of my project. When I consulted my research mentor, he said that what I had written in my abstract was not quite public yet so I needed to rewrite majority of my abstract in the remaining one or two days before it was due. I realized then that I should have asked my research mentor to review my abstract first before submitting it to my research professor for final review.
• Don’t be too shy to ask questions or for help. Perhaps this is just me, but I thought that I should try to be more conservative to fit in. However, towards the end, I realized that my best friendships developed from the people that I consulted for help. At first I didn’t want to be a burden, but it seemed that they genuinely wanted to help make my experience more in enjoyable in Japan.
• Living in Sapporo: For anyone assigned to Hokkaido University, SOUP CURRY. Also, the International House (IH) stoves require IH pots and pans. You can tell a pot/pan is IH because it will be labeled in big letters. You should buy an IH pot so you can make soup curry. Before you purchase a bike, talk to your lab in case they were planning on loaning you one. (Admittedly, purchasing a bike was still affordable… but you probably want to take the freebies where you can get them. Attire in the lab was casual. And my particular lab was pretty warm. However, it rained unpredictably. If you have something that you can wear in the rain while you’re biking, bring it. Also, if your feet are bigger than women’s 6, don’t bank on purchasing shoes in Japan. (The larger shoe sizes exist, but they are a lot harder to find!)
• Language Learning Tips: My lab was amazing and arranged for individual, daily, one-hour Japanese lessons with the lab secretary and various students in the lab. If this can be arranged at your lab, I highly recommend it. Sometimes I would teach the students a little English or American culture too. It was a lot of fun and a great experience. Before you go learn Katakana! Katakana is used to scribe foreign words (aka ENGLISH words). Basically, you can sound out katakana and figure out what it is! Of course, you should also know hiragana if you want to get the most from the language classes… but learn katakana!!!
• What Gifts to Bring With You to Japan: A bag/box of chocolate or cookies for the lab (any type of sweets/food). Items from your hometown (i.e. Coffee, chocolate, CDs). Lotion for secretaries.
• What to Eat in Japan: SOUP CURRY, Sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market, Mikans
• What to Buy in Japan: I regret not looking for a high-quality item. I brought back lots of trinkets and phone charms, but I wish that I had splurged on a beautiful lamp from Otaru or some hand-carved figurine.
• What to Do in Japan: Eat tons. Don’t be too afraid to spend too much. Just enjoy the experience! In general, karaoke, onsen, photo machines are great fun.
• Places to Visit in Japan: Hiroshima and Miyajima. Hiroshima is so powerful and moving, while Miyajima is calming and beautiful. If you’re in Hokkaido, visit Otaru and Hakodate. I loved Kamakura.
• Other Tips: Make friends with the students you will meet in Tokyo! Don’t be afraid to ask if they want to go to karaoke or to an izakaya. They are all really amazing and I wish I spent more time with all of them earlier during the orientation program.