Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology OIST

News

A close-up photo of crystals of two different complexes, one shown in yellow and one in orange, on a grey background

Capturing an elusive step in molecular sandwich making

First structural characterization of a double ring-slipped intermediate brings new possibilities for stimuli-responsive materials design

Graphical illustration of a black crystal together with arrows indicating spin.

Research Update

The complete evolution of spin glass from order to chaos

Seven years of refining black crystals have led to an experimentally confirmed definition of spin glass and set a new baseline for studying exotic materials.

A long exposure photo reveals the faint, red glow of an aurora just above the horizon. The sky above is dark and filled with stars.

Research Update

Space storms light up Japan's sky

Faint red auroras seen over Japan could be hiding space storms that are stronger than previously thought.

A yellow and black wasp walks inside the pitcher-shaped modified leaf of a carnivorous pitcher plant.

Research Update

Carnivorous plants and wasps blur the line between friend and food

A new study on the chemical composition of pitcher plants and their wasp neighbors suggests that what was thought to be a purely predatory-prey relationship might benefit both sides.

A close-up photo of a water droplet, shaped in an elongated oval, pumping out a spray of tiny microdroplets from one end.

Research Update

Explosive evaporation unlocks new possibilities in 3D printing and chemical analysis

144-year-old theory expanded in water droplet evaporation experiments

Research and Faculty

OIST has no academic departments. Researchers from more than 50 countries collaborate across and combine scientific disciplines to pioneer new approaches to discovery and problem-solving.

Research at OIST

Explore

Faculty and Research Units

Explore

How to build a quantum computer

A beautiful gold machine with lots of wires in the foreground, at which a man in the background stares intently.

Quantum technology holds the potential to tackle complex problems across a wide range of applications. Yet today’s systems still face major limitations. Explore the fundamentals of quantum computing, the challenges for practical, large-scale quantum computing, and hear directly from the OIST experts developing the future of this field.

Learn more

Research Events

29 May 2026

Research

StrucShare Meeting: Case Study

29 May 2026

Research

Okinawa Lectures on Entropy: Tomita-Takesaki theory and associated quantum entropies

29 May 2026

Seminar

"Life history polymorphism associated with the foraging ecology of the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)" by Dr. Megumi Kawai

29 May 2026

Seminar

[Seminar] "Context-dependent design principles of spindle poles" by Dr. Jeffrey B. Woodruff, UT Southwestern Medical Center

29 May 2026

Lecture

TSVP Talk: "Reducing AI Agnostophobia" by Shu Kong

02 - 05 Jun 2026

OIST Workshops

Advances in Photoemission Techniques: Probing Space, Energy, Momentum, and Time

Study at OIST

Apply for our 5-year PhD program in Science. We also offer short-term Research Internships. Both programs are competitive, cross-disciplinary, fully funded, and taught entirely in English by world-class international faculty.

Science Without Boundaries

A university with no departments, OIST has no artificial barriers between people working in different fields, thus encouraging innovation. With a state-of-the-art research environment, OIST attracts outstanding students and faculty around the world.

Learn More

PhD and Research Internship Program

OIST offers an individualized, cross-disciplinary PhD program that funds students up to 5 years. The Research Internship program offers financial and travel support for 2 to 6 months of experience working in an OIST research lab under OIST faculty.

Student Life

OIST offers a first-class postgraduate experience – both inside and outside the classroom. A wide range of educational, recreational, social, and cultural activities provide many opportunities to explore your passions and master something new.

Learn More

Driving Innovation Toward Impact

OIST connects world-leading research and global business to co-create solutions to society’s most pressing challenges – attracting talent to Okinawa’s emerging innovation ecosystem.