History of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics and the Friendship between China and Japan in catalysis

Abstract

This article presents a history of the origins of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Abbreviated as DICP) and relates the recent friendship between China and Japan in the field of catalysis. Although the official beginning of DICP is in 1949 with the birth of the People's Republic of China, there are earlier roots that went back to the defeat of Russia by Imperial Japan in 1905. This began a period of occupation and exploitation of Northest Asia by Japan which did not end until its defeat by Allied forces in 1945. During the period of occupation, a laboratory was created called the Central Research Laboratory of the South Manchurian Railroad Company, which was staffed by the best and brightest researchers from Japan, and was able to develop new processes in chemicals and synthetic fuels that fed the Japanese Imperial forces. Between 1945 and 1949, Dalian was administered by the Soviet Union, and the removable equipment from the Laboratory was taken. In this period one individual stood out, the Laboratory Director Marusawa Tsuneya, who risked his life to preserve the scientific records and staff of the institute, and then stayed in Dalian for ten years after the Second World War to help China rebuild its capabilities. The Central Research Laboratory is still preserved as the Old Campus of DICP. The origin of the friendship between China and Japan in catalysis can be traced to Professor Morikawa Kiyoshi, who worked in the Central Research Laboratory and helped commercialize a shale coal liquefaction process. Upon his return to Japan he became Professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and in 1975 organized the first visit by Japanese academics to China. This was reciprocated in visits to Japan in 1977 and 1980 by top researchers such as Zhang Dayu, Min Enze, Tsai Khirui, Lu Jiaxi, and Lin Liwu. This resulted in numerous contacts between individuals, which multiplied geometrically. Notably among these were the personal interactions between Guo Xiexian, the Vice-Director of DICP and Tamaru Kenzi, a Professor at the University of Tokyo, which led to a friendship lasting decades and encompassing generations. In 1981, Guo Xiexian organized the first China-Japan-USA Symposium in Dalian, assisted by Tamaru Kenzi, which was attended by over 90 scientists. This meeting was a big success, and was to lead to the organization of many other multi-country conferences, further promoting exchanges. It culminated with the hosting of China of the 16 th International Congress on Catalysis in 2016 in Beijing, with Li Can as President. Today DICP is a sprawling organization with over 1300 permanent staff, and is one of the powerhouses of catalysis in the world. From 2000, it has been led by Directors Bao Xinhe, Zhang Tao, and Liu Zhongmin. The Institute is making enormous contributions to research and producing cutting-edge technology, and its future is bright. The year 2019 marks the 70 th anniversary of the beginning of the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (DICP). This article presents a history of the origins of DICP and relates the recent friendship between China and Japan in the field of catalysis.