Introduction to EMS

“Emergence” refers to the phenomenon in which a number of elements that are brought together gain properties that could not be predicted from the individual elements. For example, when a large number of electrons become strongly correlated, they can give rise to extremely strong electrical and magnetic action that could not be predicted from the actions of a single electron.

Additionally, by linking together a large number of molecules, it is possible to create materials with new functionalities that were not possessed by the individual molecules. In this way, when particles such as electrons or molecules gather together, they can give rise to surprising materials and functions that could not be predicted simply as an aggregation of the original constituent elements.

The science that attempts to elucidate the principles of emergent phenomena and create new materials and functions based on these principles is known as emergent matter science. For example, the phenomenon of superconductivity, where metals and other compounds suddenly lose all their electrical resistance when cooled to a certain degree, is a phenomenon that arises from the mutual interactions between electrons. Normally, superconductivity appears at very low temperatures, but if we are able to design and develop materials that are high-temperature superconductors, it will become possible to transmit electricity without any loss.

In that way, emergent matter science has the potential to trigger a major revolution in our lifestyles, and contribute to the achievement of a sustainable society that can co-exist in harmony with the environment.