The Richard M. Fulrath awards recognize 5 engineers/scientists who have promoted technical and personal friendships between Japanese and US scientists, highlighting the diverse cultures surrounding the Pacific Rim. The awards recognize the individuals for their excellence in research and development of ceramic materials.
The award recognizes researchers in their early to mid-careers. Three awardees shall be from Japan – one from academia and two from industry. Two awardees shall be from the US – one from academia and one from industry.
Nomination Process
The awardees must be nominated by a nominator in a single page nomination letter. The nominee must provide a statement of eligibility and a narrative biography.
The awardees will receive a certificate, $2,000 award (to each of the five awardees), and complimentary annual meeting registration. The awardees also have responsibilities that will be outlined when notified of their selection.
Award Namesake
The award is named for Richard M. Fulrath (1924 – 1977) and was established by his friends in Japan. Dr. Fulrath was a Professor of Ceramic Engineering at University of California, Berkeley. Professor Fulrath made major contributions to the preparation of electrical ceramics with improved properties. His work made him well known and respected in Japan. After he spent a sabbatical in Japan in 1974, he continued to develop collaborations and friendships with Japanese researchers. He presented more than 70 lectures in different university and industry labs and encouraged others to develop similar collaborations and friendships.
Contact
Erica Zimmerman
ezimmerman@ceramics.org
Award Winners
2026 US Industrial Awardee
Takaaki Koyanagi
Dr. Koyanagi is currently a Senior R&D staff member in the Radiation Effects and Microstructural Analysis Group within the Materials Science and Technology Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States. He received his B.S. in Engineering Science in 2008, his M.S. in Energy Science in 2010, and his Ph.D. in Energy Science in 2013, all from Kyoto University, Japan. Dr. Koyanagi has published more than 130 papers; his work has been cited >4,000 times, resulting in an h-index of 40, and he has consistently delivered invited, plenary, and keynote talks at international conferences and symposia. He has received several awards, including The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Frontiers of Materials Award (2024); the Masaji Yoshikawa Memorial Prize for Fusion Energy, Fusion Energy Forum of Japan (2022); Journal of Nuclear Materials “Rising Star Award” finalist (2022); and the Global Star Award, Engineering Ceramics Division, American Ceramic Society (2020). He has served as a lead organizer of the “Development and Applications of Advanced Ceramics and Composites for Nuclear Fission and Fusion Energy Systems” symposium at the International Conference & Exposition on Advanced Ceramics and Composites since 2019. Dr. Koyanagi has been at the forefront of developing nuclear materials for both fusion and fission applications. In 2023, he was honored with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science Early Career Award for his pioneering work on the additive manufacturing of SiC for fusion applications. In addition, he currently serves as the national technical lead for the development of SiC composite cladding under the Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy’s Advanced Fuels Campaign.
2026 Japanese Academic Awardee
Shintaro Yasui
Dr. Shintaro Yasui received Doctor of Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2011. After serving as a guest researcher at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States, he joined Tokyo Institute of Technology as an assistant professor in 2013 and was promoted to associate professor upon receiving tenure in 2024.
As a leading expert in materials science and applied physics, Dr. Yasui has built an outstanding track record focused on the synthesis and characterization of high-quality thin films for novel ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and multiferroic materials. In recent years, he has been deeply involved in the development of next-generation energy materials, playing a pioneering role particularly in the development of aqueous quasi-solid-state electrolytes—so-called “3D-SLISE”—for solid-state lithium-ion batteries. Serving as a bridge between basic research and practical application, Dr. Yasui has published over 160 academic papers and holds numerous patents. He is currently preparing to launch a startup company specializing in advanced battery technologies designed to optimize the energy supply-demand balance for data centers.
2026 Japanese Industrial Awardee
Kenji Shinozaki
Kenji Shinozaki is a Chief Senior Researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering from Nagaoka University of Technology in 2013. His research focuses on the science and design of nano-scale heterogeneity in glasses and glass-ceramics. He has made pioneering contributions to understanding and controlling nano-scale heterogeneity in glasses, demonstrating how structural heterogeneity governs crystallization, luminescence, and fracture behavior. His research has led to breakthroughs including highly toughened glasses through metal nanoparticle incorporation, ultrafast nanocrystallization, and highly efficient photonic glasses and glass-ceramics. These studies have helped establish a scientific framework linking glass structure, processing, and functional properties for heterogeneity-driven materials design.
He has authored more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, delivered more than 20 invited lectures at major international conferences, and holds more than 10 issued patents. His honors include the ICG Vittorio Gottardi Memorial Prize, the CerSJ Award for Advancements in Ceramic Science and Technology, and the Motoharu Kurata Award. He currently serves on the ACerS International Committee, is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Applied Glass Science, and contributes to several professional committees in the glass and ceramics communities in Japan and internationally. He has also organized numerous international symposia within GOMD, PACRIM, ICG, and related scientific communities.
2026 Japanese Industrial Awardee
Takayuki Nakao
Takayuki Nakao received his Ph.D. in Human and Environmental Studies from Kyoto University in 2011 and joined Osaka Gas Co., Ltd. in the same year. From 2011 to 2019, he was engaged in the development of SOFC (Solid Oxide Fuel Cell) cell stacks for the residential cogeneration system ENE-FARM type S. He led the development of an advanced ceramic coating technology, which was implemented in the 2016 model and contributed to significant improvements in efficiency and durability, supporting substantial market growth.
Since 2019, he served as the development leader for the 2020 model and played a key role in the commercialization of the third-generation ENE-FARM type S. Since 2020, he has been engaged in advanced technology institute focused on carbon neutrality, including the development of SOFC and SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell) technologies. His ceramic coating technology has also been applied to SOEC stacks to achieve enhanced durability. His current work focuses on developing key stack technologies for SOFC and SOEC systems to support a low-carbon and carbon-neutral society.