On 22nd May, our Year 11 and Year 12 students took their learning beyond the classroom with a visit to FS Creation at Mitsui Link Lab Kashiwanoha, home to the world-renowned Fujita and Sato Laboratories, affiliated with the University of Tokyo.
This visit built on an earlier highlight of the term, Professor Makoto Fujita’s inspiring lecture at RSJ, and we were thrilled to be welcomed by his colleague, Professor Sota Sato.
From the moment they stepped inside, pupils were immersed in the world of cutting-edge chemical research. Dr Sato began the day with an introduction to single crystal X-ray diffraction (scXRD), sharing the story behind the crystalline sponge method – an innovation developed at Sato Lab that has transformed the way chemists approach crystallisation.
Touring the lab, pupils encountered equipment unlike anything they had seen before, from scanning electron microscopes to NMR spectrometers – one of which, they learned with amazement, cost over 100 million yen. The sheer scale and sophistication of the lab space left a lasting impression.
One of the day’s most memorable moments came during a live demonstration on isolating single crystals for scXRD. Pupils were invited to try their hand at picking up sugar crystals under a microscope, an unexpectedly tricky task that led to much laughter and careful concentration. Special mention goes to Ryu (Year 12), who managed to pick up a crystal of copper sulfate and earned enthusiastic applause from peers and hosts alike.
Later, pupils watched as sugar and copper sulfate samples were analysed using an X-ray diffractometer. They were fascinated to see how modern software can now process complex data in minutes – work that once took researchers an entire day. The group also had the rare opportunity to observe E. coli under a scanning electron microscope, offering a glimpse into the microscopic world few ever get to see.
As the visit came to a close, pupils asked thoughtful questions and reflected on what they had learned. Each student was given a keychain featuring the Sato Lab mascot -“Mr Crystalline Sponge” – a cheerful reminder of a day spent at the frontier of science.
We are incredibly grateful to Dr Sato and his team for their warmth, generosity, and inspiration. The visit not only deepened our pupils’ understanding of chemistry, but also sparked a renewed sense of curiosity and excitement for what lies ahead in their scientific journeys.
