Development of operando soft-X-ray surface spectroscopy techniques using near-ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS) and ambient-pressure soft-X-ray absorption spectroscopy (AP-sXAS) and their application to operando observations for surface catalytic reactions are reviewed. First, we will explain soft-X-ray surface spectroscopy end-stations that we developed for operando observations at the Photon Factory. As for the application, we introduce studies on CO oxidation on Pt-group metals and their alloys and photoinduced carrier transfer to cocatalysts on a SrTiO₃-based photocatalyst. We will also discuss future advancements of the operando soft-X-ray surface spectroscopy techniques.

Superconducting qubits are one of the promising hardware candidates for quantum computing, and the operation of quantum processors equipped with more than 1000 qubits have been reported. However, to achieve a meaningful quantum computation that has an advantage over classical computation, further improvement in gate fidelity and more precise control of circuit parameters are required, and many challenges remain in realizing such hardware. In this article, we summarize the current status and challenges of superconducting qubits with a focus on the circuit fabrication process and present our research and development of superconducting qubits using nitride superconductors.

In recent years, the automation of materials research has become a crucial challenge. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) is essential for characterizing material properties, but current methods face issues with reproducibility and efficiency. To address this, we have developed an autonomous experimental system using robotics and machine learning. This article introduces the configuration and workflow of the developed system. Additionally, we discuss the performance evaluation of this system and compare it with conventional manual experiments.

This paper describes the international standardization activities of ISO/TC201/SC9/WG7, including the standardized method and a new method currently undergoing international round-robin testing for local elastic modulus measurement using atomic force microscopy, future prospects including extension to viscoelastic measurement. This paper will also include examples of how the local elastic modulus measurement method can be utilized in the materials industry.

Sealing inspections have been carried out to ensure the reliability of the sealing products in various industrial fields. The methods include waterproof tests based on ingress protection (IP) code, environmental testing at high temperature and humidity condition, babble testing, leak testing with pressure difference method (air leak test), helium leak testing, and so on. This overview article summarizes the latest trends of these testing methods. Recent requirements on the accountability for sealing inspections in the medical field and the activities using reference test peaces in the field of measuring instruments are also introduced.