LAMS-50K is Recognized as an IEEE Milestone
Nobel Laureate Koichi Tanaka among Development Team

Commemorative photograph of LAMS-50K development team with the IEEE Milestone plaque. From the left: Tamio Yoshida, Yoshikazu Yoshida, Executive Research Fellow Koichi Tanaka, Satoshi Akita, and Yutaka Ido

The LAMS-50K laser ionization mass spectrometer developed by 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Koichi Tanaka and four others was recognized by the U.S. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as an IEEE Milestone. A commemorative ceremony and speech were held on November 15 at the Sanjo Works Head Office, where a smiling Shimadzu Executive Research Fellow Koichi Tanaka shared how being recognized by the IEEE had been a dream of his ever since he studied electricity at university and may have been more deeply moving than winning the Nobel Prize.

IEEE Milestones

Based in the United States, the IEEE is the world’s largest organization of electrical/electronic specialists. IEEE Milestones are selected by the IEEE from among products and technologies that have existed for at least 25 years. Past selections include the Tokaido Shinkansen (JR Tokai) and Sharp’s calculators.

In 1990, a LAMS-50K system was delivered to the City of Hope medical research institution in the United States, where it was used to research cancer and other diseases. The LAMS-50K was selected as an IEEE Milestone due to its contribution in fields such as molecular biology or medical science that resulted in new diagnoses or drugs.

LAMS-50K Achieves a World First

The LAMS-50K was the world’s first product to include soft laser desorption/ionization technology, which enables the ionization of proteins and other massive molecules without damaging them. In 2002, Koichi Tanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this technology.

Koichi Tanaka explaining the technology while holding a LAMS-50K circuit board

At the press conference held before the ceremony, Tanaka held a LAMS-50K circuit board in his hand while explaining how the system was developed. He recalled that “it was developed during an era when the Japanese electronics industry was referred to as ‘Japan as Number One.’ A look at this circuit board shows that it was packed with cutting-edge technologies of the day, such as ultrafine metal powder that was only made in Japan, referred to as ‘Japanese Powder,’ and many electronic components made in Japan that offered the highest performance available at the time. Thus, Japan’s integrative technology development capabilities were very important.”

He also showed his electrical engineering textbook he actually used at university and said “My major at university was antenna engineering, but I started working in chemistry, a completely different field, when I joined Shimadzu. I felt hesitant about switching fields, but there have been many cases where the approach I learned in electrical engineering was also applicable in the field of chemistry. That proved to be a key factor that made it possible for me to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. That showed me just how important it is to integrate different research fields.”

Development Project “Team of Five” Members from 40 Years Ago Gather to Share Joy

At the ceremony, members of the development project launched in October 1984, commonly referred to as the “Team of Five,” gathered to celebrate earning the IEEE Milestone recognition. “My individual contribution to the LAMS-50K was truly limited,” explained Koichi Tanaka, “without the four other team members, it could not have been accomplished, so I am happy that the team’s accomplishment was appreciated.”

IEEE 2020 Chairman Toshio Fukuda, Professor Emeritus of Nagoya University, presents an IEEE Milestone plaque to Shimadzu Corporation President Yasunori Yamamoto

President Yasunori Yamamoto, who joined Shimadzu the same year as Koichi Tanaka, praised the team, saying “It often takes a long time for technology to be appreciated. Therefore, it makes me especially happy that the revolutionary product created by this team was eventually recognized. Once again, I would like to express my sincere respect for what you accomplished.”