Prof Hidenori Takagi is a Director and Scientific Member of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart, where he drives research from ‘classic’ semi-conductor and metals research towards advanced materials. Professor Takagi is one of the most eminent international researchers in modern solid-state research and materials sciences worldwide. His contributions to high-temperature superconductivity, synthesis of novel compounds and quantum magnetism have been recognised by the IBM science prize (1988), Nissan science prize (1994), KH Onnes prize (2006), Honda Frontier Award (2009) and Japanese Ministry of Education Prize for Science and Technology (2010). He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and in 2013 was appointed Alexander von Humboldt Professor, the most highly-endowed research award in Germany.