Case Studies on How to Enhance the Chance of Technical Breakthrough and (Pseudo) Serendipity

Technical breakthrough and (pseudo) serendipity (hereinafter TB&S) found in the experiments are the important triggers and promoters for R&D and innovation. It is often said that 2-3 research groups publish similar research results simultaneously in the world. TB&S, especially (pseudo) serendipity can differentiate the research results of one group from those of the other group. By collecting examples of research projects of chemistry and material in a corporation and academia, we examined and classified them using key factors. About 20 common key factors are deduced from the events of TB&S. We postulate from the study that in order to enhance TB&S, the key factor is the combination of unexpected experiment (Amateur experiment) and outstanding scientific acumen and passion of professional. We discussed how to realize the combination of unexpected experiment and professional in laboratories from several view points. We also discussed how to plan unexpected experiments intentionally