Materials Chemistry Division
Overview
The Materials Chemistry Division educates and performs research of the latest developments of new materials and functional substances, while training human resources to possess advanced expertise and creativity with regard to manufacturing innovations that contribute to the establishment of an affluent and vibrant society. We offer some subjects that are common to other departments, including not only the design and synthesis of compounds at a molecular level, and evaluation of their physical properties and performance, but also development from the viewpoint of chemistry of environmentally-conscious, energy-related materials such as solar cells, and processing technology that supports the manufacturing industry in terms of production machinery and transportation equipment such as vehicles and aircraft.
Laboratory introduction
For faculty member details, see the staff introductions.
| Laboratory | Catalysis, separation engineering |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor UEMIYA Shigeyuki Associate professor MIYAMOTO Manabu |
| Research details | Our laboratory conducts research developing materials (catalysts, separation membranes, adsorbents, etc.) with the purpose of applications in high-efficiency hydrogen production and utilization, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration, reactions and separations related to energy carriers, and combined processes of reactions with separation. |
| Laboratory | Inorganic materials chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor OHYA Yutaka Assistant professor TAKAI Chika |
| Research details | Our laboratory aims to improve properties of ceramics by controlling the composition and formation during the crystal phase to influence the resulting properties and structure of manufactured ceramic items. Specifically, our research is directed to low-thermal expansion aluminum titanate, oxide semiconductors and solid electrolytes, ferroelectrics, piezoelectric thin films, and other substances. In addition, we focus on the microstructure control of functional nanoparticles, aggregation and dispersion control with particle technology, and the development of related evaluation methods. |
| Laboratory | Soft-matter chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor KUTSUMIZU Shoichi Associate professor MIWA Yohei |
| Research details | Soft-matter chemistry refers to that of soft materials such as polymers, liquid crystals, and colloids. Our laboratory studies the functionalization of a bicontinuous cubic liquid crystal that forms an interpenetrating structure during microphase separation, and an ionomer that is an ionic polymer, in terms of controlling the dynamic aggregation structure by utilizing self-organization. |
| Laboratory | Organic chemistry, computational chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor KOKETSU Mamoru Assistant professor UDAGAWA Taro |
| Research details | Organic compounds are important molecules of pharmaceuticals and pesticides that support human life. Our laboratory investigates molecular structure-activity relationships by isolating and purifying various functional organic molecules from plants that are bioactive. Based on the findings, we engage in the preparation of compounds with increased activity through organic synthesis. In addition, due to advancements of computer technologies in recent years, experimental chemists have become familiar with quantum chemistry simulations. Our laboratory conducts chemical reaction analyses using existing methods, but has also developed our own original computing method (multi-component molecular theory) that enables consideration of the quantum effects of lightweight nuclei, such as hydrogen nuclei. In response to globalization, we encourage students to study abroad as much as possible. We also accept international students and postdoctoral fellows from many countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Tanzania and elsewhere, to provide an environment that allows for international exchanges to occur in the laboratory. |
| Laboratory | Inorganic materials engineering |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor SHIMA Mutsuhiro Assistant professor YAMADA Keisuke |
| Research details | With the aim of increasing the functionality of equipment utilizing magnetic materials and spintronics products or devices that use the engineering of both electron charges and spins, our laboratory conducts basic and applied research, for example: synthesis of nanomagnetic materials such as magnetic film, magnetic wire, and microparticles; control of structure and physical properties; measurement of electrical conductivity and thermoelectric properties by controlling electron spins in solids; and clarifying the related mechanisms. |
| Laboratory | Photoelectrochemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor SUGIURA Takashi Associate professor MANSEKI Kazuhiro |
| Research details | Anticipating advances in hydrogen production technologies and solar cells that can effectively use solar energy, our laboratory creates new nanomaterials and device structures, and establishes high-performance technologies based on inorganic materials chemistry and electrochemistry, such as water-splitting photocatalysts, and organic-inorganic hybrid solar cells. |
| Laboratory | Functional polymer chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor TAKENO Akiyoshi Assistant professor TAKAHASHI Shinya |
| Research details | Our laboratory conducts research of two themes in the development of new functional materials. One is the creation of new films, fibers, and composite materials by imparting optical, mechanical, and electrical functions into porous polymers and polymer surfaces. The other theme is control of stickiness and adhesiveness based on analyses and modifications of polymer surfaces. |
| Laboratory | Inorganic materials chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Professor BAN Takayuki |
| Research details | Our laboratory conducts research of inorganic nanomaterials in solution processes such as the sol-gel method, featuring the utilization of chemical reactions between metallic components and organic additives in aqueous solutions when synthesizing nanomaterials and manufacturing films. We also aim to apply the resulting structural features to optical materials. |
| Laboratory | Catalysis, separation engineering |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor KOMURA Kenichi |
| Research details | Our laboratory group conducts research of catalytic reactions by utilizing characteristics of porous inorganic materials such as zeolites and mesoporous silica with nano-sized pores. In particular, we aim to establish environmentally-friendly, green and clean catalytic reaction alternatives to chemical processes and reactions that significantly impact the environment. Also, we are engaged in designing and synthesizing porous materials for such purposes. |
| Laboratory | Functional polymer chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor KIMURA Hiroshi |
| Research details | Our laboratory conducts experimental research of dispersion state control of colloidal dispersion systems such as colloidal crystals, thixotropic fluids, and dilatant fluids. The main themes include: - dispersion control of colloidal particles in water with electrical fields (ERS, Electrically-induced Rapid Separation effect); and - reversible rheology change in smectite cray aqueous dispersion with an electrical field (ER, Electro-Rheology effect). |
| Laboratory | Structural organic chemistry |
|---|---|
| Faculty members | Associate professor NARUSE Yuji |
| Research details | Based on organic orbital theory focusing on the topological nature of electron waves in atoms and molecules, our laboratory aims to design and demonstrate compounds with novel physical properties and reactions that exhibit unconventional reactivity and selectivity. We also established a theory that covers molecules including heteroatoms and metallic atoms, further advancing our work to create molecules with new functions. |
