Staffs & Researchers

Shoichiro ASAYAMA
Professor Shoichiro ASAYAMA
KeywordBiomaterials
Research areaDevelopment of biomaterials for drug delivery systems
Outline of the researchWith the aim of developing biomaterials to improve human health and quality of life (QOL), my group is synthesizing new carriers for delivering drugs such as nucleic acids, antioxidants, and molecules for epigenetic control, and we aim to promote interdisciplinary research on chemistry and life science.
LaboratoryAsayama Laboratory
Fumiaki AMANO
Professor Fumiaki AMANO
KeywordPhotoelectrochemistry, Photocatalysis, Energy chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of semiconductor electrodes, photocatalysts, and electrocatalysts for advanced catalysis
Outline of the researchWater splitting reaction using renewable energy produces hydrogen without CO2 emission. We are tackling the development of advanced catalytic systems to convert intermittent renewables to chemical materials utilizing chemical reactions induced by electricity and light energy.
LaboratoryAmano Laboratory
Koichi KAJIHARA
Professor Koichi KAJIHARA
KeywordInorganic materials chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of methods for synthesizing ceramics and glasses, and use of their optical and electronic functions
Outline of the researchMy group is developing methods for synthesizing inorganic solids, such as glasses and other ceramics, and studying how to derive their optical and electronic functions. Our research interests include improving the deep-UV transparency and radiation hardness of silica glass, the liquid-phase synthesis of inorganic materials, and the synthesis and characterization of fluorescent glasses doped with rare-earth ions, UV-transparent organic-inorganic hybrids, and electroconductive ceramics.
LaboratoryKajihara Laboratory
Hiroyoshi KAWAKAMI
Professor Hiroyoshi KAWAKAMI
KeywordPolymer chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of polymer-based biomaterials and environment- and energy-related polymers
Outline of the researchThis research involves the synthesis of new functional polymers and their application to medical fields, such as epigenetics engineering, regenerative medicine, artificial enzymes, and nanosized drug carriers. Such polymers are also applied in environment- and energy-related fields, for example, as functional separation membranes, electrolyte membranes, and nanofibers for separating greenhouse gases and developing fuel cells.
LaboratoryKawakami Laboratory
Yuji KUBO
Professor Yuji KUBO
KeywordOrganic chemistry and supramolecular chemistry
Research areaSynthesis of functional materials on the basis of molecular chemistry and their practical use
Outline of the researchA major goal of organic chemistry is to establish a new principle for “manufacturing” materials from various combinations of atoms and molecules and to derive novel molecular functions following methodologies based on this principle. By developing materials that can be used to enrich human lives, my group is striving to achieve the above goal.
LaboratoryKubo Laboratory
Tetsuya SHISHIDO
Professor Tetsuya SHISHIDO
KeywordCatalyst chemistry
Research areaDesign of high-performance catalysts for selective transformation of chemicals, environmental catalysts, in situ spectroscopy
Outline of the researchCatalysts can play an essential role both in selective transformation of chemicals and in solutions to environmental and energy problems. Our group is focused on the design of a new and high-performance catalyst for selective transformation of chemicals, and for the reduction of environmental pollutants on the basis of understanding at the atomic or molecular scale. Our research targets include solid acid-base catalysts, photocatalysts, and highly functionalized metal or alloy catalysts. In addition, to understand the reaction mechanisms at catalyst surfaces, this group is performing several in situ spectroscopic techniques.
LaboratoryShishido Laboratory
Toshio SHUDO
Professor Toshio SHUDO
KeywordHydrogen energy, Vehicle power system, Alternative fuel, Fuel cell, Internal combustion engine, Combustion.
Research areaEnergy engineering, Thermal engineering, Vehicle engineering, Mechanical engineering
Outline of the researchOur main research target is to improve the energy efficiency of vehicle power systems. The research topics include the power density improvement in fuel cells and the thermal efficiency improvement in internal combustion engines fueled with alternative fuels such as hydrogen.
LaboratoryShudo Laboratory
Wataru SETAKA
Professor Wataru SETAKA
KeywordPhysical organic chemistry
Research areaDesign and synthesis of organic silicon compounds with novel structures and evaluation of their functions
Outline of the researchOur interest lies in the design and synthesis of organic molecules with new structures that incorporate silicon, an element in the same group as carbon, to develop molecules with new functions. In particular, we are studying the relationship between molecular structure and molecular functionalities focusing on compounds that undergo specific molecular motion, such as molecular gyroscopes, and silyl-substituted compounds with a π-electron system.
LaboratorySetaka Laboratory
Shinsuke TAKAGI
Professor Shinsuke TAKAGI
KeywordPhotochemistry and nanostructural chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of artificial photosynthetic system and photofunctional materials by photochemistry and nano structural chemistry
Outline of the researchOur research interests include the study of artificial photosynthetic systems and functional dye materials using our original molecular arrangement technique. If artificial photosynthesis, which is an ideal energy conversion system, can be realized, it will greatly contribute to solve environment- and energy-related problems. We also aim to establish new methodology to control nano-structure and identify new principles that will lead to advances in science by ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy and waveguide spectroscopy.
LaboratoryTakagi Laboratory
Hiroshi Tachibana
Professor Hiroshi Tachibana
KeywordSynthetic organic chemistry and applied coordination chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of catalytic complexes for oxidizing alkanes and new functional complexes with advanced properties
Outline of the researchFocusing on ruthenium complexes, which exhibit high catalytic activity and interesting electrochemical and photochemical properties, my group is currently developing oxidative catalytic complexes with high selectivity and activity to alkanes. We are also developing photofunctional metal complexes whose photoreactivity can be externally controlled, as well as macrocyclic multinuclear ruthenium complexes with inclusion and photosensitization capabilities.
LaboratoryInoue Laboratory
Takashi YANAGISHITA
Professor Takashi YANAGISHITA
KeywordMaterials chemistry
Research areaFabrication of ordered nanostructures by electrochemical processes and their application to functional devices
Outline of the researchOur group fabricates various ordered nanostructures by electrochemical processes and examines their application to functional devices. The main targets of our research are the formation of nanostructures by nanoimprinting processes and membrane emulsion processes and their practical application.
LaboratoryYanagishita Laboratory
Tamao ISHIDA
Associate Professor Tamao ISHIDA
KeywordCatalytic chemistry
Research areaExploration of simple chemistry using heterogeneous catalysts in particular of gold nanoparticles and clusters
Outline of the researchGold nanoparticles and clusters exhibit unique catalytic activities and selectivities.
Our research interest includes application of gold catalysts to simplify chemical reactions for the production of valuable chemicals and to reduce energy and wastes.
LaboratoryTakagi Laboratory
Shungo KATO
Associate Professor Shungo KATO
KeywordAtmospheric chemistry
Research areaEnvironmental monitoring by measuring trace components in the atmosphere and development of atmospheric measurement techniques
Outline of the researchIn urban areas, the rising amount of photochemical oxidants has been an increasingly serious cause of environmental pollution. Not only air pollutants generated in urban areas in Japan but even those originating from neighboring countries (known as long-range transboundary air pollution) have become problems. Therefore, my group is monitoring the air quality in both urban and remote areas of Japan, as well as developing new atmospheric measurement techniques to alleviate environmental pollution.
LaboratoryAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory
Kiyoshi SATO
Associate Professor Kiyoshi SATO
KeywordHeterocyclic chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of functional organic molecular materials using ionic aromatic heterocyclic compounds
Outline of the researchOur aim is to develop heteroderivatives of condensed polycyclic compounds, such as helicene and coronene, and ionic organic molecular materials such as chromic dyes. To realize this, we are designing and synthesizing novel functional organic molecules by incorporating cationic aromatic heterocyclic compounds containing quaternary nitrogen compounds, such as quinolizinium and imidazolium, into the structures of molecules.
LaboratoryKawakami Laboratory
Manabu TANAKA
Associate Professor Manabu TANAKA
KeywordPolymer chemistry and functional polymer materials
Research areaDevelopment of functional polymer materials and their application to environment- and energy-related fields
Outline of the researchPolymer materials can be used in various applications, from common plastics to high-performance devices, by designing molecules and controlling their morphology. By developing polymer materials with novel features such as electrolytes for fuel cells, gas separation membranes, and polymer nanofibers, my group aims to contribute to the alleviation of environment- and energy-related problems.
LaboratoryKawakami Laboratory
Hizuru NAKAJIMA
Associate Professor Hizuru NAKAJIMA
KeywordAnalytical chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of micro-chemical and biochemical analysis system for on-site measurement
Outline of the researchThe aim of my group is to develop new analysis methods and systems that facilitate the rapid and highly sensitive determination of trace components in environmental and biological samples in the field. Our main focus is on the micro-total analysis system, chromatography, electrophoresis, chemical sensors, and biosensors.
LaboratoryAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory
Hiroki MIURA
Associate Professor Hiroki MIURA
KeywordCatalyst chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of novel heterogeneous catalysts for environmentally-benign organic transformations
Outline of the researchHighly selective organic transformation is essential for synthesizing useful chemicals. Our group is focused on the development of novel catalytic systems that show excellent selectivity and environmentally-compatibility.
LaboratoryShishido Laboratory
Masafumi YAMATO
Associate Professor Masafumi YAMATO
KeywordPolymer science
Research areaControl of higher-order structures of polymer materials and exploration of their novel functions by a magnetic process
Outline of the researchThe properties of polymer materials greatly depend on their higher-order structure, which is formed by introducing additives such as crystals, amorphous materials, and fillers. Therefore, the control of higher-order structures is an important theme. The orientation and alignment of polymer materials can be controlled by applying a strong magnetic field. On the basis of this fact, the formation of new higher-order structures of various polymer materials and the resulting expression of their novel properties are being investigated by our group.
LaboratoryKawakami Laboratory
Masanao ISHIJIMA
Assistant Professor Masanao ISHIJIMA
KeywordInorganic material chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of methods for synthesizing metallic nanomaterials
Outline of the researchBimetallic nanoparticles exhibit the unique properties depends on their shape, composition, crystal structure, and size. The purpose of our study is the controlling metallic nanostructures for improvement the nanoparticle properties.
LaboratoryKajihara Laboratory
Yusuke INAGAKI
Assistant Professor Yusuke INAGAKI
KeywordOrganometallic chemistry and main group element chemistry
Research areaDesign, synthesis, and application of π-electron compounds with heavier group 14 elements
Outline of the researchOur interest lies in studying the relationship between molecular structure and functionalities. The purpose of our study is the application of organic silicon compounds.
LaboratorySetaka Laboratory
Masato ITO
Assistant Professor Masato ITO
KeywordStructural organic chemistry and main group element chemistry
Research areaDesign of functional materials based on structural organic chemistry
Outline of the researchBased on structural organic chemistry and main group element chemistry, we design and synthesize functional molecules that can contribute to the environment and energy. Especially, we are aiming to produce organic π-conjugated compounds with characteristic photophysical properties.
LaboratoryKubo Laboratory
Tetsuya SHIMADA
Assistant Professor Tetsuya SHIMADA
KeywordPhysicochemistry
Research areaOptical energy conversion and nanostructures by physicochemical approaches
Outline of the researchOur focus is the development and evaluation of photofunctional materials with a highly controlled structure at the nanometer level, such as functional materials that can realize artificial photosynthesis, towards the effective use of sunlight. Our main evaluation methods include ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy (e.g., laser spectroscopy), physicochemical analysis, and theoretical modeling.
LaboratoryTakagi Laboratory
Hidetaka NORITOMI
Assistant Professor Hidetaka NORITOMI
KeywordBiochemical engineering
Research areaDevelopment of environmentally friendly chemical processes using enzymes
Outline of the researchEnzymes are “soft” catalysts that promote chemical reactions in an in vivo “mild” environment. To produce useful materials using enzymes under moderate conditions, I aim to control the activity and specificity of enzymes in reaction fields, such as heterogeneous interfaces, gels, and ionic liquids, as well as improve the stability and refolding of enzymes.
LaboratoryKawakami Laboratory
Hirokazu MUNAKATA
Assistant Professor Hirokazu MUNAKATA
KeywordElectrochemistry and materials chemistry
Research areaImproving the performance of energy-conversion devices by structural design
Outline of the researchTo improve the performance of devices for electrochemical energy conversion, such as rechargeable lithium ion batteries and fuel cells, towards the effective use of energy, we focus on structural design, from the design of battery materials and components, such as electrodes and electrolytes, to the design of batteries themselves.
LaboratoryYanagishita Laboratory
Kosuke BEPPU
Assistant Professor Kosuke BEPPU
KeywordInorganic chemistry, Catalyst chemistry
Research areaDevelopment of novel electrocatalyst materials based on inorganic materials chemistry
Outline of the researchDevelopment of highly efficient catalytic system is one of the promising candidates for the environmental load reduction and efficient energy utilization. We are tackling the development of novel catalytic system utilizing electricity and light energy by utilizing various characterization methods.
LaboratoryAmano Laboratory
Hirokazu MUNAKATA
Assistant Professor Sifeng MAO
KeywordAnalytical chemistry, microfluidics
Research areaDevelopment of microchemical pen for single cell analysis and biosensor manufacture
Outline of the researchWe develop “Micro chemical pen” for control of open microfluidics. The laminar flow and mixing region generated from the device is capable for nano-fabrication, single cell extraction, partial cell cutting, and nanosensing.
LaboratoryAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory