Outline of Research Area
For efficient, flexible development of next-generation nanosystems, the effective
linkage of top-down and bottom-up processes is essential. This research area
aims at exploring how to connect molecular nano-structures and functions to structures
and functions of macroscopic materials and creating self-sustained and high-performance
nano-structural materials with unique structures and functions that can be achieved
only by the bottom-up processes.
At the molecular and supra-molecular levels, minute molecular machines, molecular motors and artificial muscles have been reported, and their specific functions have been discussed. However, we have not yet succeeded in linking these nano-structural materials to the structures and functions of useful macroscopic materials through self-organization and self-assembly processes.
What is most desired for the development of molecular or solid catalysts is that
the catalysts should not only be prepared by elaborated molecular and structure
design but also be systematically constructed by self-organization and self-assembly
processes to realize sophisticated functions not existing before, such as one-pot
synthesis of multi-step reactions.
Molecular materials have the potential transforming themselves into any required
figure in different ways due to their diversity. With a focus on this potential,
the objective of this research area is to pave the way for linking the sophisticated
structures and functions already realized at the molecular level (e.g. chemical
or physical stimulus responsive properties, catalytic properties, electrical
conductivity and magnetism) by using the bottom-up processes to useful materials
in a real world and to create self-sustaining and high-performance nano-structural
materials having unique functions.
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