Research

Brief summary of Takahara Soft Interfaces Project

　

The 19th Century was an era of hard materials such as steel and iron. In the 20th Century, polymers replaced hard materials, in the form of plastics. Today, "soft materials," such as liquid crystals, gels, and biomaterials make LCDs, LEDs, and artificial replacements of body parts. One can say, with no doubt, soft materials constitute an important part of our daily life.

The first encounter with those soft materials takes place at the interface or surface. "Soft interfaces" are ubiquitous: electrical properties, biocompatibility, and friction are but few examples that are thought to be controlled by soft interfaces.

Nature presents many highly functional soft interfaces. Here are some examples.

1. Lipid bilayers on blood vessels (anti-clotting)

2. Lubrication of joints

3. Superhyrophobic lotus leaves

4. Water collecting design of desert beetle

5. Carnivorous plants that respond to stimuli

6. Adhesion of mussels

7. Japanese lacquer as paint and adhesive material

Reproducing the behavior of the natural soft interfaces with synthetic materials is difficult and a perfect copy is yet to be made. Moreover, the science of soft interfaces still remains unclear.

Our aim then, is to establish the scientific foundation for the field of soft materials and interfaces. We expect the outcome of our research to be the driving force for further expansion of the field and development of new materials.