Presto Researcher

Takahiro Ichikawa
Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Tenure-Track Associate Professor

Outline

Gyroid minimal surface formed by bicontinuous cubic liquid crystals is a novel interface that possesses two unique characteristics, three-dimensionally continuity in a macroscale and flatness in a nanoscale. In the present research, I develop a super hydrophilic interface through aligning sulfonic acid groups on the gyroid surface. I expect that introduction of suitable amount of water into the surface leads to the formation of three-dimensionally continuous hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules where proton can travel efficiently.