Seiichi Ohta

Detection of biological information enabled by the programmed conversion of nucleotide sequence into nanoparticle sequence

Researcher

Seiichi Ohta

Outline

DNA, which forms double helix via A-T and C-G base pairs, enables dynamic control of nanostructures. In this research, we aim to translate and amplify a biological information-storing nucleotide sequence into a programmed artificial DNA as “artificial biomarker”, which subsequently alter the 3D sequence of nanoparticle assemblies leading to the shift of their optical properties. By detecting this optical shift, this technology is expected to become a novel platform for the detection biological information for diagnostics.

Ryo Kitaura

Exploration of Tailor-Made two-dimensional superstructures

Researcher

Ryo Kitaura

Outline

There are vast possibilities in two-dimensional superstructures constructed by combining various two-dimensional materials. In this work, I will develop a way to control higher-order structures of two-dimensional materials to realize novel two-dimensional superstructures. Furthermore, I will investigate the possibilities of superstructures for novel optoelectronic devices that is characteristic of superstructures’ unique electronic states.

Kohei Kusada

Precise Control of Three-Dimensional Atomic Arrangement in Metal Nanoparticles

Researcher

Kohei Kusada

Outline

Metals usually have one of the three basic structures: face-centered cubic (fcc), body-centered cubic (bcc), and hexagonal close-packed (hcp). This research will construct “phase control” in metal nanoparticles via precise control of three-dimensional atomic arrangement and develop novel nanomaterials. Concretely, this research will focus on how to selectively control the three basic structures through a chemical synthesis without changing the element and composition of metal nanoparticles. The mechanism of phase control and catalytic properties of the phase-controlled nanomaterials will be also investigated.

Mio Kondo

Construction of reaction fields based on the precise arrangement of metal complex catalysts: Acceleration of catalytic reactions and trapping of reaction intermediates

Researcher

Mio Kondo

Outline

In this project, I aim to manipulate catalytic reactions based on the precise arrangement of catalyst molecules. To achieve the goal, the methodology to create reaction fields via the assembly of catalysts will initially be established. During this process, framework catalysts, which have highly ordered porous structure will be developed. By using the framework catalysts, the acceleration of catalytic reactions via the synergetic effect of precisely arranged catalytic centers and reaction field will be achieved. Moreover, reactive reaction intermediates can be trapped and their chemical and electronic structures can be determined at molecular level. As a result, novel research field which can contribute to the development of catalytic chemistry will be established.

Hiroshi Sato

Innovative Mechanical Properties by Precise Arrangement of Topological Bonds

Researcher

Hiroshi Sato

Outline

In “topological bond”, no direct bonds are formed between the constituent units, and the relative positions of the units change flexibly when mechanical stress is applied. The precise arrangement of “topological bonds” using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the platform maximizes the “stress-adaptive” property of topological bonds, and the creation of materials with innovative mechanical properties.

Koki Sano

Development of Innovative Soft Materials based on Designed Arrangement of Nanosheets

Researcher

Koki Sano

Outline

Although nanosheets are an attractive building block for various applications, it remains a challenge to construct a well-designed arrangement of nanosheets by bottom-up approaches. In this project, I will establish a general strategy to freely control an arrangement of nanosheets and develop innovative soft materials.

Tomohisa Sawada

Construction of Higher-Order Nanostructures Based on Reversible Peptide Strands

Researcher

Tomohisa Sawada

Outline

Structures and functions in natural proteins are highly programmed based on the polypeptide sequences. In this project, attempts are being made to explore and fucntionalize unique nanostructures constructed by reversible peptide strands, in which short peptide fragments of ten or less residues sequences are linked by reversible bonds. The integration of reversible linkages and peptide strands brings out the latent preferences of unique topological structures, which are normally restricted in canonical polypeptides, and thus gives a new class of nanostructures.

Katsuaki Sugawara

Creation of novel atomic-layer materials through collaboration among MBE, atom replacement, and patterning

Researcher

Katsuaki Sugawara

Outline

This research project is to create new atomic-layer materials precisely controlled the atom, structure, and space by using a molecular-beam-epitaxy, atom replacement and vacuum-galvano-scanner-laser systems, and to investigate these electronic states. From the newly obtained results, I will not only aim to discover novel quantum phenomena based on the control of atom, structure, and space, but also contribute to develop basic technologies for realizing “atomic-layer electronics” beyond existing devices.

Yusuke Sunada

Precise assembly of metal species with the aid of organosilicon template molecules

Researcher

Yusuke Sunada

Outline

Nanosized metal compounds have attracted much interests owing to their own unique chemical and phisical properties. These properties are highly dependent on the arrangement of metal species, the number of metal atoms as well as the dimensionality of the metal compounds. In this research, we will focus on the development of precise design and synthesis of a series of well-defined subnano- and nano-sized transition metal clusters based on the template synthesis in which organosilicon compounds act as the template to arrange the multiple metal species. Application of the obtained clusters as functional materials such as catalysts will also be examined.

Takamasa Tsukamoto

Development of exotic-clusters realized by specific atomic arrangements

Researcher

Takamasa Tsukamoto

Outline

In this research, I newly focus on both physical shapes (geometrical symmetry of atomic arrangement) and mathematical factors (intrinsic sequence of atomic arrangement) of cluster substances. On the basis of the new molecular design method associated with such unprecedented parameters, I experimentally synthesize and evaluate ‘exotic-clusters’ that is a new class of substances. Utilizing ‘atom-hybridization method’ that I have recently developed for the precise synthesis of multimetallic clusters, I will demonstrate the creation of exotic-clusters possessing innovative physical properties and specific chemical reactivities typified by photonic, magnetic, electric, and catalytic functions.

Shogo Nakano

Development and application of artificial protein sequence design method based on discrete sequence block

Researcher

Shogo Nakano

Outline

The number of protein sequences registered in database is expanding for now. In this study, we atttempted to prove existence of discrete sequence blocks which encode all of protein functions. In addition to develop a method which enables to assign the blocks, we will achieve design of artificial proteins of which functions are regulated as expected by combining the assigned blocks.

Masaki Nakano

Creation of strongly-correlated van der Waals superstructures

Researcher

Masaki Nakano

Outline

We grow strongly-correlated 2D materials including hardly-cleavable and/or thermally-metastable compounds by the state-of-the-art molecular-beam epitaxy technique, and integrate them into van der Waals superstructures. We explore emergent properties and functionalities arising at those artificial superstructures that are missing in the individual materials.

Takayuki Harada

Creation of functional interfaces based on quasi-2D metals with controlled layer arrangements

Researcher

Takayuki Harada

Outline

A functional heterointerface is a key component of semiconductor devices that have realized the communication, electronic control, and sensing technologies of the modern society. In this project, we combine semiconductors with quasi-2D metals that have alternating charged layers. In these quasi-2D metals, the arrangement sequence of the charged layers gives rise to exotic electronic states at the surface. Utilizing these surface/interface properties, we aim to develop devices that are applicable in the field of power electronics, high-speed communication, and spintronics.

Takashi Hirose

Creation of Chiral Molecular Functions Based on Precise Arrangement of Helical pi-Conjugated Molecules

Researcher

Takashi Hirose

Outline

Adding helical distortions to the π-extended molecular frameworks, unique electronic properties derived from the nanoscale helical structure. In this study, I will challenge the precise arrangement of pi-extended helical molecules that have both “large pi-conjugated systems” and “mechanical toughness”. This project aims to create novel spectroscopic and mechanical functions based on π-extended helical molecules by precisely designing highly anisotropic assembly structures in which the molecular chirality is cooperatively amplified.

Yuki Yamada

Arrangement of ions and molecules in liquids and its electrochemical functions

Researcher

Yuki Yamada

Outline

The aim of this research is to develop methods for arranging ions and solvent molecules in liquid electrolytes and explore extraordinary functions created thereby. By designing liquid electrolytes as the aggregation of a unit ion-solvent arrangement, I will develop novel electrochemical features that cannot be achieved by a conventional design. Applying the liquid electrolytes, I aim to pioneer innovative electrochemical devices and reactions such as high-voltage aqueous batteries.