Outline of Research Area

Research Supervisor : Hideo Hosono Research Supervisor : Hideo Hosono
Professor, Tokyo Institute of Technology


Outline of Research Area

It is known that the function of material is inseparably related with the elements of its own. However, existing elements are only about 100, and the number of elements which can be actually used for materials is becoming limited because of their scarcity and toxicity. Therefore, in order to create materials to support society and answer the social demand, scientists are required to re-create images of each element and to achieve the development of a new opportunity. Investigation of nano technology is selectively conducted worldwide, based on the common understanding that the development of science and technology in the nano area is indispensable for making rapid progress in materials science. From now on, the policy needs to be carried out that reflects each country's characteristics in addition to the basic understanding. "Element Strategy" is to achieve effective functions by using common elements as much as possible, the functions that have been realized by using rare elements until now. And, it is one of the scientific measures that Japan started for the first time in the world because of the scarcity of natural resources. This means "Element Strategy" is to establish a new materials science for a sustainable society from the academic standpoint.

This Research Area aims to establish a new materials science based on creating innovative functional materials using elements with a higher Clarke number by manipulating and utilizing nano structures, surfaces, interfaces, and defects and also based on theoretical modeling and advanced characterization, which will contribute to the green innovation to resolve resource, environment, and energy problems.