Ryohei Ikura

Achieving Toughness and Self-Healing through Interactions of Crystalline Oligomers

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D1

Researcher

Ryohei Ikura

Outline

The coexistence of toughness and self-healing is considered to benefit from the synergistic effects of strong and weak interactions. However, despite certain successful examples, many systems lose self-healing ability, and the fundamental conditions required for their coexistence remain unresolved. In this study, I propose the introduction of multiple crystalline oligomers with orthogonal and tunable interactions, allowing precise modulation of interaction strength without mutual interference. Furthermore, through a trans-scale analytical framework that integrates spatial dimensions, mechanical strain, and relaxation times, I aim to systematically elucidate the underlying mechanisms and establish comprehensive design principles for realizing the coexistence of toughness and self-healing in polymeric materials.

Shuto Osaki

Development of Innovative Biosensors Based on Surface Energy Analysis of Metal Nanomaterials

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D2

Researcher

Shuto Osaki

Outline

In this project, we will develop a theoretical model that predicts the redox potentials of metal nanomaterials based on their surface energy, enabling the design of electrode properties without experimental trial and error. This theory will be extended to various nanomaterials and applied to multiplex biosensors that can selectively and simultaneously detect multiple disease-related biomarkers based on potential differences. The ultimate goal is to create a new biosensor technology that enables comprehensive, at-home health diagnostics for infectious diseases and cancer while overcoming individual variability.

Kakeru Obayashi

The strain-induced crystallization of elastomers with controlled the macro/micro relationships

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D3

Researcher

Kakeru Obayashi

Outline

Uniaxial stretching deformation test is often used to evaluate the mechanical properties of polymer materials. However, not only uniaxial deformation but also multiaxial one takes place in practical use. In this study, rubbers which exhibit uniaxial deformation mode during various deformation processes and have an ability of strain-induced crystallization are created by introducing large crosslinking points in the order of sevreal ten nanometers. The relationships of macro/micro deformation modes are revealed, and the molecular designs of elastomer with high toughness are proposed.

Kazuhiro Okamoto

Versatile Molecular Transformation through the Design of Donor-Acceptor Ynamines

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D4

Researcher

Kazuhiro Okamoto

Outline

The one-electron oxidation of ynamines produces unique radical cation intermediates with ambivalent electrophilic and nucleophilic properties. In this project, I aim to synthesize various value-added chemicals by fine-tuning the reactivity and stability of these intermediates using ‘donor-acceptor type ynamines’ as trans-scale materials.

Kosuke Kikuchi

Engineering Solid-Solid Transition-based Transformable Protein Crystal Materials

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D5

Researcher

Kosuke Kikuchi

Outline

In this work, I will design protein crystals capable of dynamic transformation under external stimuli. Using in-cell crystallization to rapidly generate mutants and precise molecular design to tune interfacial protein-protein interactions, I will develop crystals that transform reversibly through solid–solid transitions. This strategy will establish a molecular-to-macroscopic framework for understanding and controlling protein-based transformation materials.

Taichi Koike

Designing Molecular Functions Based on Low-Coordinate Main-Group Click Chemistry

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D6

Researcher

Taichi Koike

Outline

Designing molecules and reactions to control advanced network architectures constitutes a vital strategy for the creation of functional materials. In this work, we aim to establish a new framework of main-group element-containing materials via the post-functionalization of organic π-conjugated systems using newly developed low-coordinate main-group element-based click reagents. The incorporation of these main-group element moieties as reactive sites enables highly versatile structural elaboration and the development of unique molecular functions in both two- and three-dimensional architectures.

Ai Kohata

A giant molecular machine that can deform vesicles on the surface of lipid membranes

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D7

Researcher

Ai Kohata

Outline

Artificial amphiphilic molecules that can self-assemble onto the surface of vesicles composed of lipid bilayer membranes will be designed to construct giant molecular machines on vesicles. Due to the structural change of its components, the giant molecular machine can exert mechanical force in response to external stimuli. The present research aims to utilize this force to control vesicle deformations such as budding and division, with the goal of creating artificial cells.

Shunsuke Kobayashi

Unified perspective on crystalline defects through mechanical equivalence

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D8

Researcher

Shunsuke Kobayashi

Outline

The mechanical properties of crystalline materials are strongly governed by the presence of lattice defects. Accordingly, understanding mechanical properties of defects, and ultimately controlling their behavior is directly linked to the design of new materials. However, lattice defects exhibit diverse topologies and geometries, and their properties vary significantly depending on the type. To address this challenge, this project focuses on the equivalence of the macroscopic elastic fields of defects and develop a framework that maps each defects onto representative disclination models. Through this approach, this project aims to provide a unified understanding of mechanics of diverse defects from the perspective of the theory of disclination.

Masaya Sakakibara

Expanding the Scale of Nano-specific Phases through Kinetic Crystal Formation

Grant No.：JPMJAX25D9

Researcher

Masaya Sakakibara

Outline

Exploring crystal structures in non-equilibrium states and understanding their properties is essential for creating innovative materials. This research develops a methodlogy to obtain meso/macro crystals with metastable structures by locally creating out-of-equilibrium environments through electron beam or light irradiation. By analyzing the physical and chemical properties of the obtained metastable crystal structures at the nano- to micro-scale using transmission electron microscopy, I aim to gain insights contributing to understanding the structure-property correlations in non-equilibrium solid materials.

Naonari Sakamoto

Principle-driven CO₂ electrolysis catalyst development via multi-operando analysis

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DA

Researcher

Naonari Sakamoto

Outline

In this project, I will establish millisecond-order time-resolved multi-operando spectroscopy combining infrared spectroscopy/Raman scattering, far-infrared/ultra-low-frequency Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. This approach enables the quantitative determination of activation energy, paving the way for the creation of highly active CO2 electrolysis catalysts driven by fundamental principles. By combining the catalytic principle where surface-layer metal atoms act as active sites with the property that the enhancement effect of localized surface plasmon resonance is strongest near the surface layer, I will establish an innovative analytical platform applicable to catalysts of any type or scale.

Umi Shin

Autonomous Experimentation and Machine Learning–Driven Development of CO₂ Reduction Catalysts

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DB

Researcher

Umi Shin

Outline

Catalytic reactions are regulated by the interactions between reactant molecules and active sites on catalysts. The nanostructure of a catalyst, which strongly influences its performance, is determined and controlled by its elemental composition and synthetic protocols applied during preparation. In this study, autonomous experimentation systems, which enable quantification of hidden process parameters during catalyst synthesis, are combined with machine learning to elucidate how macroscopic synthesis protocols influence catalytic behavior at the nanoscale.The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated through the development of catalysts for CO₂ reduction.

Kota Sugisaka

Development of ultra-high fatigue resistant metallic metamaterials utilizing size effects

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DC

Researcher

Kota Sugisaka

Outline

As the size of metals is reduced to the nanoscale, their mechanical strength increases markedly due to dislocation starvation. This project focuses on fatigue strength, which is critical for practical applications, and aims to design and demonstrate metamaterials that employ nanoscale architecture to achieve exceptionally high fatigue strength across scales. This approach seeks to establish an innovative material design principle that utilize “size effect,” originally confined to specific material dimensions, in a trans-scale manner.

Rin Seki

Development of Novel Catalysts Based on a Trans-Scale Perspective Bridging Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DD

Researcher

Rin Seki

Outline

Based on a trans-scale perspective of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, this project aims to develop new catalysts and explore novel molecular transformations enabled by them. Specifically, this research will design atomically controlled solid catalysts and molecular complexes that mimic the surfaces of solid catalysts. This project seeks to create catalysts that integrate the advantages of both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, reveal fundamentally new characteristics, and ultimately redefine the classification of catalysis.

Shunsuke Tanaka

Spontaneous orientational polarization in organic thin films from the perspective of interfacial molecules

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DE

Researcher

Shunsuke Tanaka

Outline

Organic molecules with permanent dipole moments can form spontaneously oriented polar thin films with ordered stacking. Such films, owing to their giant surface potential, hold great promise for the development of innovative organic devices. However, the mechanism underlying the emergence of orientational polarization remains under active debate. In this study, I employ vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy to precisely determine the molecular orientation and elucidate the correlation between molecular orientation and surface potential. Furthermore, I aim to control the polarity (direction and magnitude) of the orientational polarization by aligning interfacial molecules.

Yuki Nagai

Development of photochemical cold storage materials based on photo-control of entropy

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DF

Researcher

Yuki Nagai

Outline

Cooling and refrigeration technologies are essential in our daily lives, but their electricity consumption poses a serious issue. Toward the realization of a sustainable society, cooling technologies based on renewable light energy are expected to play an important role. In this study, I aim to develop photochemical cold storage materials that exhibit endothermic behavior during relaxation to the most stable state over time, by producing low-enthalpy and low-entropy metastable states through photo-control of molecular structures and states of matter.

Tomoaki Nambu

Fingertip-Sized DUV and VUV Laser Sources Enabled by Crystal–Amorphous Hybrid Structures

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DG

Researcher

Tomoaki Nambu

Outline

Compact and highly efficient laser sources operating in the deep-ultraviolet (DUV) and vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) regions have not yet been realized, despite strong demands from academic, industrial, and medical fields. In this study, we propose a novel second-harmonic generation (SHG) device aimed at achieving such light sources. By uniquely arranging nonlinear crystal blocks and linear amorphous blocks, we challenge the realization of compact and highly efficient DUV–VUV SHG devices that have remained unexplored until now.

Kiyoshi Nikaido

Control of polar crystal phases in organic semiconductors and realization of organic piezotronics

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DH

Researcher

Kiyoshi Nikaido

Outline

The purpose of this project is to establish a method for controlling polar crystal phases in organic semiconductors, which remains challenging even with state-of-the-art technology. Building on the piezoelectricity arising from the polar crystal structure, this project will explore piezotronics in organic semiconductors, referring to the large strain-induced resistivity changes enhanced by the piezoelectric effect for the development of high-performance strain gauges.

Juntaro Nogami

Development of topological nanocarbons via intramolecular bridging strategy

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DI

Researcher

Juntaro Nogami

Outline

Three-dimensional nanocarbons exhibit unique electronic properties, aromaticity, and dynamic motion derived from their complex topologies, requiring deeper insight for material applications. This work proposes a novel intramolecular bridging strategy to achieve precise stereocontrol within the three-dimentional sp2 carbon framework. By combining this approach with asymmetric catalysis, I aim for enantioselective synthesis of topological nanocarbons. I further explore switchable optical properties and chiral molecular assemblies based on their structural features, ultimately challenging the development of innovative trans-scale functionalities.

Tomoki Misaka

Measurement of Charge Dynamics in Photo-responsive Molecular Reservoir Devices

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DJ

Researcher

Tomoki Misaka

Outline

This study aims to elucidate the relationship between charge dynamics in molecular film and reservoir device functionality of photo-responsive molecular network reservoir devices using donar-acceptor molecules with measuring them with a uniquely developed time-resolved electrostatic force microscope. This study seeks to understand the relationship between thin-film nanoscale properties and device macroscopic electrical characteristics from a trans-scale perspective.

Takumi Morino

Development of a method for predicting microstructural evolution of practical materials

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DK

Researcher

Takumi Morino

Outline

This research develops and extends a Direct CALPHAD Coupling (DCC) model that directly integrates the CALPHAD method with the phase-field method to bridge mesoscale microstructure formation and macroscale thermodynamic properties. The goal is to establish a computational framework for accurately predicting microstructural evolution in practical multicomponent materials. By moving beyond empirical heuristics, the DCC model enables rational, physics-based materials design and accelerates the creation of innovative materials.

Tomoki Yasui

Controlled Micelle Formation and Functional Development Using a Highly Elongated Polyelectrolyte Network

Grant No.：JPMJAX25DL

Researcher

Tomoki Yasui

Outline

Interest in materials that can regulate the uptake and release of substances is increasing. One example is a drug delivery material that solubilizes poorly soluble substances and releases drugs in a controlled manner. In this project, I will develop a technology to induce micelle formation through gel deformation using a highly elongated polyelectrolyte network of double network gels. This technology could be used to develop smart materials that incorporate hydrophobic substances, such as drugs, into gels through deformation.