Koji Takahashi

Innovation of phase change heat transfer by utilizing two-dimensional materials

Research Director

Koji Takahashi

Collaborator

Hiroki Ago	Distinguished Professor Faculty of Engineering Sciences Kyushu University
Yasutaka Yamaguchi	Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University

Outline

This research utilizes the flatness and structural versatility of two-dimensional materials to enhance the liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer, especially for the thermal management of mobile electronic devices. By integrating in-situ TEM observation, Raman spectroscopy, molecular dynamics simulations and material synthesis, we aim to understand and control thermofluid phenomena at the nanoscale. Our final goal is to innovate heat transfer systems with efficient supply and robust evaporation of the refrigerant from the nanoscale.

Tsunehiro Takeuchi

Investigation into unusual behaviors in electron and lattice thermal conductivity

Research Director

Tsunehiro Takeuchi

Collaborator

Yoshinori Okada	Assistant Professor Quantum Materials Science Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
Kazunori Sato	Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University
Fuyuki Shimojo	Professor Graduate School of Science and Technology Kumamoto University
Yong Chen	Principal Investigator Advanced Institute for Materials Research Tohoku University

Outline

In this project, we investigate the origin and mechanism leading to unusual behaviors of electron and lattice thermal conductivity by full use of precise electron and heat transport measurements, detailed structure analyses, direct observations of electronic structure and phonon dispersions, first principles calculations, the latest molecular dynamics, and simulations of electron and heat transport properties. Widely usable guiding principles for the development of high-performance heat management devices, such as thermal diodes, heat switching devices, thermoelectric generators, and Peltier coolers, will be constructed using the knowledge of unusual thermal conductivity accumulated by the fundamental, highly sophisticated investigations. Prototypes of high-performance heat management devices will be also developed to demonstrate the reliability of the constructed guiding principle.

Masakazu Nakamura

Molecular Junction Approach for Wide-Range Control of Thermal Conductivity in Nano-Carbon-Based Materials

Research Director

Masakazu Nakamura

Outline

In nano-carbon (carbon nanotube, graphene, etc.) composite materials, a junction between nano-carbon units is a key factor determining the thermal transport. By understanding and controlling the nano-scale thermal transport at organic or organic/inorganic-hybrid molecular junctions formed between nano-carbon units, we aim at controlling the thermal conductivity of electrically conducting materials over an extremely wide range from those of thermal insulators to diamonds.

Takanori Fukushima

Thermal management using molecular dynamics

Research Director

Takanori Fukushima

Collaborator

Hisao Nakamura	Team Leader Research Center for Computational Design of Advanced Functional Materials National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Tomoaki Nishino	Associate professor Department of Chemistry Graduate School of Science and Engineering Tokyo Institute of Technology

Outline

This research aims to create a new science that correlates “thermal properties of organic materials” with “molecular dynamics”, thereby establishing the design principle of organic materials for thermal management. By combining the scientific knowledge that will be obtained through the works and molecular technology that enables precise control of the structure and orientation of organic molecules or polymers, this research group intends to develop innovative thermal-management systems and devices including flexible thermal diodes and switches based on organic materials.

Yuhei Miyauchi

Thermo-excitonics based on nanomaterials science

Research Director

Yuhei Miyauchi

Collaborator

Satoru Konabe	Professor Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry Hosei University
Takeshi Tanaka	Group Leader Nanomaterials Research Institute National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)
Takahiro Yamamoto	Professor Faculty of Science Division I Tokyo University of Science

Outline

We will study fundamental physics of the thermal exciton generation phenomenon that has recently been observed and verified in carbon nanotubes for the first time, and clarify its potential for future applications. Particularly, we will try to create a new thermal photonic technology that enables high performance solar photovoltaic conversion with efficiency beyond the standard theoretical limit, based on the thermal exciton effects and nanoscience-based thermal control technology.