Yasuhiro Ishida

Mechanically Polar Gel for Rectifying Materials, Energies, and Creatures Against the Increase of Entropy

Research Director

Yasuhiro Ishida

Collaborator

Dai Okumura	Professor Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering Nagoya University
Satoru Kidoaki	Professor Institute for Materials Chemistry and Engineering Kyushu University
Nobuyuki Sakai	Senior Researcher Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics National Institute for Materials Science
Asuka Takeishi	RIKEN Hakubi Team Leader RIKEN Center for Brain Science RIKEN

Outline

Many materials are known to respond polar to physical stimuli such as electric fields, magnetic fields, and light. Meanwhile, materials that respond polar to force have never been imagined. We recently discovered the first mechanically polar gel material, which exhibits different elastic moduli in response to left-sided and right-sided shears. In this project, we aim to establish the scientific principle of the mechanically polar gel in theoretical and experimental approaches. We also aim to demonstrate various unique functions of this gel, making use of its intrinsic ability to rectify the flow of objects and energies against the increase of entropy.

Mitsuhiko Shionoya

New Material Science Pioneered by Precise Design and Arrangement of Multi-Element Metal Ion Clusters

Research Director

Mitsuhiko Shionoya

Collaborator

Masahiro Ehara	Professor Research Center for Computational Science National Institutes of Natural Sciences
Takeaki Ozawa	Professor Graduate School of Science The University of Tokyo

Outline

This research targets multi-element metal-ion clusters consisting of metal ions and core/shell ligands, as well as multidimensional self-assemblies of unit clusters. Through experiments, theory, and measurements, we aim to establish design concepts and synthesis techniques for precise arrangement methods of atoms and molecules, and to systematize new material groups. Furthermore, we will pioneer bonding, physical properties, and reaction theories describing structure-specific properties, and develop highly stable clusters for photo-bioanalysis and highly active clusters for catalytic chemistry, opening up a new dimension in materials science.

Takuji Hatakeyama

Precise synthesis and arrangement of BN-embedded nanocarbon molecules

Research Director

Takuji Hatakeyama

Collaborator

Chihaya Adachi

Professor Graduate School of Engineering Kyushu University

Outline

In this research, we synthesize “BN-embedded nanocarbon molecules” with a giant π-conjugated system in which carbon, boron, and nitrogen are precisely arranged, and control their orientation in devices to realize next-generation organic optoelectronics. Furthermore, by combining fine organic synthesis and chemical vapor deposition, we aim to synthesize “BN-embedded nanocarbons” with controlled atomic arrangement.

Yutaka Majima

Systematic functionalization of photo-aligned single-molecule crosslinked resonant tunnel transistors

Research Director

Yutaka Majima

Collaborator

Tomoya Ono	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Kobe University
Ryo Shintani	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Science Osaka University

Outline

We will conduct research on: 1) in-situ observation and organization control of single-molecule photo-aligned crosslinking process between electroless-Au plated nanogap electrodes; 2) innovative synthesis of novel π-conjugated molecules for organization and functionality of single-molecule transistors; 3) analysis of the assembling process and conduction properties of single-molecule crosslinking systems based on theoretical calculations and device design; 4) creation of single-molecule crosslinked resonant tunnel transistors that operate at room temperature; and establish fundamental science and technology for the systematic functionalization of single-molecule cross-linked resonant tunnel transistors.