Norio Shibata

Development of upcycling process of fluorinated materials for circularity

Research Director

Norio Shibata

Collaborator

Hideki Amii	Professor Division of Molecular Science Gunma University
Hisao Hori	Professor Faculty of Science Kanagawa University
Yasunari Maekawa	Director General Foundational Quantum Technology Research Directorate National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology

Outline

Development of novel methodology to cleavage C-F bonds (including CF-H and CF-CF bonds) of fluorinated materials for circularity in fluoro-chemical industries are developed. Fluoropolymers are the final target of upcycling via monomers and fluorspars based on this bond activation technology. The technology is also extended to upcycling environmentally harmful fluorocarbon products such as HFC, PFOA, and PFOS to useful fluorinated building blocks in the pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and specialty material industries. Transformation of complex fluoro-pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and liquid crystals to novel materials are also performed. The method will realize the attractive upcycling process for the future generation.

Daisuke Suzuki

Sustainable polymeric particle-based materials with mechanical stability and selective degradability

Research Director

Daisuke Suzuki

Collaborator

Takayuki Uchihashi	Professor Graduate School of Science Nagoya University
Takuma Kureha	Assistant Professor Graduate School of Science and Technology Hirosaki University
Kazuko Nakazono	Associate Professor School of Materials and Chemical Technology Tokyo Institute of Technology
Kazushi Fujimoto	Associate Professor Department of Chemistry and Materials Engineering Kansai University

Outline

In this project, we will develop mechanically stable, polymeric particle-based materials that can degrade them into individual particles. To achieve it, we will deepen our understanding on the stabilization and degradation of particle-based materials by the use of the state of the art measurement technology, including high-speed atomic force microscopy, and computational chemistry. Our final goal is to establish sustainable materials science and technology related to polymeric particles.

Kentaro Taki

Separating multi-material interfaces using polymer foams processed via double stimuli-induced bubble nucleation

Research Director

Kentaro Taki

Collaborator

Hiroshi Ito	Professor Graduate School of Organic Materials Science Yamagata University
Haruyuki Okamura	Associate Professor Graduate School of Engineering Osaka Metropolitan University
Hajime Kimizuka	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Nagoya University

Outline

In this project, a team of research groups specializing in computational materials science, polymer synthesis and processing, and chemical engineering will develop a pioneering method to separate multi-material interfaces by polymer foams processed via double stimuli-induced bubble nucleation. The technique is a new engineering solution for the multi-material recycling industry. We will develop a double stimuli-induced polymer foam and demonstrate that bubble nucleation in the polymer can delaminate multi-material interfaces. In addition, we will perform multi-scale simulations to understand interface delamination using the method.

Shigeru Deguchi

Baropolyesters: Precision degradation control by pressure

Research Director

Shigeru Deguchi

Collaborator

Tsuyoshi Koga	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Kyoto University
Ikuo Taniguchi	Professor Faculty of Fiber Science and Enginnering Kyoto Institute of Technology

Outline

To realize chemical recycling in which a polymer is depolymerized into a monomer and then re-polymerized to the polymer, a new mechanism that reconciles the ultimate conflicting functions of “stability” and “degradability” is required. In this research, we will establish the scientific principle on degradation control using pressure-induced nano-structural changes of polymers through collaborative research of experiments, analysis , and theory. We will use the achievements to develop sustainable polymer materials whose stability and degradability can be freely controlled by pressure.

Kotohiro Nomura

Development of Bio-Based Advanced Polymers and their Depolymerization, Chemical Recycle

Research Director

Kotohiro Nomura

Collaborator

Hiroshi Hirano	Director Research Division of Materials Science and Engineering Osaka Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology
Masafumi Hirano	Professor Graduate School of Engineering Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

Outline

The project concerns the development of bio-based advanced polymers derived from natural abundant non-edible plant resources, and of the efficient catalysts for selective bond cleavage, functionalization of polymer chains for depolymerization or conversion to fine chemicals (chemical recycling). The core technology is our original precise polymerization (olefin metathesis through efficient carbon-carbon bond formation) and the quantitative end functionalization techniques that provide unique materials by integration of functionality. The project also aims synthesis of the network polymers by cross-linking, or reversible bond formation and cleavage (controlled by stimuli etc.) by the end-functionalized polymers. The efforts should provide a new bio-based materials that should contribute to establish green sustainable society, circular economy (design, production, consumption, and recycling).

Masaya Yamamoto

Integrated understanding of degraded nanomaterials coexisting in environmental and biological cycles

Research Director

Masaya Yamamoto

Collaborator

Tsuyoshi Kimura	Professor Faculty of life science Graduate school of life science Toyo University
Tadao Tanabe	Professor Department of Engineering and Design Shibaura Institute of Technology

Outline

In this study, a team of experts in medical polymers, tissue engineering, and laser engineering will advance an integrated understanding of decomposed and degraded nanomaterials. To do so, we will first use model nanomaterials that have been decomposed and degraded in the laboratory to understand the material properties of nanoplastics that may result from the decomposition and degradation of plastics in the environment or from the degradation of bioabsorbable medical materials in the body. Based on this, we will use cultured cells to study the biological effects of nanoplastics in relation to their material properties.