Shunto Arai

Interface topology control for bonding technology of inorganic/organic materials toward high durability and easy separation

Researcher

Shunto Arai

Outline

In this study, we will develop a bonding technology of organic/inorganic composite materials based on the topological structure control at the interface. We utilize various self-sintering inorganic materials to produce network structures. The entangled network should improve the resistance of composites against both elongation and shear. We also develop the methodology for separating the two components into a recyclable state by utilizing the differences in their thermal and chemical properties.

Takuya Isono

Development of Recyclable Oligosaccharide-Based Materials through Polysaccharide Degradation and Reconstruction

Researcher

Takuya Isono

Outline

Polysaccharide derivatives are promising as sustainable polymer materials due to their easy accessibility from renewable resources and expected biodegradability. However, they face significant issues with their physical properties and processability. This research project aims to address these limitations by breaking down polysaccharides into oligosaccharides (degradation), while preserving their inherent structure and functionality, and then incorporating them into polymer material design in an appropriate manner (reconstruction), leading to truly sustainable polymer materials.

Takumitsu Kida

Elucidation of heterogeneous degradation behavior of plastics using multi-scale imaging technique

Researcher

Takumitsu Kida

Outline

We develop a new evaluation technique that enables visualization of the complex and heterogeneous degradation behavior for elucidating the degradation mechanism of plastics. By combining the deuterium labeling method with the microscopic imaging technique, we can directly observe the degradation behavior of specific molecular chains at specific positions in the supermolecular structure. Moreover, the developed multi-scale imaging technique will be used for investigating the heterogeneous degradation of fiber-reinforced plastics.

Yu-I Hsu

Degradation control of salt-responsive biopolymer composites

Researcher

Yu-I Hsu

Outline

The stimulus-responsive composite materials are developed, which show disintegration in freshwater but rapidly decompose and dissociate in salt water. Reversible hemiacetal/acetal bonds are introduced to polysaccharides or hydrophilic polymer chains to achieve chemical crosslinking for seawater-responsive composite materials. Also, the strong physical multi-point interactions are introduced to improve mechanical properties and achieve water-resistant as well as general-purpose plastic. By dissociating reversible chemical bonds and physical interactions through salt response, polysaccharide based composite materials can be easily disassembled, and resources can be recycled through recomposition.

Akira Takahashi

Creation of Rigid/Soft Convertible Polymers with Both High Properties and Recyclability

Researcher

Akira Takahashi

Outline

In this work, I create the polymers that exhibit excellent physical properties based on a rigid chemical structure during use but become structurally flexible after use to afford excellent reprocessing, decomposition, and recycling abilities. The chemical recycling process will also be established to achieve quantitative recovery of the original materials properties with high efficiency. This study will offer a new design strategy of polymer materials to resolve the conventional tradeoff relationship between the physical properties and recyclability.

Tsuyoshi Nishikawa

Development of recyclable polymer materials based on reactivity design of main chain by boron pendants

Researcher

Tsuyoshi Nishikawa

Outline

Radical polymerization of vinylboronic acid derivatives is utilized for development of recyclable polymer materials based on the unique reactivity of main-chain-attaching boron. Although the carbon-carbon bond of the polymer main chain is highly robust under usual conditions, the chemical event at boron on the main chain can initiate the backbone cleavage. It would lead to the development of the technology for reversible cleavage and reconstruction of polymer main chain.

Mikihiro Hayashi

Creation of bond exchangeable thermoplastic elastomers for realization of water-triggered dismantlable adhesion

Researcher

Mikihiro Hayashi

Outline

This project develops a design of new types of ABA triblock copolymer-based thermoplastics elastomers with bond exchangeable subdomains composed of quaternized cross-links in the B blocks, which enables the enhancement of thermal/mechanical properties and sustainable function, simultaneously. This project also explores the tuning of bond exchange properties and the function of multi-trigger type dismantlable adhesion, where the presence of water in the humid environment plays an important role for these purposes.

Atsushi Hirano

Composite fibers consisting of spider silk and carbon nanotubes

Researcher

Atsushi Hirano

Outline

This research project aims to realize composite materials by combining spider silk and carbon nanotubes. The composite materials are expected to exhibit high strength during use and possess the ability to be degraded under gentle conditions after use. To achieve this goal, this research endeavors to establish secure bonds between spider silk proteins and carbon nanotubes while simultaneously working on developing a decomposition process that allows for gentle degradation.

Yuki Yamaguchi

Joining and decomposition of ceramics by transition of synthesis reaction.

Researcher

Yuki Yamaguchi

Outline

This study aims to develop the novel process which can join and delaminate the ceramic layers using the synthesis reaction for complex oxides near room temperature below 200 ºC. It is difficult to use resin as adhesive materials for high-temperature operation devices over 500 ºC. This process can join the menbraines by oxide based adhesive materials which can endure at high temperature. In addition, this oxide layer can be decomposed by chamical reaction in solution under 200 ºC. I aim to develop the inovative recyle process using the transition of synthesis reaction.

Yoshiaki Yoshida

Development of chemically recyclable and self-healable optical resins

Researcher

Yoshiaki Yoshida

Outline

Based on the concept of “chemically recyclable and self-healable functional materials” this research aims to develop polymers that exhibit not only excellent optical properties but also sustainable properties such as self-healing and chemical recyclability. This research also aims to synthesize and depolymerize these polymers under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions, thereby achieving an integrated process from manufacturing to recycling with low environmental impact and low energy consumption.