Yoshimitsu Itoh

Materials Synthesis under Electrically Perturbated Non-Equilibrium Reaction Field

Researcher

Yoshimitsu Itoh

Outline

At an electrode interface, a solution forms a particular potential-dependent space that is different from that in bulk. In this project, we will utilize such a non-equilibrium space as a reaction field to develop a new methodology for synthesizing nanostructured materials, which cannot be obtained by conventional electrochemical methods. Through structural analysis of the obtained materials, we aim to clarify the nature of the non-equilibrium space at the electrode interface and develop novel organic and inorganic materials with innovative functions.

Hiroshi Oike

Development of quantum functional materials by utilizing metastable electronic states

Researcher

Hiroshi Oike

Outline

The existence of metastable states in nature, such as glass and diamond, has been known for a long time, but it has only recently become clear that electrons in materials can also form metastable states. In this project, I search for unknown metastable states formed by electrons in rapidly cooled materials, and control electronic states such as metal-insulator, magnetic, and superconducting-normal states by utilizing the “memory function” of metastable states. By elucidating the physics behind the metastable states of electrons with quantum mechanical degrees of freedom, I aim to develop quantum functional materials such as thermoelectric materials and superconducting materials, which will lead to information technology based on new principles.

Tsukasa Katayama

Oxyfluoride thin films for dielectric and optical applications

Researcher

Tsukasa Katayama

Outline

Oxyfluorides are expected to show high performance in the field of dielectric and optical materials due to their high electrical insulation and wide optical bandgap. However, the application of oxyfluorides has been limited due to the difficulty in synthesis. In this project, I will promote the creation of new ferroelectric and dielectric oxyfluoride materials and magneto-optical oxyfluoride materials by using advantages of the high insulation and wide optical bandgap of oxyfluorides.

Junghwan Kim

Exploration of New Functional Materials utilizing Characteristic of Iodine Anion

Researcher

Junghwan Kim

Outline

This project aims to explore new function materials based on the nature of super large-sized anion such as Iodine. In particular, this project targets the compatibility of two different functions; for examples, good charge transportability and high photoluminescent properties in EL devices, easy control of carrier concentration and high mobility in semiconductor devices. For this purpose, a variety of strategies, such as mixed anion compounds, metastable phase or mixed phase thin films by low-temperature solution process, will be applied.

Yusuke Tsutsui

Development of an evaluation technique for electron phonon coupling by THz triple pulse spectroscopy

Researcher

Yusuke Tsutsui

Outline

Most observables in condensed matter system fluctuate due to the microscopic disorder of atoms and molecules, especially in the mesoscopic system. In this research, an advanced spectroscopic technique will be developed to manipulate each degree of freedom to realize complete control of the molecular system. THz-based fast spectroscopy will be integrated in the measurement system, allowing us to investigate the coupling between multiple degree of freedom. This cutting-edge spectroscopic technique is expected to accelerate the development of unique materials with unprecedented features.

Motoaki Hirayama

Material Design for Non-Atomic Orbitals in Electronic Materials

Researcher

Motoaki Hirayama

Outline

In this research, we design materials that focus on non-atomic orbital states, which are generated by quantum interference effects of electrons. and we also establish the academic basis for such materials. As target systems, we investigate electrides, covalent systems between different elements, interference patterns, etc., to design electronic materials with non-atomic orbitals and to explore unexplored electronic states emerged from them. We use large-scale and highly accurate first-principles calculations to propose theories with quantitative properties.

Norihito Fukui

Creation of Future Materials with Defining Inner Skeletons of π-Conjugated Molecules as an Unexplored Exploration Space

Researcher

Norihito Fukui

Outline

Organic molecules are multielement composites. In this project, I aim to open up of unexplored exploration space in the molecular design of organic molecules by pursuing my original concept of “inner modification”. I focus on πconjugated molecules and define their inner skeletons as an unexplored exploration space. Two main goals are 1) the development of new synthetic strategies to modify the inner skeletons and 2) the expansion of structural diversity in target molecules. Achievement of these two goals will offer a new design guideline differing from the conventional “peripheral modification”, which will finally lead to the creation of future materials.

Akira Miura

New metastable materials designed via transport difference

Researcher

Akira Miura

Outline

In this research, I focus on metastable materials forming during the non-equilibrium conditions before reaching the thermodynamical equilibrium condition. The transport of the components in raw powder materials on microscopic and macroscopic scales will be examined by in-situ XRD and in-situ electron microscopy. This research will reveal the fundamental knowledge of how metastable materials form and guide the synthesis of new metastable materials.

Takato Mitsudome

Creation of Innovative Iron Nano-catalysts by Alloying and Hybridizing

Researcher

Takato Mitsudome

Outline

Based on a catalytic design in which phosphorus and nitrogen are regarded as stabilizing ligands for iron nanoparticles, I aim to control and synthesize stable low-valent iron nanoparticles at the atomic level by alloying the ligand elements with iron. In addition, I will develop innovative iron nanoalloy catalysts that are stable and highly active in air by hybridizing the obtained iron nanoalloys with functional materials. I will evaluate the effectiveness of the developed iron catalysts in a variety of reactions, and greatly expand the versatility of iron catalysts.

Daigo Miyajima

Exploration of Future Materials Based on One-dimensional Assemblies of π-conjugated Molecules

Researcher

Daigo Miyajima

Outline

The physical properties of molecular materials depend not only on the constituting molecules but also on their assembling manners. However, it is still difficult to control and predict three-dimensional molecular assemblies. In this study, we develop a three-dimensional molecular assembling technique based on the one-dimensional assemblies of π-conjugated molecules. With the developed molecular assembling technique, we challenge to develop unprecedented molecular assemblies and explore innovative functional materials.