Ichiro Yamanaka (Professor, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology)

　In this research area, we aim at the research and development of material conversion and the creation of basic science related to this material conversion, where objective high-value materials can be obtained with high selectivity from stable molecules consisting of elements involved in material circulation. These materials are indispensable for harmonization of the human society with the global environment, reducing energy consumption and waste emission as much as possible.
　Specifically, we conduct the basic research and development related to material conversion targeting elements and compounds (mainly carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, silicon, etc. and their compounds) whose material circulation is important among those that are abundant on the surface of the earth and make up living organisms such as humans and food, or those that are utilized in human society. This means the creation of basic technology that is expected to significantly improve the energy utilization efficiency and selectivity for target products compared with current elemental material conversion technologies related to resource recycling. We aim to promote the following examples and create basic material conversion science that can be developed for social implementation through (1) research/development of catalyst materials with innovative catalytic action enabling reactions previously thought to be impossible, and electrode materials; (2) research/development of solid electrolyte materials with high-speed, selective ionic conductivity; (3) research/development of reaction processes using advanced energy control or electron transfer control with electricity or light; (4) research/development of cutting-edge analysis methods such as operando measurement and on-demand measurement for an analytical and theoretical understanding of reaction mechanisms; (5) research/development of theoretical calculations such as first-principles calculations, thermo-fluid engineering simulations, and machine learning.
　Furthermore, with targeting at the ideas, themes, and results of these studies, we demonstrate the material conversion indicators that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society from the perspectives of green chemistry, economics, social sciences.