Strategic Objects

To realize breakthroughs in phase-interface phenomena that will result in dramatic advancements in high-efficiency energy usage and to create basic technologies for high-functionality interface.

Research Supervisor

Outline

The primary goal of this research area is to greatly advance fundamental science and technology, which include exploration of phase-interfacial energy conversion/transport phenomena and creation of high-performance phase interfaces, in order to achieve ever more efficient energy utilization and thus to realize an enriched sustainable society.
Specifically, we take up the challenge of creating phase interfaces with significantly reduced energy losses and/or those for highly efficient energy use by deepening fundamental theory and control/optimization methodology of phase interface phenomena. To accomplish these goals, it is indispensable to establish analytical and design techniques integrating nano-, meso- and macro-scales, as well as theoretical methods for the control and optimization of phase interface structures.
Furthermore, it is important that the results of such cutting edge fundamental research should be transferred and effectively applied to the design of real equipment and systems, leading to dramatically improved performance, reduced carbon emissions and lower costs. The ultimate goal of this research area, therefore, is to elucidate energy conversion and transport mechanisms at phase interfaces in order to enable highly efficient energy use; to develop measurement, modeling and simulation methods for integrative analysis and design of phase interface phenomena at multiple scales; to establish mathematical methods for the control and optimization of phase interface structures; and to realize highly functional phase interfaces that allow for theoretically possible maximal performance in actual devices and equipment. To meet these goals, we encourage integrated challenges that go beyond the bounds of existing scientific disciplines and combine the knowledge gained in different fields.

Assistant Supervisor

Year Started : 2013

Takuto Araki
Associate Professor, Yokohama National University
Study about coupled phenomena of heat and mass transfer with electrochemical reactions and its application for optimal phase boundary designing

Gen Inoue
Associate Professor, Kyushu University
High Efficiency Phase Interface for Electron and Mass Transfer by Structure Design of Carbon and Binder

Tomoya Ono
Associate Professor, Tukuba University
Computational design of interface structures for high-performance and low-energy-loss electronic devices

Jun Kano
Associate Professor, Okayama University
Designed catalysis assisted by metal-ferroelectric interfaces

Tetsyro Shirasawa
Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Development of a multi-wavelength dispersive surface X-ray diffractometory and its application to time-resolved observation of phase interfaces

Yuichiro Nagatsu
Associate Proferror, Tokyo University of Aguriculture and Technology
Creation of oil-water reactive rheological interface for dramatic enhanced oil recovery

Keisuke Nagato
Associate Professor, Tokyo University
Design and fabrication of meso-scaled electrode microstructures for optimal transfer of matters and reaction at boundaries.

Hosei Nagano
Professor, Nagoya University
Innovation in heat transport technology based on thermal-hydraulics analysis of tri-phase interface in micro porous structure

Tomoko Hirayama
Professor, Doshisha University
Understanding of Mechanism for Ultra-Low Sliding Friction and Development of Novel Phase Interfaces

Masaki Matsui
Associate Professor, Kobe University
Study of electrode/electrolyte interphase for rechargeable magnesium batteries

Year Started : 2012

Ken-ichi Uchida
Group Leader, National Institute for Materials Science
Creation of Innovative Energy Device Technology Based on Spin Currents.

Takashi Okubo
Associate Professor, Kinki University
Development of Hybrid-Interfaces Based on Ferroelectric Coordination Polymers, and its Application to Photovoltaic Devices.

Kobayashi Atsushi
Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Development of a self-assembled super-nanocrystal photocatalyst.

Sang Liwen
Independent Scientist, National Institute for Materials Science
Multi-band engineering of III-Nitride for high efficiency photoelectricity energy conversion devices.

Sakae Takenaka
Professor, Doshisha Univeristy
Development of highly active and durable electrocatalysts by coverage with metal oxide layers.

Shohji Tsushima
Professor, Osaka University
High Efficient Flow Battery with Intensive Utilization of Electrode-Electrolyte Interface.

Tsuyoshi Totani
Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Wavelength Control of Radiation using Micro Structure with Metal Film.

Katsuhiro Tomioka
Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Development of novel hydrogen-generating devices and low-power switch using new semiconductor heterointerfaces.

Masanobu Nakayama
Professor, Nagoya Institute of Technology
Lithium dynamics at two phase boundary in electrode materials for lithium ion battery.

Satoshi Nihonyanagi
Research Scientist, RIKEN
Development of an extreme nonlinear spectromicroscope for buried material interfaces.

Takuya Masuda
Senior Researcher, National Institute for Materials Science
Investigation of the oxygen reduction reaction mechanism by in situ solid/liquid interface XPS .

Year Started : 2011

Katsuyoshi Ikeda
Professor, Nagoya Institute of Technology
Dressed photon-assisted photochemistry at well-defined interfaces.

Kohei Ito
Professor, Kyushu Univeristy
Experimental exploration of critical mass transport at triple phase boundary in high-pressure water electrolysis.

Koji Kita
Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo
Interface Engineering for High Performance SiC MOSFETs with Low On-state Resistance.

Junichiro Shiomi
Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo
Development of environmentally friendly thermoelectric semiconductor using nanostructure interfaces.

Naoya Shibata
Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo
Development of atomic-resolution electromagnetic field imaging electron microscopy for interface analysis.

Koji Sekiguchi
Assistant Professor, Keio University
Development of Ultra-low Power Consumption Magnon-device.

Yoshitaka Tateyama
Group Leader, National Institute for Materials Science
First-principles statistical mechanics on charge transfer and excitation processes at interfaces of solar cells and photocatalysts in operation.

Kohei Miyazaki
Assistant Professor, Kyoto University
Triple-Phase Boundaries of Bifunctional Cathodes for Metal-Air Secondary Batteries.

Keiji Yashiro
Associate Professor, Tohoku University
Innovative design of electrochemical functional interface for efficient energy conversion systems.

Satoshi Yasuda
Associate Professor, Hokkaido University
Programmable Synthesis of Highly Catalytic Active Site using Molecular Self-assemby.

Takuma Yasuda
Professor, Kyushu Univeristy
Development of Organic Electronic Devices Utilizing Mesoscopic Superstructures of Liquid-Crystalline Semiconductors.