Research

Chemistry for creation of functional molecular assemblies and soft materials:

Molecular assemblies such as liquid crystals and polymers exhibit a variety of functions which cannot be achieved by single molecules. Our research is aimed at the development of new environmental and energy functional molecular assemblies for sustainable societies based on precise organization.

Liquid Crystals: Molecular Design, Structural Control, and Functionalization

“Liquid crystals” are dynamic molecular assemblies. New dynamically functional materials that exhibit ionic, electronic, photonic, mechanical, biotic, and water purification functions are developed by introducing functional moieties into liquid-crystalline molecules and by controlling self-organized nanostructures.

Creation of Bio-Inspired Fusion Materials

New environmentally friendly functional materials with organic/inorganic hybrid structures are obtained through self-organization processes inspired by biomineralization in living systems.

Functional Polymers and Supramolecules for Environmental and Energy Materials

New “functional soft materials”: Intermolecular interactions and phase-segregated structures are utilized for the development of functional polymers, supramolecular materials, liquid-crystalline gels, and stimuli-responsive materials. The methodology to obtain new environmental and energy materials is studied.

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