Faculty and Researchers

Chemistry and Materials Science

An introduction to faculty staff members and laboratories in the Chemistry and Materials Science.
Note: Information on the laboratories is current as of the 2024 academic year. There may be changes to this information in the 2025 academic year.

ASANO Kazunori

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Composite Materials Laboratory
Foundry Engineering, Composite Materials Engineering

We are actively involved in research on heat-resistant and wear-resistant composite materials in which metals are reinforced using ceramic particles or fibers. We are also doing R&D on environmentally benign melting and solidification technologies aimed at saving energy, conserving resources, and recycling.

IDA Tamio

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Micro-Energy Laboratory
Renewable Energy, Microcombustion Science, Scale Modeling Engineering, Coating/Drying Engineering

We do research and education in multiple domains, while, with a focus on areas such as biofuel, hyperthermia for treating brain cancer, and microcombustion science, fostering industry-government-academia tie-ups, collaborating with other faculties and departments, and doing joint research in other fields—in Japan and internationally.

IMAI Yoshitane

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Organic Structural Chemistry Laboratory
Circularly polarized luminescence, CPL, Magnetic circularly polarized luminescence, MCPL, Supramolecular chemistry, Chiral photochemistry, Circularly polarized electroluminescence, CPEL, Circularly polarized organic light emitting diode, CP-OLED

This laboratory is engaged in research based on structural organic chemistry (electronic structures, conjugate electron systems, unique molecular structures, molecular self-assemblies, etc.), and is focused on creating circularly polarized luminescent (CPL) materials through the ingenious use and design of molecular mechanisms, structures, and reactivity.

IWASAKI Mitsunobu

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry
Inorganic Materials Chemistry

We make full use of environmentally friendly methods to fabricate artificial bone that enables fracture patients to live their lives as comfortably as possible. We are also actively involved in creating markers that enable the detection of even single cancer cells and colorants that change hue depending on the viewing angle.

OKUBO Takashi

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Opto-Electronic Functional Chemistry Laboratory
Coordination Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic Opto-Electronic Devices

A variety of functional materials are used in electronic products such as televisions, computers, and cell phones, and recently, electronic products using organic materials such as organic EL televisions are becoming more familiar. In our laboratory, we are focusing on metal complexes, and are developing new metal complexes that can be applied to electronic devices, such as thin-film solar cells, field-effect transistors (FETs), and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). We are also developing new metal complexes in order to apply them to electronic devices. We are also conducting research to improve the efficiency of organic thin-film solar cells.

OTSUKA Teppei

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Advanced Energy Environment Application Laboratory
Materials science for energy, Science and technology for hydrogen isotopes, Transport phenomena of elements in materials, Irradiation effects on materials

The research interests are safety confinement, storage and handling of hydrogen isotopes and radioactive elements in materials. Experiments and simulation on transport phenomena of elements in materials and interactions of radiation and materials are conducted.

KAMIYAMA Tadashi

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Biophysical Chemistry, Solution Chemistry

Research on elucidating the so-called “blueprint” and “operating manual” of proteins by understanding the nature of proteins under a variety of conditions (temperature, pressure, solvents, additives, etc.).

KOMINAMI Hiroshi

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Surface Design Chemistry Laboratory
Physical Chemistry, Catalytic Chemistry

Catalysts are what control chemical reactions. This laboratory develops intelligent catalysts to enable more effective resource utilization and allow full use of natural energy sources and waste materials. In addition, we also conduct research on earth-friendly chemical reactions such as energy conversion and environmental cleanup.

SAGA Yoshitaka

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Biological Chemistry Laboratory
Photobiological Chemistry

We focus on the mechanisms of photobiological reactions, such as photosynthesis, at the molecular level. In addition, we develop photofunctional nanomaterials that will contribute to solve energy and environmental issues.

SUGIMOTO Kunihisa

Position
Professor

SUDO Atsushi

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Polymer Synthesis Laboratory
Polymer Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Aiming to develop materials that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, we are researching polymer synthesis using natural compounds as raw materials and polymer synthesis using reactions that proceed with visible light irradiation.

DOTERA Tomonari

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Soft Matter Physics Laboratory
Quasicrystal Physics, Soft Matter Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

This laboratory is the world leader in soft quasicrystal research. This laboratory made the world’s first discovery of a polymeric quasicrystal, implying that even soft matter has an ordered structure with no repetitive units. Theoretical research on the origin of the formation of soft quasicrystals appeared in Nature. Recently Dr. Dotera found the bronze-mean quasicrystal. Also, he aims to develop the science of gyroid.

NOGAMI Masanobu

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Nuclear Chemistry Laboratory
Separation Chemistry, Radiation Chemistry

We are working to develop new separation technologies and new functional materials using radiation in order to make effective use of radioactive substances not only in atomic energy applications, but also with the aim of expanding into other areas such as healthcare.

FUCHIHATA Manabu

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Thermal Engineering Laboratory
Combustion Engineering

We give thought to fuels and combustion technologies that minimize emissions of hazardous substances and carbon dioxide. We research small-scale, high-efficiency, and low-pollution technologies to burn various fuels that can be produced from plant-derived biomass.

MAEKAWA Masahiko

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Organometallic chemistry laboratory
Coordination Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry

We study about the syntheses, structures and functions of metal complexes and coordination polymers with gaseous small molecules (olefins, carbonyls, hydrides, etc.).

MATSUO Tsukasa

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Applied Elements Chemistry Laboratory
Main-Group Element Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, Coordination Chemistry

We develop materials that exhibit exceptional functionality by freely combining various elements in the periodic table. We anticipate that this will not only contribute to a better understanding of fundamental chemistry, but also lead to innovations in electronics and energy-efficient technologies.

MATSUDA Tokiyoshi

Position
Professor
Sensor, MEMS, Oxide semiconductor

YAMAGUCHI Yoshihiro

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Synthetic Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Chemistry of Functional Molecules

Broad-based research on the synthesis of organic compounds having a variety of functions, including their applications such as organic transistors and organic solar cells. In particular, synthesis of fluorescent organic materials with potential application as organic EL materials.

WAKABAYASHI Tomonari

Position
Professor
Laboratory
Molecular Physics and Quantum Chemistry
Physical Chemistry and Chemistry of Nanostructures

Laser ablated polyenes and fullerenes are studied by molecular spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. With experimental and theoretical knowledges on stability and structures of carbon molecules, microscopic views of high-temperature molecular processes are discussed.

ISHIFUNE Manabu

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Organic and Macromolecular Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory
Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Organic Electrochemistry

We synthesize organic macromolecules that offer various functions such as temperature-based changes in physical properties and applications to optical storage. We are working to develop environmentally friendly catalysts and functional electrodes by modifying the surface of platinum and carbon fibers with these molecules.

KAWASHITA Norihito

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Computational Life Science
Computational Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, Protein-protein interaction, Infections, Molecular Design, Drug Resistance, Molecular Evolution

We aim to elucidate various phenomena in the life sciences, including molecular evolution, drug susceptibility, and protein-protein interactions, using computational chemistry and bioinformatics that utilize computers and supercomputer.

KITAMATSU Mizuki

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Bio-Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Chemical Biology, Peptide Chemistry

This laboratory specializes in peptide chemistry and bio-organic chemistry. Our research efforts revolve around creating non-naturally occurring peptides and nucleic acids having new functions that are unavailable in natural peptides/proteins and nucleic acids.

KITOH Hirotaka

Position
Associate Professor

SUZUKI Hal

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Laboratory of condensed matter physical chemistry
Condensed Matter Physical Chemistry, Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics and dynamics of various molecular condensed materials are investigated by calorimetry and rheometry, in order to reveal their physical characters in the aggregate.

SEGUCHI Yasuhiro

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Materials Physics Laboratory
Solid State Chemistry, Thin-Film Physics

Materials shrunk to the nanometer scale may exhibit unexpected structures and properties. Our research focuses on controlling the morphology of nanomaterials produced by physical/chemical vapor deposition techniques, and elucidating their distinctive properties.

SOEJIMA Tetsuro

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Applied Inorganic Synthesis Laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry, Solid-State Chemistry, Nanomaterials, Photocatalyst

This laboratory is guided by the concepts of comfort in daily living and environmental cleanup. Our research is centered on the use of nanotechnologies to develop new synthesis methods for inorganic compounds as well as to derive new functionalities from a wide range of materials.

TANAKA Senku

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Organic Electronics Laboratory
Organic Electronics, Organic Solar Cells

Our goal is to produce an advanced electronic device using organic semiconductors. We focus on the development of organic solar cells and perovskite solar cells.

NAKAHODO Tsukasa

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Laboratory of Nano Functional Molecular Chemistry
Organic/Inorganic Composite Nano Chemistry

Our research focuses on the use of nanotechnology to create polymer nanotubes having nano-sized pore diameters and metal nanoclusters for which organic molecules serve as protective groups.

FUJISHIMA Musashi

Position
Associate Professor

We are studying the following themes by the first-principle calculation and the electromagnetic field simulation. ・ Design of novel electrode materials for various batteries ・ Electronic states of the molecule - electrode surface interaction system ・ Electronic states of inorganic luminescent materials ・ Local electromagnetic field analysis for plasmonic materials with various nanostructures

MATSUI Hideo

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Applied Organic Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory
Organic/Inorganic Composite Materials, Photocatalysts, Electrochemistry

This lab develops new photocatalysts to produce hydrogen, a clean energy source, from sunlight and water. We are taking up the challenge of developing photocatalysts with higher efficiencies with the goal of solving the problems of global warming and energy.

MATSUMOTO Kouichi

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Organic Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory
Organic Synthetic Chemistry, Development of New Organic Reactions

MUROYAMA Hiroki

Position
Associate Professor

MORISAWA Yusuke

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Applied Spectrsocopy Laboratory
Physical Chemistry, Molecular Science, Spectroscopic Analysis, Molecular Spectroscopy

Researching photo-physics based on fundamental spectroscopy research. Also developing analytical methods by observing spectra to extract information such as the attributes and amounts of a substance based on the interaction of the substance with light.

YAMAGIWA Yoshiro

Position
Associate Professor
Laboratory
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Organic Chemistry, Bioactive Natural Products, Organic Synthesis

Developing methods to synthesize compounds that inhibit infection and replication of HIV (AIDS virus) and influenza viruses, and compounds that scavenge radicals (such as reactive oxygen species) that have been attracting attention in connection with aging, cancer, etc.

ASAKURA Hiroyuki

Position
Lecturer
Laboratory
Functional Materials Laboratory
Catalysis, X-ray Spectroscopy

UEKI Kosuke

Position
Lecturer
Metallurgy 、Biomedical materials

OKA Kengo

Position
Lecturer
Laboratory
Laboratory of Inorganic Materials Chemistry
Solid state chemistry

Research interests in the Oka group are in the synthesis of novel inorganic compounds by mixing hetero anions and investigation of their physical properties such as magnetism and negative thermal expansion. Accurate crystallographic information is indispensable for the interpretation of physical properties. Thus, we often perform synchrotron X-ray diffraction study at SPring-8 and collaborate with other groups for integrating experimental and theoretical studies.

SUGIME Hisashi

Position
Lecturer
Laboratory
Applied Physical Chemistry Lab.
Chemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Nanotechnology

We are investigating various nanomaterials and applications based on chemical engineering, process engineering, and physical chemistry. We are also actively collaborating with researchers in other fields to develop innovative next-generation technologies for environmental and healthcare issues.

TANAKA Atsuhiro

Position
Lecturer

HYODO Kengo

Position
Lecturer
Laboratory
Laboratory of Organic Reaction
Organic Chemistry, Catalytic Reaction

We are exploring useful and  novel organic reactions  for medicinal and process chemistry, which is not only environmentally benign but also safe for chemists and engineer. To realize the research purpose, we study the creation of new reagents and catalysts to enable their reactions and reveal the reaction mechanism.

OTA Kei

Position
Assistant Professor
Organic chemistry/Main group element/Silicon/Boron