Condensed Matter Physics

HU Xiao

HU.Xiao@nims.go.jp

Group Leader, Topological Quantum Materials Theory Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

condensed matter theory, superconductivity, surface science, semiconductor, photonics

Research outline

Starting from the basic notions of physics, we develop new frontiers of condensed matter physics, which hopefully lead to advanced quantum functionalities. Recently we are exploring topological properties in electronic states in materials and wave propagations in periodic media.

Research Interests

topology, graphene/artificial graphene, nanophotonics, deep learning, quantum computation

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Applied Physics

Message to prospective students

Innovation is impossible without understanding the basics.

Research group website

HASHIMOTO Ayako

HASHIMOTO.Ayako@nims.go.jp

Group Leader, Environment-Controlled Microscopy Group, Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

electron microscopy, nanomaterials

Research outline

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a useful tool to characterize materials with atomic scale. We develop TEM observation techniques and systems, and then applied them to actual materials aiming to the advancement of materials science. Particularly, we focus on developments of specimen holder systems for in-situ observations of environmental and energy materials.

Research Interests

transmission electron microscopy, in-situ observation, carbon materials, nanoparticles, catalytic materials

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Materials Science

Message to prospective students

We approach developments of advanced materials from that of characterization technologies. The mechanisms of the materials’ function appearances and deterioration have not been often understood. To elucidate them, analysis of their structures and phenomena with atomic scale is necessary. We can really see them by using TEM. Shall we see the advanced materials together!

WATANABE Ikumu

WATANABE.Ikumu@nims.go.jp

Principal Researcher, Materials Modeling Group, Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

structural materials, continuum mechanics, computational engineering, mechanical properties

Research outline

We develop a computer aided engineering framework to accelerate material research and development, based on multi-scale and multi-discipline modeling to characterize material behaviors and properties. We especially focus on structural materials for automotive and aviation industries.

Research Interests

nonlinear computational mechanics, multiscale modeling, nonlinear optimization, inverse analysis

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Materials Science

Message to prospective students

We study a mathematical and computational basis of computer aided engineering framework for digital manufacturing. We also carry out experiments to understand deeply objective phenomena.

Research group website

ISHII Satoshi

sishii@nims.go.jp

Team Leader, Optical Nanostructure Team, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

nanophotonics, optical materials, nanostructure, heat transfer engineering

Research outline

Studies on developing novel photonic nanostructures for extraordinary optical properties and photoelectric/photothermal conversions. Includes both numerical and experimental works to develop, for examples, optical metamaterials and photonic nanostructures to harvest sunlight as well as solar heat.

Research Interests

plasmonics, metamaterial, thermal emission, photothermal conversion, photoelectric conversion

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Applied Physics

Message to prospective students

Join us to explore novel optical properties that only appear in photonic nanostructures. Since the field is new there are many young active researchers, and even graduate students can make big impacts.

Research group website

UCHIDA Kenichi

UCHIDA.Kenichi@nims.go.jp

Distinguished Group Leader, Spin Caloritronics Group, Research Center for Magnetic and Spintronic Materials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

spin caloritronics, spintronics, magnetic materials, thermoelectric materials, heat transfer engineering

Research outline

Development of novel science and technology of “Spin caloritronics”, an interdisciplinary field between spintronics physics and thermal energy engineering. Spin caloritronics enables unconventional thermoelectric generation and thermal energy control, which are investigated by cutting-edge heat and spin detection techniques.

Research Interests

spin seebeck/peltier effect, magneto-seebeck/peltier effect, anomalous nernst/ettingshausen effect, spin current, lock-in thermography

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Applied Physics

This professor no longer accepts the new students.

Message to prospective students

Let’s enjoy world-leading works and create new research fields. New physics and functions that nobody in the world knows still exist even in omnipresent materials. The spin caloritronics laboratory has various ideas and tools to explore them.

Research group website

TSUJIMOTO Yoshihiro

TSUJIMOTO.Yoshihiro@nims.go.jp

Principal Researcher, Quantum Solid State Materials Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

magnetic materials, strongly correlated materials, optical materials, structural analysis, neutron

Research outline

My research interests are new materials synthesis by employing high-pressure synthesis, soft chemistry methods, and flux single-crystal growth techniques. In particular, target materials in my research focus on mixed anion compounds, from which the emergence of new physical/chemical/functional properties distinct from oxide materials is expected.

Research Interests

mixed anion, oxide, single crystal, high-pressure synthesis, low-temperature reaction

Assigned university/courses

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering

Materials Chemistry and Engineering Course

Message to prospective students

The most important ability to create new materials are passion for materials, diligence, and sixth sense (intuition or serendipity). I look forward to meeting highly motivated and spirited students who will join our group and to seeing their future success worldwide after this graduate program.

Research group website

YAMASE Hiroyuki

YAMASE.Hiroyuki@nims.go.jp

Principal Researcher, Quantum Material Properties Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

condensed matter theory, superconductivity, magnetism, spectroscopy, metals

Research outline

We are seeking to innovate fundamental concepts of materials by utilizing analytical and computational methods. We are currently working on high-temperature superconductivity, interplay of superconductivity and magnetism, critical phenomena, phase transitions, and novel quantum states such as an electronic nematic phase.

Research Interests

many-body theory, electron correlations, fluctuations, phase transition, high-Tc superconductors

Assigned university/courses

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Science

Department of Condensed Matter Physics

Message to prospective students

The present PhD course emphasizes the development of ability to perceive and innovate fundamental concepts of materials through theoretical studies. We proceed with the research by utilizing quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, quantum field theory, renormalization group, numerical computation (Fortran, C etc.), and others.

Research group website

IMANAKA Yasutaka

IMANAKA.Yasutaka@nims.go.jp

Administrative Office Chief, Materials Fabrication and Analysis Platform, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

semiconductor, magnetic materials

Research outline

"Solid state physics in high magnetic field" We have been studying electronic and spin properties in various materials such as semiconductor quantum systems, Graphene and Topological insulators with high field magnets in NIMS. In particular, we use the spectroscopic technique in the wide range of the frequency between the millimeter-wave and the ultraviolet region for exploring anomalous and unusual features in solid.

Research Interests

quantum hall effect, topological insulator, terahertz spectroscopy, cyclotron resonance, high field magnet

Assigned university/courses

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Science

Department of Condensed Matter Physics

Message to prospective students

High magnetic field enables us to study various materials and phenomena. You can explore anomalous and unusual features in solids with using the high magnetic field in my laboratory.

UCHIHASHI Takashi

UCHIHASHI.Takashi@nims.go.jp

Group Leader, Surface Quantum Phase Materials Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

superconductivity, surface science, nanoscience

Research outline

We create two-dimensional quantum systems at surfaces and interfaces based on the nanoarchitechtonics. Our primary target is to elucidate their unexplored properties and functionalities through electron transport measurement under multi-extreme environment. Currently we are studying superconductivity and topological phenomena that manifest themselves in atomic-layer crystals on semiconductor surfaces.

Research Interests

two-dimensional superconductivity, atomic layer materials, organic molecule, electron transport phenomena, scanning tunneling microscopy

Assigned university/courses

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Science

Department of Condensed Matter Physics

Message to prospective students

Here, you can do leading-edge researches using our lab-based unique instruments. When you find something important first in the world by yourself, you will never forget it. We wish you to have such an exciting experience. We welcome highly-motivated students who want to do their original research that nobody can easily follow up.

Research group website

TATEYAMA Yoshitaka

TATEYAMA.Yoshitaka@nims.go.jp

Group Leader, Interface Electrochemistry Group, Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

computational science, interface science, electrochemistry, energy storage materials, catalysis

Research outline

We are working on theoretical/computational/data-driven AI researches on microscopic mechanisms of energy and environmental issues, associated with battery, solar cell and catalyst. In particular, we focus on quantitative simulations of electrochemical (redox) phenomena at solid/liquid and solid/solid interfaces on the atomic and electronic scales toward novel interface science and technology.

Research Interests

condensed matter theory, first principles calculation, rechargeable battery, redox reaction, interface

Assigned university/courses

Waseda University Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering

Department of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering

Message to prospective students

Aiming at a world-leading computational and informatics research group for energy and environmental issues on the atomic scale, we are enjoying cutting-edge researches of batteries and catalysts etc. with advanced supercomputers like the K computer. We welcome young people who would explore this theoretical energy science & technology together.

Research group website

IMAMURA Gaku

IMAMURA.Gaku@nims.go.jp

Electrochemical Nano-Bio Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

gas sensors, nanomaterials, time-series data analysis

Research outline

Of the five human senses, olfaction is the only sense that has not been realized as a practical sensor application. We aim to realize the "artificial olfaction", which detects and identifies odor with an array of gas sensors. We are conducting comprehensive research including the development of gas sensors that detect odor molecules, development of data analysis methods for the time-series data of the sensors.

Research Interests

olfactory sensor, 2D materials, measurement informatics

Assigned university/courses

Osaka University Graduate School of Information Science and Technology

Department of Information Systems Engineering

Message to prospective students

Aiming at a world-leading computational and informatics research group for energy and environmental issues on the atomic scale, we are enjoying cutting-edge researches of batteries and catalysts etc. with advanced supercomputers like the K computer. We welcome young people who would explore this theoretical energy science & technology together.

SAKAUSHI Ken

SAKAUSHI.Ken@nims.go.jp

Team Leader, Electrochemical Energy Conversion Team, Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

electrocatalyst, physical electrochemistry, energy storage/conversion, materials chemistry, structure-property correlation

Research outline

Fundamental and technological advances on modern energy issues require new approaches for controlling the efficiency and selectivity of reactions at electrified solid-liquid interfaces. We work to solve these issues by designing various functional materials with a focus on physical electrochemistry-oriented phenomena.

Research Interests

model electrochemical materials, experiment-theory collaborations, microscopic electrode processes, multielectron-multiion-transfer reactions, precision electrochemical measurements/analysis

Assigned university/courses

University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences

PhD : Materials Science and Engineering

MSc : Materials Science

Message to prospective students

By understanding the principles in fuel-cells and batteries, we aim together to solve modern energy issues. We put the emphasis on the experiment-theory-data science collaborations, and joint research with groups in worldwide. Through state-of-the-art research topic, we explore the new laws and mechanisms of electrochemistry that are still hidden in this world.

KITAURA Ryo

KITAURA.Ryo@nims.go.jp

Group Leader, 2D Quantum Materials Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science

Research field

nanoscience, semiconductors, low-dimensional systems, optical properties, crystal growth

Research outline

Our research focuses on the keywords "low-dimension" and "nano " to discover new functions of materials and create novel materials with surprising functions. Through research on material fabrication, device fabrication, and exploring physical properties, we aim to open up the next generation of nanoscience. Our purpose is to pioneer the next generation of nanoscience through free thinking outside the boundaries of chemistry and physics.

Research Interests

atomic layers, two-dimensional crystals, optoelectronic properties, electronic devices

Assigned university/courses

Hokkaido University Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering

Materials Chemistry and Engineering Course

Message to prospective students

Our research field not only advances basic science but also holds the potential to revolutionize society through device applications. With its interdisciplinary nature, the field offers stimulating opportunities from various angles. We welcome you to join us in the exceptional research environment at NIMS.

Research group website

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