TAKEUCHI Masayuki
Managing Director, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
NIMS researchers directory, SAMURAI
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Send emailResearch field
functional materials, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry
Research outline
Creation of new organic nanochemistry thorough the design, synthesis, and characterization of organic, macromolecular, and supramolecular materials with photo- and electro-active components, chemosensing functions, dynamic mechanical characters.
Research Interests
self-assembly, supramolecular chemistry, molecular recognition, molecular machinery
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
Let's create new organic and supramolecular materials based on understanding molecular and supramolecular interaction.
Research group website
KAWAI Shigeki
Group Leader, Nanoprobe Group, Center for Basic Research on Materials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
surface chemistry, surface science, nanotechnology
Research outline
Single molecular chemistry with high-resolution atomic force microscopy/scanning tunneling microscopy. Characterization of structures and properties of single molecules at atomic scale. Development of local probe chemistry, and syntheses of novel compounds. Functionalized nano-carbon structures synthesized by on-surface chemical reaction.
Research Interests
single molecule, on-durface reaction, carbon nanostructure, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy
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
Recent development in scanning probe microscopy allows us to explore on-surface chemistry with atomic resolution. Since our study covers a wide range of fields (i.e. development of instrument, synthesis of novel compound), you can find your own topics. We wish to study the state-of-the-art science with a highly-motivated student.
Research group website
KAWAKAMI Kohsaku
Group Leader, Medical Soft Matter Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
pharmaceuticals, softmatter, thermal analysis
Research outline
Potential of drug compounds can be maximized and their side-effect can be minimized by applying sophisticated formulation technologies. We are conducting formulation studies utilizing amorphous state and phospholipid carriers based on physicochemical view for making contribution to both progress in basic science of physical chemistry and practical science to improve drug delivery technologies.
Research Interests
amorphous, crystallization, solid dispersion, phospholipids, particle engineering
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
Pharmaceuticals are developed with various science and technology, and even if you look around the world, there are still only a handful of countries that can develop pharmaceutical products. We are conducting research to improve drug value by refining such world-leading technologies. For technological development, we are also challenging the development of basic science with the attitude of even doubting textbooks.
Research group website
NAITO Masanobu
Field Director, Macromolecules Field, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
adhesive, coating, superhydrophobic, biomimetic, machine learning
Research outline
Our research group focuses on development of functional polymeric materials, and its applications for polymer films or adhesives. As the latest attempt, we are working on polymer-informatics which enable us to discover new materials better and faster, with machine learning.
Research Interests
machine learning, biomimetic, adhesive
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
Why don’t you try to develop new polymeric materials, with new function, by new idea.
YOSHIKAWA Genki
Group Leader, Olfactory Sensors Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
sensor, gas, nanomechanics, surface science, machine learning
Research outline
Towards an olfactory sensor, which is the last missing sensor in our five senses, we have been developing the following key technologies: sensor platforms, receptor materials, coating techniques, response property characterization, multi-dimensional data analysis. We are exploring the applicabilities of the sensors in agriculture, medicine, environment, safety, food, cosmetics, etc. through the close collaboration with companies, universities, and hospitals.
Research Interests
olfactory sensor, MSS, receptor layer, pattern recognition, system device
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
Let's create the world's first practical olfactory sensor!
Research group website
YOSHIO Masafumi
Group Leader, Molecular Mechatronics Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
organic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, polymer chemistry, electrochemistry, surface science
Research outline
By using hierarchical ordered structures and dynamic structural changes of newly designed liquid crystals and supramolecular polymers, we explore new functions including fast and selective charge- and mass-transport and switching of optical and mechanical functions and their device applications such as sensors and actuators.
Research Interests
liquid-crystalline materials, ionic and electronic conductors, luminescent materials, polymer actuators, self-healing materials
Assigned university/courses
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
Materials Chemistry and Engineering Course
Message to prospective students
Biomolecules like proteins can exhibit prominent functions of catalysis and mass transport by the formation of dynamically ordered structures. Let’s make it happen through the design of bio-inspired functional supramolecular materials.
NAKANISHI Takashi
Group Leader, Frontier Molecules Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
liquid materials, luminescent materials, soft materials, organic chemistry
Research outline
Design, synthesis and investigation of nonvolatile, viscous, and optoelectronically-active, functional molecular liquids are the first priority in my research. Those liquids would be promising soft matters towards wearable-, stretchable- sensor and actuator applications.
Research Interests
functional liquids, electret, vibration sensor, acoustic actuator, luminescent dyes
Assigned university/courses
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Life Science
Functional Soft Matter
Message to prospective students
Shall we develop novel Functional Liquid Materials? It will open up a new avenue in Science and Technology useful in our life.
Research group website
UEKI Takeshi
Seniour Researcher, Mechanobiology Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
supermolecular chemistry, functional materials, soft materials
Research outline
Our group develops material platform that brings out the mechanical function of polymer gel by tailoring polymer network design based on precise synthesis of polymers (ATRP, RAFT polymerization etc.) and solvent engineering. We aim at realizing a new class of scaffold material that leads to the fate of cell, by desingning structure and dynamics in nano-scale synchronized with macroscopic mechanical properties of soft matter.
Research Interests
polymer gels, block copolymers, RAFT Polymerization, ionic liduids, mechanobiology
Assigned university/courses
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Life Science
Functional Soft Matter
Message to prospective students
The actors who stand on the stage of "polymer gel" are "polymer network" and "liquid" that swells it. On this stage, “polymer network” has been the leading role for a long time. However, when we spotlight the "liquid" that is always devoted to bi-players, I expect that the new world of soft matter immediately opens up. Why don't we change the world with our soft matter?
ICHINOSE Izumi
Molecular Design and Function Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
functional materials, structural materials
Research outline
Research Interests
polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, gas separation membranes, water treatment membranes, adsorbents
Assigned university/courses
Kyushu University Graduate School of Engineering
Department of Applied Chemistry
SAMITSU Sadaki
Principal Researcher, Data-driven Polymer Design Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
polymers, porous materials, characterization methods for polymers, data science, soft materials
Research outline
We develop porous materials, which are widely used in society: for example, daily necessities (sponge, puff) and materials for advanced equipment (medical apparatus, separation membranes, rechargeable batteries). We create new porous materials, develop material processing methods, characterize them by advanced instrumentations, and open their promising applications.
Research Interests
porous polymers, nanofiber, membranes, machine learning, X-ray CT
Assigned university/courses
Waseda University Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering
Department of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
Message to prospective students
Let's develop new porous materials for future society based on scientific knowledge, our idea, your approach, and advanced instrumentations.
HIGUCHI Masayoshi
Group Leader, Electronic Functional Macromolecules Group, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
polymer chemistry, coordination chemistry, electrochemistry, organic synthesis
Research outline
Materials informatics is expected to bring innovation to conventional material research. I aim to discover unknown electronic and optical functions by introducing data science such as statistical mathematical methods in the development of materials and devices that cross organic synthetic chemistry, complex chemistry, polymer chemistry, and electrochemistry.
Research Interests
coordination polymer, electrochromism, electrochemical solid-state device, display, smart window
Assigned university/courses
Osaka University Graduate School of Information Science and Technology
Department of Information Systems Engineering
Message to prospective students
Those who are interested in chemistry and informatics are welcome. The main research location will be NIMS (Tsukuba).
Research group website
SHRESTHA Lok Kumar
Principal Researcher, Supermolecules Group, Research Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
functional materials, self-assembly, nanoporous carbons, energy storage materials, electrochemistry
Research outline
Fabrication of new functional fullerene-based nanomaterials using nanoarchitectonics concept. We aim to produce ultra-high surface area nanoporous fullerene crystals and convert them into hierarchically porous carbon materials by high temperature heat treatment for the high-performance supercapacitor and vapor sensing applications.
Research Interests
fullerenes, self-assembly, nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbons, supercapacitor, vapor sensing
Assigned university/courses
University of Tsukuba Graduate School of Pure and Applied Sciences
PhD : Materials Innovation
MSc : Materials Innovation
Message to prospective students
Fullerene nanoarchitectonics is an exciting field that enables the design of new nanomaterials from zero-to-higher dimensions with innovative functionalities. So let's create new functional nanocarbon materials and systems to address the growing concern of energy and environmental problems.
Research group website
MANDAI Toshihiko
Team Leader, Functional Electrolyte Synthesis Team, Research Center for Energy and Environmental Materials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
electrochemistry, solution chemistry, structural chemistry, organic synthesis
Research outline
We are developing electrolyte and electrode materials to realize elemental strategic batteries utilizing ubiquitous elements such as Mg, Ca, and Na. We aim to create innovative new materials those will bring about breakthroughs in the existing battery technologies by integrating knowledges of electro-, solution, structural chemistry and synthesis technologies.
Research Interests
multivalent metal battery, sodium-ion battery, organic electrolyte, metallic materials, nano materials
Assigned university/courses
Yokohama National University Graduate School of Engineering Science
Department of Chemistry and Life Science
Message to prospective students
Multivalent and sodium-ion batteries are regarded as promising options of energy storage systems. However, the research is still in the primitive stage hence new materials those fulfill diverse requirements are needed to realize practical batteries. Why don't you create materials that will be used in the batteries of the future with your own hands?
YOSHIKAWA Chiaki
Team Leader, Polymer Surfaces and Devices Team, Research Center for Macromolecules and Biomaterials, National Institute for Materials Science
Research field
polymer chemistry, functional materials, biomaterials
Research outline
Our goal is to create novel polymeric biomaterials by well-defined structures using living radical polymerizations. Specifically, we are conducting fundamental research on optimization of polymerizations, control of polymer structures, and elucidation of the correlation between structures and functions to develop sophisticated biomaterials that can freely control biological functions.
Research Interests
living radial polymerizations, polymer brush, nanofibers, biointerface
Assigned university/courses
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Life Science
Biosystems Science Course
Message to prospective students
My group is seeking someone enthusiastic and talented to undertake a PhD developing novel polymeric biomaterials.