Research
"Bio-inspired engineering (生物模倣工学)"
Biosensing, biomaterials, and energy/environmental devices
Biosensors: Electrochemical imaging for learning biological system
We are developing electrochemical devices that can quantitatively evaluate the concentration of substances in a solution. In particular, we are developing electrochemical imaging devices with a large number of electrodes arranged on a substrate. So far, we have evaluated materials and cellular activity (especially neurotransmitters). Currently, we are working on highly sensitive and selective measurement of bio-samples and evaluation of various materials.
Bio-inspired Polymer materials
Honeycomb (Porous) Films
We are fabricating polymeric porous membranes by using water droplets generated by cooling and condensation of organic solvent evaporation as templates. The porous membranes mimic the microporous structure of living organisms and are used as water repellent and hydrophilic materials and cell scaffolds. (e. g. Fish scale, pitcher plant)
Polydopamine
Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters, and it functions as a promising material. It has the ability to adhere to a variety of solid substrates, including, but not limited to, electrocatalytic materials and polymer nanofilm formation. This mimics the ability of mussels to adhere to a variety of substrates. By taking advantage of this property, we can modify the surface of particles, substrates, liquids, and gases to enable high functionality. (e.g. mussel's foot, Insect's cuticle)
Bio-inspired electrocatalyst for energy devices
In recent years, electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles using metal-air batteries have been attracting attention as next-generation vehicles. There are several challenges to the widespread use of these next-generation vehicles, one of which is the use of platinum as a catalyst for electrodes. I am conducting research on new catalytic materials that can replace platinum.
In particular, I use biomaterials as a hint to design, synthesize, and evaluate various electrochemical catalysts, all of which I am working on. For example, we have succeeded in creating heteroelement-incorporated catalysts using biologically derived materials such as dopamine as the carbon framework, and catalytic materials that mimic biomolecules such as heme and cytochrome c.
In addition to catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction, we are also designing catalysts for CO2 fixation and N2 fixation to contribute to the environmental and energy problems that the world is facing.
Fundamental Physics: Flattening droplets
We found that a thin polymer film (polydopamine) self-organizes at the air/liquid interface. Furthermore, we found that the droplet covered by the polymer film flattens at the top of the droplet as the solution volume decreases. We are now working on the application of this polymer thin film and the clarification of the droplet flattening phenomenon and its application.
Others
Research on cell culture substrates, mechanochromic materials, hydrogels, adhesives, porous materials, etc.