Research

Research overview & strategy

We aim to pursue proactive, materials-focused research and development to secure fundamental material technologies and expand the potential of diverse technologies by addressing challenges in current technologies at the material level. Specifically, we engineer polymeric materials across multiple scales (Step 1) to achieve desirable mechanical properties and multifunctionality, guided by the needs of both academia and industry and the end-user requirements of applications. We systemically develop advanced polymeric materials (Step 2)—including bioplastics, soft matter (hydrogels, elastomers, and granular/colloidal/fibrous materials)—in various forms such as films, membranes, filaments, fabrics, and complex 3D structures, thereby maximizing their practical utility. By employing these materials with tailored mechanical performance and multifunctionality, we will address the limitations of existing technologies at the material level (Step 3), collaborating with interdisciplinary experts in nanotechnology, biotechnology, environmental-energy technology, information technology, and space technology.

“Detailed research directions and plans”

- Our first aim is to strengthen the expertise in developing polymeric materials that combine outstanding mechanical performance (strength, stiffness, toughness, flexibility, stretchability, durability, etc.) with diverse functionality (electrical, ionic, and thermal conductivity; fluorescence; stimuli-responsiveness; adhesion; extrudability; printability, etc.).

- Our approach is to design materials across multiple scales: the molecular scale (e.g., engineered interactions), microscale (e.g., hierarchically assembled constituents in designed structures), and macroscale (e.g., metamaterial-inspired architectures). Therefore, by strategically combining intrinsic and extrinsic factors, we will maximize material performance in ‘an application-driven manner’.

(1) Sustainable bioplastics with mechanical robustness and durability

Starting from rational component selection and synthesis, we will develop eco-friendly and mechanically robust composite bioplastics. Given the limited range of sustainable constituents (e.g., biodegradable polymer), we will design composites in which cost-effective inorganic reinforcements are strategically incorporated into tailored structures to enhance strength, durability, and long-term performance. In particular, adopting bioinspired structural assemblies that synergize intrinsic material properties with extrinsic design factors will provide a strong foundation for achieving significant mechanical enhancement.

Publications: Small 14, 1801042 (2018). ACS Nano 13, 2773 (2019).

(2) Soft matter with desirable mechanical properties and functionality

Guided by application-specific requirements, we will engineer soft materials–including elastomers, hydrogels, and granular/colloidal/ fibrous gels–with finely tuned mechanical properties and advanced functionality. These will encompass strong, stiff, and tough materials; hyperelastic and stretchable materials; mechano-adaptive materials; stimuli-responsive materials; adhesive materials; fluorescent materials; and biomimetic materials closely resembling natural tissues such as skin, muscle, tendon, and ligament. By employing these elaborately designed materials with existing devices, we aim to enhance their functionality.

Publications: Adv. Funct. Mater. 31, 2101095 (2021). Nat. Commun. 13, 3019 (2022). Materials 16, 785 (2023). Small 20, 2309217 (2024).

ACS Nano 19, 19578 (2025). Nano Lett. 25, 12832 (2025). Adv. Funct. Mater. e19482 (2025). Nat. Commun. 16, 11492 (2025).

(3) Solid/Quasi-solid electrodes and electrolytes with versatile applicability
We will develop solid and quasi-solid electrodes and electrolytes with high-performance characteristics, including optimized mechanical strength, stiffness, toughness, and enhanced electrical, ionic, thermal conductivities. As electrodes and electrolytes constitute the essential components of most electrical and electrochemical systems–such as batteries, sensors, robots, and displays–and system failures or performance deterioration are usually linked to their insufficient mechanical robustness or poor conductivity, my focus will be on advancing their performance and reliability at the material level.

Publications: Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2309048 (2024). Adv. Funct. Mater. 34, 2402144 (2024). Chem. Eng. J. 499, 156677(2024). Chem. Commun. 61, 14418 (2025).

(4) 3D printing techniques for free-form factors of the materials and their practical usability

To expand the practical usability of these materials, we will integrate advanced 3D printing techniques with material development. By coupling intrinsic material properties with extrinsic effects from elaborate 3D architectures (such as metamaterials), we will maximize overall performance and enable free-form structures that go beyond the inherent limits of the base materials.

Publications: Nat. Commun. 15, 3925 (2024). Chem. Commun. 60, 7414 (2024). ACS Nano 19, 19578 (2025).

(5) Integration with interdisciplinary fields toward creating next-generation materials and devices

Building on the developed polymeric and composite materials with outstanding performance in an application-driven manner, we will integrate them with knowledge and techniques from interdisciplinary experts, spanning electrical devices and sensors (NT), soft robots and implants (BT), electrochemical devices and batteries (ET), packaging and smart displays (IT), and smart soils (ST). In other words, leveraging the expertise in hybrid polymer materials' properties and mechanics, together with newly developed materials, we aim to contribute to the creation of next-generation advanced materials and devices through collaborative research and large-scale group projects. In parallel, we will actively foster building domestic and international research clusters to proactively accelerate the advancement of material science and its technological applications.

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