Research and Education

Transport Phenomena Control Group (Okano Lab.) (Homepage): The Transport Phenomena Control Group develops the smart control technology of transport phenomena encountered in various chemical engineering processes by using the external forces such as rotation, magnetic and electric fields. Furthermore, the phase interface phenomena related with the Marangoni convection along interface between different phases, the self-propelled liquid and the stress relaxation on solid-liquid interface are also investigated.

Quantum Chemical Engineering Group (Nakano Lab.) (Homepage): The Quantum Chemical Engineering Group has investigated quantum nonlinear optical and magnetic properties of molecular systems, quantum dynamics, and quantum transport phenomena of electrons and energy in supramolecular systems in view of their chemical structural dependence and interaction with environments by utilizing quantum chemistry and statistical physics. The group aims to construct novel concepts in theoretical chemistry and to develop guidelines for theoretical proactive design of quantum materials in the future electronics, photonics, spintronics, and biomaterials.

Molecular-Aggregate Chemical Engineering Group (Matubayasi Lab.) (Homepage): The thermodynamics and intermolecular interactions in solutions with nano-scale inhomogeneity and/or with fine tunability are investigated by statistical-mechanical theory and molecular simulation. On the basis of the extended concept of solvation, molecular-level analyses and design are conducted for partitioning or binding of molecules both in homogeneous media such as ionic liquid, supercritical fluid, and polymer and in soft, self-organizing aggregates such as micelle and lipid membrane.

Nanoreaction Engineering Group (Nishiyama Lab.) (Homepage): Reaction Engineering -for resolving the complexities - Systematic approaches for resolving the complexities and difficulties surrounding advanced technologies are often essential for solving global energy & environmental issues and developing novel materials processing. We recognize that chemical engineering and reaction engineering would play a pioneering role in the progress of these technologies. We have been performing (1) carbon dioxide fixation by afforestation of arid land and (2) development of nanoporous materials for reaction, separation and highly-functional electronic devices.

Biochemical Materials Engineering Group (Sakai Lab.) (Homepage): Approaches to modification and intensification of bioreaction processes based on genetic and metabolic manipulations and cell culture engineering, aiming at chemical production, energy conversion, environment remediation and mass propagation of plant and animal cells. The following research projects are currently under investigation: Alteration of metabolic abilities and biological functions of photosynthetic organisms, development of bioreactors for production of useful biochemicals, reconstruction of three dimensional structure of human tissue cells, treatment of chemical and biological contaminants in surroundings, artificial seed system for storage of transformed plant cells, and so on.

Design of High Performance Catalyst Group (Mizugaki Lab.) (Homepage): The goal of our investigations is design of the highly-functionalized catalysts by a combination of the fields of metal complexes and metal oxide catalysts for developing many environmentally friendly chemical reactions. We have continuously studied the heterogeneous catalysts for (1)oxidation reactions using molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide as oxidants, (2) reductions using water, and (3) chemical fixation of carbon dioxide.

Bio-Inspired Chemical Engineering Group (Umakoshi Lab.) (Homepage): Liposome is a closed bilayer membrane of amphiphilic molecules. The liposome membrane has some roles as not only "1. Physical Barrier", but also "2. Integrating Platform" of various molecules, "3. Function Regulation" for one-pot conversion, and "4. Co-Recognition/Conversion Platform". By using the liposome as a core material, we are challenging the design and development of novel (i) Bio-catalyst, (ii) Biomaterial, and (iii) Bioprocess for the next chemical engineering.

Environmental Photochemical Engineering Group (Hirai Lab.) (Homepage): This research group is supervised by Dr. T. Hirai and Dr. Y. Shiraishi of Research Center for Solar Energy Chemistry, which was established in 2001 under the expressed purpose of advancing the research that will resolve the problems concerning energy resources and environmental pollution through the use of solar energy. This group researches the revolutionary technologies that use photochemical reactions towards the management of environmental contaminants, the selective conversion of organic materials, and the solar energy conversion through the design and development of novel nano-structured photocatalysts and photofunctional materials involving phosphors and luminescent chemical-devises.

Division of Chemical Engineering, Course of Chemical Engineering