Press Release　
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas
Aquatic Functional Materials: Creation of New Materials Science for Environment-Friendly and Active Functions

2023

• On January 11, 2024, Kobe University released a press release titled "Creation of Stretchable Gels that Quickly Dissolve on Contact with Water: Design of Polymeric Materials Considering Environmental Conservation" by Toru Ooya (Principal Investigator of A03 Research group, Kobe University). You can read the article here. In this research, cyclic polymer gels that show excellent elasticity due to the movement of cross-linking points were prepared by utilizing a large number of weak hydrogen bonds, and the gels that retain elasticity were shown to dissolve in water due to hydration. This research was published in the international journal Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics and was selected as a front cover. You can read the full text here.

• The new adhesion technology using self-healing materials developed by Go Matsuba (Co-Investigator of Research Group A03, Yamagata University) and Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research Group A03, Osaka University) was introduced in the broadcast episode of BS Fuji's “Galileo X” entitled “Science of Adhesion: The Mystery of How Things Stick and the Front Line of Adhesive Research”. The broadcasts will be on August 27 and September 3, 2023. This is the program web site.

• On July 12, 2023, An interview with Kaori Sugihara (A03 Publicly Offered Research Group, The University of Tokyo) titled “New Trends of Change as Seen from a Nice Step Researcher" was published in the summer issue of STI Horizon (Vol. 09, No. 02). You can read the article here.

• On May 22, 2023, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science (AIST) and Tokyo University of Science issued a press release on the results of Masahiko Imashimizu (A02 Publicly Offered Research, Principal Investigator, AIST) and Mafumi Hishida (A02 Planned Research, Co-Investigator, Tokyo University of Science) on non-thermal effects on protein hydration by sub-THz wave irradiation. This research was covered by the Nikkei Shimbun Web Edition, NIKKEI Tech Foresight, ASCII, Laser Focus World Japan, Tech-I Life Science, BIGLOBE News, MIT Technology Review, and Tsukuba Science News. This research was published in Nature Communications and was selected as one of its Editors' Highlights.

• On May 21, 2023, a humidity-responsive silicone developed by Mitsuo Hara (A01 Publicly Offered Research Group, Nagoya University) was featured on Nippon Television Network Corporation “Tokoro-san no Me ga Ten!” under the theme “A Mysterious Material Close to Us! What is Silicone?” The broadcast content can be viewed for one week on the streaming service TVer, and for one year on Hulu.

• In April 2023, Kaori Sugihara (A03 Publicly Offered Research Group, The University of Tokyo) was featured in the April issue of JSTnews titled “Development of Technologies that Contribute to Society through the Fusion of Biology, Physics, and Engineering”. You can read the article here.

• On April 5, 2023, Tokyo University of Science issued an international press release titled “New Study Reveals Design Clues for Silver-based Superatomic Molecules” as a joint research result of Yuichi Negishi (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, Tokyo University of Science), Sakiat Hossain (Tokyo University of Science), Takeshi Iwasa, Tetsuya Taketsugu (Hokkaido University). You can read the article here. This research successfully synthesized new Ag superatomic molecules in which some Ag is replaced by platinum (Pt) or palladium (Pd) in silver (Ag)-based metal nanoclusters, and clarified their electronic and structural features. In addition, this research discovered three conditions necessary to stably obtain Ag superatomic molecules. The study was published in the international journal Communications Chemistry and selected as Special Issue. You can read the full text here.
  On July 24, 2023, the paper was also introduced here by The Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun.

2022

• On March 13, 2023, Tokyo University of Science issued an international press release titled “Towards a Novel 3D Covalent Organic Framework With Record Large Pores for Efficient Drug Delivery” as a joint research result of Yuichi Negishi (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, Tokyo University of Science), Saikat Das (Tokyo University of Science), Teng Ben (Zhejiang Normal University). You can read the article here. This research succeeded in synthesizing and analyzing the structure of a new covalent organic framework (COF: Covalent Organic Framework), TUS-64, and revealed that TUS-64 has a three-dimensional structure with huge voids. In addition, the research demonstrated that despite its extremely light weight, TUS-64 has a variety of properties, including the ability to maintain a stable structure up to approximately 400°C, excellent adsorption performance on gas molecules, and controllable drug transport and release. The study was published in the international journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition and selected as Hot Topic. You can read the full text here.
  On April 6, 2023, the paper was also introduced here by NIKKEI Tech Foresight.

• On March 20, 2023, the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun published an article by Kaori Sugihara (Group A03, The University of Tokyo) on the application of polydiacetylene to biosensors. You can read the article here.

• On January 17, 2023, ten young researchers selected as "Nice Step Researchers 2022", Kaori Sugihara (A03 Publicly Offered Group, The University of Tokyo) met with Minister Nagaoka, Vice Minister Ide, and Parliamentary Secretary Yamamoto to exchange views on the research environment and institutional issues. You can read the article here.

• On December 5, 2023, Tokyo University of Science issued an international press release titled “A New, Unique Covalent Organic Framework for Use in Drug Delivery and Clean Energy” as a joint research result of Yuichi Negishi (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, Tokyo University of Science), Saikat Das (Tokyo University of Science). You can read the article here. This research succeeded in synthesizing and structurally analyzing a new covalent organic framework (COF: Covalent Organic Framework), TUS-84, and revealed that the three-dimensional network structure of TUS-84 has a novel topology that differs from previously reported structures. In addition, TUS-84 can maintain a stable structure up to 500 ℃ and can absorb gases such as hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane as well as transport drugs such as ibuprofen. The study was published in the international journal ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. You can read the full text here.
  This research was also featured in JST Science Portal on December 26, 2022, as well as in NewsBreak, Medium, WhatTheyThink, and Research-er.jp.

• On November 6, 2022, an award ceremony was held to honor outstanding researchers in an effort to encourage the activities of female researchers, and Kaori Sugihara (Group A03, The University of Tokyo) and others were selected. The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), a national research and development corporation, selects female researchers who have achieved outstanding results and gives them awards every year in order to encourage their activities since the percentage of female researchers in Japan is still low compared to Europe and the United States. The award ceremony was featured on NHK WEB. You can read the article here.

• On December 14, 2022, The University of Tokyo and Osaka Metropolitan University issued a press release titled “New molecular semiconductor materials that allow both holes and electrons to flow even in the atmosphere” as a joint research result of Tomoko Fujino (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, The University of Tokyo), Rie Makiura (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka Metropolitan University), and coworkers. You can read the article (The University of Tokyo, Osaka Metropolitan University). On December 15, 2022, the article was also introduced here by Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, EE Times Japan, and Tech+.The study was published in the international journal, Journal of American Chemistry Society, and selected as a Supplementary Cover of the issue. You can read the full text here.

• On August 30, 2022, an interview article titled “Developing Original Tools to Reveal Lipid Self-Assembly” was published in Top Researchers, Kaori Sugihara (A03 Open Recruitment Group), and can be read here.

• Summer 2022 issue of the public relations magazine of the School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, titled “Investigating Physicochemical Properties of Lipids and Making Use of This Knowledge for Manufacturing”, featuring her research and message to students, Kaori Sugihara (A03 Open Recruitment Group), available here.

• On June 22, 2022, a review article entitled “Creation of metal–organic framework nanosheets by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique” reported by Rie Makiura (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka Metropolitan University) was published online. The research achievement was press-released by Osaka Metropolitan University and highlighted by EurekAlert!.

• On May 13, 2022, a British Scientific Magazine “Research Features” published an article titled “Water dynamics: Probing the interactions between biomolecules and hydration” on the results of Quasi-Elastic Neutron Scattering by Hideki Seto (Co-Investigator of Research Group A02, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization) and his collaboratiors.

2021

• On March 31, 2022, research on nanosheet creation at air/water interfaces by Rie Makiura (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka Prefecture University) was introduced in a magazine『BanCul』published by Himeji City Cultural International Exchange Foundation. The article title is “Utilizing an oil layer formation phenomenon. Creating nanosheets with a simple method, an ultimate material.

• On January 17, 2022, Kyushu University issued a press release concerning “Functionalization mechanism of blood-compatible polymer” examined by Masaru Tanaka (Principal Investigator of Research group A03-2, Kyushu University) and Yoshihisa Harada (Principal Investigator of Research group A02-1, The University of Tokyo). The article is here. Synthesis and interfacial analyses by Tanaka group were combined with soft x-ray emission spectroscopy by Harada group to reveal the hydration mechanism of the blood-compatible polymer. The research was published in the international journal Langmuir, and selected as a Supplementary Cover of the issue.

• On December 2, 2021, a research paper entitled “Inelastic Electron Transport and Ortho-Para Fluctuation of Water Molecule in H₂O@C₆₀ Single Molecule Transistors” reported by Yoshifumi Hashikawa (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, Kyoto University) was published online. The research achievement was press-released by The University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Tohoku University and highlighted by Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, and EurekAlert!.

• On October 27, 2021, a research paper entitled “Uniaxially Oriented Electrically Conductive Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets Assembled at Air/Liquid Interfaces” reported by Rie Makiura (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka Prefecture University) was published online and selected as a Supplementary Cover. The research achievement was press-released by Osaka Prefecture University, The University of Tokyo and SPring-8/JASRI and highlighted by EurekAlert!, AsiaResearchNews and AZONANO.
  

• The research paper on silicone material whose elastic modulus changes 100million times with humidity by Mitsuo Hara (Principal Investigator of Research Group A01, Nagoya University) was published in an international academic journal, Scientific Reports on September 3, 2021. Nagoya University issued a press release (See this page) for the paper.

• On September 1, 2021, the interview article entitled “Establishment of an Education and Research Platform with a Full-Use of Advanced ICT for Social Problem Solving and DX Human Resource Development” by Hitoshi Washizu (Principal Investigator of Research Group A02, University of Hyogo) has been released on Hewlett Packard Enterprise (See this page).

• The joint research paper on molecular simulation of water treatment membranes by Go Watanabe (Co-investigator of Research Group A02, Kitasato University), Takashi Kato (Project Leader and Principal Investigator of Research Group A01, the University of Tokyo), and Hitoshi Washizu (Principal Investigator of Research Group A02, University of Hyogo)was published in an international academic journal, Science Advances with the cover image of volume 7, issue 31 (2021). On July 28, 2021, the University of Tokyo issued an international press release (See this page) for the paper.

• The state of emulsification phenomenon by waste-derived cellulose nanofibers which has been developed by Izuru Kawamura (Principal Investigator of Research Group A02, Yokohama National University) was introduced in SDGs corner by TBS [Asa-Chan!] program on June 18, 2021.

• The research by Takashi Miyata (Principal Investigator of Research Group A03, Kansai University) was published in an international academic journal, NPG Asia Materials, on April 9, 2021. The research image was displayed as top-page graphic on the journal website. Kansai University issued a press release, which was followed by the Kansai University’s website.

2020

• On December 23, 2020, the ROOT program of JST global science campus issued the video interview of molecular simulation by Hitoshi Washizu (Principal Investigator of Research group A02, University of Hyogo) and Kana Nakatsuka (High school student, Josei Gakuen High School). You can read the new letter and watch the video here.

• On November 18, 2020, a reserch on self-healing materials developed by Go Matsuba (Co-investigator of Research Group A03, Yamagata University), Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Osaka University) and others was introduced on NHK Yamagata News program under the title of “Development of Plastics with Highly Healing Performance”.

• On October 20, 2020, the University of Tokyo issued an international press release titled “Highly selective membranes, researchers discover how water can affect its own filtration” as a joint research result of Takashi Kato (Project Leader and Principal Investigator of Research group A01, the University of Tokyo) and Yoshihisa Harada (Principal Investigator of Research group A02, the University of Tokyo). You can read the article here. The article was also introduced here by EurekAlert! sponsored by AAAS. In this research, the impact of water on the mechanism of selective ion permeation was clarified by using the subnanoporous liquid-crystalline water treatment membrane developed by Kato et al. and analyzed by synchrotron radiation soft X-ray spectroscopy developed by Harada et al. The study was published in the international journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition and selected as VIP (Very Important Paper). You can read the full text here. On November 10, 2020, the paper was also introduced as Research Highlight in Nature Reviews Chemistry. 

• On October 20, 2019, Kao corporation released an article entitled “Unravelling Antibacterial Mechanism of the Combination between Surfactants and Aromatic Alcohols at Atomic and Molecular Level”, introducing the reseach results from the international collaboration between Motomu Tanaka (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Kyoto University・University of Heidelberg) and Dr. Oleg Knovalov et al. (European Synchrotron Radiation Facility・ESRF).
  The article can be read on Kao website (released on October 20, 2020).
  The results of this study was published online in the international journal “Scientific Reports” on July 23, 2020. (DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69064-1)

• On September 24, 2020, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) issued a press release entitled ―“Stretching Rack” for Cells― introducing a cell manipulation technology utillizing 3D microscaffolds based on stimuli-responsive composites as a research result from the international joint reserch of Motomu Tanaka (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Kyoto University・University of Heidelberg), Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Osaka University), Masaki Nakahata (Co-investigator of Research Group A03, Osaka University), as well as Professor Martin Bastmeyer and Professor Martin Wegener (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany Excellence Cluster).
  The press release can be read on the website of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Kyoto University Institute for Advanced Study (released on September 30, 2020).
  The results of this study was published online in the international journal “Science Advances” on September 23, 2020. (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc2648)

• On September 23, 2020, a research on self-healing materials developed by Go Matsuba (Co-investigator of Research Group A03, Yamagata University), Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Osaka University) and others was introduced in Yamagata Newspaper entitled “Yamagata University Readily Developed a High-Performance Novel Method for Production of Self-Healing Materials”.

• On September 16, 2020, a reserch on self-healing materials developed by Go Matsuba (Co-investigator of Research Group A03, Yamagata University), Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Osaka University) and others was introduced in Asahi newspaper (Tohoku area) entitled “Self-Healing of a Wound Occurring within Seconds: Polymer Materials Developed by Yamagata University and Osaka University”.
  The article (in Japanese) is readable from the link here.

• On September 15, 2020, a reserch on self-healing materials developed by Go Matsuba (Co-investigator of Research Group A03, Yamagata University), Yoshinori Takashima (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Osaka University) was introduced in Nikkei newspaper (Tohoku area) entitled “High-Performance Materials for Self-Healing of a Wound Developed by Yamagata University and Osaka University”.
  The article (in Japanese) is readable from the link here.

• On June 11, 2020, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology issued a press release entitle “The Polysaccharide Membrane Instantaneously Responds to Changes in Humidity Due to Its Supercoiled Structures” introducing a humido-sensitive film from polysaccharide microfibers developed by Kosuke Okeyoshi et al. (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology).
  This article is featured on the journal cover.
  The article (in Japanese) is readable from the link here.

• On May 11, 2020, a joint research on a synchrotron radiation analysis of polymer materials that prevent thrombus formation conducted by Yoshihisa Harada (Principal Investigator of Research group A02, The University of Tokyo) and Masaru Tanaka et al. (Principal Investigator of Research group A03, Kyushu University) was introduced in Nihon Keizai newspaper in the title of “Weaknesses in a Treatment of Critically Ill Patients from Corona Virus - Thrombosis in an Artificial Lung - Elucication of the Cause”.

• On May 8, 2020, Kanagawa University issued a press release entitled “Development of an Organic Microcrystal Laser with Light-Harvesting Antenna”, describing a research progress on promising applications in microcrystal laser of π-conjugated macromolecules with light-harvesting dendrimers developed by Hayato Tsuji (Principal Investigator of Research group A01, Kanagawa University).
  The article (in Japanese) is readable from the link here.

2019

• On February 29, 2020, Yamagata University's PR magazine “Hito to Hito” issued an article entitled Nano-Analysis of Delicious Warabimochi - Research Aspect and an Application to Material Science” introducing a research work from Akane Nagasaki (1st year Master student in a reserch group of Go Matsuba, Co-investigator of Research group A03, Yamagata University).
  The article (in Japanese) is readable from the link here.

• Hitoshi Washizu (Principal Investigator of Research Group A02, University of Hyogo) was interviewed in the topic of “Resolving the Mystery of Friction with Super Computer” on a radio program “Jikan-desu! Hayashi-Henshuuchou” from RADIO Kansai, broadcasted on February 10, 2020 The audio program can be listened here.

• An article entitled “Light-Up Wheels: Unique Organic Light-Emitting Molecular Emitters” to introduce the research content of a research paper on the development of macrocyclic thermally activated delayed fluorescent emitting material reported by Youhei Takeda (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka University) was press-released from Osaka University on 8 January 2020. The article is readable from the link here.

• Youhei Takeda (Co-Investigator of Research group A01, Osaka University) has been appointed as an Early Career Advisory Board (ECAB) of a research journal “Asian Journal of Organic Chemistry” (Wiley-VCH). An article to introduce the ECAB members was published on 20 December 2019. The article is readable from the link here.

• On October 25, 2019, The article entitled “The University of Tokyo Utilizes a Liquid Crystal Polymer to Fabricate a Highly Precise Water Treatment Membrane with Uniform Porous for Various Applications” introducing a research work on a water treatment membrane from nano-crystals developed by Takashi Kato et al. (Project Leader and Principal Investigator of Research group A01, The University of Tokyo) was published in the electronic version of the Japanese Economic Newspaper (Nikkei newspaper).

• On July 30, 2019, an article entitled “Analysis of the Deliciousness of Warabimochi” covering a research on a structure of Warabi-mochi carried out by Go Matsuba et al. (Co-investigator of Research group A03, Yamagata University) was published in the Asahi newspaper (Yamagata area).