FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014

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34Yuichi HirataAssociate ProfessorCathy McNameeAssociate ProfessorApplied ChemistryExamining the mystery of polymer membranes and using tiny holes in PET bottlesDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsSynthetic resin polymer membranes, of which PET bottles are a leading example, have extremely tiny pores that allow gases to pass through them but not liquids. I am working to develop a barrier material for electronic materials that will make them 1 million times less permeable to gases. This area of research is currently garnering attention.Associate Professor Hirata took his current position in 2010 after working as a senior assistant professor at the Meiji University School of Science and Technology, as a doctoral researcher at the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, and as an assistant professor in the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University. His principal areas of research include barrier lms, separation membranes, and dye chemistry.I am also researching polymers that will only allow specied substances to pass through them. This property could be leveraged to make it possible to extract only oxygen from the air, or pure water from the ocean. Medical applications are also possible, such as for dialysis.Outlook for researchIn addition to working for chemical manufacturers, graduates are active in a wide range of research domains that extends beyond any single industry.Outlook for students after graduationApplied ChemistryApplying colloid and interface chemistry to nano-technological and biological systemsDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsIn my laboratory, we use colloid and interfacial science to study nano-technological and biological systems.Nano-technological applications: We are using interfacial forces to produce a monolayer of nanoparticles at an air-water interface with a controlled packing. Such a monolayer can be used to produce magnetic or semiconductor materials. Our goal is to determine how to create high-quality devices at low cost by determining (1) the effects of the particle material, size, and shape on the physical properties of the monolayer and (2) the forces and factors controlling the structuring and interactions of the particles at the interface.Biological applications: We are researching (1) the physical properties of polysaccharides in order to produce materials that can act as lubricant films in joints and (2) how to control the interactions of lipids in cell membranes with other molecules so as to inhibit their aggregation, which can cause health problems such as metabolic syndrome.Education:　B.Sc. (hons), B.A.: University of Queensland, AustraliaD.Sc.: Kyoto University, JapanInternational collaborations：Max Planck Institute for Polymer Science, GermanyResearch Field： Colloid and Interface ScienceI am studying nano-technological and biological systems by using colloid and interfacial physical chemical techniques. My focus is on determining the fundamental properties of these systems and how they can be controlled.Outlook for researchIn our society, people have to think and make decisions on new and unknown topics everyday. In my lab, we are learning how to think and make decisions though our research on new and unknown science.Outlook for students after graduationThe interaction of glucose or insulin with a model biological membrane is determined by using a Langmuir trough and uorescence imaging techniques.A particulate monolayer that has been transferred to a solid substrateSalt water can be seen on the left and pure water on the right. A salinometer is being used to measure how much salt passes through the lm to the pure water side.Cellulose acetate is boiled in ammonia to examine polymer changes.Students are also engaged in the creation of membranes using surfactants.ParticlesSolid

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