FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014

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40Materials and Chemical EngineeringResearching recyclable materials that have a low environmental impactDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsI am engaged in comprehensive research to make polyethylene (PE), a recyclable material with low environmental impact, useful in numerous applications. For instance, my lab discovered that allophane has catalytic capabilities in breaking down hazardous substances such as endocrine disruptors at room temperature, and we are carrying out research to apply those capabilities.An image of natural allophane made using a scanning electron microscope. This material is found in great quantities in soil formed from volcanic ash and can break down endocrine disruptors at room temperature, under normal pressure conditions, and in the absence of light.A cutaway view of an allophane ball consisting of an allophane core surrounded by clay (left) and after sintering using microwaves (right).12mmTokihiro TakizawaAssistant ProfessorAssistant Professor Takizawa graduated from the Functional Polymer Science Course in the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University. He took his current position after working in the Faculty as a research associate and assistant professor. His area of interest is general material properties.I carry out research based on the principle of thinking for oneself. By leveraging the research lab as a place for training, I empower graduates to respond appropriately to the demands that will be made of them in the real world.Outlook for researchGraduates develop into personnel who can proactively and specically propose processes (methods of making things) and systems (ways of using things).Outlook for students after graduationMaterials and Chemical EngineeringUtilizing regional biomass resources with high-temperature water treatmentDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsResearchers have studied biomass conversion in high-temperature water (HTW) and supercritical water (SCW). HTW refers to water in its liquid state below its critical temperature and pressure (374°C and 22.1 MPa), whereas it becomes a highly compressible fluid known as SCW above this point. Water is the most environmentally benign solvent. The target biomass resources are wood (lignin), fish scale (protein), and squid pen (chitin). For example, we are trying to produce chitin nanofiber from squid pen.Mitsumasa OsadaAssociate ProfessorPh.D., Tohoku University, Japan, 2005. Post-doctoral Fellow, AIST, 2005 to 2006. Associate Professor, Ichinoseki National College of Technology, 2006 to 2014. Visiting Scholar, University of Michigan, U.S.A., 2007 to 2008. Associate Professor, Shinshu University, 2014.An advantage of biomass conversion in HTW and SCW is that hot water can serve as a solvent, reactant, and catalyst. While many biomass compounds (for example, lignin, protein, and chitin) are not water-soluble at ambient conditions, most are readily solubilized in HTW or SCW. In addition, H+ and OH- concentrations in HTW are higher than those in ambient liquid water, and acid- and base-catalyzed reactions proceed without adding catalysts.Outlook for researchGraduates work at chemical, food, and pharmaceutical companies as engineers and researchers. It is my hope that my students will make their greatest contributions in the eld of new environmental benign-chemical engineering.Outlook for students after graduation超臨界水とは●超臨界流体固体液体気体圧力[MPa]22.1 温度[ºC]3740.1(常圧)1000超臨界水臨界点High-temperature water(HTW)and Supercritical water（SCW)Temperature [ºC]Pressure [MPa]Ambient conditionSCWCritical PointSolidLiquidGasWoody and MarineBiomassFunctional foods,PharmaceuticalsHigh-temperature waterChitin（Squid pen, Crab）Chitin oligosaccharideChitin nanofiberProtein（Fish scale）CollagenPeptideLignin(Wood）Phenolic compounds

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