FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014

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42Functional Polymer ScienceDeveloping artificial organs, the key to the future of human healthDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsI am carrying out research with the goal of developing high-performance materials that can be utilized in the biomedical domain, for example to create artificial organs. Thinking of, and developing, new polymer materials that exhibit a higher level of compatibility with living organisms are extremely important for the treatment of numerous diseases. I am also working on tissue regeneration that utilizes the patient’s own healing ability as well as the creation of organs using stem cells.Koji AbeProfessorAfter obtaining his doctorate in engineering from Waseda University, Professor Abe worked in private industry for one year before taking a position at Shinshu University. While his specialty is polymer chemistry, he is interested in various types of interactions, including interactions between molecules.As society continues to age, I hope that this research serves to help people better enjoy healthy and happy lives, and that it serves as a model for medical and scientic cooperation in the service of public health.Outlook for researchThrough research in this eld, which covers not only material chemistry, but also the areas of biology and medicine, graduates gain both a wide range of knowledge and deep specialization.Outlook for students after graduationIslet cells (A) using capsules formed from polysaccharides and an encapsulated parathyroid (B)Osteoblast cells cultivated three dimensionally inside a porous sponge made from polysaccharides50nm（A）（B）Functional Polymer ScienceDeveloping gelling agents that can create solids simply by their addition and thickeners for creating viscous substances through molecular designDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsI am working to develop low-molecular-weight compounds that form gels or bring about viscosity simply through addition to organic solutions or water and to research potential applications of these substances. My lab is categorizing components that comprise compounds that act as gelling agents and thickeners and examining the forces and structures that form gels and viscous substances. We are also researching potential applications in cosmetics.Kenji HanabusaProfessorAfter graduating from Osaka University as an undergraduate and later completing the school’s graduate course, Professor Hanabusa worked at Shinshu University as a research associate, assistant professor, and associate professor before taking his current position in 1999.In 2002, he received an award from the Society of Fiber Science and Technology in Japan. In 2011, he received the Mitsubishi Chemical Award from the Society of Polymer Science, Japan, as well as the Chemical Society of Japan’s Technology Award.This research has major potential for industrial applications (including cosmetics, gel electrolytes, coating materials, display devices, liquid crystal gels, inkjet inks, paper for printing, formulations for external skin use, and sol-gel polymerization casts).Outlook for researchGraduates are employed by chemical, electrical, and cosmetic companies and as public ocials. They are valued by companies in numerous elds.Outlook for students after graduationA new eye shadow prototype made using a polysiloxane gelling agentWe plan to commercialize this lipstick, which uses a low-molecular-weight gelling agent.The gel formation process using a gelling agent: The gelling agent is mixed in a solution (left) and melted using heat (center). When cooled, it becomes a gel (right).toluenegelling agenta solutiongelmelt heatstand at room temperature

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