FACULTY RESEARCH ACTIVITY 2014

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Functional Polymer ScienceFunctional Polymer ScienceDeveloping materials that are gentle on the body and made from natural materials and exploring how polymer materials can help in the repair of the bodyDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsThe body identifies artificial materials as foreign objects and attempts to eliminate them from the body and neutralize any harmful effects. Consequently, thinking of, and developing, new polymer materials that are more compatible with living organisms are extremely important steps in the treatment of numerous diseases.Akira TeramotoAssociate ProfessorAssociate Professor Teramoto took his current position in 2008 after working as a researcher at a private dairy company and as a research associate and assistant professor in the Faculty of Textile Science and Technology at Shinshu University. His areas of research include the development of substrates for cell culturing and the functional evaluation of cultured cells.My lab is working to develop articial extracellular matrices (ECM) that use natural materials such as proteins and polysaccharides as raw materials. Clinical applications for these materials are expected to include uses in regenerative medicine.Outlook for researchGraduates are primarily employed by material and chemical manufacturers, although some work at companies involved in medical equipment or pursue clinical applications such as regenerative medicine.Outlook for students after graduationNecklace-shaped supramolecules and cellulose/chitin nano-whiskersDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsI am pursuing two principal areas of research. The first involves utilization of necklace-shaped supramolecules called polyrotaxanes in order to develop functional materials such as gels, fibers, and films through chemical modification. The second involves applications of nano-whiskers, that is, rod-like microcrystal particles of cellulose obtained primarily from trees and plants and those of chitin from crab and shrimp shells for use as reinforced nanocomposites.Jun ArakiAssociate ProfessorAssociate Professor Araki took his current position in 2012 after working as a JST-CREST postdoc researcher, a technical advisor to Advanced Softmaterials Inc., and an assistant professor under the Shinshu University Young Researchers Empowerment Project. His areas of specialization include supramolecular chemistry and polysaccharide chemistry.Polyrotaxane and cellulose/chitin nano-whiskers are both materials with diverse future potential. These carbohydrate-based, eco-friendly, and biodegradable components will nd wide application in society.Outlook for researchGraduates are employed primarily by chemical and material manufacturers.Outlook for students after graduationTissue cells are cultured over a long period of time using a petri dish whose bottom is coated with the material we created, and then they are kept in a device that maintains sanitary conditions so that we can examine their functionality.Osteoblasts from mice cultured on a non-woven material made from cellulose nanobersA certain polyrotaxane derivative, that is, a nano-sized necklace molecule with a width of 1 nanometer, can be used to form a exible lm that has been utilized to paint cell phones.Cellulose nano-whiskers from plants (left). These nano-sized bers have an elastic modulus higher than that of steel. They can form a liquid crystal that shows vivid birefringence between crossed polarizers (right).47

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