Faculty of Textile Science and Technology Research Activity2015｜Shinshu Universi

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40Functional 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 temperatureFunctional Polymer ScienceExploring applications of discotic liquid crystalline organic semiconductors in solar cellsDivision of Chemistry and MaterialsRecently, liquid crystals are being used in flat-panel televisions, a product that is very familiar to most consumers. Liquid crystals (LCs) normally have a rod-like molecular shape, so that they are known as rod-like LCs. However, some LCs are not only rod-like, but also disk-like, and these are known as discotic LCs. Although discotic LCs are not used in ordinary applications, they are expected to find application in other fields (for example, solar cells) that differ entirely from those of rod-like LCs. Consequently, discotic LCs are considered to have enormous future potential. In my lab, we study novel discotic LC semiconductors that are suitable for use in organic solar cells.Today’s solar cells use silicon, which is rigid and heavy. By contrast, if they could be replaced by organic thin lm solar cells, they would become exible and light. Were discotic LCs utilized in solar cells, their cost could be greatly reduced in mass production. Such solar cells would become a much more familiar product in the future.Outlook for researchIn my lab, students acquire extensive knowledge of both organic synthesis and the physical properties of functional materials. After their completion of a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral course, they will be able to work in both the chemical materials and electronic materials industries.Outlook for students after graduationKazuchika OhtaProfessorA student observes the texture of her synthesized discotic liquid crystalline semiconductor with a temperature-variable hot stage and a polarizing microscope.Photomicrographs of discotic liquid crystals. We enjoy working with their beautiful textures.After obtaining his Ph.D from Osaka University in March 1981, Professor Ohta worked for Toshiba Corporation from April 1981 to December 1982. He has been at Shinshu University’s Ueda Campus since December 1982 and currently serves as a professor. His research interests include supramolecular chemistry, physical chemistry of liquid crystals, organic materials for electronics, organic transition metal complexes, and microwave chemistry.

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