Meeting Young Researchers

Profile

Toshio SAKAI

Research Area:
Material (hard and soft) Science, Colloid Science and Interfacial Engineering
Keywords:
Nano- and micro-scale materials, Functional materials, High-dimensional complexes, Amphiphilic characters, Colloids, Energy and environment
Contact:
4-17-1 Wakasato, Nagano-shi, Nagano-ken
Japan 380-8553
Tel: +81-026-269-5405
E-mail: tsakai[at-mark]shinshu-u.ac.jp
URL:
http://wwweng.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/CHEM/lab_sakai/Index.htm

Employment Experience
(Research):
2007 Dec.-todate:
Tenure-Track Assistant Professor
Fiber-Nanotech Young Researcher Empowerment Program, Shinshu University

2006 Apr.-2007 Nov.:
Project Research Staff Member
Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science

2003 Jul.-todate:
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering,
University at Buffalo, The State University of New York

2002 Apr.-2003 Jun.:
Research Staff Member
East Tokyo Laboratory, Genesis Research Institute, Inc.

2000 Aug-2002 Mar.:
Intern
East Tokyo Laboratory, Genesis Research Institute, Inc.


Employment Experience
(Teaching) :
2006 Apr.-2007 Nov.:
Lecture
Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science

1997 Apr.-1999 Mar.:
Science Teacher
Mito-Kiryo High School


Education:
2002
Ph. D. Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan.

1997
M. S. Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan

1995
B. Eng. Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba, Japan


Awards:
2010
Article Award, Jpn. Soc. Colour Mater.

2009
Oleo Science Award, J. Jpn. Oil Chem. Soc.

2008
Advanced Young Researcher Award, J. Jpn. Oil Chem. Soc.

2005
Oleo Science Editor Award, J. Jpn. Oil Chem. Soc.

2002
Oleo Science Award, J. Jpn. Oil Chem. Soc.

2001
Article Award for Student, Japan Research Institute of Material Technology

1999
Editor Award, J. Jpn. Oil Chem. Soc.


Selected Publications:
  • Toshio Sakai, Mai Ishigaki, Tomohiko Okada, Shozi Mishima “Multi-shaped Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized Using an Amino-terminated Poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide) Block Copolymer in Aqueous Solutions” Chem. Lett., 2011, 40(5), 501-503.
  • Toshio Sakai, Hanae Yano, Hirobumi Shibata, Takeshi Endo, Kazutami Sakamoto, Hiroshi Fukui, Naokiyo Koshikawa, Hideki Sakai, Masahiko Abe “Pore-Size Expansion of Hexagonal-Structured Nanocrystalline Titania/CTAB Nanoskeleton Using Cosolvent Organic Molecules” Colloids Surf. A, 2010, 371(1-3), 29-39.
  • Toshio Sakai, Paschalis Alexandridis “High-Yield Synthesis of Gold Microplates Using Amphiphilic Block Copolymers: Are Lyotropic Liquid Crystals Required?” Macromolecular Symposia, 2010, 289(1), 18-24.
  • Toshio Sakai, Mai Ishigaki, Tomohoko Okada, Shozi Mishima “A Facile Route of Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis and Surface Modification Using Amino-Terminated Poly(ethylene oxide)-Poly(propylene oxide) Block Copolymers” J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 2010, 10(2), 919-926.
  • Toshio Sakai, Hiroto Enomoto, Hideki Sakai, Masahiko Abe “Direct Fabrication of Silica-Coated Gold Nanoparticles and Gold Nanoparticle-Deposited Silica Spheres in Aqueous Media” J. Jpn. Soc. Colour Mater. 2009, 82(9), 387-396.
  • Toshio Sakai, Hiroto Enomoto, Kanjiro Torigoe, Hideki Sakai, Masahiko Abe “Surfactant- and Reducer-Free Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles in Aqueous Solutions” Colloids Surf. A 2009, 347(1-3), 18-26.
  • Toshio Sakai, Mitsuru Ohno, Hanae Yano, Hirobumi Shibata, Kanjiro Torigoe, Shigenori Utsumi, Kazutami Sakamoto, Naokiyo Koshikawa, Satoshi Adachi, Hideki Sakai, Masahiko Abe “Cethyltrimethylammonium Bromide-Mediated Hexagonal-Structured Self-Assembly of Nanocrystalline Titania: Gravity Effect on Framework Formation and Crystal Growth” J. Jpn. Soc. Microgravity Appl. 2009, 25(1), 2-8.
  • Toshio Sakai, Tsubasa Mukawa, Koji Tsuchiya, Hideki Sakai, Masahiko Abe “Facile Preparation of Gold Nanoparticles-Liposome Composites" J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol. 2009, 9(1), 461-466.

Research Statement

My research aims to develop the methodologies for fabrication of the nano- and micro-scale materials and organization of nano-materials into multi-dimensional (1D, 2D and 3D) structures in solutions and/or at interfaces in an efficient manner with respect to cost, energy and environment. In particular, amphiphilic characters (dual natures) of molecules or polymers (e.g., hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of surfactants) are essential elements of my research for designing the methodologies, because those molecules and polymers enable to assemble spontaneously (self-assembly) and/or to direct the assembly of the nano-scale objects into multi-dimensional structures. Nano- and micro-scale droplets in solutions such as emulsion droplets are also one of the interests for Sakai as containers for nanomaterial synthesis or reactions.

Research Interests:
• Thermal properties of emulsions (e.g., Freezing temperature and period, Melting temperature and period, heat transfer)
• Metal nanoparticle synthesis in solutions using polymer reduction method
• Metal nanoparticle synthesis in solutions using sonochemical reduction method
• Adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants in water by titania nanoskeleton

Tenure Systems:
Tenure systems have been adopted in many universities and colleges, especially in the United State and Canada while the system is not popular in Japan. The tenure systems provide a lot of opportunities, in particular, young researchers are allowed to focus on their own research topics, and develop their skills. In addition to the opportunities, this system also supports and encourages the start-up of the research for young researchers. So I believe that this system promotes to create the unique researchers and the resulting advanced researches in Japan.

My goal:

My aim is to establish my own research filed and to share it with many people over the world. At the same time, I would like to send my students with high potential to all the countries of the world.