Research
Challenge toward New Innovations in Water as a Resource
We aim to realize new innovations in water resource utilization by pursuing the development of low-cost technologies for separating hydrogen isotopes contained in natural water, as well as technologies for recovering water and helium isotopes existing on the lunar surface.
About research
Development of Deuterium Separation Technology from Water
Deuterium (a hydrogen isotope) contained in natural water is a high value-added substance used in deuterated drugs, plastic optical fibers, semiconductor manufacturing, and organic EL (for display applications), and is also expected to serve as a fuel for future nuclear fusion reactors. Therefore, the development of low-cost technologies for deuterium separation is strongly desired. In response to this demand, we are working on innovations in isotope separation technologies based on nanospace science, computational science, and machine learning.
Development of Lunar Water and Helium Isotope Recovery Technology
The Moon is thought to contain water as well as helium-3, a helium isotope that is nearly absent on Earth. Water can be utilized for oxygen generation through electrolysis, and helium-3 is expected to serve as fuel for nuclear fusion power plants. To this end, together with JAXA and Takasago Thermal Engineering Co., Ltd.—a leader in the development of lunar water recovery technologies (thermal mining)—we are pursuing the development of a technology for the simultaneous recovery of water and helium-3 (photo: Takasago Thermal Engineering Innovation Center).
Development of Innovative Gas Separation and Storage Technologies
Under the leadership of Professor Katsumi Kaneko, we are developing technologies directly contributing to the reduction of global environmental impact. These include energy-saving reaction control equivalent to tens of thousands of atmospheres by utilizing nanospace fields under ambient pressure, separation and recovery of carbon dioxide, ambient-pressure storage of supercritical gases such as methane and hydrogen, and the development of air-resource utilization devices employing ultrafast separation membranes with sub-nanometer channel structures.
Affiliated researchers
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Principal Investigator (PI)
Tanaka HidekiProfessor
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Katsumi KanekoSpecially Appointed Professor
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Shotaro Hiraide Assistant Professor (fixed-term)
