Molecular Assembly Group


Group Outline

We are conducting research and development on self-organization of molecules and fine particles, photo-functional materials that change their physical properties (phase, optical properties, surface properties, dynamic behavior, etc.) in response to external stimuli such as light, materials that utilize or convert optical properties, and process technology (material synthesis, patterning, adhesion) using light. Related fundamental technologies are also a subject of our research and development.

Group website

Key Themes of Research

  1. Development of photoresponsive materials and optical functional materials, and its application to devices
  2. Development of optical up-conversion material technology and its application to device technology
  3. Development of molecular alignment control method using self-assembly and its expansion into new device process technology
  4. Development of soft materials with dynamic behavior and its application to device technology
  5. Development of synthesis techniques for functional fine particles and their optical and electronic material technologies


Organic materials that changes its phase between liquid and solid with light

Wavelength conversion with photon upconversion material

Phenomenon that crystal moves by light

Processing technology by pulsed light firing method

Development of molecular alignment control method

Material and friction technology using wrinkles

Thin film fabrication by friction transfer method


Our Technologies and Equipment

Organic / polymer synthesis, organic synthesis using flow-type microwave heating equipment, optical microscope, probe microscope (AFM, STM), evaluation of liquid crystal materials, thin film fabrication technology (vacuum process, wet process, friction transfer method), thermal analysis (DSC, TG / DTA), contact angle measurement by droplet method, surface tension measurement / dynamic contact angle measurement by Wilhelmy Plate method, white pulsed light irradiation device, molecular dynamics simulation, X-ray diffraction device (single crystal)

Articles

  • Ishikawa et al., "Pulsed laser melting in liquid for crystalline spherical submicrometer particle fabrication - Mechanism, process control, and applications" Progress in Materials Science, 131, 101004 (2023).
  • Kwaria et al., "Visible-Light Photomeltable Azobenzenes as Solar Thermal Fuels”　ACS Applied Optical Materials, 1, 633 (2023).
  • Manabe et al., "Light-Driven Liquid Conveyors: Manipulating Liquid Mobility and Transporting Solids on Demand" ACS Nano, 16, 16353 (2022).
  • Ohzono et al., “Stabilized director buckling patterns in nematic elastomers and their dynamic optical effects” Communications Materials 3, 29 (2022).
  • Manabe et al., "Green Superlubricity Enabled by Only One Water Droplet on Plant Oil-Infused Surfaces" Langmuir 37, 14878 (2021).
  • Ohzono et al., “Internal constraints and arrested relaxation in main-chain nematic elastomers” Nature Communications, 12, 787 (2021).
  • Amendola, Amans, Ishikawa et al., " Room-Temperature Laser Synthesis in Liquid of Oxide, Metal Oxide Core-Shells, and Doped Oxide Nanoparticles " Chemistry A European Journal, 26, 9206 (2020).
  • Yue et al., “Gold clay from self-assembly of 2D microscale nanosheets” Nature Communications, 11, 568 (2020).
  • Mizokuro et al., “Triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion through triplet energy transfer at a nanoporous solid–liquid interface” Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 22, 17807 - 17813 (2020).
  • Kikkawa et al., " Hexagonal array formation by intermolecular halogen bonding using a binary blend of linear building blocks: STM study" Chemical Communications, 55, 3955 - 3958 (2019).
  • Saito et al., “Negative phototactic behaviour of crystals on a glass surface” Chemical Communications, 55, 9303-9306
  • Yue et al., " Light-induced mechanical response in crosslinked liquid-crystalline polymers with photoswitchable glass transition temperatures" Nature Communications, 9, 3234 (2019).
  • Koyama et al., "A continuous-flow resonator-type microwave reactor for high-efficiency organic synthesis and Claisen rearrangement as a model reaction" Journal of Flow Chemistry, 8, 147 - 156 (2018).
  • Mizokuro et al., "Enhanced phosphorescence properties of a Pt-porphyrin derivative fixed on the surface of nano-porous glass" Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 17, 622 - 627 (2018).
  • Kikkawa et al., "Self-assembled 2D patterns of structural isomers in isobutenyl compounds revealed by STM at solid/liquid interface" Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 537, 580 - 590 (2018).
  • Kikkawa et al., "Photo-triggered enzymatic degradation of biodegradable polymers" RSC Advances, 7, 55720 - 55724 (2017).
  • E. Uchida et al., “Light-induced crawling of crystals on a glass surface” Nature Communications, 6，7310(2015).