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Thin-Film Energy Device Research Group

Our research focuses on materials, devices and systems for the conversion and utilization of electrical, mechanical, optical and chemical energy, with the aim of maximizing the effective use of energy resources and further improving energy efficiency.

Research and Development Activities

Development of Manufacturing, Processing,
and Evaluation Technologies for High-Temperature Superconducting Wires

Concept of a Superconducting Electric Propulsion System for Aircraft
Concept of a Superconducting Electric Propulsion System for Aircraft

We are developing high performance RE-based superconducting wires that exhibit excellent superconducting properties even in liquid nitrogen. Specifically, we are working on material development using equipment (click to view photos)capable of handling wire lengths of several hundred meters, including process control technologies to improve critical current under magnetic fields, scribing techniques effective in reducing AC losses, and associated evaluation techniques. We are also developing various application technologies using these superconducting wires. In particular, we are developing electric propulsion systems for aircraft that use superconductivity to achieve compact, lightweight, high-efficiency and low-emission operation. As part of this effort, we are working with universities and companies to prototype and evaluate a 500 kW class fully superconducting motor and a 1 MW superconducting propulsion system, incorporating enabling technologies and achievements from wire development. This project is targeting propulsion systems for 100-200 passenger aircraft, with the aim of developing superconducting electric propulsion systems that achieve both high power density and high efficiency.

Research and Development of Novel Chalcogenide Materials
for Practical Energy Device Applications

Fabrication and Evaluation of Low-Cost and Abundant Material Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) Solar Cells
Fabrication and Evaluation of Low-Cost
and Abundant Material Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) Solar Cells

We are researching new chalcogenide compounds, including CZTS-based compounds, and developing energy devices such as solar cells using these materials. We are also developing evaluation techniques and deposition technologies for various materials and devices, including semiconductors.

Development of Broadband Transparent Electrodes
and Enhancement of Photoelectric Conversion Device Performance

Development Highlights
Development Highlights

We are developing broadband transparent conductive films with high transparency from visible to near-infrared wavelengths to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices. With a focus on practical device applications, we are approaching this from both material design and low temperature, large area manufacturing processes. Polycrystalline thin films formed by low temperature processes exhibit significantly variable electronic transport properties depending on the manufacturing conditions. We are therefore comparing these films with epitaxial films grown at high temperatures to accurately understand the inherent potential of the material. One of the materials developed is In2O3:H and In2O3:TM,H (TM: transition metal, H: hydrogen) polycrystalline thin films, which exhibit exceptionally high electron mobility even when processed at temperatures below 200°C. These films are applied to silicon heterojunction solar cells and contribute to improved device performance. At the same time, the rapid expansion of solar cell production has highlighted the scarcity of indium resources. To address this, we are focusing on developing low-temperature manufacturing technology for amorphous SnO2 transparent conductive films that do not use indium. The effectiveness of these transparent conductive films is being demonstrated in collaboration with researchers inside and outside AIST by fabricating and evaluating various optoelectronic devices such as solar cells.


Notice

  • Please confirm the location of the member's office before your visit.
  • April 1, 2025: Dr. Yoshiyasu Saito, Chief Technical Officer, joined our group (concurrently).
  • April 1, 2024: Dr. Hajime Shibata, Invited Researcher, joined our group.
  • April 1, 2023: Dr. Norio Terada, Invited Researcher, joined our group.

  • Members

          
    Positoin / Name Area of Expertise Location of Office
    Group Leader
    Takashi KOIDA
    Oxide electronics, Solar cellsCentral 2
    Senior Researcher
    Hitoshi TAMPO
    Semiconductor engineering, Crystal growth Central 2
    Senior Researcher
    Takehiko NAGAI
    Semiconductor engineering, surface and interface characterization, laser spectroscopy Central 2
    Specific Technical Senior Officer
    Yoshiyasu SAITO
    Electrochemistry, Lithium-ion batteries, Thermal measurement and analysis, Safety and reliability assessment Central 2
    Invited Senior Researcher
    Norio TERADA
    Solar cells, Superconductivity, Surface and interface, Photoelectron spectroscopy Central 2
    Invited Senior Researcher
    Hajime SHIBATA
    Optical material physics, Semiconductor engineering, Device physics Central 2
    Senior Researcher
    Teruo IZUMI
    Material science, Thermodynamics, Superconducting engineering East
    Invited Senior Researcher
    Takato MACHI
    Superconducting wire processing technology, Solid state physics East
    Postdoctoral Researcher
    Hishiro HIROSE
    Condensed matter physics, Precision measurement East
    Invited Senior Researcher
    Akira IBI
    Thin film processing, Superconducting engineering East
    Invited Senior Researcher
    Koichi NAKAOKA
    Materials engineering, Superconducting engineering East


    Access

                  
    Location Adress Access
    Central 2
    AIST Tsukuba Central 2
    1-1-1 Umezono, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8568 Japan
    AIST Tsukuba Central 2
    East
    AIST Tsukuba East
    1-2-1 Namiki, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8564 Japan
     AIST Tsukuba East 


    Inquiries

    Please send an email to the address below.
    M-tfedrg_inquire-ml@aist.go.jp 

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