The Functional Materials Engineering Laboratory is conducting research on the synthesis of highly functional inorganic materials and new applications that utilize the functions of the synthesized materials. Through these, we are trying to contribute to energy and environmental problems.
For example, para-xylene, which is the raw material for PET bottles, is manufactured separately from the xylene isomer mixture. In the current manufacturing method, a large amount of energy is consumed for separation, and therefore, energy-saving separation is required. So, our laboratory is searching for a “molecular sieve” that can be separated by sieving using the difference in molecular size of xylene isomers. Also, at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, radioactive elements contained in cooling water are removed by ion exchange, but an ion exchange material with less waste is required. Therefore, our laboratory is developing a material that has a large ion exchange capacity and can selectively remove cesium. Derived from this, we are also researching materials that will lead to the inexpensive production of lithium, which is expected to run short in the future. Furthermore, we are also focusing on research to convert compounds obtained from biomass such as ethanol, glycerin, and lactic acid into high value-added compounds.
❖ Contributing to solving energy problems through repeated energy conservation, and contributing to fossil fuel consumption, that is, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, by effectively using biomass. Furthermore, we will contribute to solving energy and environmental problems by recovering lithium and cesium.