Various phenomena in the global environment, including life activities, are all based on the appropriate arrangement of atoms and molecules. The characteristics of materials are determined by their electronic states and structures, resulting in the application of π-electronic systems, including molecules with carbon-carbon double bonds, to organic electronics. I will develop electronic and photofunctional materials that can “transform the world” by exploring strategies to synthesize innovative materials, for the challenge of revolutionizing academia and society and creating new symbiotic value for society.

The fact that molecules produced by chemists exhibit new properties and functionality shows that the uniqueness of the molecular skeleton is certainly beneficial to the development of new materials. Synthetic chemists play the role of “architects” of materials, bonding atoms with atoms and assembling molecules with molecules. This research subject has been chosen because I believe that we can essentially solve many of the problems that humanity faces today through the synthesis of unprecedented and “nonconventional” materials.

During the research period, I will consistently develop π-electronic systems that exhibit characteristic properties (photo absorption and emission, electron spin, oxidation/reduction, asymmetry, and molecular recognition) and challenge the control of electronic and photophysical properties and self-assembly (stacking) ability by improving the core parts and peripheral substituents. In the final two years, we will explore the functionalities of materials (such as electric conductivity, ferroelectricity, luminescence, magnetic properties, and mechanical properties) in various forms (crystals, gels, liquid crystals). This will be followed by an examination of device realization and social implementation.

The synthesis of new electronic and photofunctional materials will enable us to build a network through collaboration with domestic and international research institutions and chemical companies, and to establish a world-leading research center for functional materials science in the future. In addition, I believe I can contribute to foundational research that will drive the commercialization of organic electronics. This research leverages material characteristics to advance the realization of a sustainable and super-smart society.

Partnerships:
I would like to build a strong collaborative research system with leading researchers from domestic and international research institutions. I would also like to establish a cooperative relationship with chemical companies with an eye to the future, taking into account our improved understanding of the needs of society. It is essential to collaborate with public relations and science writers to effectively communicate the content and significance of my research to the general public in a clear and accessible manner, especially since the relevance to everyday life might not be immediately apparent.

Research collaborations:

To date, I have conducted research in collaboration with many researchers outside the university. The relationships will grow significantly in the future, and thinking about it again, it is essential to adopt a shared approach to research, strive to understand their ideas as much as possible, communicate our intentions clearly, and build a relationship that leverages each other’s strengths (+ to reply to e-mails ASAP).