Overview

Our group is focused broadly on science and technology at the nanoscale. Central to our strategy is the idea that what you can do in nanoscience and nanotechnology depends on what you can make. Frequently, the most significant impact in the field had been brought about by a breakthrough in material synthesis. As such, we put significant effort in material syntheses. New-materials synthesized by rational approaches are regarded as the key for success. Yet to be useful, these nanomaterials must be assembled and processed into complex and functional architectural elements that can be further assembled into applications and devices. We are extensively exploring hierarchical assembly of nanomaterials to develop architectural elements that have rational and innovative structures and functions and to characterize their fundamental properties. In many cases, the unique fundamental material properties are unknown, so the potential applications are also unknown. Frequently, we have experienced an exciting opportunity where a new frontier opened by the discovery of an unexpected property. Being a group in AIST, the largest national institute in Japan, is extremely advantageous because we can find experts to collaborate in almost any field. Therefore, our research becomes highly interdisciplinary. Group members utilize and develop concepts and techniques from chemistry, physics and the engineering sciences to achieve our goals. Every aspect of our research including material synthesis, architectural assembly, characterization of fundamental properties, and developing applications and devices is a challenge; yet, the extent to which we can take our work is limited solely on our own creativity and ambition. The support from the government allows us to pursue diverse directions at full speed. Furthermore, as being a group in AIST we are not only oriented toward basic research but also have strong connections to the industry. Our ultimate goal is to raise a new-industry based on nanomaterials and nanotechnology.