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- Center for Flexible Organic Molecular Organization Research in Engineering Science and Technology
Center for Flexible Organic Molecular Organization Research in Engineering Science and Technology
Center Overview
Center Objectives
The Flexible Organic Molecular Organization Research Center (FOREST) was established at the Research Institute in April 2024.
In order to realize disruptive innovation, primarily in organic chemistry, we incorporate new design, synthesis, and measurement technologies in our work to tackle new challenges with our cutting-edge research infrastructure.
By closely linking single molecules and molecular assemblies, we aim to create organic molecular material seeds with optical, thermal, and mechanical functions, and develop next-generation materials with a view to future social implementation.
The center's name is derived from the flexible molecular crystals developed by the director; it expresses the center's enthusiasm for using flexible thinking to elevate the chemistry of organic molecular assemblies to the fields of science and engineering (academic pioneering) and technology (social contribution).
Research Direction and Future Prospects
We will focus on the following four main themes:
1. Realization of self-supporting organic photonics materials
We will realize free-standing materials by bottom-up (assembly) organization of organic molecules. The keys to that organization are the molecular structure and micro-material shape that enable various photonics applications. We will update existing molecular design technology and apply organization methodology to develop that technology into devices that gently capture light.
2. Design and development of high-strength adhesive materials
Our materials design will aim to create physical adhesion that can be used with nano-, micro-, and macro-scale materials. Connecting things is extremely important in the small world of nanomaterials and cells, as well as in the larger world that we can observe with the naked eye. The goals of our development work are to provide high-strength adhesives that are environmentally friendly; selective; and reusable.
3. Development of environmentally friendly functional polymers
The creation of non-toxic polymers and methodologies for decomposing them and using them in manufacturing is a very important part of new polymer materials work. We will develop new polymers by utilizing knowledge about and technology for organic polymer synthesis that we have cultivated so far.
4. Development of unprecedented analytical methods for solid materials
In modern science, where many chemical analysis methods have been established, we believe that one of the guidelines for social implementation is direct and accurate observation of solid materials. To that end, we will use the equipment environment that we have built so far to consider the proposal of new analytical methods.
