Research Fields
Systems Biotechnology and Process Development for the production of chemicals and biofuels from biomass
- Systems biotechnology of Streptomyces strains
- Enzyme screening and process development for red algae galactan hydrolysis
“Nanotechnology for Energy Environment”
Development of renewable energy sources and environmentally benign chemical processes are essential for sustainable development of human society. With this respect, our primary research goal is to develop new advanced catalyst materials and catalytic processes that can contribute to the aforementioned issues, especially by using cutting edge knowledge on nanotechnolgy.
Catalyst Design by Nanotechnology
Advanced catalysts with high reaction activity, selectivity and durability can be synthesized by the design of materials in nanoscale and/or molecular scale. Recently developed cutting edge nanotechnology can provide a solution for the emerging technological challenges in catalysis, energy and environment. In our research, we will develop and use nanotechnology to design an advanced catalysts with optimized structural, diffusional and catalytic properties.
Sustainable Energy
Sustainable energy is the renewable energy such that it meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Our research interests are to develop catalysts and chemical processes that can contribute to the use of sustainable energy sources such as biomass and solar energy. Special interests is on the development of catalytic processes for making liquid fuels and hydrogen from biomass and solar energy.
Green Chemical Technology
Chemical technology should be developed in a ‘green’ direction that encourages the design of products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances and maximize the energy and resource efficiencies. In this respect, our research concern is to develop new catalysts and processes that can replace conventional chemical process. Our research interests includes the catalyst development for fine chemical production, hydroprocess catalyst for fuel upgrading, and new 3-way catalysts for the removal of automobile exhaust gas.