1) RESEARCH PROJECTS

We hereby present possible collaborative research projects and other projects promoted by our members as follows.

• Grant in Aid for Scientific Research (S)
  Establishment of Fundamental Theories on Material Strengthening Mechanisms Based on Nano-Dynamics Observation
  https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-grantsinaid/12_kiban/ichiran_r04/index.html
  https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-grantsinaid/12_kiban/ichiran_r04/j-data/r_4_jp_22h04960.pdf

  

• Ion Jamology
  Materials design transformation by understanding non-equilibrium and collective ion flow
  https://ion-jamology.jp/en/

  

• ALCA-Next
  Innovative ammonia cracking using vacancies as reaction sites
  https://www.jst.go.jp/alca/en/field/field1.html

  

• Hydrogen Boride Research Center, University of Tsukuba
  Toward the realization of Carbon neutrality
  https://www.ims.tsukuba.ac.jp/~hbrc/en/index.html

  

• "Hydrogen Area", JST Green Technologies of Excellence (GteX)
  Innovative Hydrogen Storage
  －Analyses of Hydrogen Reactions and Application of Digital Technologies－
  https://www.jst.go.jp/gtex/en/index.html
  https://gtex.h-storage.wpi-aimr.tohoku.ac.jp/

  

• “Carbon-neutral mobility systems”, Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (JST)
  Self-sustaining renewable energy sources in conjunction with their integration into next-generation mobility solutions
  https://www.jst.go.jp/sip/sems/index.html

• Hydrogenomics — Hydrogen Science and Technology Collaborative Association
  Industry-academia collaboration platform for the future of hydrogen science and technology
  http://hydrogenomics-alliance.jp/

  

• Hydrogenomics:
  2018-2022 Grant-in-Aid Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan
  A science for completely utilizing from its bonding and size flexibilities
  https://www.hydrogenomics.jp/indexE.html

  

• Interface IONICS:
  FY2019-2023 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan
  Science on Interfacial Ion Dynamics for Solid State Ionic Devices of Next Generation
  https://interface-ionics.jp/en/index.html

  

• Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research , Basic Research S
  Study of room temperature superconductivity of hydrides and its application to devices
  http://www.hpr.stec.es.osaka-u.ac.jp/kibans_home/

  

• Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research , Basic Research S
  Fundamental study of the mechanism of material strength development based on nanodynamics observation
  https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-grantsinaid/12_kiban/ichiran_r04/index.html
  https://www.jsps.go.jp/j-grantsinaid/12_kiban/ichiran_r04/e-data/r_4_en_22h04960.pdf

  

• JST: Japan Science and Technology Agency, PRESTO
  Catalyst structure control for highly efficient and highly selective conversion of carbon dioxide
  https://www.jst.go.jp/kisoken/presto/project/
  1112084/1112084_2020.html

• JST: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Fusion Oriented Research for disruptive Science and Technology
  Creation of novel solid catalysts using heteroanion sites as reaction sites
  https://www.jst.go.jp/souhatsu/research/
  researcher_ka.html

  

• “New Social Challenges” mission area, MIRAI Program, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
  Material and energy circulation technology based on biomass
  https://www.jst.go.jp/mirai/jp/uploads/r04-220921-1.pdf

  

• QST: National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology
  - Tohoku University Matching Research Support Program
  Promoting Next-Generation Synchrotron Radiation Research with Cutting-Edge Technologies from Both Institutions
  https://www.qst.go.jp/site/qst-english/

  

• AZUL Energy Inc.
  Start-up business from Tohoku University aiming to commercialize rare metal-free catalysts for hydrogen technology
  http://www.azul-energy.co.jp/en/

  

• 3DC Inc.
  Start-up business from Tohoku University to provide carbon materials for next-generation batteries
  https://www.3dc.co.jp/en/

  

2) RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURES

Hereby we introduce information about distinctive research infrastructure.
If you are interested in, please feel free to contact us (who is described as “By”),.

Mathematical Science / Analysis / Software

• The Dynamic Database of Solid-State Electrolyte (DDSE)
  We developed a dynamic experimental database containing >900 solid-state electrolyte materials, including mono- and divalent cations and various types of anions. This online interface can visualize the relationships among various materials' properties in the database, and users can choose the interested ranges on the plot. Users can evaluate the performance of their materials by inputting new experimental data to the panel; afterward, DDSE can display the performance ranking of users' new materials among the previously reported SSEs.
  https://doi.org/10.50974/00137195
  （By: Prof. Hao LI / li.hao.b8@tohoku.ac.jp）

  

• Topological Data Analysis System
  It consists of a software platform (HomCloud) and optimized hardware. And it enables us to extract and quantify geometric features contained in complex data from molecular simulation results and microscopic observation images of hydrogen-related materials. This provides descriptors for “noticing” where microstructural differences lie and for investigating structure-property correlations.
  (By: Dr. Kazuto Akagi / kazuto.akagi.b5@tohoku.ac.jp)

• CatMath
  Providing a package that enables analysis of catalytic reaction activity based on first-principles calculations.
  http://81.71.102.117:8080/
  (By: Prof. Hao LI / li.hao.b8@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• LAMMPS
  Transport and chemical reactions can be analyzed using molecular dynamics calculations by solving the equations of motion of atoms.
  (By: Dr. Ryuhei Sato /r-sato@g.ecc.u-tokyo.ac.jp)

Advanced Measurement

• Hitachi High-Tech Corporation HF5000 Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscope
  It is equipped with a beryllium twin-axis holder, an HTC MEMS heating holder (gas holder), an EDS (Elite T Super (70mm²)) and an EELS (Gatan GIF Continuum ER System), etc. For sample preparation, it has a UV ozone sample cleaner and a TEM holder vacuum storage cabinet, and measures have been taken to ensure a quiet environment.
  https://www.ims.tsukuba.ac.jp/~hbrc/kyoyo.html
  (By: Prof. Takahiro Kondo / takahiro@ims.tsukuba.ac.jp)

  

• Ultrahigh-Resolution Spin-Resolved Photoemission Spectrometer
  It is used to elucidate electronic structure in hydrogen-related materials under ultra-high vacuum.
  (By: Prof. Takafumi Sato / t-sato@arpes.phys.tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• n-situ Raman / Infrared Spectrometer
  Thermo Scientific/ Nicolet iN10/DXR. Temperature and pressure can be controlled under hydrogen atmosphere by a specialized chamber.
  (By: Dr. Kazuaki Kisu & Prof. Shin-ichi Orimo / kazuaki.kisu.b2@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• Ultra-High Sensitivity Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD) system under ultra-high Temperature
  It makes quantitative and qualitative analysis of light elements including hydrogen at the ppm level by heating samples up to 2300℃.
  (By: Prof. Hirotomo Nishihara / hirotomo.nishihara.b1@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• Transmission Electron Microscope for Soft Materials
  Hitachi Hi-Tech Global H-7650, equips with EDAX・Genesis and high tilt sample holder. A general-purpose transmission electron microscope with acceleration voltage of 100 kV, additionally equipped with EDS elemental mapping analysis and ±60˚ sample tilt holder. It can be used for 3D structural observation and elemental analysis for soft materials.
  (By: Prof. Hiroshi Yabu / hiroshi.yabu.d5@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• Atomic-resolution Analytical Electron Microscope
  JEOL: JEM-ARM200F equipped with Dual SDD. It has 80pm of special resolution and applicable to STEM observation and EDS, EELS measurement. (Advanced research infrastructure for material and nanotechnology in Japan.)
  （By: Dr. Mitsuhiro Saito & Prof. Yuichi Ikuhara / msaito@sigma.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp）

  

• Advanced Measurement System of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS)
  Advanced XAFS measurements (3D and 2D high-resolution, depth-resolution on top surface, highly time-resolution, etc.) in special environments (high temperature, controlled atmosphere, electric energized state, etc.) are possible (measurements are performed at synchrotron radiation facilities)
  (By: Prof. Koji Amezawa / koji.amezawa.b3@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

Material Synthesis

• liquid ammonia generation system
  Material synthesis using liquid ammonia is possible.
  (By: Prof. Masaaki Kitano / kitano.m@mdxes.iir.isct.ac.jp)

  

• atmosphere-controlled tubular electric furnace
  Heating of materials can be performed under various atmospheres (N₂, H₂, NH₃) and temperature conditions ranging from room temperature to 1000℃.
  (By: Prof. Masaaki Kitano / kitano.m@mdxes.iir.isct.ac.jp)

  

• In-situ Infrared Spectrometer (diffuse reflectance method)
  JASCO Co. FT-IR 6X. Using a dedicated cell, measurements can be performed under various atmospheres (N₂, H₂, CO, Ar, and vacuum) and temperature conditions ranging from −170℃ to 500℃.
  (By: Prof. Masaaki Kitano／kitano.m@mdxes.iir.isct.ac.jp)

  

• High-Pressure Reactor and Gas Chromatograph System
  SHIBATA: ChemiChemi-200 (custom made), SHIMADZU: GC-2014. Pressure <15 MPa, Temperature < 200℃, used for hydrogen related catalytic reaction as well as analysis and quantification of reaction products.
  (By: Prof. Keiichi Tomishige / keiichi.tomishige.a1@tohoku.ac.jp)

  

• Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) System
  Preparing epitaxial thin films of compounds including oxides. Heat treatment temperature <850℃, in-situ RHEED observation is also available.
  (By: Prof. Naoto Todoroki / naoto.todoroki.b1@tohoku.ac.jp)