Development of preparation technologies for metastable states of soft crystals and clarification of their phase-transition phenomena
Co-Investigator: Kyohei Takae (Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Research Associate)
Co-Investigator: Ken Onda (Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, Professor)
Co-Investigator: Kazuteru Shinozaki (Faculty of Science, Yokohama City University, Professor)
Co-Investigator: Hiroshi Ikeda (Graduate School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Osaka Prefecture University, Professor)
Co-Researcher: Hajime Tanaka (Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Professor)
Co-Researcher: Shin-ichi Ohkoshi (School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Professor)
Co-Researcher: Satoshi Iwamoto (Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Associate Professor)
Co-Researcher: Kei Murata (Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Assistant Professor)
Co-Researcher: Shingo Hattori (School of Science, Yokohama City University, Assistant Professor)
Co-Researcher: Masanobu Karasawa (Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo,Researcher)
Co-Researcher: Kiyoshi Miyata (Graduate School of Science, Kyushu University, Research Associate)
Research Outline
In this study, we aim to establish “the science of soft crystals” from the viewpoint of how nano-structural changes can occur by macroscopic, weak stimuli, and develop new functional materials based on their scientific insights. The important features are as follows: (1) development of preparation methods for metastable states in soft crystals by the use of macroscopic, weak stimuli, such as mechanical rotation (rotary evaporator or magnetic stirrer) or mechanical vibration (shaking apparatus), (2) development of new evaluation methods for the phase transition phenomena in soft crystals using super resolution fluorescence microscopy or infrared spectroscopy, (3) elucidation of the principle for the phase transition phenomena in soft crystals by applying plausible models, and (4) development of new functions based on soft crystals by hybridizing with soft materials. Thus, we will develop novel technologies for the preparation and evaluation of soft crystals, and obtain methodologies for their photofunctionalizations.


Representative Achievements
- Evaporation Rate-Based Selection of Supramolecular Chirality
Hattori, S.; Vandendriessche, S.; Koeckelberghs, G.; Verbiest, T.; Ishii, K. Chem. Commun. 2017, 53, 3066–3069. - Magneto-chiral dichroism measurements using a pulsed electromagnet
Hattori, S.; Yamamoto, Y.; Miyatake, T.; Ishii, K. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2017, 674, 38–41. - Photofunctions of Phthalocyanines and Related Compounds
Kitagawa, Y.; Ishii, K. Handbook of Porphyrin Science; ed by Kadish, K.; Smith, R. M.; Guilard, R. World Scientific Publishing, Singapore, Vol. 32, Chapter 168, 173–270 (2014). - Magneto-chiral dichroism of artificial light-harvesting antenna
Kitagawa, Y.; Miyatake, T.; Ishii, K. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 5091–5093. - Magneto-Chiral Dichroism of Organic Compounds
Kitagawa, Y.; Segawa, H.; Ishii K. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 4932–4934.