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Department of Functional Materials Science |
◆What are Materials？◆
When substance is adapted so as to serve a use in our lives through exploitation of its characteristics, the substance is called material.
For example, a modern building is constructed from a great deal of iron and steel, cement, glass, plastics, etc.
Since these are materials which form a structure such as buildings and automobiles, they are called structural materials
◆What are Functional Materials？◆
High-speed computers, increasing the need for energy, space development, arrival of an aging society,
and environmental concerns are enormous problems that modern technology is expected to overcome,
and it is considered that the key to solve these problems is to develop new functional materials.
Studies are carried out in various fields such as new semiconductors, magnetic materials, high-temperature superconductors,
ultra-heat-resistant materials, supramolecular materials, material suitable for living things, biodegradable plastics,
artificial protein, etc. In other words, "functional material " is a general term for a substance that
exhibits a high-level function in itself as well as constituting a structure.
◆Extended World of Functional Materials◆
What, therefore, is required from the design of a material so that its function meets society's demands?
The desired function can be produced by designing a product at atomic or molecular level, before actually manufacturing it.
Today a new approach, which controls the arrangement and combination of atoms and molecules in order to achieve advanced functions,
is gradually being developed. Functional materials science is the field which creates novel and sophisticated materials by
progressive research in accordance with the laws of nature.
The Department of Functional Materials Science was established in 1992 to carry out studies for the development of new functional materials
on the basis of physics and chemistry as well as to produce researchers and engineers who play active roles in undeveloped areas associated
with information, electronics, synthetic chemistry, and biotechnology, all which will gain further importance in the future.
There are many problems in the study and development of new functional materials, which cannot be resolved by existing technology.
However, we are confident that materials devices that possess as yet undiscovered functions, will be produced using techniques from these undeveloped areas.
We hope that students possessing great curiosity and enthusiasm will join our Department.
