名古屋大学マテリアルイノベーション研究所

Past Research

At our institute, we have pursued research & development for social implementation in collaboration with industry, leveraging programs such as the “Materials & Energy Innovation Co-creation Consortium” (JST Industry-Academia Co-creation Platform OPERA). On the basis of the following framework, we have set research theme topics.

New value aimed at social implementation

Overview of new value

“ Aging in Place ” — living in the community as long as desired, healthy and vibrant, in safe and secure surroundings.

⇒ Achievement of both an environment-rich and safe (secured) lifestyle.

Goals for evolving into competitive domains

  • By around 2023, realize revolutionary high-efficiency conversion technologies of materials & energy contributing to the virtuous cycle of materials and energy.
  • Through this, create alliance development for a new intra-regional resource- and energy-circulation system built on regional resources.

Key technologies

  1. High-efficiency materials & energy conversion technologies
  2. Heterogeneous interface formation & control technologies
  3. Heterostructure control technologies

Research Theme 1: “Development of inexpensive and high-performance catalysts” — Overview

Research objective (what will be achieved if the theme is completed)

We create inexpensive yet high-performance catalysts, which either avoid use of scarce elements like platinum or drastically reduce their amount, by various approaches such as fine atomic‐structure design of the catalyst surface and catalyst‐surface processing via plasma-liquid-interface electrochemical techniques.

Proposed competitive-domain theme

Gate to transition into a competitive domain

If within five years we can develop a rare-element-free type water purification catalyst or CO₂-reduction catalyst, then …
Theme proposals
Development of novel catalysts that produce energy resources from environmental burdens
Theme inception timing
OPERA start + five years

Research tasks
  1. Development of platinum-free catalysts
  2. Development of novel catalysts applying liquid-plasma method
  3. Development of artificial-photosynthesis solid catalysts and establishment of advanced catalyst-analysis techniques

Research Theme 2: “Development of inexpensive and high-efficiency energy devices” — Overview

Research objective (what will be achieved if the theme is completed)

In order to realize inexpensive and highly efficient energy devices, we provide breakthrough technologies for the constituent materials. In this technology development, control of heterogeneous interfaces is the core axis. For social implementation, by supplying a ubiquitous energy system suited to each region, regional revitalization has been achieved.

Proposed competitive-domain theme

Gate to transition into a competitive domain
We set as hand-over requirements: performance index of each component (×2) and cost index (×0.25).
Theme proposals
Development of electrode materials achieving high-efficiency conversion
Theme inception timing
Competitive-domain theme inception target: April 2021
Business-launch target: April 2024

Research tasks
  1. Hetero-graphene electrodes
  2. Low-defect oxide electrodes
  3. Porous oxide electric-double-layer capacitors

Research Theme 3: “Development of ultra-lightweight energy-saving structural materials” — Overview

Research objective (what will be achieved if the theme is completed)

In order to save energy in material transport, we build key technologies necessary for the development of lightweight materials applicable to next-generation transport equipment. Specifically, focusing on the heterostructures that inevitably appear in lightweight materials, we aim to develop technologies for high-function or multi-function enhancement of existing metal materials and ceramics by freely controlling heterostructures. Through the development of these technologies and cooperative implementation in regional society, this research theme contributes to the future industrial growth of the materials field.

Proposed competitive-domain theme

Gate to transition into a competitive domain
After 4 years: implementation in small passenger-car related components
After 5 years: implementation in medium and large passenger-car related components
Theme proposals
■Development of lightweight heat-pumps using hetero-agglomerated‐particle‐dispersion materials
■Development of high-corrosion-resistant Mg alloy via vapor-coating
■Development of high-strength, high-corrosion-resistant Al alloy for body panels
Theme inception timing
ERA start + five years (2022)

Research tasks
  1. Development of technology to control thermal & mechanical properties of ceramics materials using hetero-agglomerated particles
  2. Development of high-corrosion‐resistance magnesium alloy creation technology
  3. Development of high-strength, high-corrosion‐resistance aluminum alloy creation technology

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