Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

Promoting Advanced Interdisciplinary Research

Promoting Advanced Interdisciplinary Research

Full-time faculty members are assigned to various research areas, and by fusing different disciplines around their specialized research fields, advanced, highly interdisciplinary research is promoted internationally to create new knowledge and value.
 

Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Division

Full-time faculty members in the Advanced Interdisciplinary Research Division aim to pioneer new academic fields by actively utilizing not only their own research resources but also various support programs within the Institute, and by collaborating with researchers from inside and outside the University to establish the necessary research organization.

 

Platform |  Materials and Energy

Hiroshi Masumoto Professor

Research Fields

Inorganic material science, Multi-functional materials, Thin film processing
Research Subjects
Development of new multi-functional (Tunneling Magneto-Dielectric effect and Tunneling Magneto-Optical effect) materials by metal-ceramic nano-granular films

Message

When metals and ceramics are composited at nanoscale, they exhibit unprecedented functional properties. We have discovered new multi-functional properties such as the Tunneling Magneto-Dielectric (TMD) effect and the Tunneling Magneto-Optical (TMO) effect. Through interdisciplinary research in magnetic physics, medical engineering, and materials science, we are pioneering a new field of nano-composite thin films with new functions.

Platform |  Information and Systems

Takehito Shimatsu Professor

Research Fields

Magnetic film deposition, Room temperature bonding of wafers, High-density storage
Research Subjects
Atomic diffusion bonding technique for electric/optical devices, High density MAMR/HAMR recording media

Message

We have proposed an atomic diffusion bonding method for bonding wafers of different materials at room temperature using the rearrangement of crystal lattices at the contact interface of thin films. Using this method, we are developing research on new device formation. We are also working on research on functional thin films used in electronic devices using the thin film deposition technology that is the basis of the bonding technique.

Platform |  Advanced Basic Science

Takaaki Tomai Professor

Research Fields

Material Process Engineering, Nanomaterial Science, Chemical Engineering
Research Subjects
Material conversion processes for carbon circulation / Multi-scale structural control of materials based on science of dynamic interfaces / Development and application of hydrothermal electrochemical process

Message

Our laboratory specializes in controlling materials and processes in high-temperature, high-pressure environments, including supercritical fluids. As our commitment to fostering a carbon-circular society, we focus on developing hierarchically structured nanocatalysts and designing highly efficient material conversion processes that fully harness the potential of the nanomaterials.

Platform |  Advanced Basic Science

Junji Saida Professor

Research Fields

Non-equilibrium materials, Microstructures of materials, Metal physics
Research Subjects
Structure, transformation and deformation in metallic glasses, Relaxation and rejuvenation phenomena in metallic glasses

Message

Random atomic structured materials such as amorphous or metallic glass have significantly different properties with those of conventional crystalline alloys and are anticipated to have industrial uses in the next generation. We address an important challenge by controlling the relaxation behavior of glasses to improve their mechanical properties and to contribute to their applications.

Platform |  Materials and Energy

Takashi Itoh Associate professor

Research Fields

Electrochemistry, Industrial physical chemistry, Material chemistry
Research Subjects
In situ Raman Spectroscopy for battery active materials, Development of Zn-air batteries, Li ion batteries and fuel cells

Message

Analyzing the interfaces between the electrolyte solutions and the electrodes for lithium secondary batteries, fuel cells, next generation batteries and molecular electronic devices is important for developing electrochemical energy conversion devices. Our present study investigates the behavior of molecules at the interface with In situ Raman spectroscopy and focuses on the dynamical changes in the Raman spectra at different battery conditions.

Platform |  Life and Environments

Shinsuke Niwa Associate professor

Research Fields

Cell Biology, Cytoskeleton, Molecular Genetics, Neuroscience
Research Subjects
Molecular mechanisms of the axonal transport, neuronal development and neuronal diseases

Message

We are interested in the relationship between nanomechanics in the cell and cellular morphogenesis. We are analyzing how and why disruption of the cellular nanomachines in our body, such as molecular motor proteins and cytoskeletal proteins, leads to human diseases such as neurodegeneration, infertility, and blindness.

Platform |  Advanced Basic Science

Kenji Toma Associate professor

Research Fields

Theoretical astrophysics
Research Subjects
Extreme phenomena driven by black holes, Polarized light, Dark matter, Objects in the early universe, Collaborative study with observations and numerical simulations

Message

I am a member of the theory team in the Event Horizon Telescope consortium, which captured the first-ever image of a black hole. Every day at FRIS, I am stimulated by chats with colleagues in other research fields. I also have published omnibus books with young researchers from FRIS and DIARE.
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