The University of Tokyo · Materials Science
Professor Akio Takemura's research lab specializes in polymer science and materials engineering, focusing on the development and characterization of advanced biopolymer-based nanocomposites and functional materials. Key research directions include the purification and analysis of alginates for biomedical and industrial applications, the fabrication of cellulose nanofiber-reinforced polymer composites for enhanced thermal and mechanical properties, and the design of stimuli-responsive hydrogels through solvent-induced structural modification. The lab also investigates sustainable materials using agricultural waste-derived fillers in polyurethane foams and explores the mechanical and adhesive properties of epoxy-based systems modified with rubber tougheners.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Abstract A modified method of preparing highly purified polymannuronic acid and polyguluronic acid was developed wherein acid hydrolysis was carried out using oxalic acid and separation was made using the difference of solubility with pH value. The simplified method using FTIR measurement to estimate the M/G ratio of alginate was investigated using Ca or Mn salts of alginate. The developed method appears to offer enhanced accuracy compared to that of previous techniques. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals
Abstract Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)‐cellulose nanofibers nanocomposite were prepared by an immersion precipitation method using various nanofiber contents. Solvent exchange was used to disperse the cellulose nanofibers in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) so that they could be easily mixed with PMMA solution. Atomic force microscopy images show that the thickness of the nanofibers dispersed in DMAc is around 2–3 nm. The nanocomposites obtained were translucent. The thermogravimetric and differentia
Abstract This study investigates the improved swelling behavior of chitosan/poly(acrylic acid) complex by solvent (methanol, ethanol, and acetone) extraction. The complex is developed by photoinitiated free‐radical polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of chitosan. The swelling ratio of the complexes depends on the cosolvency effect of poly(acrylic acid) to the extracted solvent, which in turn affects the polymer network structure and ionic states characterized by dynamic force microsco
Abstract Four kinds of agricultural wastes particles (XS: oilseed rape straw [OS], rice straw [RS], wheat straw [WS], and corn stover [CS]) were used to reinforce agricultural wastes liquefied polyol (P‐XS) based polyurethane (PU) foam. Different XS loading dosages (0% ~ 15%) are investigated to confirm suitable filler concentrations for modifying foams. RS particles show great promoting ability, OS particles reveal complex influence, while WS and CS particles display mild effect on foaming proc
Abstract The dynamic mechanical properties and the adhesive strengths of Epikote 828 and Epikote 828‐ATBN blend systems were investigated. The ATBN blend systems were proved to be completely incompatible with the dynamic mechanical measurement and also fitted well with Takayanagi's model which was designed for completely incompatible two‐phase systems. The epoxy resin had a nonreacted part when cured at room temperature. The blending of ATBN reduced the nonreacted part of the epoxy resin, and ma
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