东京大学、京都大学、大阪大学等日本QS前10名大学的研究室信息。
Professor Jiangkuan Xing's research lab specializes in computational combustion and energy conversion, focusing on the fundamental mechanisms of coal and biomass devolatilization, ammonia-based combustion, and turbulent mixing in energy systems. The lab employs advanced numerical modeling techniques—such as chemical percolation devolatilization (CPD), direct numerical simulation (DNS), and machine learning (e.g., random forest) to predict combustion behavior, volatile release, and NOx formation under complex conditions. Key research directions include multi-fuel co-firing (e.g., coal-ammonia, biomass-hydrogen), flame structure analysis, and turbulence-chemistry interactions in practical combustion environments.
Professor Kaoru Dokko's research lab specializes in advanced materials and electrochemical systems for next-generation energy storage, with a strong focus on lithium-based batteries such as Li–S and lithium iron phosphate systems. The lab investigates ion transport mechanisms, electrolyte design—including solvate ionic liquids and highly concentrated electrolytes—and the fundamental electrokinetics at the single-particle level using sophisticated electrochemical techniques. Key research directions include understanding interfacial phenomena, suppressing polysulfide shuttling, and characterizing structural and electronic changes during electrochemical reactions through in situ spectroscopy and impedance analysis.
Professor Yo Tanaka's research lab specializes in bio-integrated microsystems, focusing on harnessing the intrinsic mechanical functions of living cells—particularly cardiomyocytes—for creating autonomous, bio-powered microfluidic devices. The lab pioneers cell-driven microactuators and micropumps that convert cellular metabolic energy into controlled fluidic motion, enabling implantable and implantable-like systems without external power sources. Their work emphasizes the development of biocompatible, transparent, and flexible microfluidic platforms using advanced materials such as ultra-thin glass and PDMS, with applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and lab-on-a-chip systems. A key innovation lies in the integration of living cells as functional components, blurring the line between biology and engineering for next-generation biomedical devices.
Professor Yuji Sutou's research lab specializes in the development and characterization of advanced functional materials, particularly shape memory alloys and high-entropy alloys, with a focus on martensitic and magnetic transformations. The lab investigates the microstructure-property relationships in Heusler-type, Fe-Mn-Al-C, and Cu-Al-Mn-based alloys to enable applications in biomedical devices and structural materials. Key research directions include microstructural engineering for enhanced superelasticity, shape memory effects, and mechanical properties through thermomechanical treatments and phase transformation control.
Professor Hongmin Zhu's research lab specializes in the design and synthesis of advanced semiconductor nanostructures for solar energy conversion, with a primary focus on photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical water splitting. The lab develops novel heterojunction architectures, such as core–shell, p–n, and Schottky junction systems, integrating materials like TaON, Cu₂O, Ta₃N₅, and graphene-based composites to enhance charge separation and photostability. Key research directions include the rational engineering of hierarchical nanostructures, surface passivation strategies, and the integration of plasmonic or co-catalyst nanostructures to maximize solar-to-fuel efficiency.
Professor Naoto Tsubouchi's research lab specializes in coal pyrolysis chemistry, with a focus on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of volatile release, carbon structure development, and the roles of inherent and added catalysts—particularly calcium and iron-based minerals—in influencing nitrogen, chlorine, and oxygen species evolution during thermal conversion. The lab employs advanced analytical techniques such as XPS, online gas monitoring, and XRD to investigate the behavior of heteroatoms (N, Cl, O) and catalytic effects in low-rank coals and carbonized materials. Their work also extends to applications in clean coal technology, including hot gas cleanup for IGCC systems and the development of catalytic materials for ammonia decomposition.
Professor Kiyofumi Kurumisawa's research lab specializes in the development and performance evaluation of sustainable cementitious materials, with a strong focus on alkali-activated materials (AAMs) and their durability. The lab investigates fresh and hardened properties of AAMs, including workability, drying shrinkage, and transport properties such as chloride diffusion and porosity. Using advanced experimental techniques and predictive modeling—particularly artificial neural networks—the lab aims to optimize mix designs for long-term performance and environmental sustainability. The research also extends to cement-based materials for radioactive waste containment, examining their behavior under leaching conditions and long-term stability in groundwater environments.
Professor Kyuya Nakagawa's research lab specializes in the development and analysis of advanced food and pharmaceutical processing technologies, with a focus on freeze-drying, microencapsulation, and structural control of biopolymers. The lab investigates the fundamental mechanisms of phase transitions, mass transfer, and microstructure evolution during freezing, thawing, and drying processes, using in-situ imaging techniques such as X-ray CT and mathematical modeling. Key research directions include optimizing encapsulation efficiency for sensitive compounds like flavors and β-carotene, understanding ice crystal growth and pore formation during freeze-drying, and engineering functional food and pharmaceutical delivery systems. The lab integrates experimental analysis with numerical simulation to design stable, high-performance micro- and nano-structured materials for enhanced shelf-life and controlled release.
Professor Kosuke Mitarai's research lab specializes in quantum machine learning and near-term quantum algorithms, focusing on hybrid quantum-classical frameworks that leverage the capabilities of current noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. The lab explores quantum kernel methods, variational quantum algorithms, and efficient quantum circuit design to overcome hardware limitations such as gate errors and qubit connectivity. A central theme is the development of practical quantum advantage demonstrations through innovative parameterized quantum circuits, data encoding techniques, and noise-resilient protocols. The lab also investigates quantum resource theories and quasiprobability methods to enhance the robustness and efficiency of quantum computations.
Professor Tony Z. Jia's research lab focuses on the origins of life, particularly the role of membraneless compartmentalization in prebiotic chemistry. The lab investigates how phase separation phenomena—such as aqueous two-phase systems, coacervates, and liquid crystals—can form primitive protocells that compartmentalize biomolecules like RNA and proteins. Using prebiotically plausible molecules such as α-hydroxy acids and polypeptides, the lab explores the self-assembly of dynamic, functional compartments that could have supported early genetic and metabolic systems. Their work bridges prebiotic chemistry, soft matter physics, and synthetic biology to understand how life might have emerged from simple chemical systems.
Professor Takashi Koike's research lab specializes in the development of innovative photoredox-catalyzed methods for the selective and efficient introduction of fluorinated functional groups—particularly trifluoromethyl (CF₃) and difluoromethyl (CF₂H)—into organic molecules. The lab focuses on using visible light and earth-abundant metal complexes as catalysts to enable mild, regioselective radical transformations, including difunctionalization of alkenes and C–H functionalization. A key strength lies in the design of novel, bench-stable fluoromethylating reagents and their application in complex molecule synthesis, especially in pharmaceutical and agrochemical contexts.
Professor Shinichi Sato's research lab specializes in developing innovative chemical strategies for site-selective protein modification using photochemical and redox processes. The lab focuses on targeting less abundant, surface-exposed amino acids—particularly tyrosine and histidine—through proximity-driven photocatalysis and radical-based labeling techniques. By leveraging ruthenium-based photocatalysts, singlet oxygen generation, and tailored radical trapping agents, the group achieves precise labeling in complex biological environments, including live cells and protein mixtures. Their work enables advanced applications in live-cell imaging, targeted protein functionalization, and the study of protein dynamics and interactions.
Professor Yuichi Negishi's research lab specializes in the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of atomically precise thiolate-protected gold and gold-silver alloy clusters. The lab focuses on understanding the electronic and structural properties of these nanoscale materials through advanced analytical techniques such as electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and DFT calculations. A central theme is elucidating the origins of magic-number stability and electronic shell closure in gold clusters, as well as exploring the tunable optical and electronic properties via alloying and size control. The lab also investigates the transition from molecular-like clusters to bulk-like structures in ligand-protected gold systems.
Professor Hideaki Ogawa's research lab specializes in advanced aerospace and microwave engineering, focusing on hypersonic propulsion systems and high-frequency communication technologies. Key research directions include scramjet inlet and nozzle design optimization for high-speed atmospheric flight, with an emphasis on inlet starting mechanisms, flow control, and thrust efficiency under extreme conditions. The lab also investigates millimeter-wave photonic wireless transmission systems, integrating optical and microwave technologies for next-generation broadband communication. Additionally, experimental and computational studies on shock-boundary layer interaction control using 3D bump configurations further extend the lab’s expertise in aerodynamic performance enhancement.
Professor Yoshihiro Nakayama's research lab specializes in high-resolution ocean modeling to investigate the dynamics of warm Circumpolar Deep Water (CDW) and its impact on Antarctic ice shelves, particularly in the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas. The lab focuses on understanding the pathways of heat transport to ice shelf cavities, the role of subglacial freshwater discharge in enhancing basal melting, and the long-term effects of increased ice shelf melt on Southern Ocean circulation and bottom water formation. Using advanced regional ocean models with fine spatial resolution, the lab aims to bridge the gap between observational data and model simulations to improve predictions of Antarctic ice sheet contribution to global sea level rise.
Professor Takeshi Ueki's research lab specializes in polymer science and materials chemistry, focusing on the development of advanced functional materials using ionic liquids as unique solvents and processing media. The lab explores stimuli-responsive polymers, ion-conducting gels, and ultrahigh-molecular-weight polymer systems, emphasizing sustainable and innovative fabrication methods. Key research directions include thermoresponsive phase behavior, self-healing and stretchable polymer gels, and the rational design of ion gels for energy and electronic applications.
Professor Kimitaka Nakazawa's research spans experimental particle physics, neuromuscular physiology, and biomedical engineering. His lab investigates hypernuclear systems using nuclear emulsions to explore fundamental hadronic interactions, while also studying human motor control through electromyographic analysis of reflex responses during locomotion. Additionally, the lab develops innovative extracorporeal liver support systems using bioengineered hepatocyte spheroids for clinical applications in liver failure. These diverse research directions reflect a strong focus on bridging fundamental science with translational medical technologies.
Professor Yukiyasu Kamitani's research lab specializes in decoding the neural basis of human perception, imagery, and emotion using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and deep learning. The lab focuses on translating brain activity patterns into meaningful representations of visual objects, mental imagery, and emotional experiences by leveraging hierarchical deep neural network (DNN) models as proxies for brain function. A central theme is the development of advanced machine learning techniques to decode and reconstruct internal mental states from fMRI data, particularly during wakeful states and sleep. The lab also investigates how brain representations align with artificial neural networks, aiming to uncover brain-like processing hierarchies in both biological and artificial systems.
Professor Hitoshi Hashimoto's research lab focuses on the neurobiological functions of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a highly conserved neuropeptide involved in stress response, behavior, and neuroendocrine regulation. The lab investigates PACAP's roles in the central nervous system using genetically modified mouse models, particularly PACAP-deficient mice, to explore its impact on mood disorders, anxiety, learning, and circadian rhythms. Key research directions include the neurochemical and behavioral consequences of PACAP signaling, especially its interaction with serotonin 5-HT2 receptors and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The lab also examines PACAP receptor distribution and function in brain regions critical for sensory processing, emotion, and homeostasis.
Professor Tiantian Zhang's research lab specializes in topological quantum materials, with a focus on identifying and characterizing exotic quasiparticle states in both fermionic and bosonic systems. The lab combines first-principles calculations, advanced spectroscopic techniques such as ARPES and inelastic x-ray scattering, and symmetry-based theoretical analysis to explore topological nodal points, lines, and surfaces in electronic and phononic bands. A key theme is the discovery of novel topological invariants and their interplay with crystal symmetries, including the emergence of higher-order Weyl and Dirac nodes, as well as symmetry-protected helical nodal lines in phonons. The lab also investigates the functional roles of epigenetic marks in chromatin regulation, revealing that H3K27ac, while a marker of active enhancers, is not sufficient to drive transcriptional activity.
