Physical Chemistry
Function Design Chemistry
(Department of Molecular Design and Engineering: Molecular Assembly Systems)
Staff
- Professor : Takahiro Seki
- Associate Professor : Yukikazu Takeoka
- Associate Professor: Shusaku Nagano (VBL)
- Assistant Professor: Mitsuo Hara
Overview of Research
The photochromic molecules change their shape and properties by light irradiation. When they are attached to a polymer chain, fascinating photo-polymer based systems are produced. Our interest is focused to photoinduced dynamic motions of these systems such as photoinduced mass motion and morphological change, photomanipulation and photopatterning of molecules and nanostructures in various organic and inorganic materials. These investigations can be connected to potential applications in molecular actuators, sensors, optical devices, information displays and storage systems. Our actual activities range from the design, synthesis of new polymers to evaluation of their properties directing creation of various devices.
Research Subjects
- Photoinduced dynamic motion of polymer films and morphology.
- Photoalignment and photopatterning of organic molecules, polymer and inorganic materials.
- Photocontrol of conformation and orientation of polymer chain in monolayers and ultrathin film.
(click to zoom)
Stuructural colored polymer gel fibers (left), Boudary of the photo patterned mcrophase separation structure in liquid crystalline azobenzene block copolymer thin film (top right), Topological AFM image of photoinduced surface relief by photoinduced mass motion (bottom right).