Students

Introduction

Our laboratory was established in the 2021 year. Recent energy-related news highlights the goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, with terms such as “decarbonized society” and “carbon-neutral society” frequently used. While the term “decarbonization” is often mentioned, carbon remains essential to our society, and carbon resources are indispensable for a stable energy supply. The concept that society is aiming for is a carbon cycle where CO₂ emissions and absorption are balanced.

Fuel cell and electrolysis systems possess a reversible characteristic that allows for the interconversion of chemical and electrical energy, making them well-suited for a circular society. Additionally, hydrogen, which can be produced from diverse resources, is an essential energy source for maintaining the carbon cycle. Our laboratory conducts research on energy conversion devices, including fuel cells, electrolysis systems, and hydrogen production technologies.

To design these devices, it is crucial to understand the phenomena occurring within them. The same applies to designing key components such as electrodes and catalysts. We observe these phenomena to determine design principles. In terms of electrode catalyst performance and functionality, localized atomic-scale structures, such as defects, can be more critical than macroscopic structures. Our laboratory integrates both experimental and computational approaches, including first-principles calculations, to achieve multi-scale observation and fabrication, spanning from the atomic to the macroscopic scale.

Lab Policy

I believe that the most exciting aspect of university life is research. The appeal of research lies in identifying problems, developing approaches, taking on challenges, and discovering new results. If research succeeds and its outcomes can be applied to society, that is highly rewarding. Even if things do not go as planned, the approaches we develop remain. We can refine them and take on the challenge again.

Active research activities help develop not only technical skills, such as conducting experiments and numerical simulations, but also soft skills like project planning, teamwork, leadership, and global communication. Our goal is to create an environment where students can take the initiative in their research, tackle various challenges they encounter along the way, engage in discussions with others, experiment with different problem-solving methods, and cultivate the critical thinking and decision-making skills necessary for success in society.

In our laboratory, we emphasize a balanced approach—focusing on research when it’s time to study and fully enjoying leisure when it’s time to take a break. Our guiding principles are “No Research, No Life” and “Explosive Growth through Research Immersion.” We aim to understand the technologies that society needs, explore unknowns, refine our methods through trial and error, enhance our technical expertise, and ultimately contribute meaningful advancements to society. We expect each individual to engage earnestly with their research themes.

Research takes time. It does not always proceed as expected. The key is persistence. When you enjoy what you do, you are more likely to keep going. And when you keep going, interesting results emerge. That is why we strive to create an environment where research is both engaging and enjoyable.

Lab Life

After being assigned to the lab, students will decide on their research topic in consultation with their advisor. Each student sets their own goals, creates a schedule, and conducts research accordingly. Seminars are held once or twice a week, and in addition, there are journal clubs two to three times a month. Individual meetings are arranged as needed. There are no core working hours, as we value students’ autonomy.

If you are interested in our lab, you are welcome to visit at any time. Feel free to ask about our research or daily life in the lab.