Polymer Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University: Creating Polymer Materials by Learning from Nature

In our laboratory, we create polymer materials with diverse and rich structures, properties, and functions; develop medical polymer materials for applications in drug delivery systems and regenerative medicine; create cosmetic materials from the perspective of colloid science; and propose biomass polymers (such as green microparticles) as materials for the future. Students encounter their research topics, work to understand and advance them, reflect on and express their ideas, and deepen their knowledge through communication. Through this process, they become able to perceive nature's cues, expand their imagination to generate ideas, design from the perspective of polymer chemistry, and create polymer materials with new "forms and functions." As a result, they are actually creating fascinating polymer materials in the fields of biotechnology and medicine, environmental remediation, cosmetics, and food.