Research Fields of the Department of Applied Chemistry

Modern society is supported by materials with various functions. Materials are aggregates of atoms and molecules, and when their constituent elements and structures are carefully selected and controlled, they exhibit unique properties. In materials chemistry, it is necessary to go beyond the boundaries of inorganic and organic chemistry and integrate various types of knowledge. In the Material Design field, we possess an in-depth understanding of material structures, physical properties, and synthesis methods. Grounded in chemistry, we propose and create novel materials.

The world’s economic development has led to enormous energy consumption and the spread of environmental pollution. Solving the urgent challenges we face today requires global knowledge that cuts across environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering. In the Environmental, Analytical, and Chemical Engineering Field, we are engaged in the research and development of technologies such as efficient collection techniques for harmful airborne particulate matter, portable analysis devices that provide on-site confirmation of food and water safety, and environmental decontamination and water treatment technologies utilizing fine bubbles.

Pursuing methods to connect molecules in any configuration enables the development of pharmaceutical agents such as chemotherapy drugs, as well as organic materials that deliver them to target sites within the body. Furthermore, by viewing the various phenomena occurring within the body as complex interplay among organic molecules, we can understand the biological processes of illness and recovery at the molecular level. This process of finding, creating, and utilizing organic molecules is what defines the Organic Science Field at the Department of Applied Chemistry.

Chemical biology, which views life phenomena as “coordinated molecular-level reactions of chemical substances,” and seeks to understand them through the language of chemistry, is now emerging as a promising approach for unravelling the enduring mysteries of life. In addition to unravelling the mysteries of life, students in the Bioscience Field learn about manufacturing that actively engages with biological systems to contribute to human health and medicine, as well as eco-friendly manufacturing that mimics and utilizes biological systems.