Development of electrode materials for realizing innovative storage batteries: When carrier ions are inserted and extracted, a phase transition occurs with significant strain, and therefore we have to develop new electrode materials with robust structures that can be stably used even in such a situation, and we also aim to construct a new battery system itself. By controlling microstructures of oxides and alloys at the atomic structure level and further controlling mesoscale microstructure formation, we aim to change the thermodynamic potential and facilitate diffusion of carrier ions.

Development of high-performance bulk thermoelectric materials: We aim to develop environmentally friendly thermoelectric conversion materials that can directly convert the huge amount of unused energy (of low-temperature wasted heat below 300 degree C) into electric energy.

Phase transformation studies of structure materials and biomaterials towards their practical applications: We are investigating the transformation modes of Ti-alloys for biomaterials (omega transformation), Ni-based superalloys for power-plants/aeroplanes blades (rafting phenomenon), etc.

Various phase transitions induced by vibration, light, electric, stress, magnetic fields: Glass structures actually have heterogeneity at various hierarchical levels. By controlling this non-uniform, i.e., inhomogeneous, structure of glasses, we aim to find glasses exhibiting new physical properties. We also focus on the development of phase change materials that switch the bonding features of electronic systems through the lattice-lattice phase transition.

Eshelby established the basis of the micromechanics theory for isotropic body. Afterward it has been extended for anisotropic cases by other researchers, and has become more sophisticated theory; for example, one can see more systematized theory in Mura’s book (left), and for the textbook written in Japanese, please see the right book that was written by Professors Toshio Mura and Tsutom Mori.

Advanced measurement techniques and our apparatuses: We introduce the development of new measurement techniques for materials researches. In addition, we show how to utilize the new techniques or apparatuses to what kind of researches in our laboratory.

We utilize TEM, STEM, etc. owned by Institute for Meterials Research and The Electron microscopy Center.

Experiments at the synchrotron radiation facilities (SPring-8, SACLA, etc) are described.

Advanced measurement techniques and our apparatuses: We introduce the development of new measurement techniques for materials researches. In addition, we show how to utilize the new techniques or apparatuses to what kind of researches in our laboratory.

We introduce atmosphere of staff/student rooms and apparatuses owned by Ichitsubo laboratory.