Electro-Active Energy Material Lab. of the Department of Energy Science studies various materials related to energy conversion, magnetism, catalyst and electronics. They are targeting the first discovery and global-top performance in electrides as new electro-active materials and focusing on the development of record-high performance thermoelectric energy conversion materials. Also, they are studying low-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides from fundamentals to applied researches.
Followings are the main research topics:
1. Electrides: Electrides are ionic compounds in which electrons act as anions occupying interstitial real space of crystal structures, not orbitals. Because the electrides show a low work function and high electron concentration, the materials are of interest for electronics and catalysts. The research team designs and synthesizes new electrides by theoretical and experimental researches for industrial applications.
2. Thermoelectric materials: Thermoelectric materials can convert electricity to heat and vice versa. Utilizing the Seebeck and Peltier effect, thermoelectric refrigeration and power generation are possible to enable efficient energy consumption. The team is developing a world-record high performance in state-of-the-art materials by studying fundamental material physics and material process.
3. Low-dimensional materials: The low-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides utilizing a high quality single crystal and epitaxial thin film are fabricated in their laboratory. Beyond graphene, the research team explores a new two-dimensional crystal structure distinct from conventional layered structures.