Contributing to the world through the development of environmentally friendly plastics!
Currently, environmental pollution caused by petroleum-based synthetic plastic waste, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, which do not biodegrade in the environment, as exemplified by marine microplastic pollution, has become a critical global issue that requires urgent resolution.
One solution is the development of “biodegradable plastics”, which can be completely degraded into carbon dioxide and water by microorganisms in the environment. Furthermore, from the perspective of preventing global warming caused by the depletion of fossil resources due to increased energy consumption and the carbon dioxide emitted during the production and incineration of plastics, the importance of“biomass plastics”, which are produced using renewable plant biomass as a raw material instead of petroleum, is increasing.
I am actively engaged in the development of “biodegradable biomass plastics” that are produced from biomass and biodegradable in the environment. In addition to developing synthetic technologies for producing environmentally friendly plastics using microbial fermentation and chemical synthesis methods with polysaccharides and vegetable oils as starting materials, we are also developing forming and processing technologies for high-performance films, high-strength fibers, and materialswith excellent impact and heat resistance. We conduct structural analysis of molded materials using X-rays and synchrotron radiation, elucidate the mechanisms of plastic biodegradation by degrading-enzymes, perform real-environment biodegradation tests in mountain, river, sea, and deep-sea environments, and conduct in-lab biodegradability tests (BOD tests) using river water and seawater. We are pursuing research from every angle, from synthesis to degradation. Recently, we boarded the manned submersible Shinkai 6500 and conducted experiments at water depths of 1,000 to 5,500 meters below sea level, where we were able to confirm for the first time in the world that the biodegradable plastics we developed are degraded by microorganisms.
Through this series of studies, we aim to build a sustainable society and preserve a beautiful global environment for future generations.
Educational content
Acquire the ability to think about things from multiple perspectives and communicate your ideas to the world!
The plastic I am researching is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable materials developed in the 20th century, which has greatly enriched human life. Currently, plastic is being vilified due to issues such as plastic waste, but I believe that plastic, which is lightweight, durable, and long-lasting, will continue to be used in the future. Materials used in home appliances and automobiles can be recycled if properly collected, thereby reducing environmental impact. However, it is also true that materials used in agricultural, forestry, and fisheries cannot all be recovered and end up as waste in the environment. It is necessary to consider various aspects, such as where a material will be used, for how long, and whether it can be recovered, and if so, how difficult it will be to recover. In addition to developing technologies for manufacturing plastics using engineering and agricultural methods, it is also necessary to consider social science perspectives, such as those of the circular economy and life cycle assessment, which evaluates how much environmental impact can be reduced from manufacturing to disposal. I hope that students will develop the ability to think from multiple perspectives and angles. To that end, while it is important to master one❜s field of expertise, I also encourage students to take an interest in other fields as well.
Furthermore, the problem of plastic is not one that can be solved within the confines of a research laboratory or within Japan alone. Studying abroad during university, experiencing different cultures, and learning about global trends and various ways of thinking will have a significant impact on students❜ future lives. I myself studied abroad in France for a year when I was a second-year doctoral student. We would like to support many students in gaining this experience.
Prospects for joint research and industry-academia collaboration
Let's work together to develop materials that are useful to society based on fundamental research!
The environmentally friendly plastic we are developing cannot contribute to society simply because it is a concept, because small amounts have been successfully synthesized, because it can be made into film or fiber, or because it decomposes slightly in soil. As a university, discovering ideas and technologies that start from scratch is most important, but we believe that collaboration with companies that understand the content of our basic research and are willing to work with us toward commercialization is essential.
We would be delighted to collaborate with you on projects that leverage the fundamental technologies developed in our laboratory, including large-scale synthesis of polymers, continuous processing technologies for high-performance materials, product development utilizing insights into internal structures obtained through synchrotron radiation analysis, enzymatic degradation tests of various polymers, BOD biodegradability tests using environmental water, and degradation tests in real environments, including deep-sea environments.
