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Research

 

Electronics of Conducting Polymer

Conducting polymers and its whisker type nanofiber is a post-silicon flexible semiconductor. We investigate flexible semoconducting devices comprising conductiong polumers for a future social implementation. In particular, we are eagerly studying conducting polymers composited in general plastics or elastomer, that is, semiconducting polymer sheet with high mechanical strength.

Thermoelectrics of Conducting Polymer

Conducting polymers, which is classified into semiconductor, can convert a thermal energy into an electric power by the Seebeck effect. The electrical appliances around us use about 30% of a given energy, and the remaining 70% release as a wasted heat. By using the thermoelectric conversion, this wasted heat can be transfered into the electric power again. Now, we investigated aerogel structure of conducting polymer with heat insulating property and giant Seebeck effect.

Measurement Method of Thermal Conductivity

Measurement method for the electrical conductivity has been establish, and we can measure the electrical conductivity easily. On the other hand, on the thermal conducivity, despite for the same transport phenomenon to the electrical conduction, measurement has not been established. So, we started to investigate a 3-omega method for using the direct measurement method of the thermal conductivity differently from various methods as indirect one.  

Thermoelectronics by Ionic Seebeck Effect

We found that the plasticized polymer film loading conducting polymers showed large Seebeck coefficient in atudying the thermoelectricity of conducting polymers. Further reserach revealed that the giant Seebeck coefficient of this system was ascribed to be the transportation of ions. In the transportation of ions, we can modify various condition around ions by changing the structure of polymer matrix, so larger Seebeck effect can be expected in this system.

Slide-Ring Gel Electrolyte with Mechanical Toughness for Li-ion Battery

Slide-ring gel, which realized the slip-link model, by Ito Lab. in Univ. of Tokyo has attracted the great attension. Mobile crosslinks bring out the intrinsic mechanical strength of materials. We applied this slide-ring gel to the Li-ion electrolyte. Slide-ring gels swollen by ionic liquids showed large ionic conductivity with high mechanical strength.
This research is currently suspended.