- TEL
- 029-860-4965
- Address
- 305-0044 1-1 Namiki Tsukuba Ibaraki JAPAN [Access]
Accepting Students
External affiliations
- Visiting Professor, Institute of Integrated Research (IIR), Research Center for Autonomous Systems Materialogy (ASMat), Institute of Science Tokyo
Research
- Keywords
eletron microscopy, self-assembly, in-situ imaging, single molecule imaging
It still remains as a challenge to design functions of self-assembled materials in a predictable manner because of the lack of understanding on self-assembly processes at a molecular level. Here we demonstrate new electron microscopic techniques for high-resolution imaging of organic materials based on the chemical design of supporting substrates for specimen molecules. The new analytical approach allowed us to study the time evolution of the structures of individual molecules in the self-assembled structures without significant decomposition under irradiation of an electron beam. Based on the knowledge obtained by the microscopic imaging, we achieved structure control of a variety of functional self-assembled structures ranging from organic particles to bilayer membranes, which were utilized for device and medicinal applications.
Society memberships
日本化学会, 日本顕微鏡学会, 高分子学会, 有機合成化学協会, 錯体化学会, フラーレン・ナノチューブ・グラフェン学会
Awards
- Nozoe Memorial Award for Young Organic Chemists, The Society of Physical Organic Chemistry, Japan (2020)
- Chemist Award BCA, MSD Life Science Foundation (2019)
- The Young Scientists’ Prize, The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (2019)
- Encouragement Award, The Japan Society of Microscopy (2019)
- The 9th Kazato Research Encouragement Prize (2018)
- Thieme Chemistry Journals Award (2016)
- The 65th Chemical Society of Japan Award for Young Chemists (2016)
- 25th Inoue Research Award for Young Scientists (2009)
Funds
- 科研費 挑戦的研究(萌芽) (2025)
- 科研費 基盤研究(B) (2024)
- 科研費 学術変革領域研究(A) 計画研究 (2023)
- NEDO 先導研究プログラム (2023)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), MEXT, Japan (2021)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan (2020)
- Research Grant, Kondo Zaidan, Japan (2019)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan (2019)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B), MEXT, Japan (2017)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan (2017)
- Challenging Exploratory Research, MEXT, Japan (2016)
- Development of Systems and Technology for Advanced Measurement and Analysis, JST, Japan (2016)
- Kondo Memorial Foundation (2014)
- Challenging Exploratory Research, MEXT, Japan (2013)
- Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan (2012)
- Challenging Exploratory Research, MEXT, Japan (2011)
- Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B), MEXT, Japan (2009)
Center for Basic Research on Materials
Title
Cinematic Molecular Science and Supramolecular Chemistry Developed by Electron Microscopy
Keywords
Electron microscopy, Visualized molecular science, Molecular assembly, Single-molecule observation, In-situ observation, Nanoscale thin film
Overview
In electron microscopy observation of molecular materials such as molecular assemblies, organic and coordination crystals, and polymers, sample damage caused by electron beam irradiation has hindered high-resolution imaging. In this study, based on originally developed electron microscopy sample preparation methods and high-speed video acquisition/analysis techniques, we reveal the atomic-resolution structures of single molecules and molecular assemblies, and record dynamic processes involving molecules—such as chemical reactions and structural transformations—as real-time video, developing a field we call "Cinematic Molecular Science." Furthermore, by leveraging the electron microscopy techniques cultivated through this research, we are developing functional molecular assembly materials, such as nanoscale thin films, based on an understanding of the hierarchical molecular assembly mechanisms that bridge the nano and meso scales connecting molecules to macroscopic materials.
Novelty and originality
● Recording the structure of single molecules and their temporal changes as atomic-resolution video
● High-resolution imaging of organic and polymer samples that are highly susceptible to electron beam damage
● Visualization of complex chemical reactions at the single-molecule level, elucidating reaction mechanisms
● Sequential structural analysis of intermediates during the formation processes of carbon materials, metal–organic frameworks, and related materials
● Synthesis and application of free-standing, molecularly assembled nanoscale thin films with ultrathin and flexible structures
Details
Single-Molecule Atomic-Resolution Time-resolved Electron Microscopy (SMART-EM) is an imaging technique in which target molecules, isolated and supported on low-dimensional materials such as carbon nanotubes or graphene, are recorded as video using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) equipped with a high-speed camera. By tracking the temporal changes of molecules as atomic-resolution video, this method captures three-dimensional structural transformations of complex organic molecules and molecular assemblies, as well as chemical reactions induced by heat or the electron beam, enabling the analysis of various chemical phenomena through statistical data on the behavior of individual molecules—information unattainable by bulk analysis. We are also working on analyzing elemental composition and electronic states at the single-molecule level using analytical electron microscopy.
We are also promoting the development of functional materials by integrating structural observation and video recording by electron microscopy with materials synthesis. As one example, we have successfully synthesized a bimolecular membrane composed of [60]fullerene molecules bearing hydrogen-bonding moieties, using the gas–liquid interface as a site for molecular assembly. This membrane maintains a uniform 3-nanometer-thick structure over an area of several tens of square centimeters and is notable for being isolable as a free-standing film. It also exhibits rapid proton conduction through the hydrophilic space formed within the membrane. Electron microscopy observation has further revealed that the membrane has a flexible, amorphous structure and displays reversible actuator-like behavior in response to electron beam irradiation, suggesting potential applications as an ion conductor, sensing material, and electron microscopy sample support.
Summary
● By integrating molecular science with electron microscopy, we have achieved high-resolution imaging of organic and polymer materials that was previously considered difficult
● By feeding back molecular-level structural information and dynamics into materials design, we are advancing the development of higher-performance materials
● Going forward, we plan to extend the scope of observation to catalytic reactions, ion transport, and other phenomena, broadening the applications of this method as an analytical technique
この機能は所内限定です。
この機能は所内限定です。