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Close-up! Kyushu U Making a mark on the world with research on organic materials

Close-up! Kyushu U Making a mark on the world with research on organic materials
Close-up! Kyushu U Making a mark on the world with research on organic materials

The world of functional organic materials is full of new capabilities and possibilities to discover and explore

First established on the Ito Campus of Kyushu University in 2014, the Yasuda Lab has a current roster of 20 students and researchers and is led by Professor Takuma Yasuda from the Institute for Advanced Study, an expert in functional organic materials chemistry. Looking ahead to the evolution of an IoT* society, the lab has created a number of new organic materials featuring a variety of functions and directed its research towards the development of organic electronic devices.

*IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a system in which everyday objects and devices are interconnected via the internet, enhancing communication and convenience.

*This interview was conducted in October, 2022. Affiliations and other information are current as of the time of the interview. The original Japanese version of the article can be found here.

The world of functional organic materials is full of new capabilities and possibilities to discover and explore

First established on the Ito Campus of Kyushu University in 2014, the Yasuda Lab has a current roster of 20 students and researchers and is led by Professor Takuma Yasuda from the Institute for Advanced Study, an expert in functional organic materials chemistry. Looking ahead to the evolution of an IoT* society, the lab has created a number of new organic materials featuring a variety of functions and directed its research towards the development of organic electronic devices.

*IoT, or the Internet of Things, is a system in which everyday objects and devices are interconnected via the internet, enhancing communication and convenience.

*This interview was conducted in October, 2022. Affiliations and other information are current as of the time of the interview. The original Japanese version of the article can be found here.

The Yasuda Lab is on a mission to discover novel organic materials that promise to embed themselves in devices to enrich our lives.

The Yasuda Lab focuses on optical and electronic functions amid the many branches of organic materials chemistry. The organic compounds that glow, conduct electricity, or change color when stimulated are the focal points of the lab’s research. While silicon-based inorganic semiconductors underpin much of the electronics technology that surrounds us today, the scope of the research at the Yasuda Lab mainly comprises organic semiconductors made of organic compounds. Organic semiconductors are a relatively new field of research that emerged around 1950, but there is a reason why the Yasuda Lab focuses on them.

Let’s look at solar cells as an example of an everyday product. They are made of silicon—black, bulky, and heavy—and installed in places like the roofs of houses. If we use organic instead of inorganic semiconductors, we can make them thin, light, and flexible like paper, with a variety of colors and designs to enhance their aesthetic appeal. That said, there are also disadvantages—for example, organic materials deteriorate faster than inorganic materials when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. There are good qualities about both types of materials. The key is to select the right materials for the right purposes. At the Yasuda Lab, students and researchers work together every day to harness the power of chemistry to develop organic materials and devices with excellent functionality and interesting properties.

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The Yasuda Lab is on a mission to discover novel organic materials that promise to embed themselves in devices to enrich our lives.

The Yasuda Lab focuses on optical and electronic functions amid the many branches of organic materials chemistry. The organic compounds that glow, conduct electricity, or change color when stimulated are the focal points of the lab’s research. While silicon-based inorganic semiconductors underpin much of the electronics technology that surrounds us today, the scope of the research at the Yasuda Lab mainly comprises organic semiconductors made of organic compounds. Organic semiconductors are a relatively new field of research that emerged around 1950, but there is a reason why the Yasuda Lab focuses on them.

Let’s look at solar cells as an example of an everyday product. They are made of silicon—black, bulky, and heavy—and installed in places like the roofs of houses. If we use organic instead of inorganic semiconductors, we can make them thin, light, and flexible like paper, with a variety of colors and designs to enhance their aesthetic appeal. That said, there are also disadvantages—for example, organic materials deteriorate faster than inorganic materials when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. There are good qualities about both types of materials. The key is to select the right materials for the right purposes. At the Yasuda Lab, students and researchers work together every day to harness the power of chemistry to develop organic materials and devices with excellent functionality and interesting properties.

The Yasuda Lab is home to a broad range of research and a place to form bonds with labmates who are demanding yet kind.

A defining characteristic of the Yasuda Lab is the cross-disciplinary nature of its research, which covers everything from molecular design and synthesis to physical property analysis and device evaluation. Many students and researchers have indicated that the variety of experiences available here was a factor in their decision to join the lab. Normally, physics researchers do not get to do hands-on work, such as using flasks in synthetic experiments. However, everyone at the Yasuda Lab is able to conduct cross-disciplinary research on organic synthesis, semiconductor device evaluation, quantum chemical calculations using Kyushu University’s Supercomputer System ITO, and more. The researchers at the lab rave about how incredibly inspiring and rewarding it is to handle processes that are typically divided among different people in other labs entirely by themselves. People from outside Japan even come specifically to study at the Yasuda Lab!

While research continues to expand our knowledge and experience, the Yasuda Lab members also come to realize the challenges brought about by its breadth of scope as they delve deeper. Obstacles, such as the failure to synthesize compounds as desired, sometimes cause them to grow impatient with their research. However, Yasuda and the rest of the lab bond as teammates and support each other with kindness and tough love. “Many students these days are quiet, especially the Japanese students,” Yasuda says. “When I was a student, I used to talk nonstop during experiments.

Most of it was off-topic, but occasionally, something someone said would turn into discussions that were useful for research and lead to new ideas.” With this in mind, Yasuda began holding “tea parties” open to everyone on Friday afternoons. At these gatherings, lab members engage in passionate discussions about their research or simply relax and make small talk in Japanese or English. As of now, roughly 40% of Yasuda Lab members are foreign nationals from China, South Korea, India, and Germany. The lab is filled with warmth, thanks to the diverse backgrounds and skill sets of its members, as well as Yasuda’s initiatives to foster not only research but also daily interaction.

The Yasuda Lab is home to a broad range of research and a place to form bonds with labmates who are demanding yet kind.

A defining characteristic of the Yasuda Lab is the cross-disciplinary nature of its research, which covers everything from molecular design and synthesis to physical property analysis and device evaluation. Many students and researchers have indicated that the variety of experiences available here was a factor in their decision to join the lab. Normally, physics researchers do not get to do hands-on work, such as using flasks in synthetic experiments. However, everyone at the Yasuda Lab is able to conduct cross-disciplinary research on organic synthesis, semiconductor device evaluation, quantum chemical calculations using Kyushu University’s Supercomputer System ITO, and more. The researchers at the lab rave about how incredibly inspiring and rewarding it is to handle processes that are typically divided among different people in other labs entirely by themselves. People from outside Japan even come specifically to study at the Yasuda Lab!

While research continues to expand our knowledge and experience, the Yasuda Lab members also come to realize the challenges brought about by its breadth of scope as they delve deeper. Obstacles, such as the failure to synthesize compounds as desired, sometimes cause them to grow impatient with their research. However, Yasuda and the rest of the lab bond as teammates and support each other with kindness and tough love. “Many students these days are quiet, especially the Japanese students,” Yasuda says. “When I was a student, I used to talk nonstop during experiments. Most of it was off-topic, but occasionally, something someone said would turn into discussions that were useful for research and lead to new ideas.” With this in mind, Yasuda began holding “tea parties” open to everyone on Friday afternoons.

At these gatherings, lab members engage in passionate discussions about their research or simply relax and make small talk in Japanese or English. As of now, roughly 40% of Yasuda Lab members are foreign nationals from China, South Korea, India, and Germany. The lab is filled with warmth, thanks to the diverse backgrounds and skill sets of its members, as well as Yasuda’s initiatives to foster not only research but also daily interaction.

Material chemistry research is a kind of treasure hunt.
As long as you keep trying, you’re bound to find the treasure.

All students and researchers in the Yasuda Lab design original molecules with the desired properties and functions. What may look easy on paper actually requires a great deal of perseverance and effort. Success at synthesizing compounds or achieving the desired functions is not guaranteed. In that sense, Yasuda likens material chemistry research to a treasure hunt. “You need a keen sense of where the treasure might be and the perseverance, diligence, and energy to dig it up,” he says. “First and foremost, people have to like what they are studying and find it interesting. On top of that, those who work hard on what they believe in and see things through to the end have what it takes to do material research.” In that spirit, Yasuda and his lab members continue to focus on their research in search of undiscovered treasure.

Material chemistry research is a kind of treasure hunt.As long as you keep trying, you’re bound to find the treasure.

All students and researchers in the Yasuda Lab design original molecules with the desired properties and functions. What may look easy on paper actually requires a great deal of perseverance and effort. Success at synthesizing compounds or achieving the desired functions is not guaranteed. In that sense, Yasuda likens material chemistry research to a treasure hunt. “You need a keen sense of where the treasure might be and the perseverance, diligence, and energy to dig it up,” he says. “First and foremost, people have to like what they are studying and find it interesting. On top of that, those who work hard on what they believe in and see things through to the end have what it takes to do material research.” In that spirit, Yasuda and his lab members continue to focus on their research in search of undiscovered treasure.

The key to unlocking new opportunities is doing what you love.

The key to unlocking new opportunities is doing what you love.

Society benefits from the ideas people have when they can study what they love.

The Yasuda Lab is currently working with several private companies on joint development projects. Under their project with Ricoh Company, Ltd., which started in 2013, they are now in the application stages for a jointly developed flexible environmental power generation device that performs particularly well indoors. They are also working actively on joint research on organic EL and other organic materials. In the future, your smartphones and other devices may feature organic materials created in the Yasuda Lab. “Our molecular technology is being applied and utilized in the real world,” Yasuda says. “Nothing could be more thrilling for us researchers working in material chemistry. But fundamentally, what we cherish most is basic research. Ideally, this also results in a positive contribution to society.” People need to be deeply interested in something before they can truly delve into researching it. In that sense, Yasuda’s passion for research has inspired the students and researchers at the Yasuda Lab. They continue to tackle new challenges in research while enjoying teamwork with joy and enthusiasm.

Society benefits from the ideas people have when they can study what they love.

The Yasuda Lab is currently working with several private companies on joint development projects. Under their project with Ricoh Company, Ltd., which started in 2013, they are now in the application stages for a jointly developed flexible environmental power generation device that performs particularly well indoors. They are also working actively on joint research on organic EL and other organic materials. In the future, your smartphones and other devices may feature organic materials created in the Yasuda Lab. “Our molecular technology is being applied and utilized in the real world,” Yasuda says. “Nothing could be more thrilling for us researchers working in material chemistry. But fundamentally, what we cherish most is basic research. Ideally, this also results in a positive contribution to society.” People need to be deeply interested in something before they can truly delve into researching it. In that sense, Yasuda’s passion for research has inspired the students and researchers at the Yasuda Lab. They continue to tackle new challenges in research while enjoying teamwork with joy and enthusiasm.

“Here, you will encounter molecules that may change the future.”

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One molecule can change the world. Although it may sound like an exaggeration, this idea drives me to further my research every day. Isn’t it exciting to imagine what it would be like if the luminescent material we developed were to be implemented in the displays of devices as ubiquitous as smartphones? That excitement is the first step toward developing new organic materials. Let’s work together to advance our research while cherishing the pure feelings of fun and love for what we do!

Professor Takuma Yasuda

Takuma Yasuda joined the Department of Applied Chemistry as an associate professor in the Graduate School of Engineering at Kyushu University in 2010. He became a professor at the INAMORI Frontier Research Center at Kyushu University and established the Yasuda Lab in 2014 before becoming a professor at the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Studies in 2022. Yasuda specializes in functional materials chemistry, physical organic chemistry, photochemistry, and organic electronics.

 

“Here, you will encounter molecules that may change the future.”

One molecule can change the world. Although it may sound like an exaggeration, this idea drives me to further my research every day. Isn’t it exciting to imagine what it would be like if the luminescent material we developed were to be implemented in the displays of devices as ubiquitous as smartphones? That excitement is the first step toward developing new organic materials. Let’s work together to advance our research while cherishing the pure feelings of fun and love for what we do!

Professor Takuma Yasuda

Takuma Yasuda joined the Department of Applied Chemistry as an associate professor in the Graduate School of Engineering at Kyushu University in 2010. He became a professor at the INAMORI Frontier Research Center at Kyushu University and established the Yasuda Lab in 2014 before becoming a professor at the Kyushu University Institute for Advanced Studies in 2022. Yasuda specializes in functional materials chemistry, physical organic chemistry, photochemistry, and organic electronics.

 

*This article appeared in Vol. 126 of Kyushu University Campus Magazine (published December 2022, Japanese).

*This article appeared in Vol. 126 of Kyushu University Campus Magazine (published December 2022, Japanese).

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