A variety of properties of functional ceramics, such as ion conductivity, dielectric properties and negative thermal expansion (see the figure), originates in motions of constituent particles (atoms or ions). Since structural phase transitions arising from them often affect strongly the functionality, its control is crucial as a basic step to develop new functional ceramics.

Aiming at control of structural phase transitions, lattice and other properties and phase transition mechanism are studied from a thermodynamic point of view.

In our laboratory, physical properties and formation mechanisms of aggregated structures of various molecular assembly are being investigated over a wide range between crystal and liquid.

We are especially focusing on the thermodynamics and the statistical physics of these materials.

Recent research topics are listed below.

Aggregation Mechanism and Higher-Order Structures in Soft Matter

Molecular Dynamics and Phase Transition

Physical Properties of Functional Ceramics

Development of Calorimetric Techniques & Theoretical Analysis of Thermal Analysis

Equipments in our laboratory