Ceramic materials that manipulate light : Fujihara Lab, Keio Univ.

[Working to create ceramic materials that manipulate light : Fujihara Lab, Keio Univ.]

The Fujihara Lab is researching ceramic materials that have optical functions.This is a unique field called optical energy materials science. The aim is to make ceramics that play a role in optical wavelength modulation and photoelectric conversion, in order to develop ceramics that are more functional and environment-friendly.


Q. " These days, the terms rare earth and rare metal are used a lot. In fact, rare earths are the raw materials for most luminescent materials, and Japan relies on imports for nearly 100% of its rare earths. So its very important for us to make luminescent materials using common, familiar elements instead of rare earths. And its also important to incorporate not only luminescence, but also other optical properties into these materials, so they have good properties all-round."


Ceramics, which can be formed into all kinds of shapes, are already used in a diverse range of fields. However, because ceramics are made from a limited number of inorganic materials, there are concerns about high cost and availability of resources in the future.The Fujihara Lab is focusing on new structures for solar cells, and working on ways to conserve energy and improve the functions of ceramics.


Q. "Solar cells are currently made of silicon, but theres also great demand for silicon in other applications. For example, all computer chips use silicon. As computers become more widespread, silicon consumption increases. And if solar cells also have to be made from silicon, the price of silicon will rise, making it a scarce resource. But an alternative form of solar cells is dyes. For example, were also doing research on using pigments, like those used by plants to absorb sunlight, so the energy absorbed can be converted to electricity."


To make progress in this kind of research on ceramics, design must start from the atomic level. The Fujihara Lab is giving ceramics new functions through hight or low-temperature synthesis using solutions and vapors.


Q. "The usual image of ceramics is fired items, which are made by heating to, say, 1000 degrees or 1500 degrees. But at room temperature, raw material ions in solution crystallize freely and grow into inorganic materials. The idea is to use that kind of process to make inorganic semiconductors, which function as electrodes at low temperature. Were also studying how to incorporate them into solar cells effectively."


Developing new energy materials that convert light into electricity The Fujihara Lab believes that this research will soon lead to improvements in optical device performance, as well as the creation of new devices.


Q. "Materials researchers have all sorts of backgrounds. Some come from physics, some from electrical engineering, and others from chemistry. I think what chemists can do especially is to thoroughly understand the characteristics of each element, and utilize them in manufacturing. So I think whats needed, rather than using things that already exist, is to design luminescence mechanisms, and feed results back to the manufacturing process."

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