Research (under construction as of 2021/4/14)
We study functional materials for thermal management with the aim of solving energy problems and realizing sustainable society. Thermoelectric, nuclear, thermal storage, and thermal insulation materials are studied. We have experiences in fabrication of various materials and in characterization of their thermophysical properties. Computational studies re also conducted to theoretically predict or validate the experimental results.
Our research subjects can be devided into the following two topics.
- Thermoelectric materials
- Nuclear materials
Thermoelectric materials
Thermoelectric (TE) materials convert thermal energy into electrical energy using Seebeck effect. Since the conversion efficiency does not depend on the size of the system, TE conversion attract much attention as a promising technology for recovering widely distributed waste heat. Our group are studing various kinds of TE materials including metals and ceramics.
- Ultra low thermal conductivity materials
- Half-Heusler compounds
- Environmentally friendly TE materials
Nuclear materials
Nuclear power generation is a key technology to prevent global heating since nuclear power plants do not produce CO2 while operating. Our group is conducting research aiming at sophisticating current light water reactor technology, and developing next generation fast fission reactor technology.
- Physical properties of molten core materials
- Adapted liquid van der Pauw measurement machine
- Thermal and mechanichal properties of fuel debris
- Fundamental Studies on New Silicides-based Accident Tolerant Fuel
- Physical properties of Zirconium hydrides