Separation Engineering

Academic Staff

Noriaki SANO

Noriaki SANOProfessor (Graduate School of Engineering)

Research Topics

  • Synthesis of carbon nanotubes and nanohorns
  • Application of nanotubes and nanohorns to catalyst support for environmental cleaning and fuel cell
  • Study on electric discharge in liquid for nanomaterial production and separation technology

Contacts

Room112, Bldg. A4, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-2664
FAX: +81-75-383-2654
E-mail: sano@cheme.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Kyuya NAKAGAWA

Kyuya NAKAGAWAAssociate Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)

Research Topics

  • Food Engineering
  • Drying
  • Adsorption

Contacts

Room108, Bldg. A4, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-2684
FAX: +81-75-383-2821
E-mail: kyuya@cheme.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Tetsuo SUZUKI

Tetsuo SUZUKIAssistant Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)

Research Topics

  • Molecular Chemical Engineering
  • Adsorption
  • Drying

Contacts

Room110, Bldg. A4, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-2674
FAX: +81-75-383-2654
E-mail: suzuki@cheme.kyoto-u.ac.jp

Hiroyuki MARUYAMA

Hiroyuki MARUYAMAAssistant Professor (Graduate School of Engineering)

Research Topics

  1. Measurements of the contact potential difference between particles and a wall, and analysis of the mechanism of the charge transfer on the particle electrification and the relaxation.
  2. Analysis of electrification based on the quantum chemistry.
  3. Analysis and simulation of impact electrification of particles.
  4. Development of tribo-charging materials.
  5. Measurements and analysis of the phenomena in nano scale on a particle using a scanning probe microscope.

Contacts

Room 121, Bldg. A2, Katsura Campus
TEL: +81-75-383-2679
E-mail: Hiroyuki.Maruyama@cheme.kyoto-u.ac.jp 

Introduction to Research

In Koza 4, researchers devote their efforts to establish new separation technology based on variety of principles, such as adsorption, drying, electric field, bio-activity, etc. Here, we are exploring new application of nanomaterials like carbon nanotubes to separation engineering. In addition, we are researching the process technologies on freezing and drying for food and medicine. In the following, current research activities are listed and explained briefly:

1. Development of novel metal-carbon hybrid materials as adsorption media for hydrogen storage

We synthesize metal-dispersed carbon nanohorns by use of “gas-injected arc-in-water” method, and investigate their property to adsorb hydrogen. In such materials, hydrogen spillover effect may occur, and thus hydrogen can be stored effectively. By this research, we aim to develop low-cost and high-performance hydrogen storage media.

Fig1.jpg
Fig. 1. TEM image of carbon nanohorns dispersed with Pd-Pt alloy nanopartices synthesized using arc discharge.

2. Separation of micro-size particles by dielectrophoresis

Dielectrophoretic force generated by polarization of particles in non-uniform electric field is applied to separate small particles, aiming the separation of rare metals and the purification of nano materials.

3. Control of food structure based on dryning

Foods have a very wide range of structures ranging from molecular size to nano-micron size. The various functionalities of food are strongly related to these structures. Through the development of a process that can control the transport of water in food, we are researching to give food new functions.

Fig2.jpg
Fig. 2. X-ray CT image of dried apple (upper). TEM image of sub micron-sized food capsules containing nutrient components (lower).

4. Molecular studies on adsorption phenomena and hydration states

With the goal of obtaining useful microscopic knowledge in separation engineering, food engineering, etc., thermodynamic and kinetic studies are conducted regarding the hydration state of adsorption phenomena and saccharide polymers etc., using the methods of computer science such as molecular dynamics method and molecular orbital method.

Fig3.jpg
Fig. 3. Schematic of model structure of agaro-oligosaccharides.

5. Development of rapid evaluation method for drying and aggregation of fine particles using high sensitivity photo luminescence analysis

We try to develop a new method to evaluate the extent of drying and aggregation of fine particles by analyzing photo luminescence emitted from particles under irradiation of ultraviolet. The high sensitivity detection may lead to non-contact and rapid method for this purpose.