Physical Chemistry Division

Laboratory for Surface Chemistry

Research Interests

1. Dynamical molecular redox response at the hetero interface.
2. Research of an ionic novel function on metal surface.
3. Exploitation of molecular function for neuromorphic computing.

We aim to create molecular functions by controlling the reactions of molecules on surfaces and in nano-sized devices. This research will involve various surface science techniques, such as scanning probe microscopy and electron spectroscopy, as well as device fabrication and characterization techniques. The molecular reactions carried out demonstrate responses very similar to those in the case of neuronal functions, such as plasticity, firing, stochastic gating, and fluctuation, which are called neuromorphic functions. Neurons in the mammalian brain enable computations via the movement of ions and conduction of chemical reactions in a sophisticated manner. Our research is focused on carbon nanotube devices with a single molecular channel gate, polymer neural networks, reservoir computing using organic materials, and so on, which are expected to become key elements of neuromorphic technology. We will elucidate the basic physical properties of the reaction mechanisms of these molecular functions. By exploring new paradigms of computing and information processing via the utilization of organic materials, we aim to unravel the mystery of nature.