The research efforts and achievements of Japanese researchers have been internationally recognized in the field of chemical synthesis, which includes inorganic and soft materials (organic, polymer, biological and hybrid materials). Nobel prizes in Chemistry for advances in the fields of chemical theory (Dr. Kenichi Fukui - 1981), conductive polymers (Dr. Hideki Shirakawa - 2000), asymmetric synthesis (Dr. Ryoji Noyori - 2001), and mass spectrometry (Dr. Koichi Tanaka - 2002) provide examples of successes in advancement of the chemical sciences by Japanese researchers. Development and characterization of novel functional materials also provides benefits in the fields of applied physics and biological sciences, and also greatly contributes to human welfare. In materials chemistry, three Japanese Universities, Nagoya University (1995-2002), Kyushu University (1996-2003), and Kyoto University (2000-2004) have been promoted individually by the Center-of-Excellence (COE) program. The Kyoto University group provided research results on elemental science with the objective of construction of unique organic and inorganic structures that take advantage of specific properties of various elements. The Nagoya University group advanced the field of asymmetric chemical synthesis of chiral organic molecules. The Kyushu University group gained insights into mechanisms of control and characterization of molecular assembly. The efforts of these three research groups have advanced their respective fields and have received international attention.
|
