• Nanoporous metals have drawn considerable attention due to their highly functional properties. They are generally produced by selective dissolution of elements from a multicomponent alloy (known as the dealloying method). As this method is based on differences in the electrode potential of each element present in the alloy, and this potential is high for noble metals, porous structure can be obtained only for noble metals. Recently we have found a new, simple and easy dealloying method without using aqueous solution, which enable us to develop an open nanoporous non-oxidized metallic material even with base metals (such as Ti, Ni, Cr, Fe, Mo, etc), metalloids and their alloys.

This technique is very powerful for developing new functional electrodes, catalysts, filters as well for removing toxic metallic element from the surface of biomaterials containing the toxic element.

• Flexible liquid crystal displays using thin plastic film substrates instead of glass substrates contained in current liquid crystal displays, are bendable, thin, lightweight, and do not crack, and generate new usage styles and human interfaces due to their excellent storability and portability. We have been researching the basic technologies for large-screen and high-quality flexible displays using functional organic materials including liquid crystal and polymer, so that anyone can enjoy fertile information services.

We hope to conduct collaborative research with a willing company in industry, for development and practical application of the advanced flexible display technologies.

• We are developing a non-destructive testing method for the long range rapid inspection of metallic pipe using microwaves. The method propagates a microwave inside a pipe, and evaluates flaws appearing at the inner surface of the pipe on the basis of the reflection and transmission of the microwave. The method does not require scanning probes unlike conventional non-destructive methods, which enables one to inspect a pipe quite quickly. Our experimental validations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the method using a pipe as long as 30 m.

The NDT method proposed here is applicable when many pipes are inspected or conventional methods are not available due to pipe length and its configuration.

• To apply the specific properties of nano materials for the industrial products, various technologies, such as synthesis method for single phase alloy nanoparticles which shows the effective activity for aimed reaction, that for well crystallized alloy nanoparticles which shows the resistively against for undesirable reaction, and that for single layered surface control method, etc, is developed by precise control of metal complexes in the solution by using the calculation and various research equipment including the photon factory.

Our technology can be useful for various industry which need the restrict control of surface properties, such as catalysts and electronics.

• For further social development, it is required the miniaturization, weight saving, high performance of various devices. We study on fiber, particle reinforced polymer, metal, ceramic matrices composite materials using our knowledge about materials mechanics and numerical simulation such as finite element method. We recently address to develop multi-functionalized composite materials, which have high strength, super lightweight, energy harvesting function, damage monitoring function, biodegradable at the same time.

• A new dry-contact technique for transduction of broadband, high-frequency ultrasound via a solid layer inserted between water and the sample, whereat the pressure of about 0.1 MPa is applied at the layer/sample interface by evacuating air between them, has been developed. Based on the technique, acoustic imaging of an electronic package is realized under the dry environment (Fig. 1). Typically, the polymer films are used as the intermediate layer for water protection of the sample, and by utilizing the acoustic resonance phenomenon among water, film and the sample, higher quality acoustic image of the testing sample than that for the water immersion case can be recorded without getting the sample wet (Fig. 2). Moreover, thin materials, e.g., polymer film (Fig. 3), etc. can be characterized by analyzing the acoustic resonance phenomenon among the three media. We hope to conduct collaborative research with a willing company for a practical application of this technology in industry.

• For producing a new functionality from metallic micro and nano matarials, the welding and cutting technologies for small scale materials utilizing Joule heat has been developed (Fig. 1). A constant direct current is supplied to the system, where the free ends of two metallic wires are contacted, and the ends are successfully welded together in self-completed manner. This technology is also useful for manipulating a small scale materials.

Joule heat welding technology enables us to produce the functional elements on the electrode chips, e.g., a free-standing micro-ring and very-thin thermoelectric element (Fig. 2). Moreover, we have developed the technique for characterizing the physical properties of small scale materials (Fig. 3). We hope to conduct collaborative research with a willing company for a practical application of this technology in industry.