Table of Contents
World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI) ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 1
Message from the Director ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 2
About I2CNER �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6
I2CNER’s Contribution to the 2050 CO2 Reduction Target ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 10
Selected Research Accomplishments
Advanced Energy Materials ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment ������������������������������������������������������������ 20
Advancing Fusion of Research Fields
Advanced Energy Materials ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment ������������������������������������������������������������ 29
Returning Results to Society ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 31
Network of International Collaborations ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33
A Virtuous Cycle: Embedding the Energy Transition in Post-COVID-19 Recovery ������������������������������������������������ 38
Distingushed Visitors �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40
Seminars �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 41
Conferences and Symposia ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 42
Plenary and Keynote Presentations ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 43
Selected Awards ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 44
Outreach Activities ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 45
I2CNER Structure ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 48
Personnel & Finances ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 50
Researcher List ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 52
Access Map ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 54

World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI)

World Premier International
Research Center Initiative (WPI)
BackgroundAn intensifying global demand for talented researchers
is accelerating the need to develop the best scientificminds among the world's nations. This trend has
prompted Japan to establish new research centers that
attract top-notch researchers from around the world
to place itself within the “circle” of excellent humanresources.
In FY17, concurrent with the end of the 10-year
support period for the initially established five WPIcenters, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (MEXT) established the new World
Premier International (WPI) Academy, which aims to
be a leader in internationalizing and reforming Japan’s
research environment.

Program Summary
The World Premier International Research Center
Initiative has four basic objectives: advancing leadingedge research, creating interdisciplinary domains,establishing international research environments,
and reforming research organizations. To achievethese four objectives, WPI research centers tackle thefollowing challenges:

A Critical Mass of Outstanding Researchers• Bringing together top-level researchers withina host research institution• Inviting the best researchers from around theworld
Attractive Research and Living Environment of theHighest International Standards• Strong leadership by center director• English as the primary language• Rigorous system for evaluating research andsystem of merit-based compensation• Strong support for researchers• Facilities and equipment expected in a top
research center• Housing and support for daily living andeducation of dependent children
To assist the WPI research centers in carrying out thismandate, the Japanese government provides longterm, large-scale financial support.
I 2 CNER was certified as having achieved “World
Premier” status by the Program Committee and was
inducted into the WPI Academy in April 2020.
For more information:
MEXT Website https://www.mext.go.jp/en/policy/science_technology/researchpromotion/index.htm
JSPS Website http://www.jsps.go.jp/english/e-toplevel/index.html

International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (I2CNER) Kyushu University
Toward the realization of a low-carbon society, I2CNER aims to resolve the challenges of the use of hydrogen energy and CO2
capture and sequestration by fusing together sciences from atomic level to global scale.

Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe (Kavli IP MU)
The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, The University of Tokyo
With accumulated research on mathematics, physics and astronomy, this research core works to bringlight to the mysteries of the universe, such as its origin, and to provide an analysis of evolution.

Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC)
Osaka University
An innovative research center, which pursues the goal of comprehensive understanding of immune
reactions through the fusion of immunology, various imaging technologies, and Bioinformatics.

Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS)
Kyoto University
Established to integrate the cell and material sciences, the iCeMS combines the potential power of stem
cells (e.g., ES/iPS cells) and of mesoscopic sciences to benefit medicine, pharmaceutical studies, theenvironment, and industry.

International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine(IIIS)
University of Tsukuba

Institute for the Advanced Study of
Human Biology (ASHBi) Kyoto University
ASHBi investigates the core concepts of human biology with a particular focus on genome regulationand disease modeling, creating a foundation of knowledge for developing innovative and uniquehuman-centric therapies.

IIIS aims to elucidate the function of sleep and the fundamental mechanisms of sleep/wake regulation andalso aims to develop new strategies for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of sleep disorders. Our goal
is to contribute to promote human health through our sleep research.

Nano Life Science Institute (NanoLSI)
Kanazawa University

Institute for Chemical Reaction Design andDiscovery (ICReDD) Hokkaido University
ICReDD integrates computational, information, and experimental sciences in order to obtain in-depth
understanding of chemical reactions, which enables rational design and rapid development of new
chemical reactions.

Cells are the basic units of almost all life forms. We are developing nanoprobe technologies that allow
direct imaging, analysis, and manipulation of the behavior and dynamics of important macromolecules inliving organisms, such as proteins and nucleic acids, at the surface and interior of cells. We aim at
acquiring a fundamental understanding of the various life phenomena at the nanoscale.

Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR),
Tohoku University
Integrating physics, chemistry, materials science, bioengineering, electronics and mechanical engineering,
AIMR is striving to create innovative functional materials. A mathematical unit joined the team in 2011 to help
establish a unified theory of materials science, aiming at the realization of a global materials research hub.

International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA)
National Institute for Materials Science
A major focus of our activities is the development of innovative materials on the basis of a new paradigm“nanoarchitectonics,” ground-breaking innovation in nanotechnology.

Institute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM)
Nagoya University
The goal of ITbM is to develop innovative functional molecules that make a marked change in the form
and nature of biological science and technology (transformative bio-molecules). ITbM will connect
molecules, create value, and change the world, one molecule at a time.

EARTH - LIFE SCIENCE INSTITUTE (ELSI)Tokyo Institute of Technology
ELSI focuses the origins of Earth and life. Both studies are inseparable because life should haveoriginated in unique environment on the early Earth. To accomplish our challenge, we establish aworld-leading interdisciplinary research hub by gathering excellent researchers in Earth andplanetary sciences, life science, and related fields.

International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN)The University of Tokyo
IRCN combines life sciences and information sciences to establish the new field of“Neurointelligence”. By clarifying the essence of human intelligence, overcoming neuraldisorders,and developing new AI technologies, we will contribute to a better future society.

WPI Academy Centers (other than I2CNER)

I2CNER Annual Report 20201

Message from the Director

Message from the Director
Over the past 11 years, I have been fortunate to help nurture and cultivate thegrowth of our Institute. We have demonstrated that one of I2CNER’s strengths isin developing our young scientists into world-class researchers. We are capableof recognizing talent and then helping our researchers grow organically into acommunity full of incredible talent.
In fact, we continue to add to our faculty. We are hiring several talented juniorfaculty to replenish our teams, after several of our researchers transitioned toacademia, industry, and government positions. During this fiscal year, our brain
circulation has included transitions to Lurea University in Sweden, Hefei General
Machinery Research Institute in China, University of Tokyo, Nippon Steel Corp.,
Hiroshima University, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Waseda University,
Bandung Institute of Technology, and University of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Clearly,
I2CNER continues to mentor top-notch scientists who are contributing to theadvancement of energy solutions around the world.
Additionally, I am proud to report that it has been one year since the start of the Moonshot R&D Program under
the leadership of our colleague Professor Shigenori Fujikawa. Our CO2 Capture Research Team has been working
on the development of new polymeric materials for nanomembranes with high CO2 permeability and they havediscovered several candidate materials in collaboration with Kyushu University, Kumamoto University, Kagoshima
University, and Osaka Institute of Technology. Furthermore, large-scale molecular dynamics simulations andfirst-principles calculations in collaboration with the University of Tokyo have revealed that the intermolecularinteractions between gas molecules and the membrane surface play an important role in determining membrane
performance; this has never been recognized before.
To further strengthen the international research collaborations, the Moonshot Program is also preparing to involve
researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Many young scientists have been recruited for thisproject and are actively engaged in the research. Kyushu University strongly supports this project and is providing
tenured faculty. We are also collaborating with the Graduate School of Design at Kyushu University to design
products for the Direct Air Capture target system and to help visualize the future society in which the system will
be introduced. As you can see, we are off and running!
We continue to strengthen the strategic partnership between Kyushu University and University of Illinois beyond
energy science and engineering. The first two symposia coming out of the partnership were held in February andMarch 2021. “Go Beyond Net Zero: CO2 Capture and Utilization” brought together research developments ofglobal CO2 recycling technology towards a ‘beyond-zero’ emission. “Mathematics Without Borders – Applied
and Applicable” explored the connections between mathematicians at both institutions, with discussion of howmathematical abstractions can distill ideas and connect people around the world, and how Kyushu and Illinois canreconfigure graduate education to meet the demands of the 21st century in a broad range of fields such as medical
science and data science.
Moving forward, I2CNER continues to amplify the WPI mission while leading the way in ensuring a carbon-neutralenergy future for all.

Professor Petros Sofronis, PhD

Director, I2CNER

2I2CNER Annual Report 2020

About I2CNER

About I2CNERMISSIONAt I 2 CNER, our mission is to contribute to thecreation of a sustainable and environmentally friendly
society by conducting fundamental research forthe advancement of low carbon emission and costeffective energy systems, and improvement of energy
efficiency. The array of technologies that I 2CNER’s
research aims to enable includes solid oxide fuelcells, polymer membrane-based fuel cells, biomimetic
and other novel catalyst concepts, and production,
storage, and utilization of hydrogen as a fuel. Our
research also explores the underlying science of CO2
capture and storage technology or the conversion of
CO2 to a useful product. Additionally, it is our mission
to establish an international academic environmentthat fosters innovation through collaboration andinterdisciplinary research (fusion).
I2CNER’s research at the intersection of applied mathand engineering has enormous potential to impact allof the Institute’s research areas and the overall energy
challenge. I2CNER’s applied math efforts are basedon its burgeoning relationship with the Institute ofMathematics for Industry (IMI) and various departments
at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The
Institute currently has ongoing projects in the areasof mathematics for smart grid, porous materials,
computational physics, and social aspects of powersystems. Examples include algorithm development for
scalable grid optimization problems, study of strategicinteractions in electricity markets by accounting for the
deepening penetration of variable renewable resourcesin the grid, and persistent homology to characterize
the properties of porous materials for CO2 storage inrock formations. Projects are also addressing efficiency
increase in power generation by modeling expanding
flames using theory of parabolic equations.
As the newest center of the WPI Academy (inducted in2020), we aim to continue to make disruptive advancesin the 21st century international energy landscape, as
well as strengthen the scientific advancements in Japanin collaboration with the United States and the world.
I2CNER’s research is consolidated into three thrusts:
Advanced Energy Materials, Advanced Energy
Conversion Systems, and Multiscale Science andEngineering for Energy and the Environment.

These thrusts are directly linked to the “Platform forInternational Collaborations and Partnerships” thathas been designed to maintain I2CNER’s international
identity and the “Platform for Societal Implementation
and Industrial Collaboration,” whose purpose is toensure technology transfer through the large andgrowing network of I2CNER’s industrial interactions.
E a ch t h r u s t i s l e d by a n u m b e r o f P r i n c i p a l
Investigators, each with several dozen researchers
working toward that thrust’s stated research objectives.

RESEARCH THRUSTS
Advanced Energy Materials
The goal of the Advanced Energy Materials thrust is todevelop molecular, nano, and bulk materials based on
new science of surfaces, interfaces, and microstructures
for applications involving H 2, H 2O, and CO 2. The
research is directed to two classes of materials,
catalytic and structural. In the area of catalytic
materials, our objective is to develop bio-inspired
molecular systems for fuel and energy generation thatare centered on biological and synthetic catalysts.
In addition, we explore the production of fuels andmaterials of added-value from ubiquitous chemicals
through the use of solar energy. In the area of structural
materials, the research focuses on the development of
the fundamental science that enables optimization of
the cost, performance, and safety of materials for H2
technologies. This includes the association of basic
science underlying deactivation of catalytic surfaces
to industrial approaches for the mitigation of hydrogen
embrittlement. In addition, we aim at advancing ourmechanistic insight into the degradation of metals
and alloys for technologies that operate at elevatedtemperatures in the presence of hydrogen. Lastly, it isour objective to develop next-generation tribo-systems
with higher efficiency and durability to conserve
energy, thus contributing to CO2 emissions reduction.
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems
The goal of the Advanced Energy Conversion
Systems thrust is to develop economically feasibleenergy systems characterized by high efficiency,
fast conversion kinetics, and long lifetimes. The
focus is on electrochemical and photochemical
conversion that serve stationary power and fuelI2CNER Annual Report 20203

About I2CNER

generation and mobility, and thermal energy
conversion that enables efficient heat transport. For
electrochemical conversion, fundamental advancesin the understanding of electrocatalysis and ionic andelectronic transport properties in solids are neededin order for high conversion rates between electricaland chemical energy to be obtained. The goal ofphotoelectrochemical conversion is the developmentof high-performance systems for splitting water,
harvesting solar energy, and generating light by
exploring inorganic, organic, and hybrid materials
from physical, chemical, and biochemical perspectives
and by elucidating potential conversion roadblocks
and causes of degradation.
Thermal energy conversion is studied by pursuingfundamental understanding of heat and masstransport phenomena in relation to nanoscale thermaltransport, phase change heat and mass transfer, andthe thermophysical properties of working fluids.
Devices thus developed are essential to the integrationof renewable energy to the electric grid and theadvancement of new energy solution pathways,
including hydrogen energy.
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy andthe Environment
The Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy
and the Environment thrust pulls together the rangeof challenges facing Japan’s and the world’s energy
transition, namely the transition from largely fossil
fueled energy technology to a carbon-neutral or acarbon-free energy supply. In addition, this thrust
enables the coordination of carbon reduction
technologies, energy efficiency technologies, andguidance for social, political, and investment strategies
to coordinate this transition.
This thrust includes the following 4 main clusters;
1. ‌Carbon capture technologies based on membrane
separation for zero and negative emission
We are developing technologies for CO2 capture basedon membrane separation, which is considered to havethe lowest capture energy. In order to control global
warming, CO2 is not only captured from largescale
emission sources, but also CO2 from (1) air and (2)exhaust gas with diluted CO2 by membrane separation
for negative emission, and CO 2 removal at biogas
upgrading. We are also considering modularization
along with the development of these technologies.

4

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

2. Carbon‌storage and management using the earth
As a CO2 reduction approach using the Earth, CO2geological storage that directly injects CO 2 into
the subsurface reservoir has been recognized. By
considering (1) amount of CO2 reduction, (2) time toachieve CO2 reduction and (3) cost for CO2 reduction,
CO2 reduction and managements using the Earth could
be a realistic approach.
3. Energy efficient technologies
To contribute toward the world’s energy transition, we
are working on the development of energy-efficienttechnologies, which includes heat mass transfer
enhancement in adsorption systems, development of
low-temperature thermally powered adsorption heatpump/refrigeration systems, and biofuel and edible
protein production and negative CO2 emissions.
4. Socio-techno-economic and policy analysis
In order to progress an energy transition thatincorporates and develops technologies which caneffectively deal with climate change, there is a needfor analysis of technical, economic, and social
aspects. I2CNER is furthering this analysis across the
spectrum of available technologies, with a focus on
the technologies being developed within I2CNER. In
addition to the evaluation of the technical aspects
such as technological applicability and efficiency,
we also consider their economic and social merit.
The analytical approaches we undertake include
modeling, systems analysis, statistical analysis, appliedmathematical analysis, social surveys, and stakeholder
engagement.

RESEARCH PLATFORMS
Platform for International Collaborations andPartnerships
This platform is intended to maintain and foster
I2CNER’s international identity. The members of thisplatform, who are world experts with a solid record ofinternational research experiences, collaborate with
I2CNER’s researchers from all three thrusts. Because
this platform and the three thrusts are interwoven andthe thrusts’ themes overlap, this is an effective way topromote interdisciplinary collaborations across theInstitute and around the world.
Platform for Societal Implementation and Industrial
Collaboration
The three major research thrusts contribute directly
to the transition of future I2CNER scientific advancesAbout I2CNER

to applicable technology transfer through a large andgrowing network of I 2CNER industrial interactions.
This platform ensures a high level of tech transfer,provides policy guidance for science and technology
investments, and addresses potential social acceptanceand social impact issues. With its strengths in bothadvanced energy science and energy analysis, I2CNER
provides critical direction and support to Japan’s
energy transition over the next 30 years to meet the2050 carbon reduction goals with minimal social andeconomic disruptions.

AFFILIATED RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Research Center for Next Generation Refrigerant
Properties (NEXT-RP)
Through coordination of efforts of the international
community, this unique center focuses on thedevelopment of next-generation refrigerants. Morespecifically, the objectives of the center include theaccurate evaluation of thermophysical properties andfundamental performance of heat exchange and air
conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) cycles for zeroODP (ozone depletion potential) and low-GWP (global
warming potential) refrigerants. Through developmentof base knowledge and thermophysical properties
technology the NEXT-RP aims to contribute to Japanese
ACR industries in enhancing their competitiveness in
the global market.

Figure 3. I2CNER Building 1

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

5

I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision

I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision
A Carbon Neutral Energy Vision for Japan
IndustryE

Higher Energy Efficiency Processing
Low Friction technology
Advanced Heat Pump

Renewable Energy
Solar
PV

Advanced Lighting
Advanced Insulation
Advanced appliance
Advanced Enegy Management

CO2 Capture

E

Multi Fuel Station

E

Cogeneration (CHP)(FC, Gas Engine)

N

Energy Storage

Pumped Hydro
Compressed Air
Flywheel

H2

Smart Community

CO2

BatteryC

HydrogenHydrogenStorage
Storage

Negative Emissions

Energy supply

DACCS

H2 Production

Central Power Production

NG Combined Cycle (SOFC)
NGCC,
H 2 Turbine
Ammonia Turbine

Fossil Fuel Conversion

Carbon Neutral Fuel Production

Electrolysis
Biomass Gasification
NG ReformingE

Fermentation, Methanation,
Fuel Synthetization (CO 2 use)

H2

NuclearRenewable Energy
Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass

CO2 Capture（Hydrocarbon Fuels）

E

CO2 CaptureF

Renewable Energy
Wind, Solar

BiobasedPower

Geothermal
Power

Hydro Carbon Extraction

Fossil Fuel Reserve
NG, Coal, Oil

Wind Power

PV

C

Renewable Energy
Biomass

C

Hydro
Power

F

BECCS
AfforestationC(LNG,Petroleum etc)

Fossil fuel Extraction

Fossil Fuel
CO2 Travel

F
C

BEV, FCVDistributed Energy Generation

E

H

Advanced Heat Pump

H

Energy use

Carbon Neutral Fuel (Hydrocarbon)
Heat

N

Transportation

Residential Commercial

E

E

NG CHP, H2 CHP (SOFC,Gas Engine)
H2 Boiler
Advanced Enegy Management

Electricity
Hydrogen

E
H2

H2

F

Biomass Production
Water Splitting

H2 Import

Terrestrial /Ocean CO2 natural sinkCC

C CO 2 storage

Figure 4.1. Parameter Space of Technology Options.

BackgroundOur vision of a carbon-neutral energy society includes
the need to identify future technology options by
sharing a common image of a future for Japan withpeople in and outside of I2CNER. In October 2020, thePrime Minister of Japan made a speech to the Diet inwhich he declared, “I hereby declare that Japan aims
to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by2050 as a whole, that is, to achieve a carbon-neutral,
decarbonized society by 2050.” The shift of the GHG
target for 2050 from an 80% emission reduction tocarbon neutrality requires not only expediting ourefforts to reduce GHG emissions but also requires
a drastic change for our energy system from a fossil
fuel energy regime to a zero-carbon energy regime.
In addition, a net zero society implies that net zero
emissions can be achieved by implementing GHG“removals” that can offset any GHG “emissions” left
over at the end of emission reduction efforts.
The I2CNER vision for a low-carbon society for Japanis revised based on setting a carbon neutrality target

6

I2CNER Annual Report 2020of a 90-100% reduction of GHG emissions by 2050.
This target is particularly relevant to energy security
concerns caused by Japan’s current heavy relianceon imported fossil fuels, which are limited and scarce
resources. To achieve the target by developing newtechnology, we also consider economic efficiency
and safety issues. On the whole, we consider 3E+S
(Environment, Energy Security, Economy, and Safety)
as the fundamental pillar of our vision.
In drawing our new vision, we consider two major
principles: 1) efficiency increase (“EI”) in energy
conversion and energy use and 2) lowering of carbon
intensity (“LCI”) of fuel and electricity to adopt anddevelop future technologies. EI should be pursued
in energy transformation systems, end use systems
including home appliances, and industrial processes.
EI can be applied to existing systems but is alsoachieved by replacing existing systems with newtechnology. LCI in electricity and fuel supply-use
pathways is achieved using renewables, nuclear, or
CO2 capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS).

I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision

LCI typically requires the deployment of new facilities,
new infrastructure, or both. In addition, 3) the negativeemission (“NE”) technologies to realize “removal”
need to be employed to cancel out the residual
GHG emissions in our new vision. “NE” is achievedby capturing CO2 directly from the atmosphere andstoring it underground (via DACCS), capturing CO2
from the flue gas of combusting biomass and storing
it underground (i.e., BECCS) or enhancing CO 2absorption and fixation by afforestation or land use
management.

I2CNER Scenarios for a Carbon-Neutral
Energy Society
The scenarios which could lead to carbon neutrality
considering the 3E+S attributes would not have awide variance range because the target year of 2050
is rapidly approaching and difficulty attached to thequick deployment of some important technologies isrecognized, based on our past experience to narrowhigh-potential options.
EI technology developments are at the base ofemission reduction scenarios. Therefore, they areincluded across all scenarios. To achieve a hugeemission reduction, LCI technologies could have thegreatest impact. However, even a large deployment of
LCI technologies cannot enable carbon neutrality due
to some types of GHG emissions such as emissions
from farmland and other GHG gases (CH 4 and N2).
Therefore, introduction of negative emission (NE)technologies is necessary to offset these unavoidable
GHG emissions.
One of the most likely scenarios for the future energy
systems is named Scenario A (the main scenario). This
scenario does not include the extreme deployment ofsome technologies, except for solar PV, and reflects
past deployment progress and current and future
development progress for technologies. Among LCI
technologies, nuclear still has a large potential toreduce CO2 emissions since a large unused capacity
exists. However, restarting unused nuclear capacity
has been relatively slow due to public concerns about
safety. Therefore, nuclear is not prioritized in the main
scenario, reflecting the current situation for permitting
the restarting of existing nuclear capacity. However,a scenario maximizing the use of the existing nuclear
capacity assuming an extension of operational periods
is also detailed (Scenario B - Nuclear Scenario).

The common features across the scenarios are 1)
deployment of EI, 2) maximizing use of solar energy as
an LCI technology, 3) deployment of NE technologies,4) expansion of electrification in energy use sectors(transportation, industry and commercial andresidential), 5) a large introduction of hydrogen energy
and 6) effective application of CCS.
As for 4), expansion of electrification can takeadvantage of the decarbonatization of the power
generation sector. As for 5), hydrogen demand would
be boosted due not only to fuel for FCVs but also forhydrogen power generation, hydrogen steel reduction
and carbon neutral gas synthesized by CO2 and H2. In
terms of 6), CCS deployment has been delayed due to adelay in storage site preparation and lack of incentives
for additional investment to equip CO2 sources with
CCS facilities. Since the lead time to implement CO2
storage facilities tends to be long and the availability ofdrilling rigs tends to be limited, it is expected that CO2
storage capacity in Japanese geological formations
will be limited to 200 million tons of CO2/year. This
limitation hinders the employment of CO 2 storage
related activities such as CCS for power generation,
CCS for industry and CCS for NE (DACCS and BECCS).
In our scenarios, CO2 storage capacity necessary for
CCS is mainly prioritized for industrial CCS where no
significant emission mitigation measures are available
and NE CCS (DACCS and BECCS) instead of using CCS
for power generation where various LCI technologies
such as solar PV and wind power are available.
In terms of Scenario A (the main scenario), we are
analyzing the inherent compromises which emerge
between system cost, energy security, and overall
feasibility of the deployment of LCI technologies,
along with system EI over time. This scenario uses 70%of the economically feasible PV for power generationand 20% for hydrogen production. For wind power
generation, 10% of the economically feasible potential
is employed, reflecting the fact that wind power has
not been deployed as quickly as PV under the Feedin Tariff (FIT). A relatively small amount of CCS is
introduced to the power generation sector for NGCC.
Coal power is assumed to phase out by 2040.
Scenario B (nuclear scenario) utilizes nuclear power
at a much higher level than for Scenario A (which
only engages nuclear for 4% of the electricity supply
in 2050), assuming all existing nuclear power plants– except for those which will be abolished – will berestarted by 2030 with an extension in operational

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

7

I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision

years from 40 to 60 years. This assumption results innuclear power accounting for 21% of the electricity
supply in 2050. This level of nuclear power makes
CCS unnecessary in the power sector such that CCS
capacity is used for more NE, which enables the offset

of residual GHG emissions at a higher level thanis realized in Scenario A. In short, the CO 2 storage
capacity saved due to nuclear is more effectively used
for NE.

Scenario A (Main Scenario): Development of important EI technologies and maximum deployment of solar power
together with low carbon hydrogen energy system and NE. Approximately 92% reduction in GHG emissions by
2050, relative to 2010.
Contribution to EIHeat pump (GHG impacts of “Energy Efficiency” *) and FC co-generation (GHG impacts of “Power
Generation” *) for residential and commercial from 2020. Low-temperature heat utilization for industry from
2020, Fuel cell (GHG impacts of “Power Generation” *) for transportation from 2020.
Contribution to LCI through renewables
Low-cost and high-efficiency PV (GHG impacts of “Renewables” *) from 2030. Hydrogen storage and newbattery technology (GHG impacts of “Energy Carriers and Storage” *) to adjust intermittent PV and wind
power from 2030. High-efficiency electrolysis (PEM and high-temperature steam) (GHG impacts of “Energy
Carriers and Storage” *) using renewable electricity to provide low-carbon hydrogen from 2030. SOFC
using hydrogen and hydrogen turbine (GHG impacts of “Power Generation” *) for electricity generationindustry from 2030 to 2050. I2CNER’s hydrogen-compatible material research (GHG impacts of “Hydrogen
Compatible Steel” *) and hydrogen physical property research (GHG impacts of “Hydrogen Compatible
Steel” *) underpin the hydrogen energy systems.
Contribution to LCI and NE through CCS
Low-cost membrane CO2 capture technology (GHG impacts of “CO2 Capture and Storage” *) for NGCC,
industrial CCS and DACCS and BECCS from 2030. Development of simulation technology for CO 2
monitoring and storage site characterization (GHG impacts of “CO2 Capture and Storage” *) from 2030
through seismic approaches.
*The technology category in which I2CNER’s research will produce CO2 emission reduction impacts

Figure 4.2. CO2 reduction relative to 2010 by sector in Scenario A.

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I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Figure 4.3. Electricity mix by generation type in Scenario A.

I2CNER Carbon Neutral Vision

Scenario B (Nuclear): Development of important EI technologies and maximizing use of existing nuclear plants
together with low-carbon hydrogen energy system and NE. Approximately 94% reduction in GHG emissions
by 2050, relative to 2010. If the public concerns on nuclear safety can be addressed, this scenario becomes
more feasible, resulting in (i) providing more zero carbon electricity (nuclear) and reducing necessary renewabledeployment; (ii) avoiding employing CCS in the power generation sector; (iii) providing more CO2 storage capacity
for NE.
Contribution to EIHeat pump (GHG impacts of “Energy Efficiency” *) and FC co-generation (GHG impacts of “Power
Generation” *) for residential and commercial from 2020. Low-temperature heat utilization for industry from
2020, Fuel cell (GHG impacts of “Power Generation” *) for transportation from 2020.
Contribution to LCI through renewables
Low-cost and high-efficiency PV (GHG impacts of “Renewables” *) from 2030. Hydrogen storage and newbattery technology (GHG impacts of “Energy Carriers and Storage” *) to adjust intermittent PV and wind
power from 2030. High-efficiency electrolysis (PEM and high-temperature steam) (GHG impacts of “Energy
Carriers and Storage” *) using renewable electricity to provide low-carbon hydrogen from 2030. SOFC
using hydrogen and hydrogen turbine (GHG impacts of “Power Generation” *) for electricity generationindustry from 2030 to 2050. I2CNER’s hydrogen-compatible material research (GHG impacts of “Hydrogen
Compatible Steel” *) and hydrogen physical property research (GHG impacts of “Hydrogen Compatible
Steel” *) underpin the hydrogen energy systems.
Contribution to LCI and NE through CCS
Low-cost membrane CO2 capture technology (GHG impacts of “CO2 Capture and Storage” *) for industrial
CCS and DACCS and BECCS from 2030. Development of simulation technology for CO2 monitoring andstorage site characterization (GHG impacts of “CO2 Capture and Storage” *) from 2030 through seismic
approaches.
*The technology category in which I2CNER’s research will produce CO2 emission reduction impacts

Figure 4.4. CO2 reduction relative to 2010 by sector in Scenario B.

Figure 4.5. Electricity mix by generation type in Scenario B.

The figure for CO2 reduction in Scenario B is very similar to that of Scenario A. The difference in energy system
makeup is defined in the electricity mix figures (Figures 4.3 and 4.5). Both energy systems show strong CO2
reductions in the Power Sector LCI wedge in the CO2 reduction figures (Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.4) as nuclear and
CCS are classified in the same Power Sector LCI wedge.

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

9

I2CNER’s Contribution to the 2050 CO2 Reduction Target

I2CNER’s Contribution to the 2050 CO2 Reduction Target
Based on our analysis of current and futureachievements, approximately 0.46% of the totalrequired CO 2 reductions via current achievements,
and approximately 5.22% of the total required
reductions through our future achievements, can berealized by I2CNER technologies and innovations if
they are applied to appropriate energy systems (limiting
the contribution of any one technology to 50% of theresultant market).
In addition to I 2 CNER’s direct contributions, all
I2CNER activities also contribute to the overall relevant
industry efforts (a further 32.1% of the 2050 target,
shown in dark grey in Fig. 5b) through the provision ofunderpinning technologies and analyses. The reason
for the increase of I2CNER’s future contributions (from4.71% to 5.17%) is that the new I2CNER Scenarios fora Carbon Neutral Energy Society need much larger
introductions of renewable energy in 2050, whereinmuch of I2CNER’s research is conducted directly or
indirectly, than the previous scenarios. This implies theresearch direction of I2CNER is suitable for an energy
transition to a carbon-neutral energy society.
As shown in Fig. 5c, the leading contributors to
I2CNER’s 2050 CO2 reduction efforts include energy
storage and carriers, encompassing electrolysis and thereversible fuel cell; renewable energy through organicinorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells; and energy
efficiency, utilizing energy-saving heat loop-tube
technologies and friction-reducing coatings.

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I2CNER Annual Report 2020

The changes of I 2 CNER’s contribution from theprevious assessment are primarily due to the scenario
influences, shown as follows. The contribution ofenergy storage and carriers increases (from 2.28% to3.0%) due to necessity of a larger introduction of low
carbon hydrogen. The contribution of CO2 capture andstorage decreases significantly (from 0.77% to 0.12 %)due to a long lead time of implementation and limited
availability of storage sites. The contribution of energy
efficiency (1.06%) is almost the same. The contributionof renewable energy increases (from 0.79% to 1.03%)
due to a larger introduction of PV. The contributionof hydrogen compatibles steel increases (from0.12% to 0.17%) again due to a larger introductionof low carbon hydrogen. The contribution of power
generation (0.18%) is similar because a decrease ofnatural gas power generation (SOFC) and an increaseof hydrogen power generation (hydrogen turbine)
cancel out. The contribution of F-gases (0.12%),which are development of new refrigerants for heatpumps with lower GWP, is newly counted. Finally,
the contribution to the overall relevant industry efforts
decreases due to a larger introduction of renewableenergy where the share of I2CNER’s direct contribution
is larger than that of other research areas. EAD
continues to analyze each technology thrust within
I2CNER in line with our energy system scenarios toensure that our contribution toward CO2 reduction andto underpinning industry efforts is maximized.

I2CNER’s Contribution to the 2050 CO2 Reduction Target(a) Current and Future Contributions(b) Overall Contributions to 2050 CO2 Reduction Target(c) Overall I2CNER Contributions to 2050 CO2 Reduction Target
Figure 5. I2CNER’s current and future contributions to CO2 reduction in Japan.

I2CNER Annual Report 202011

Selected Research Accomplishments

Advanced Energy Materials
1. ‌Synthesis of acetic acid from CO2, CH3I and H2 using a water-soluble electron storage catalyst (PI S. Ogo)

Fig. 6.1. Cover picture of the paper describing a proposed reaction mechanism of acetic acid formation from CO2, CH3I and H2.
† The catalytic reaction was carried out in H2O/CH3OH (1/1) at pH 2. Complexes 1, 2 and 3 are stable at pH 2 under the catalytic
conditions. ‡ The stepwise reactions from 1 to 2 and from 2 to 3 were carried out in water at pH 2-10. § The stepwise reaction from
3 to 1 was carried out in water at pH 2. No formation of acetic acid was observed above pH 3.

This work addresses a possible mechanism of acetic
acid formation from CO2, CH3I and H2 in aqueous
media and the central role played by a watersoluble Rh-based electron storage catalyst (Fig. 6.1).
In addition to water-solubility, we report the crystal
structures of two presumed intermediates. Thesefindings together reveal the advantage of water, notonly as a green solvent, but also as a reactive Lewisbase to extract H+ from H2. The role of the metal (Rh)center as a point for storing electrons from H2 andthe importance of an electron-withdrawing ligand(quaterpyridine, qpy) that supports electron storage
are described. These results meet the short- and a midterm milestone for molecular modification of biologicaland synthetic H2 and CO2 catalysts [1-7] in Project 1of the Advanced Energy Materials Thrust's roadmap.

2. ‌Multiscale Design for High-Performance Glycolic Acid Electro-Synthesis Cell: Preparation of Nanoscale-IrO2Applied Ti Anode and Optimization of Cell Assembling (PI M. Yamauchi)

Fig. 6.2. Structure of a polymer electrolyte alcohol synthetic cell (PEAEC) employing nanoscale IrO2 catalysts supported on Ti
electrode.

Electrochemical hydrogenation reactions using water as
a hydrogen source enable direct electric power storage
into chemicals without significant CO 2 emission.
Highly selective conversion is a key for efficientenergy storage. We demonstrated efficient electric

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I2CNER Annual Report 2020

power storage using highly storable and transportable
solutions of alcohol and organic acid as energy
carriers. Glycolic acid (GC), a monovalent alcoholic
compound and oxalic acid (OX), a divalent carboxylicacid, are used as a redox couple [8]. We achieved

Selected Research Accomplishments

highly efficient electrochemical production of GC from
OX on ubiquitous TiO2 catalysts under mild conditions[9]. Recently, we succeeded in continuous GC
production for the first time using a polymer electrolyte
alcohol electrosynthesis cell (PEAEC) [10] (Fig. 6.2).
The performance of the PEAEC using a glycolic acid
(GC)/oxalic acid (OX) redox couple was enhanced via
a multiscale approach which consists of increasing thereaction rate on the anode by employing nanometerscale (nanoscale) IrO2 catalysts [10] and increasing
the selectivity for GC production via optimization of
the cell structures, i.e., a millimeter-scale approach.
We prepared a nanoscale IrO2 anode catalyst, which
is a mixture of IrO2 nanoparticles (d= 3.7 ± 1.8 nm)
and their agglomerates (d< 200 nm) [11]. The linear
sweep voltammetry measurement for water oxidation
revealed that the nanoscale IrO 2 catalyst deposited
on a porous carbon paper reduces the overpotential

for water oxidation by 196 mV from that obtainedwith an anode composed of commercial microscale
IrO2 grains. Furthermore, application of the nanoscale
IrO 2 catalyst on porous titanium paper not only
improved durability but also doubly enhanced wateroxidation performance [12]. We examined various
PEAEC architectures composed of the nanoscale IrO2
applied Ti anode. Both nanometer- and millimeterscale approaches realized the best PEAEC performancefor GC production, i.e. 59.4% energy conversion
efficiency (η) with 97.1% Faradaic efficiency for the
GC production at 1.8 V and 98.9% of conversion for
3M OX, which is an almost saturated aqueous solution
at the operating temperature of the PEAEC (60 °C). The
performance of the PEAEC is approaching the Project
2 short-term milestones “R&D for power charge; andFuel regeneration by electroreduction: η=70 %” of theAdvanced Energy Materials Thrust’s roadmap.

3. ‌Two-dimensional arrays of plasmonic metal nanoparticles prepared by bottom up methods forphotoelectrochemical applications (WPI Associate Professor Y. Takahashi)

Fig. 6.3. Schematic illustration of the synthesis of hydrophobic gold nanoparticles by a novel hydrophobization method and thelight energy harvesting effect of its Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films.

Metal nanostructures, such as gold and silver
nanoparticles, exhibit local surface plasmon resonance(LSPR) when the resonant light is irradiated. Since
photoenergy can be localized on the surface of thenanostructures due to LSPR, they are expected to be
applied to devices such as highly sensitive sensors
or highly efficient solar cells. It is known that theplasmonic properties depend on the size, shape, metal

species, surrounding medium, and aggregation stateof metal nanostructures. Two-dimensional arrays ofplasmonic metal nanoparticles are good candidates
for various devices from a practical viewpoint. Toward
this goal, we developed two-dimensional arrays oflarger plasmonic metal nanoparticles, which are
expected to exhibit larger plasmonic effects, with wide
area by employing bottom-up methods.

I2CNER Annual Report 202013

Selected Research Accomplishments

We found that ethanol can be used as a reaction
solvent to hydrophobize the particles up to about
50 nm in diameter, and 2-propanol can be used tohydrophobize the particles up to about 75 nm indiameter. Having established a method to develop gold
nanoparticles with large particle size and alkanethiol
as a protecting agent (Fig. 6.3), we found that it waseasier to combine them with dyes such as porphyrin,
which has alkanethiol as a side chain. Depending on
the length of the alkanethiol, the distance between thedye and the gold nanoparticle can be designed at thenanoscale. Since hydrophobic gold nanoparticles canbe deployed on the water surface, two-dimensional
arrays can be fabricated by the Langmuir-Blodgett(LB) method. By using ethylene glycol as a subphaseof hydrophobic gold nanoparticles, we succeeded in
obtaining two-dimensional arrays without the use of

any amphiphilic agents.
Lastly, we investigated the plasmonic propertiesof the two-dimensional arrays for sensing andphotoelectrochemical applications. Comparing thearrays consisting of gold nanoparticles with diameter
15 or 50 nm, we found that the latter array exhibitedlarger enhancement effects from surface enhanced
Raman scattering measurements [13]. It is expectedthat the two-dimensional arrays consisting of largehydrophobic gold nanoparticles will be applied tohighly efficient photoenergy conversion. These results
are in relation to the milestones of Project 2 of theAdvanced Energy Materials Thrust’s roadmap toward
efficient photoenergy harvesting for development of
nanodevices for active utilization of photon energy on
charge separation at the nanointerface.

4. Friction and wear of PTFE composites in hydrogen (PI. J. Sugimura, WPI Professor Y. Sawae)
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composites arewidely used as materials for seals and piston ringsin hydrogen applications, and their tribological
performance greatly affects reliability and durability of
the components. The dependence of friction and wear
on salient factors including filler materials, sliding
conditions including environmental gas, its purity
and temperature, and the mechanisms of the relevant
processes were studied. Single-filler PTFE composites
with different filler materials were prepared and their
tribological characteristics were evaluated in gaseoushydrogen to investigate the tribological function ofeach filler material [14]. The results indicate that glass

fiber caused severe abrasion on the cast iron sliding
counter-face and hence increased wear in both thecomposite and counter-face in hydrogen. The friction
and wear characteristics of polyphenylene sulphidefilled PTFE in hydrogen were similar to those inambient air because it formed a PTFE-based transfer
film on the counter-face regardless of the surrounding
atmosphere. On the other hand, carbon fiber-filled
PTFE exhibited excellent low friction and low wear
in hydrogen. In this case, both the composite surface
and sliding counter-face are covered with carbon-richtribofilms.

5. ‌Effect of molecular structure of lubricants on elastohydrodynamic lubrication (PI J. Sugimura, WPI Associate
Professor K. Yagi)
Elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) provides
smooth operation and prevents surface damage inconcentrated contacts in many machine components
such as rolling element bearings and gears. Although
the fundamental mechanics of EHL is well understood,
the dynamic behavior of lubricants under highpressures on the order of GPa is largely unexplored.
In this work, the behavior of lubricants under extreme
conditions, i.e. of high pressure viscosity and liquid
to solid transformation, was investigated. In particular,
the relationship between the molecular structure of
lubricants and the appearance of anomalous film
shapes in elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions

were investigated [15]. A ball-on-disc type test rig
was used, which produced a point contact area
between a rotating glass disc and rotating steel ball.
Several pure liquids such as alkanes, alcohols, andothers with a single polar site were used as lubricants.
Linear chain lubricants caused solid-like behavior in
the film formation, traction coefficient and flow out
time of entrapped lubricant in shock loading tests
whereas complexly shaped lubricants caused liquidlike behavior. The clear dependence on lubricant typeappears to indicate that the anomalous film shapes
formed due to the solidification of the lubricant.

6. ‌Material Development for H2 Service (WPI Visiting Associate Professor M. Arnaud)
Hydrogen is known to increase dislocation mobility
and generation rates. Whereas this effect has been

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I2CNER Annual Report 2020

observed experimentally, there is a paucity ofexperimental data on its magnitude. In this work,

Selected Research Accomplishments

we determine the dislocation density evolution withhydrogen, along with the evolution of dislocation typewith hydrogen and increasing strain for the case of
SUS316L steel [16], the most hydrogen compatible
alloy for hydrogen infrastructure components.
Significantly, our quantitative analysis of the hydrogeneffect can be applied to large samples. Using novel
X-Ray Diffraction methodology, we found that
exposure to 10 MPa hydrogen gas increased thedislocation density, maximum 3.2×1015 m−2 inhydrogen and 2.5×1015 m−2 in the absence ofhydrogen. However, the type of dislocations (evaluatedby the ratio of screw character to edge character)

did not change, with and without hydrogen, for all
strains analyzed (true strain ε = 0~1.40). This implies
that a relatively low hydrogen content, 28 mass ppm,
is enough to clearly increase the dislocation density
but not sufficient to affect cross-slip in a significant
way. This quantitative result is of significance to ourunderstanding of hydrogen embrittlement as one of
the underlying mechanisms is considered to be therestriction of cross-slip by solute hydrogen. This work
is directed toward the short-term milestone of Project 4(Material development for H2 service) of the Advanced
Energy Materials Thrust’s roadmap

7. ‌Creep in hydrogen: high-temperature degradation of material strength in hydrogen gas (PIs M. Kubota, B.
Somerday, P. Sofronis; WPI Visiting Assistant Professor M. Dadfarnia)

Fig. 6.4. Effect of hydrogen on creep rupture of JIS SUS304 austenitic stainless steel. The creep life in hydrogen was significantly
reduced compared to that in argon. Fracture surface in argon changed from dimple and intergranular fracture to complete
intergranular fracture with a decrease in applied stress. In hydrogen, the percentage of the intergranular fracture was smaller.

It is expected that high-temperature hydrogentechnologies such as solid oxide fuel cells andhigh-temperature water electrolysis cells will play
an important role in the future of a carbon-neutralenergy system in view of their promising features,such as high efficiency and no reliance on platinum.
However, our understanding of the effect of hydrogenon the creep behavior of metals and alloys is very
limited. In this work, we investigated the creep
life of the SUS304 austenitic stainless steel at 873oK both in hydrogen gas, 0.1.MPa, and in argon.
Figure 6.4 shows that the creep life of this steel was
significantly reduced in hydrogen gas. Interestingly,
the uniaxial tension ductility increased in hydrogen incomparison to that in argon, which is opposite to room
temperature behavior. Examination of the fracturesurfaces showed that the transition of the fracturemode from transgranular microvoid coalescence tointergranular fracture was delayed in hydrogen. Our
examination and analysis of the experimental data
confirmed that none of the following mechanisms
could be responsible for the reduced creep life at 873
oK: i) the hydrogen enhanced localized plasticity, theroom temperature mechanism for hydrogen-induced
material degradation, ii) the high temperature hydrogenattack decarburization mechanism, and iii) carbide
formation. From our analysis of the steady-state creep
data in both hydrogen and argon, it was inferred that

I2CNER Annual Report 202015

Selected Research Accomplishments

the same creep deformation mechanism operated in
the two environments, which was dislocation creep.
Our analysis supports the colorable argument thathydrogen reduces the activation energy for vacancy
formation, thereby enhancing the vacancy density andassociated lattice diffusion coefficient, which in turnaccelerates dislocation climb. Consequently, hydrogenaccelerates the creep response and shortens the creep
life [17]. These results address the short-term milestoneof Project 3 of the Advanced Energy Materials Thrust’s
roadmap toward developing predictive models of H2assisted cracking in structural materials.

8. ‌Development of physics-informed, predictive models of H2-assisted cracking (PIs M. Kubota, B. Somerday, P.
Sofronis; WPI Visiting Assistant Professor M. Dadfarnia)

(MPa)

(MPa)

(a)

In Air(b)

In 1 MPa H 2

N =1

N =1

N =10

N =10

N =100N =50

Solid lines: Experiment

Solid lines: Experiment

Dashed lines: Model

Dashed lines: Model

(%)

(%)

Fig. 6.5. Comparison of the stress-strain curves predicted by the proposed model (dashed lines) [22] with the experimental data(solid lines) for uniaxial strain-controlled cyclic loading at strain range 2.2%: a) in air for cycles N = 1, 10, and 100, and b) in 1 MPa
hydrogen gas for cycles N = 1, 10, and 50.

Current hydrogen-accelerated fatigue crack growthmodels are limited to phenomenological approaches
due to lack of mechanistic understanding of thehydrogen effect on the underlying plastic deformation
processes. This work presents an approach to thedevelopment of a constitutive law specifically formaterial response under cycling loading requiredfor predictive mechanistic modeling of hydrogenaccelerated fatigue crack growth. Toward this goal, theChaboche model [18-21] is utilized to characterize
constitutively a low carbon JIS SM490YB in air andin 1 MPa hydrogen gas at room temperature. For thecalibration of the model, uniaxial strain-controlled
cyclic loading tests and uniaxial stress-controlled
ratcheting tests are used (Fig. 6.5). Based on theexperimental data and the trends teased out fromthe calibrated Chaboche model, we conclude thathydrogen decreases the yield strength and the amountof cyclic hardening. On the other hand, hydrogen
increases ratcheting, the rate of cyclic hardening, andpromotes stronger recovery [22]. These results address
the short-term milestone of Project 3 of the Advanced
Energy Materials Thrust’s roadmap toward developing

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I2CNER Annual Report 2020

predictive models of H2-assisted cracking in structural
materials.
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Ando, T. Matsumoto, K.-S. Yoon, T. Enomoto, S. Ogo(2021) Synthesis of acetic acid from CO2, CH3I and H2
using a Water-Soluble Electron Storage Catalyst, Chem.
Commun., 57(39), 4772-4774. [Cover Picture][2] S. Ogo, T. Kishima, T. Yatabe, K. Miyazawa, R.
Yamasaki, T. Matsumoto, T. Ando, M. Kikkawa, M.
Isegawa, K.-S. Yoon, S. Hayami (2020) [NiFe], [FeFe],
and [Fe] Hydrogenase Models from Isomers, Science
Advances, 6(24), eaaz8181 ([EurekAlert! AAAS] [Press
Release] [Nikkei Shimbun]).
[3] Y. Shomura, M. Taketa, H. Nakashima, H. Tai, H.
Nakagawa, Y. Ikeda, M. Ishii, Y. Igarashi, H. Nishihara,
K.-S. Yoon, S. Ogo, S. Hirota, Y. Higuchi, Y. (2017)
Structural basis of the redox switches in the NAD+reducing soluble [NiFe]-hydrogenase, Science,
537(6354), 928-932. [Press Release] [Nikkei Shimbun][4] S. Ogo, Y. Mori, T. Ando, T. Matsumoto, T. Yatabe,

Selected Research Accomplishments

K.-S. Yoon, H. Hayashi, M. Asano (2017) One Model,
Two Enzymes: Activation of Hydrogen and Carbon
Monoxide, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 56(33), 97239726. [Hot Paper] [Cover Picture] [EurekAlert! AAAS][AZoCleantech] [DWV-Mitteilungen] [Press Release][Television Nishinippon] [Asahi Shimbun, Chunichi
Shimbun, Nikkei Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun, andSankei Shimbun][5] N. T. Nguyen, Y. Mori, T. Matsumoto, T. Yatabe, R.
Kabe, H. Nakai, K.-S. Yoon, S. Ogo (2014) A [NiFe]
hydrogenase Model That Catalyses the Release of
Hydrogen from Formic Acid, Chem. Commun., 50(87),13385-13387.
[6] T. Matsumoto, S. Eguchi, H. Nakai, T. Hibino,
K.-S. Yoon, S. Ogo (2014) [NiFe]Hydrogenasefrom Citrobacter sp. S-77 Surpasses Platinum as an
Electrode for H2 Oxidation Reaction, Angew. Chem.
Int. Ed. 53(34), 8895-8898. [Cover Picture] [Press
Release] [NHK and RKB Mainichi Broadcasting
Corporation] [NHK Radio] [Nikkankogyo Shimbun,
Nikkei Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun, Mainichi
Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun,and Yomiuri Shimbun][Wiley Science Cafe] [Science Portal][7] S. Ogo, K. Ichikawa, T. Kishima, T. Matsumoto,
H. Nakai, K. Kusaka, T. Ohhara (2013) A Functional[NiFe]Hydrogenase Mimic That Catalyzes Electronand Hydride Transfer from H2, Science, 339(6120),682-684. [Press Release] [Kyushu Asahi BroadcastingRadio] [Asahi Shimbun, Nikkankogyo Shimbun, Nikkei
Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun,
and Yomiuri Shimbun][8] K. Fukutani, J. Yoshinobu, M. Yamauchi, T. Shima, S.
Orimo, (2021). Hydrogenomics: Efficient and Selective
Hydrogenation of Stable Molecules Utilizing Three
Aspects of Hydrogen, Cat. Lett., invited review, inpress.

Evolution Reaction over a Highly Efficient Ir-TiO 2
Nano-rod Catalyst, ACS Catalysis, 9, 6974-6986.
[13] T. Ishida, Y. Yanaga, S. Yamada, Y. Takahashi (2021)
A Versatile Method for Surface Functionalization andHydrophobization of Gold Nanoparticles, Applied
Surface Science, 546, 148932.
[14] Y. Sawae, T. Morita, K. Takeda, S. Onitsuka, J.
Kaneuti, T. Yamaguchi, J. Sugimura (2021) Friction andwear of PTFE Composites with Different Filler in High
Purity Hydrogen Gas, Tribology International, 157,
106884. DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2021.106884[ 1 5 ] K . Ya g i , K . N i s h i d a , J . S u g i m u ra ( 2 0 2 0 )Relationship between the Molecular Structure of
Lubricants and Appearance of Anomalous Film Shapes
in Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication Conditions,
Tribology International, 152, 106574. DOI: 10.1016/
j.triboint.2020.106574[16] K. Kamei, Y. Koumura, A. Macadre, K. Goda (2020)
Quantitative Evaluation of Solute Hydrogen Effect on
Dislocation Density in a Low-carbon Stable Austenitic
Stainless Steel, ISIJ International, 61(5), 1736-1738[17] D. Takazaki, T. Tsuchiyama, R. Komoda, M.
Dadfarnia, B. P. Somerday, P. Sofronis, M. Kubota(2021) Effect of Hydrogen on Creep Properties of
SUS304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Corrosion, 77 (3),256-265.
[18] Chaboche, J. L., 1986, “Time-Independent
Constitutive Theories for Cyclic Plasticity,” Int. J. Plast.,
2(2), pp. 149–188.
[19] Chaboche, J. L., and Nouailhas, D., 1989,“Constitutive Modeling Of Ratchetting Effects_Part I:
Experimental Facts And Properties Of The ClassicalModels,” J. Eng. Mater. Technol., 111(4), pp. 384–392.

[9] R. Watanabe, M. Yamauchi, M. Sadakiyo, R. Abe
and T. Takeguchi (2015) CO 2 -free electric power
circulation via direct charge and discharge using
the glycolic acid/oxalic acid redox couple, Energy &Environmental Science, 8, 1456-1462.

[20] Chaboche, J. L., and Nouailhas, D., 1989,“Constitutive Modeling of Ratchetting Effects-Part II:
Possibilities of Some Additional Kinematic Rules,” J.
Eng. Mater. Technol. Trans. ASME, 111(4), pp. 409–
416.

[10] M. Sadakiyo, S. Hata, X. Cui, M. Yamauchi(2017). Electrochemical Production of Glycolic Acidfrom Oxalic Acid Using a Polymer Electrolyte AlcoholElectrosynthesis Cell Containing a Porous TiO2 Catalyst,
Scientific Reports, 7, 17032.

[21] Chaboche, J. L., 1991, “On Some Modificationsof Kinematic Hardening to Improve the Description of
Ratchetting Effects,” Int. J. Plast., 7(7), pp. 661–678.

[11] Miho Yamauchi (2021), Inorganic Nanocatalysts
for Hydrogenation Reactions Contributable to a
Sustainable Material Supply, Chem Lett., Invitedreview, 50, 1901-1908.

[22] Z. S. Hosseini, M. Dadfarnia, A. Nagao, M.
Kubota, B. P. Somerday, R. O. Ritchie, P. Sofronis (2021)
Modeling the Hydrogen Effect on the Constitutive
Response of a Low Carbon Steel in Cyclic Loading,
ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, 88(3), 031001-1– 031001-14. DOI: 10.1115/1.4049076[12] J. Cheng, J. Yang, S. Kitano, G. Juhasz, M. Higashi,
M. Sadakiyo, K. Kato, S. Yoshioka, T. Sugiyama, M.
Yamauchi, N. Nakashima (2019), Impact of Ir-ValenceControl and Surface Nanostructure on Oxygen

I2CNER Annual Report 202017

Selected Research Accomplishments

Advanced Energy Conversion Systems
1. ‌Understanding degradation of metal halide hybrid perovskite solar cells (PI C. Adachi, WPI Associate Professor
T. Matsushima)
Metal halide hybrid perovskites are attracting attention
as the light absorber of solar cells because theirhighest certified solar power conversion efficiency
has already surpassed 25%, which is comparable
to silicon-based solar cell technology. Additionally,
compatibility with solution processing from simple
source materials significantly makes the fabrication
cost of perovskite solar cells lower. However, thecommercialization of perovskite solar cells is currently
limited by the performance degradation underillumination, in air, or at high temperature. Hybrid
perovskite films contain unreacted lead iodide (PbI2).
Under solar illumination, photodecomposition of PbI2
takes place, resulting in the generation of metallic
lead which works as a quencher for photogenerated
charge carriers in the perovskite absorber. We carefully
controlled the composition of precursor solution used
for the perovskite spin-coating to reduce the unreacted
PbI2. Perovskite solar cells with reduced PbI2 content
have greatly improved operational durability (Fig.

6.6a) [1]. Ion migration happening in perovskite solar
cells is an additional issue that limits the operational
durability. We suppressed the ion migration bytreating the SnO2 electron transport layer surface witha specially designed self-assembled monolayer (Fig.
6.6b) [2]. The performance degradation of perovskite
solar cells takes place faster at higher temperature.
We found that the high-temperature cell degradation
was associated with post-doping of the organic holetransport layer of N,N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)amino]9,9′-spirobifluorene (spiro-OMeTAD) by iodine
released from the perovskite layer (Fig. 6.6c). Use of
an iodine-blocking layer or an iodine-free perovskite
in perovskite solar cells suppressed the post-doping
and, therefore, led to better operational durability [3].
These results contribute to the short-, mid-, and longterm milestones for environmentally friendly solar
power harvesting in Project 5 of the Advanced Energy
Conversion Systems Thrust’s roadmap.

a)

b)

c)

Figure 6.6. a) Efficiency evolution of perovskite solar cells fabricated by spin-coating from precursor solution containing 1.12 (S-1),
1.15 (S-2), and 1.18 M (S-3) of PbI2. Using higher PbI2 concentration leads to the inclusion of more unreacted PbI2 in a resulting
perovskite film. b) Schematic of a self-assembled monolayer treated on a SnO2 surface to suppress ion migration. c) Energy-level
diagram showing an increase in hole extraction energy barrier, which is caused by the post-doping of the spiro-OMeTAD holetransport layer with iodine.

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Selected Research Accomplishments

2. ‌Improvement of platinum utilization efficiency on polymer-coated carbons (PI T. Fujigaya)
For global commercialization of polymer electrolyte
membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), lowering the cost isa crucial issue. Toward this end, lowering of the Pt
amount has been investigated. The U.S. Departmentof Energy (DOE) set the target of 0.125 g/kW for the Pt
amount. So far, several Pt-catalysts helped realize theDOE value such as the Pt nanocage and Pt nanosheet.
However, these methods are associated with low
durability due to the activity of the Pt (i.e. instabilityof Pt), thus the realization of both durability and mass
activity is necessary for commercial applications. In
this regard, improvement of Pt utilization efficiency
is the most promising and practical strategy. In ourearlier work, we reported excellent durability forelectrocatalysis based on the concepts of polymer-

wrapped carbon nanotube (CNT) [4,5] and polymerwrapped carbon black (CB)[6], but the Pt utilizationin these systems was lower than in the the otherstate-of-the art PEMFC catalysts. Working to improve
the Pt utilization efficiency of these systems, we
successfully improved Pt utilization efficiency in thepolymer-wrapped CB system [7] regardless of thetype of CB (Figure 6.7a). In addition, we found that
the Pt utilization efficiency was further improved [8]by optimizing the ionomer content (i.e. ionomer/
carbon ratio so called I/C) (Figure 6.7b). These results
meet the short-term milestone for low temperatureenergy conversion in Project 2 of the Advanced Energy
Conversion Systems Thrust’s roadmap.

Figure 6.7. a) Polarization curves of the single cell containing Pt catalyst based on (left panel) Ketjen black (open circles) andpolymer-wrapped Ketjen Black (filled circles), and (right panel) Acetylene black (open circles) and polymer-wrapped Acetylene
black (filled circles). b) Polarization curves of the single cell containing Pt catalyst based on Vulcan (left panel) and polymerwrapped Vulcan (right panel) having different I/C ratios.

References[1] G. Tumen-Ulzii, C. Qin, D. Klotz, M. R. Leyden,
P. Wang, M. Auffray, T. Fujihara, T. Matsushima, J.-W.
Lee, S.-J. Lee, Y. Yang, C. Adachi (2020) Detrimental
Effect of Unreacted PbI2 on the Long-Term Stability of
Perovskite Solar Cells, Advanced Materials, 32(16),1905035.
[2] G. Tumen-Ulzii, T. Matsushima, D. Klotz, M.
R. Leyden, P. Wang, C. Qin, J.-W. Lee, S.-J. Lee, Y.
Yang, C. Adachi (2020) Hysteresis-less and stable
perovskite solar cells with a self-assembled monolayer,
Communications Materials, 1, 31.
[3] G. Tumen-Ulzii, C. Qin, T. Matsushima, M. R.
Leyden, U. Balijipalli, D. Klotz, C. Adachi (2020)
Understanding the Degradation of Spiro-OMeTADbased Perovskite Solar Cells at High Temperature, Solar
RRL, 4(10), 2000305.
[4] M. R. Berber, T. Fujigaya, K. Sasaki, N. Nakashima(2013) Remarkably Durable High Temperature Polymer
Electrolyte Fuel Cell Based on Poly(vinylphosphonicacid)-doped Polybenzimidazole Sci. Rep., , 3, Art. No.
1764[5] R. Berber, I. H. Hafez, T. Fujigaya, N. Nakashima(2015) A highly durable fuel cell electrocatalyst basedon double-polymer-coated carbon nanotubes Sci. Rep.
5, art. no. 16711.
[6] T. Fujigaya, S. Hirata, M. R. Berber, N. Nakashima(2016) Improved Durability of Electrocatalyst Based on
Coating of Carbon Black with Polybenzimidazole andtheir Application in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells ACS
Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 8, 14494-14502.
[7] S. M. Jayawickrama, T. Fujigaya (2020) Effect ofpolymer-coating on carbon blacks for Pt utilization
efficiency of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells J.
Power Sources 482, 228932.
[8] S. M. Jayawickrama, D. Wu, R. Nakayama, S.
Ishikawa, X. Liu, G. Inoue, T. Fujigaya (2021) Effect of
a Polybenzimidazole Coating on Carbon Supports for
Ionomer Content Optimization in Polymer Electrolyte
Membrane Fuel Cells J. Power Source, 496, 229855.

I2CNER Annual Report 202019

Selected Research Accomplishments

Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy
and the Environment
1. ‌Direct Air Capture by nanomembrane (PI S. Fujikawa, WPI Assistant Professor R. Selyanchyn).

Climate change caused by emissions of greenhousegases into the atmosphere is a most pressing issue inthe 21st century. Direct capture of the carbon dioxide(CO2) from the air (direct air capture, DAC) is one
among a variety of negative emission technologies (Fig.
6.8) that are expected to keep global warming below
1.5 °C, as recommended by the Intergovernmental
Panel for Climate Change (IPCC). Current DAC
technologies are mainly based on sorbent-based
systems where CO2 is trapped in solution or on thesurface of porous solids covered with compounds withhigh CO2 affinity. These processes are currently rather
expensive, although the cost is expected to decrease as
the technologies are developed and deployed at scale.
We introduced the potential of membrane-based
DAC (m-DAC) by taking advantage of the state-of-

the-art performance of organic polymer membranes.
Based on process simulation, we showed thattargeted performance for the m-DAC is achievablewith competitive energy expenditure [1]. We havedemonstrated that application of a multi-stage
separation process can enable the preconcentration of
atmospheric CO2 (0.04%) to 40%. This possibility andcombination of the membranes with advanced CO2
conversion may lead to realistic means for opening acircular CO2 economy.
This accomplishment is toward the milestone“Development of nanomembrane materials withhigh CO2 permeance” of the Multiscale Science andEngineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust’s
roadmap aiming at “Capture of CO 2 at multiple
concentration levels.”Figure 6.8. Strategy for direct air capture by membrane.

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Selected Research Accomplishments

2. ‌Critical role of the molecular interface in nanomembranes for highly efficient CO2/N2 gas separation (PI S.
Fujikawa, WPI Assistant Professor R. Selyanchyn).

CO2 separation by membranes is one of the promising
approaches to mitigate industrial emissions andprevent global warming and related climate change.
For the energy-efficient process, membranes shouldhave high CO2 permeances (>1000 GPU (GPU – gaspermeance unit) and moderate CO 2/N 2 selectivity(>30). It is worth noting that CO2 capture cost is very
sensitive only to CO2 permeance, once a selectivity
greater than 30 is achieved. Unfortunately, CO 2
permeances in most benchmark membranes arestill insufficient and thus, improvement of CO 2
permeance is the central issue in post-combustion
CO 2 capture membrane development. Toward thisgoal, we focused on membrane thinning to enhance
CO2 permeance without losing CO2 selectivity overnitrogen. In a series of efforts, we deposited a block
copolymer (Pebax-1657) possessing high CO2 affinity,
as an ultrathin selective layer with a thickness of
2–20 nm on the oxygen plasma-activated surface ofpoly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) used as a gutter layer(thickness ~400 nm). After a systematic investigation,
we discovered [2] that the gas permeance andselectivity do not follow the conventional theoreticalpredictions for the multilayer membrane (resistancein series transport model); specifically, more selective
CO2/N2 separation membranes were achieved withultrathin selective layers. Detailed characterizationof the chemical structure of the outermost membranesurface suggests that nanoscale blending of theultrathin selective layer with O 2-plasma-activated
PDMS chains on the surface takes place (Fig. 6.9).
This nanoblending at the interface between theselective and gutter layers played a critical rolein enhancing the CO 2 /N 2 selectivity resulting inbenchmark level gas separation. This achievement isdirected toward the milestone “Enhancement of CO2
separation performance” of the Multiscale Science andEngineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust’s
roadmap for the purpose of “CO2 separation over N2.”

Figure 6.9. (a) Cross sectional TEM image of CO2 nanomembrane and schematic representation of the outermost surface, (b)proposed molecular structure of the interface between a selective layer and a gutter layer.

3. ‌Post-combustion CO2 capture (PI S. Fujikawa, WPI Associate Professor I. Taniguchi).
Thermal power stations are among the most significant
CO2 emission points and thus capturing the CO2 fromthe flue gas, which is CO2 separation over N2, is aneffective approach toward CO2 mitigation. A numberof CO2 separation membranes have been developed
for the post-combustion CO2 capture as an alternative
to liquid amine scrubbing, although only a couple ofmembranes reached pilot-scale demonstration, suchas Ho’s membrane [3]. Amines are employed to beincorporated into the membranes to improve CO 2
separation performance. WPI Professor Taniguchi firstelucidated the preferential CO2 permeation mechanism

through amine-containing membranes under humidity[4]. CO2 interacts with amines after sorption to forma carbamate, which is then readily hydrolyzed to givebicarbonate ion, the main membrane penetrating
species (Fig. 6.10). Later, Taniguchi introduced
an alkanolamine, AEAE (2-(2-aminoethylamino)
ethanol), which showed excellent CO 2 transport
properties in polymeric membranes [5]. A hollow
fiber membrane module having AEAE in the CO 2selective layer showed comparable CO 2 separation
properties to the Ho’s membrane module at the same
operation conditions. However, evaporation of theI2CNER Annual Report 202021

Selected Research Accomplishments

amine from the membranes might cause a decreasein the CO2 separation performance as often seen in
the liquid amine scrubbing technology. Thus, amines
with low volatility are required as a CO 2 carrierin the membranes. A piperazine derivative, DHPP
(3-(1-piperazinyl)-1,2-propanediol) is solid at ambientand exhibits similar gas transport performance
to AEAE [6]. Piperazines are known to catalyzehydrolysis of carbamate to produce bicarbonate ion.

A DHPP-bearing hollow fiber membrane module was
successfully prepared, which would be considered forbench- or pilot-scale demonstration.
This achievement is directed toward the milestone“Enhancement of CO2 separation performance” of theMultiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust’s roadmap for the purpose of “CO2separation over N2.”

Figure 6.10. DHPP-containing polymeric membrane and preferential CO2 permeation mechanism through amine-containing
membranes.

4. ‌CO2 uptake by biomass-derived activated carbons (PI B. Saha)
The utilization of CO2 as a refrigerant for adsorption
heat pump technologies has been gaining momentum
in the last decades. We have developed novel activatedcarbons (ACs) with extremely large pore volume andhigh surface area from environment-friendly andabundantly available biomass precursors seeking
higher CO2 adsorption capacity. Four AC samples havebeen synthesized from the two biomass precursors
namely waste palm trunk (WPT) and mangrove (M),employing potassium hydroxide as an activating agent.
The porous properties of the synthesized ACs areinvestigated from the N2 adsorption/desorption results
at 77 K. It is worth noting that the highest surface areaand pore volume for biomass-derived ACs (BACs)
obtained are 2927 m2/g and 2.87 cm3/g, respectively.

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The CO2 adsorption characteristics are investigatedusing high precision magnetic suspension balance
unit at five different temperatures, viz. 25, 30, 40,
50, and 70°C, with various pressures. The WPT-AC(C500)/CO2 pair shows the highest adsorption uptake
as high as 1.791 g/g (excess adsorption) and 2.172 g/g(absolute adsorption) at 25°C and 5.04 MPa, which issuperior to any other ACs reported to date (Fig. 6.11).
The porous properties and adsorption uptake of CO2reported in this study are the current benchmarks [7].
These results contribute to the short-term milestones
for “Heat mass transfer: adsorption” in Project 3 of theMultiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust’s roadmap.

Selected Research Accomplishments

Figure 6.11. (a) Waste palm trunk activated Carbon (AC), (b) Mangrove AC, (c) CO2 adsorption onto biomass derived ACs.

5. ‌Global Hydrogen and Energy System Modelling (PI A. Chapman)
This research has comprehensively evaluated thepotential societal penetration of hydrogen into theenergy system by 2050 at the global, regional, andnational level. One of our major findings was that
under the current Paris Agreement 2 degree target thathydrogen could account for up to 2% of global energy,
but up to 25% for Japan, which is likely to import
most of its hydrogen from abroad [8]. Figure 6.12
describes the import origins of hydrogen and end use
categories including city gas (at a blend ratio of 30%),transport, electricity (both direct fired and blended)and the production of chemical feedstocks. Further
work is required in evaluating the key technologicaland policy issues which underpin the nature of the
future Japanese energy system. With the introductionof a ‘carbon neutral’ goal for 2050, the potential forindigenously produced hydrogen may increase.

Complementing this research, further work wasundertaken to investigate stakeholder preferences
toward transportation options for Japan. This researchhighlights the need for refueling accessibility, as wellas energy efficiency and environmental friendliness for
Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV) to be successful in the future(Fig. 6.13) [9]. In combination with research outcomesfrom [8] we identified the potential for FCVs toaccount for up to 50% of the passenger vehicle fleet by
2050 in Japan [9]. These results contribute to the shortterm milestone for “Hydrogen fuel station research” ofthe Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy andthe Environment Thrust’s roadmap on socio-technoeconomic and policy analysis. Specifically, this work
aims to advance our global hydrogen and energy
system modelling research, to identify appropriatetechnologies and barriers for the development of ahydrogen economy.

Figure 6.12. Potential H2 penetration for Japan, sources and end uses. MTOE denotes Mega tons of oil equivalent.

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Selected Research Accomplishments

(b)

(a)

(c)

Figure 6.13. (a) Stakeholder preferences toward future passenger vehicle purchase, (b) Distribution of global transportation H2,(c) Number of FCVs deployed regionally in 2050.

References[1] Fujikawa, S., Selyanchyn, R. & Kunitake, T. A newstrategy for membrane-based direct air capture. (2021)
Polym. J. 53, 111–119.
[2] Selyanchyn, O., Selyanchyn, R. & Fujikawa, S.
(2020), Critical Role of the Molecular Interface in
Double-Layered Pebax-1657/PDMS Nanomembranesfor Highly Efficient CO2 /N2 Gas Separation. ACS Appl.
Mater. Interfaces 12, 33196–33209.
[3] Carbon Capture Technology Compendium 2020,
pp. 290-295 (NETL, DOE, https://netl.doe.gov/sites/
default/files/2020-07/Carbon-Capture-TechnologyCompendium-2020.pdf). The project is on-going, andthe results would be published in the near future. Witha scientific journal of similar basic research, Yang Han,
Dongzhu Wu, W.S. Winston Ho, “Simultaneous effects
of temperature and vacuum and feed pressures on
facilitated transport membrane for CO2/N2 separation”,
J. Membr. Sci., 573, 476-484, 2019.
[4] Taniguchi, I., Duan, S., Kai, T., Kazama, S.,
Jinnai, H., Effect of phase-separated structure on
CO 2 separation performance of poly(amidoamine)
dendrimer immobilized in a poly(ethylene glycol)
network, J. Mater. Chem. A, 1,14514-14523, 2013.
[5] Yu Hoshino, Tomohiro Gyobu, Kazushi Imamura,

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Akira Hamasaki, Ryutaro Honda, Ryoga Horii,
Chie Yamashita, Yuki Terayama, Takeshi Watanabe,
Shoma Aki, Yida Liu, Junko Matsuda, Yoshiko Miura,
Ikuo Taniguchi, Assembly of Defect-Free Microgel
Nanomembranes for CO2 Separation, ACS Appl. Mater.
Interfaces, 13, 30030-30038, 2021.
[6] Ikuo Taniguchi, Kae Kinugasa, Mariko Toyoda, Koki
Minezaki, Haruno Tanaka, Kanato Mitsuhara (2021),
Piperazine-immobilized polymeric membranes for CO2
capture: Mechanism of preferential CO2 permeation,
Polym. J., 53, 129-136.
[7] A. Pal, K. Uddin, B.B. Saha, K. Thu, H.S. Kil, S.H.
Yoon, J. Miyawaki, A benchmark for CO2 uptake onto
newly synthesized biomass-derived activated carbons,
Applied Energy, Vol. 264, Article 114720, 2020.
[8] Chapman, A. Itaoka, K. Farabi-Asl, H. Fujii, Y.
Nakahara, M. 2020. Societal Penetration of Hydrogen
into the Future Energy System: Impacts of Policy,
Technology and Carbon Targets. International Journalof Hydrogen Energy 45(7): 3883–98.
[9] Chapman, A. Nguyen, D. Farabi-Asl, H. Itaoka,
K. Hirose, K. Fujii, Y. 2020. Hydrogen Penetration
and Fuel Cell Vehicle Deployment in the Carbon
Constrained Future Energy System. IET Electrical
Systems in Transportation 10(4): 409–16.

Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

Advanced Energy Materials
1. ‌A NiRhS Fuel Cell Catalyst - Lessons from Hydrogenase (PI S. Ogo)In this work, we present a novel fuel cell
heterogeneous NiRhS-based catalyst developed
from a homogeneous NiRhS-based catalyst as a
[NiFe]hydrogenase (H2ase) mimic by means of drydistillation [12-14]. This heterogeneous NiRhS-based
catalyst can be successfully applied to both on theanode and cathode for the development of a newfuel cell system with power densities 5-28% of thatwith platinum and functioning with 300 times higher
power generation than with the homogeneous NiRhSbased catalyst (Fig. 7.1). This is the first example ofconstructing a fuel cell composed of a heterogenous
catalyst prepared from the [NiFe]H2ase model by drydistillation.

Figure 7.1. Heterogeneous NiRhS-based compound catalyst that can be successfully applied to both on the anode and cathode of afuel cell system functioning with almost 300 times higher power generation than with the homogeneous NiSRh-based catalyst.

2. Single atom catalysts (PI M. Yamauchi)
A grand challenge in catalyst engineering is theprecise assembling and positioning of nanoscale active
metals at desired locations while constructing robust
functional architectures. Single-atom catalysts (SACs)
have recently attracted tremendous interest owing totheir reduced material costs and intriguing physicalchemical properties including low coordination
environment, quantum-size effect, and strong
electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI), all ofwhich enhance their catalytic performance. To date,various methodologies such as impregnation, coprecipitation, atomic layer deposition and pyrolysisof metal-organic frameworks have been developed.
However, despite the ultra-fine metal dispersion
achieved, SACs face the same issues of conventional
supported catalysts. An inadequate porous structureengineering may lead to limited exposure of active
sites. Recently, Zhu et al. reported an iron-based
single-atom electrocatalyst (SAEC) supported on acarbon aerogel using Te nanowire as a template,which showed excellent electrocatalytic activities[4]. Notably, to the best of our knowledge, SACs
supported by metal oxide aerogel have not beenreported. This probably can be explained by thedifficulty of homogeneously positioning single
atoms in a macroscopic 3D material during aerogel
formation. Based on previous reports, we developed
a novel concept of taking advantage of the nanofiber
growth mechanism [5]. Nanofiber unit may be selfassembled into the aerogel form, while simultaneously
incorporating single atoms of interests into the
crystalline framework of nanofibers. We consider

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Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

that the successful development of this concept will
open a new avenue for SAC synthesis while endowing

aerogels with enhanced performance and newfunctionalities.

3. Effect of lubricants on hydrogen embrittlement of bearing steel (PI J. Sugimura)
Steel used in rolling contact bearings suffers fromabnormal early flaking failure due to hydrogenproduced by decomposition of lubricating oils. Thismay cause fatal shut down of machinery including
wind turbines. However, details of generation andpermeation of hydrogen at steel surface is not wellunderstood. In the international joint project, wehave studied hydrogen generation and its prevention
by tribofilm formed on contact surfaces during
rolling with various synthetic base oils and additives
in various gas environment through rolling contact
experiments, measurement of hydrogen permeated
References[1] S. Ogo, T. Ando, L. T. T. Minh, Y. Mori, T.
Matsumoto, T. Yatabe, K.-S. Yoon, Y. Sato, T. Hibino,
K. Kaneko (2020) A NiRhS Fuel Cell Catalyst Lessons from Hydrogenase, Chem. Commun.,
56(79), 11787-11790. [Themed Issue on Bio-inspired
Metal Complexes for Chemical Transformations andCatalysis][2] T. Matsumoto, K. Kim, S. Ogo (2011) Molecular
Catalysis in a Fuel Cell, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.,
50(47), 11202-11205. [Cover Picture] [Press
Release] [Television Nishinippon] [Asahi Shimbun,
Nikkankogyo Shimbun, Nikkei Shimbun, Nikkei
Sangyo Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun, Sankei
Shimbun, and Yomiuri Shimbun][3] S. Ogo, K. Ichikawa, T. Kishima, T. Matsumoto,
H. Nakai, K. Kusaka, T. Ohhara (2013) A Functional[NiFe]Hydrogenase Mimic That Catalyzes Electronand Hydride Transfer from H2, Science, 339(6120),682-684. [Press Release] [Kyushu Asahi BroadcastingRadio] [Asahi Shimbun, Nikkankogyo Shimbun, Nikkei
Shimbun, Nishinippon Shimbun, Mainichi Shimbun,
and Yomiuri Shimbun][4] C. Zhu, S. Fu, J. Song, Q. Shi, D. Su, M. H.
Engelhard, X. Li, D. Xiao, D. Li, L. Estevez, D. Du
and Y. Lin, (2017) Self-assembled Fe-N-doped carbon
nanotube aerogels with single-atom catalyst feature
as high-efficiency oxygen reduction electrocatalysts,
Small, 2017, 13,1603407.
[5] H. Zhang, Y. Zhao, Y. Sun, Q. Xu, R. Yang, H.
Zhang, C. Lin, K. Kato, X. Li, M. Yamauchi, X.
Jiang (2020), Novel Self-Assembling Approach for
Synthesizing Nanofiber Aerogel Supported Platinum
Single Atoms, J. Materials Chem. A, 8, 15094-15102.
[6] M. Ratoi, H. Tanaka, B. G. Mellow, J. Sugimura(2020) Hydrocarbon Lubricants Can Control Hydrogen

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into steel, observation and chemical analysis of rollingtracks, and detection of subsurface cracks by MicroCT. In a previous study [6] we found that tribo-films
consisting of iron oxides and polymerized carbon
species are formed during rolling contact, which
prevent the generation of atomic hydrogen at thesurface and consequently retard hydrogen enhanced
damage. The present study [7] revealed the effect ofchemistry of synthetic oils, i.e. chemical structureof oil molecules, significantly affect the tribofilm
formation and hydrogen generation.

Embrittlement, Scientific Reports, 10:1361, doi.
org/10.1038/s41598-020-58294-y[7] H. Tanaka, M. Ratoi, J. Sugimura (2021) The Role ofSynthetic Oils in Controlling Hydrogen Permeation of
Rolling/Sliding Contacts, RSC Advances, 11, 726-738,
DOI: 10.1039/d0ra00294a

Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

Advanced Energy Conversion Systems
1. ‌Light-emitting perovskites (PI C. Adachi, WPI Associate Professor T. Matsushima)
Some hybrid perovskite films can show efficient
light emission. To explore this property, a team ofresearchers from I2CNER, Kyoto University, ChangchunInstitute of Applied Chemistry (China), Sorbonne
Université (France), Université de Strasbourg (France),
and Sabaragamuwa University (Sri Lanka) collaborated
in the area of light-emitting perovskite films for LED
applications. Managing the excited states generated
in light-emitting perovskite films markedly improved

electron-to-photon conversion in LEDs [1]. Next,
combining a light-emitting perovskite film with an
optical resonator led to the first-ever demonstrationof optical continuous-wave (CW) lasing in air at room
temperature [2]. On the basis of these results, we met
the three milestones for a light-emitting system withlow power consumption in Project 6 of the Advanced
Energy Conversion Systems Thrust’s roadmap.

2. ‌Performance and degradation of air electrodes in high-temperature electrochemical devices: acidity of surface
infiltrated oxides as a sensitive descriptor of oxygen exchange kinetics in mixed conducting oxides (PI H.
Tuller)
The operation of fuel cells, automotive sensors, andcatalytic convertors all depend on rapid oxygen
exchange at their surfaces. Solid oxide fuel cells, inparticular, suffer from rather rapid degradation underoperation, the sources of which are not always clear.
By systematic modification of the surface chemistryof mixed conducting oxides of interest as fuel cell
cathodes, we demonstrated that the electrode oxygen
exchange kinetics could be increased or depressed byorders of magnitude through infiltration with certain
binary oxides. We were able to identify the acidity
scale (Figure 7.2a) as a powerful descriptor for tuning
and predicting oxygen surface exchange kinetics on
mixed conducting oxides. By infiltrating a selectionof binary oxides, ranging from strongly basic (Li2O)
to strongly acidic (SiO2) onto the surface of Pr0.1 Ce0.9
O2-δ (PCO10), it was possible to systematically vary
the chemical surface exchange coefficient kchem by sixorders of magnitude [3]! Basic oxides such as Li 2O
led to increases in kchem by nearly 1,000 times overthat of untreated PCO10, while acidic SiO2 treatedsurfaces depressed kchem by nearly the same factor, as
illustrated in Figure 7.2b, the latter acting as poisons toperformance. The relative acidity of the additives were

attributed to their ability to donate or accept electrons
from the electrode, as illustrated in Figure 7.2c for an
acidic additive, thereby impacting the charge transfer
process central to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)
occurring at the cathode. This work demonstrated
that through the addition of basic binary oxides tothe surface, it should be possible to significantly
enhance the performance of cathode materials. This
would allow the operation temperature of SOFCs to
be lowered, an important step in extending operating
lifetimes and reducing cost. Additionally, as thedemand for SOFCs increases, the use of critical raw
materials such as cobalt or the lanthanides/rare earth
metals will result in increased price and potential
availability issues. Through use of selected surface
additives with defined acidity/basicity, the evidence
to date suggests the ability to considerably enhance
the reactivity of alternative cathode materials lacking
lanthanides and costly transition metals such as Co,
making them applicable even at reduced temperatures.
Additionally, these results meet the short- and midterm milestones for solid oxide cells in Project 1 of
the Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust’s
roadmap.

I2CNER Annual Report 202027

Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

Figure 7.2. (a) Acidity scale for binary oxides. (b) Oxygen chemical surface exchange coefficients of Pr0.1Ce0.9O2 as a function oftemperature for various surface modifications with selected binary oxides with a range of acidity values. (c) Illustration of effect ofacidity on the band structure of Pr doped ceria for an acidic oxide.

References[1] C. Qin, T. Matsushima, W. J. Potscavage, Jr., A. S. D.
Sandanayaka, M. R. Leyden, F. Bencheikh, K. Goushi,
F. Mathevet, B. Heinrich, G. Yumoto, Y. Kanemitsu,
C. Adachi (2020) Triplet management for efficientperovskite light-emitting diodes, Nature Photonics, 14,
70−75.
[2] C. Qin, S. D. Sandanayaka, C. Zhao, T. Matsushima,
D. Zhang, T. Fujihara, and C. Adachi (2020) Stableroom-temperature continuous-wave lasing in quasi-2D
perovskite films, Nature, 585, 53–57.
[3] Clement Nicollet, Cigdem Toparli, George F.
Harrington, Thomas Defferriere, Bilge Yildiz and Harry
L. Tuller, Acidity of Surface-Infiltrated Binary Oxides asa Sensitive Descriptor of Oxygen Exchange Kinetics in
Mixed Conducting Oxides, Nature Catalysis, 3, 913920 (2020), doi.org/10.1038/s41929-020-00520-x

28

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy
and the Environment
1. ‌Energy Transitions and the People-Technology-Systems Nexus (PI A. Chapman)
Understanding stakeholder preferences toward
the energy system is critical for engendering a fairenergy transition. Through a joint research project
between the Multiscale Science and Engineering forEnergy and the Environment Thrust of I 2CNER and
the Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering(NPRE) Department at the University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) we have uncovered thelinkages between culture, income, education, andenergy affordability and energy system and policy
preferences [1]. This groundbreaking research has

led to policy findings and recommendations for theenergy system which are cognizant of culture, andrecognition issues within energy justice. This work
will lead to broad collaborations on energy systemdesign cognizant of demographics, behavior andenergy system preferences. This research relates to ourenergy transitions target “Theoretical and quantitativeevaluation of national and global transitions” andaims to further our understanding of the energy
transition such that it is sustainable from an economic,
environmental and social point of view.

2. ‌Monitoring pore pressure variation for the mitigation of CO2-injection induced earthquakes (PI T. Tsuji)
By improving monitoring schemes [2], we cancontinuously estimate spatiotemporal variations ofseismic velocity. To relate the monitoring results(i.e., seismic velocity) with the pore fluid pressure,
we investigated the response of pore pressure to
rainfall in southwestern Japan based on time seriesof seismic velocity [3]. By linking the variations
in seismic velocity and pore pressure spatially, we
found that our seismic monitoring system is useful inevaluating earthquake triggering processes. Indeed,

we succeeded in developing the method to distinguish
the CO2 injection-induced earthquake from natural
earthquake based on our monitoring results [4].
This accomplishment is directed to the short-termmilestone “Distinguish natural earthquakes and CCS
induced earthquakes” and the mid-term milestone“Prevention of CO2 injection induced earthquakes” of
the Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy andthe Environment Thrust’s roadmap on carbon storageand management using the earth.

3. ‌Ionic liquid polymer materials with tunable nanopores for CO2 capture (PI B. Saha)
Monomeric ionic liquids (ILs), ionic liquid polymers(ILPs), and IL-based composites have emerged as
potential materials for CO 2 capture owing to their
exceptional intrinsic physical solubility of CO 2 .
We have developed novel IL polymer materials
incorporating CO2-philic tunable nanopores and theirsubsequent utilization for CO2 capture (Figure 7.3).
In this approach, primarily, micelles were formedin monomeric IL 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide using a CO 2-philic
surfactant (N-ethyl perfluorooctyl sulfonamide)
through self-assembly, from which polymeric materials
were fabricated via free radical polymerization.
The CO2 adsorption studies demonstrated three-foldenhancements for the surfactant micelle incorporated
IL polymers (SMI-ILPs) compared to their bare
IL polymers. The SMI-ILPs were regenerated bysimply heating at 70 ºC and reused for 15 cycles
with retention of over 96% of CO2 uptake capacity.
The simple recovery and notable enhancements

in CO 2 adsorption of novel SMI-ILPs were traced
to the adsorption of CO 2 at the (i) highly porous
IL-based polymeric networks and (ii) nanometersized apolar pores made by CO 2-philic surfactant
tails [5]. This targets the short-term milestone forthe clarification of the best suitable adsorbent andrefrigeration combination for an adsorption heat pumpin the “Energy efficient technologies” Project of theMultiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust’s roadmap.

I2CNER Annual Report 202029

Advancing Fusion of Research Fields

Figure 7.3. Micelles formed using a CO2-philic surfactant (N-ethyl perfluorooctyl sulfonamide) and embedded in in-situ formed
polymeric materials (SMI-ILPs) to enhance the CO2 adsorption.

4. ‌Assembly of defect-free nanomembranes (PI S. Fujikawa)
Membrane thinning for enhanced gas permeability
can be accompanied by pinhole defect formation,
which results in decerased membrane performance.
Assembly of defect-free nanomembranes wasinvestigated by a team of researchers led by WPIProfessor Taniguchi. A nano-size hydrogel was used asa membrane matrix to fix AEAE (2-(2-aminoethylamino)
ethanol) and the amine-containing polymeric
membranes were prepared by spray-coating [6].
The membrane thickness was readily controlled.
The deformability of the microgel particles enabled
the autonomous assembly of defect-free 30–50 nm
thick membrane layers from deformed ~15 nm thickdiscoidal particles. The hydrogel nanomembranes
consisting of amine-containing microgel particles

showed selective CO2 permeation (850 GPU, αCO2/N 2 = 25) against post-combustion gases. Acidcontaining microgel membranes doped with amines
showed highly selective CO2 permeation against postcombustion gases (1,010 GPU, αCO2/N2 = 216) anddirect air capture (1,270 GPU, αCO 2/N 2 = 2,380).
This coating method is scalable and the membranes
with large area can be prepared for demonstration.
This achievement is directed toward the milestone“Development of nanomembrane materials withhigh CO2 permeability”of the Multiscale Science andEngineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust’s
roadmap for the purpose of “CO2 capture at multiple
concentration levels.”

References[1] Chapman, A. Shigetomi, Y. Karmaker, S. Saha, B.
Huff, K. Brooks, C. Stubbins, J. 2021. The Cultural
Dynamics of Energy: The Impact of Lived Experience,
Preference and Demographics on Future Energy Policyin the United States. Energy Research & Social Science80: 102231.
[2] F. L. Hutapea, T. Tsuji, and T. Ikeda, Real-time
crustal monitoring system of Japanese Islands basedon spatio-temporal seismic velocity variation, Earth,Planets and Space, Vol. 72, Issue 1, Pages 1-16,
doi:10.1186/s40623-020-1147-y, 2020.
[3] R. D. Andajani, T. Tsuji, R. Snieder, and T. Ikeda,
Spatial and temporal influence of rainfall on crustal
pore pressure based on seismic velocity monitoring,
Earth, Planets and Space, Vol. 72, Issue 1, Pages 1-17,
doi:10.1186/s40623-020-01311-1, 2020.
[4] C. Chhun and T. Tsuji, Pore pressure analysis for30

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

distinguishing earthquakes induced by CO2 injection
from natural earthquakes, Sustainability, 12, 9723;
doi:10.3390/su12229723, 2020.
Discipline’s: Geophysics, Hydrology, Seismology, Data
science[5] A. Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy, M. Moniruzzaman, M.A.
Bustam, M. Goto, B.B. Saha, C. Janiak, Ionic liquid
polymer materials with tunable nanopores controlled
by surfactant aggregates: a novel approach for CO 2
capture, J. Mater. Chem. A, Vol. 8, pp. 15034-15041,
2020.
[6] Yu Hoshino, Tomohiro Gyobu, Kazushi Imamura,
Akira Hamasaki, Ryutaro Honda, Ryoga Horii, Chie
Yamashita, Yuki Terayama, Takeshi Watanabe, Shoma
Aki, Yida Liu, Junko Matsuda, Yoshiko Miura, Ikuo
Taniguchi (2021), ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 13,30030-30038.

Returning Results to Society

Returning Results to Society
The relevance of I 2 CNER’s research efforts andobjectives in FY2020 toward enabling the green
innovation initiative of the government of Japan isevidenced through 20 new collaborative projects
with industry as well as the 3 projects that resulted
in technology transfer events. A detailed list of all
the I2CNER Technology Transfer Events is outlined in
the report “Technology Transfer Summary: I2CNER’s

Interaction With and Impact on Industry.” During thecalendar year 2020, I2CNER filed for 37 patents, andwas granted 22, bringing the total number of patentapplications since inception to 318 and patents
awarded to 102.
The technology transfer that occurred in FY20
includes:1. ‌PI. T. Ishihara with Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Technical consulting on the degradation mechanism of CO
oxidation catalyst.
Carried out real-world CO adsorption capacity studies
using LEIS and TOF-SIMS and several gas adsorptionCOapproaches to understand the deactivation process ofa CO removal catalyst.

CO

CO2

CO2

Real Field

Active and stable COoxidation under ideal
conditions.

Catalyst deactivation from particle
size increase and Strong Metal
Support Interaction (SMSI) effects.

Figure 8.1. Comparison of CO oxidation between laboratory- and real-world reactor.

2. ‌PI A. Staykov and Professor Y. Fukumoto (Institute of Mathematics for Industry) with DAICEL corporation forautomatized discovery of polymers with desired functionality.
Development of a new approach based on artificial
intelligence and machine learning to explore the entire
chemical space and discover autonomous monomers
with desired properties. The work is focused on thering opening reaction of a large class of molecules.
They constitute an extensive chemical space. For
example, simple substitution with chemical groups
on six positions in a six-member ring monomer can
produce a chemical space of over 1.6 million distinct

chemical species. More complex derivatives would
lead to even larger chemical space. The researchers
combine organic chemistry and graph theory to
explore design possibilities in chemical synthesis. Theiralgorithm automatically selects the best moleculeswith high expectation value for a desired property
based on machine learning and automatic assessmentof these molecules by quantum mechanical software(Fig. 8.2).

I2CNER Annual Report 202031

Returning Results to Society

Figure 8.2. Development of artificial intelligence-based machine learning algorithm for automatized quantum mechanics
optimization of cyclization. The algorithm speeds up the discovery of organic functional polymer materials.

3. ‌Scaled-up production of polymer-wrapped carbon-based catalyst for industrial fuel cell application (PI T.
Fujigaya).
The technology gap between lab-scale synthesis andindustrial-scale production is always an issue for theinsertion of advanced new catalysts into practical fuelcell applications. By optimizing the synthesis process,the researchers succeeded in scaling-up the process of
production of the polymer-wrapped catalysts from 10
mg/day to 0.1 kg/day. This production rate is sufficient
for real-world fuel cell applications and several
companies are participating in this pilot program.

Figure 8.3. Polymer-wrapped catalyst prepared from industryscale production (left: 0.1 kg) vs lab-scale synthesis(right: 10 mg).

32

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Network of International Collaborations

Network of International Collaborations
University ofBergenSINTEF/NTNU

University of
Edinburgh

Tsinghua
University

Helmholtz
Zentrum
Geesthact
Imperial
CollegeLondonIllinois Institute ofTechnology

Colorado Schoolof Mines

University of
Göttingen

IIT Delhi

Air Resources Board of
the State of California

Massachusetts
Institute of Technology

University ofCalifornia,Berkeley

Department ofEnergyKyushu University
University ofCalifornia,Irvine/
NFCRC

Universityof Thessaly
ETH Zurich

Universiti
Teknologi
Malaysia

Bandung
Institute ofTechnology

RMIT
University

University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign

University ofTexas at Austin
University of New
South Wales

Figure 9. This map includes the home institutions of I2CNER’s foreign WPI faculty as well as those institutions withwhich I2CNER has academic agreements.

Globalization by the Numbers
In FY2020, despite the limitations of the COVID-19
pandemic, there were a significant number ofinternational activities that enhanced I2CNER’s global
visibility.
• ‌The Institute’s researchers were responsible fororganizing, co-organizing, or serving on the scientificcommittees for 6 international conferences (230 intotal since inception); 19 international conference
sessions/symposia or workshops (338 since
inception); and 4 I2CNER international workshops (81since inception).
• ‌Our researchers have given 57 keynote, plenary, andinvited presentations in international conferences
and fora (766 since inception).
• ‌Our researchers have joint publications withresearchers from 116 new institutions (840 in total
since inception).
• ‌Between its inception and March 31, 2021, the Institutehas hosted a total of 90 graduate and undergraduate
students from various institutions around the world,
including Illinois. The numbers of visiting students eachyear include: 1 (FY2010), 9 (FY2011), 6 (FY2012), 7(FY2013), 7 (FY2014), 6 (FY2015), 10 (FY2016), 17(FY2017), 10 (FY2018), and 17 (FY2019). Of these, 63
stayed for more than a month at KU. Of the 90 total
visiting students, 44 students were from Illinois and
29 stayed for more than one month. In FY2020, due to
COVID-19, there were no students visiting from overseas.

FY2010-19
FY2020i) Int'l conferences (total 230)

224

6ii) Int'l sessions/symposia/workshops (total 338)

319

19

iii) I 2CNER int'l workshops (total 81)

77

4

Lecture in Int'l conferences/fora (total 766)

709

57

Institutions with which I 2CNER researchers have joint
publications (total 840)

724

116

Visiting students (total 90)

90

I2CNER Annual Report 202033

Network of International Collaborations

The international collaborations that occurred witheach Thrust during FY20 include:
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust:A. ‌Assistant Professor Dino Klotz has collaborated
closely with the Tuller and Rupp groups at MIT
in investigating the use of light to modulate iontransport in polycrystalline oxide solid electrolytes.
Manuscripts have been submitted for publicationand proposals submitted for funding.
B. ‌A s s o c i a t e p r o f e s s o r N a o k i Ta n a k a b e g a n acollaboration with the Jae-won Jang group at
Dongguk University in the development of theelectrode based on doped carbon nanotube sheet.
C. ‌Joint research with Tomita Pharmaceutical on
the development of carbon-based adsorbent (PIFujigaya).
D. ‌Joint research on CO2-H2O co-electrolysis cell with
Toshiba under the support of NEDO (PI Ishihara).
E. ‌UCLA (J.-W. Lee, S.-J. Lee, Y. Yang, T. Matsushima,
C. Adachi): understanding degradation of perovskite
solar cells for improving their operational durability• ‌G. Tumen-Ulzii, C. Qin, D. Klotz, M. R. Leyden,
P. Wang, M. Auffray, T. Fujihara, T. Matsushima,
J.-W. Lee, S.-J. Lee, Y. Yang, C. Adachi (2020)
Detrimental Effect of Unreacted PbI2 on the LongTerm Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells, Advanced
Materials, 32(16), 1905035.
• ‌G. Tumen-Ulzii, T. Matsushima, D. Klotz, M. R.
Leyden, P. Wang, C. Qin, J.-W. Lee, S.-J. Lee,Y. Yang, C. Adachi (2020) Hysteresis-less andstable perovskite solar cells with a self-assembled
monolayer, Communications Materials, 1, 31.
F. ‌Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Sorbonne
Université, and Université de Strasbourg, andSabaragamuwa University (C. Qin, C. Zhao, D.
Zhang, F. Mathevet, B. Heinrich, T. Matsushima, C.
Adachi): Development of higher-performing hybrid
perovskite LEDs and laser devices.
• ‌C. Qin, T. Matsushima, W. J. Potscavage, Jr., A. S.
D. Sandanayaka, M. R. Leyden, F. Bencheikh, K.
Goushi, F. Mathevet, B. Heinrich, G. Yumoto, Y.
Kanemitsu, C. Adachi (2020) Triplet management
for efficient perovskite light-emitting diodes,
Nature Photonics, 14, 70−75.
• ‌C . Q i n , S . D. S a n d a n aya k a , C . Z h a o , T.
Matsushima, D. Zhang, T. Fujihara, and C. Adachi

34

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

(2020) Stable room-temperature continuous-wave
lasing in quasi-2D perovskite films, Nature, 585,
53–57.
G. ‌University of California, Berkeley (J. Kilner,
T. Ishihara, L. W. Martin): Ion conduction inperovskites in thin films and oxygen electrodekinetics study at determined interfaces.
• Ran‌
Gao, Abhinav C. P. Jain, Shishir Pandya,
Yongqi Dong, Yakun Yuan, Hua Zhou, Liv
R. Dedon, Vincent Thoreton, Sahar Saremi,
Ruijuan Xu, Aileen Luo, Ting Chen, Venkatraman
Gopalan, Elif Ertekin, John Kilner, Tatsumi
Ishihara, Nicola H. Perry, Dallas R. Trinkle,
Lane W. Martin, Designing Optimal Perovskite
Structure for High Ionic Conduction, Advanced
Materials, 32(1), 1905178, (2020)• Gao,‌R., A. Fernandez, T. Chakraborty, A. Luo,
D. Pesquera, S. Das, G. Velarde, V. Thoréton, J.
Kilner, T. Ishihara, S. Nemšák, E.J. Crumlin, E.
Ertekin, and L.W. Martin, Correlating Surface
Crystal Orientation and Gas Kinetics in Perovskite
Oxide Electrodes. Advanced Materials, 33 (2021),
2100977. doi.org/10.1002/adma.202100977• ‌Thoreton, V., M. Niania, and J. Kilner, Kinetics ofcompeting exchange of oxygen and water at thesurface of functional oxides. Physical Chemistry
Chemical Physics, 2021. 23(4): p. 2805-2811.
H. ‌U niversity of Tsukuba (Y. Takata): Fundamental
understanding of nucleate boiling heat transfer
regarding the effect of surface wettability and nano/micro structures.
•B‌ iao Shen, Tomosuke Mine, Naoki Iwata,
Sumitomo Hidaka, Koji Takahashi, Yasuyuki
Takata, Deterioration of boiling heat transfer
on biphilic surfaces under very low pressures,
Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science 113(2020) 110026, 2020 May
I. ‌University of Edinburgh (Y. Takata): Fundamental
study on heat and mass transfer of tiny droplet on
wettability-controlled substrate.
• ‌Yota Maeda, Fengyong Lv, Peng Zhang, Yasuyuki
Takata, Daniel Orejon, Condensate droplet size
distribution and heat transfer on hierarchicalslippery lubricant infused porous surfaces,
Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol.176, 115386,
2020 July• Huacheng‌Zhang, Yutaku Kita, Dejian Zhang,
Gyoko Nagayama, Yasuyuki Takata, Khellil
Sefiane, Alexandros Askounis, Drop Evaporation

Network of International Collaborations

on Rough Hot-Spots: Effect of Wetting Modes,
Heat Transfer Engineering, Vol. 41, Issue 19-20,
Pages 1654-1662, 2020 November• ‌Zhenying Wang, George Karapetsas, Prashant
Valluri, Khellil Sefiane, Adam Williams, Yasuyuki
Takata, Dynamics of hygroscopic aqueous
solution droplets undergoing evaporation orvapour absorption, Journal of Fluid Mechanics,
Vol.912, A2, 2021 February, doi:10.1017/
jfm.2020.1073
J. ‌S ilesian University of Technology, (T. Shiraki, T.
Fujigaya, D. Janas): Development of doped electrodebased on sorted single walled carbon nanotube.
• ‌B . Po d l e s n y, B . Ku m a n e k , A . B o r a h , R .
Yamaguchi, T. Shiraki, T. Fujigaya, D. Janas(2020) Thermoelectric Properties of Thin Films
from Sorted Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes,
Materials 2020, 13, 3808.
K. ‌M unster University (T. Placke, M. Winter, T.
Ishiahra): Development of Dual Ion Battery on
intercalation mechanism• ‌Kolja Beltrop, Jose Carlos Madrid Madrid, Paul
Meister, Andreas Heckmann, Martin Winter,
Taner Akbay, Tatsumi Ishihara, Tobias Placke,
Experimental and computational studies ofelectrochemical anion intercalation into graphitefrom target-oriented designed borate-based ionicliquid electrolytes, Journal of Power Sources,469, 228397, (2020)• ‌Jose C. Madrid Madrid, Kotaro Nakamura,
Keisuke Inda, Lukas Haneke, Andreas
H e ck m a n n , Jo o p E n n o Fr e r i ch s , M i ch a e l
Ryan Hansen, Tobias Placke, Martin Winter,
Motonori Watanabe, Atsushi Takagaki, Taner
Akbay, Tatsumi Ishihara, HexafluorophosphateBis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion cointercalation for increased performance of dualcarbon battery using mixed salt electrolyte,
Journal of Power Sources, 479, 229084, (2020)
L. ‌Huazhong University of Science and Technology (L.
Guo, T. Ishihara): New environmental catalyst.
• ‌Shaozhong Li, Limin Guo, Tatsumi Ishihara,
Hydrogenation of CO 2 to methanol over Cu/
AlCeO catalyst, Catalysis Today, 339, 352-361,(2020)• ‌Dengyao Yang, Shiyu Fu, Shushu Huang, Wei
Deng, Yu Wang, Limin Guo, Tatsumi Ishihara, The
preparation of hierarchical Pt/ZSM-5 catalysts
and their performance for toluene catalytic

combustion, Microporous and Mesoporous
Materials, 296, 109802, (2020)
Advanced Energy Materials Thrust:A. ‌Donghua University, Chinese Academy of Science(X. Li, Z. Jiang, M. Yamauchi): Development of
new single atom catalysts which show excellent
electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reaction.
• ‌H. Zhang, Y. Zhao, Y. Sun, Q. Xu, R. Yang, H.
Zhang, C. Lin, K. Kato, X. Li, M. Yamauchi, X.
Jiang (2020), Novel Self-Assembling Approachfor Synthesizing Nanofiber Aerogel Supported
Platinum Single Atoms, J. Materials Chem. A, 8,
15094-15102.
B. ‌Z ü r c h e r H o c h s c h u l e f ü r A n g e w a n d t e
Wissenschaften (ZHAW) (N. Maeda, N. Nakashima,
M. Yamauchi): Development of highly efficient IrO2
electrocatalysts for water oxidation reaction.
C. ‌University of Southampton (M. Ratoi, J. Sugimura,
H. Tanaka): Effect of lubricants on hydrogen
embrittlement of bearing steel.
‌We have been collaborating with Dr. Monica
Ratoi of the University of Southampton, UK, since2013, but more actively after we obtained fundingin 2016. The study is on generation and uptakeof hydrogen into steel in rolling contact fromlubricants and/or environment and its prevention.
This is to seek mechanisms and predominant factors
controlling the hydrogen enhanced tribo-failuresin rolling contact, which is for one of the shortterm milestones of the Tribology Group in I2CNER,
i.e. “to develop physics-based predictive models of
mechanical and tribo-chemical processes involvedin tribo-failures under extreme conditions.” More
broadly, this international collaboration serves
I2CNER’s mission to reduce carbon emissions by
developing science-based solutions for extending
component life in alternative-fuel technologies (e.g.,hydrogen) and renewable energy technologies (e.g.,wind turbines). The interdisciplinary aspect is that
Dr. Ratoi and Dr. Niste, one of I2CNER’s previous
members, are chemists and another two in Kyushu
are in mechanical engineering.
‌The
project has advanced further to study the effectof base oils chemistry (decomposition of base oils is
the main source of hydrogen besides environmentalgas) and the combination of base oils and additives,
and the operating conditions including temperature
and water content. (Kyushu also collaborates with

I2CNER Annual Report 202035

Network of International Collaborations

more than one lubricant company with different
technologies such that the study covers a wide
variety of synthetic lubricants and mineral oils) This
collaboration is effective because both chemistry
and mechanical points of view are necessary
to understand the lubricant decomposition andchemical reactions at steel surfaces. The project
has been extended to study formation of tribofilms
that may retard catalytic reaction at steel surfaces
in different environments through rolling contact
experiments, measurement of hydrogen permeatedinto steel, observation and chemical analysis ofrolling tracks, and detection of subsurface cracks byMicro-CT, and showed that the formation of the film
depends on base oil chemistry and environment.
‌ Tanaka, M. Ratoi, J. Sugimura (2021) The Role ofH.
Synthetic Oils in Controlling Hydrogen Permeationof Rolling/Sliding Contacts, RSC Advances, 11, 726738, DOI: 10.1039/d0ra00294a‌ Ratoi, H. Tanaka, B. G. Mellow, J. Sugimura
M.
(2020) Hydrocarbon Lubricants Can Control
Hydrogen Embrittlement, Scientific Reports,
10:1361, doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58294-yD. ‌B rno University of Technology (D. Necas,
Y. Sawae): Fundamental study on lubrication
mechanism in the human body.
‌We have been working with the Biotribology
group in Brno University of Technology since2011. We aim to understand friction and wear
characteristics of materials implanted in the human
body, and also to elucidate a potential lubricating
function of biological macromolecules existing in
the physiological environment, such as proteins,
lipids and polysaccharides. Dr. David Necas wasawarded a FY2017 JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowshipand stayed at Kyushu University for seven months in2018 to consolidate the collaboration and conduct
experimental works for joint publications. The final
goal of this collaboration is to innovate a novel
lubrication mechanism based on the biomimetic
concept. It can be expected to serve the low friction
and wear technology in the roadmap.
‌ Nečas, H. USAMI, T. Niimi, Y. Sawae, I. Křupka,D.
M. Hartl (2020) Running-In Friction of Hip Joint
Replacements can be Significantly Reduced: The
Effect of Surface-Textured Acetabular Cup, Friction,
8, 1137-1152, DOI: 10.1007/s40544-019-0351-x

36

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

E. ‌University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign andSeattle University (P. Sofronis, B.P. Somerday, D.
Mohsen, M. Kubota)‌This study on creep in hydrogen is a part of AEM
Thrust’s Project 3 “Predictive model of H2-assisted
cracking” and identified as the short term target“Establish validated physical descriptions ofhydrogen deformation interactions as a functionof temperature to inform fatigue and fracture
mechanisms.” I2CNER is the only research institutecapable of material testing in hydrogen at 873 K.
At University of Illinois and Seattle University, ananalytical model of creep deformation was applied
to consider the mechanism that hydrogen reduced
the creep life. The results were jointly publishedin an impactful international journal in the field ofhydrogen embrittlement. The paper was recognized
as one of the top articles in the journal.
D.
‌ Takazaki, T. Tsuchiyama, R. Komoda, M.
Dadfarnia, B. P. Somerday, P. Sofronis, M. Kubota(2021) Effect of Hydrogen on Creep Properties of
SUS304 Austenitic Stainless Steel, Corrosion, 77 (3),256-265.
F. ‌University of Gottingen (R. Kirchheim, C. Volkert, L.
Tian, P. Sofronis, M. Kubota)‌Fundamental mechanism of crack initiation undermonotonic loading from a notch was studied by insitu TEM experiment in conjunction of evolution of
dislocation structure. It was demonstrated that thein-situ deformation technique is a powerful tool tostudy fracture mechanisms in materials. Study on
the effect of hydrogen will be the next theme.
‌ Tian, C. Borchers, M. Kubota, P. Sofronis, R.
M.
Kirchheim, C. A. Volkerta, Acta Materialia, Under
reviewMultiscale Science and Engineering for Energy andthe Environment Thrust:A. ‌Prof. Saha works with Aston University, UK on thedevelopment of sorption composites for coolingapplications. The project is funded by the Royal
Society for the next two years.
B. ‌K TH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm
University (R. Selyanchyn, S. Fujikawa): Utilizationo f n a n o s t r u c t u r e d a dva n c e d b i o p o l y m e r s(nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles) in gas
separation membranes for gas transport control andmechanical reinforcement.

Network of International Collaborations

‌
Novel
forms of natural biopolymers (e.g. cellulose,
plants-derived lignin) with controlled nanostructure
provide an attractive alternative to advanced
materials and membranes. In this collaboration
we combine the extensive experience of Swedish
researchers in the field of biomass derived
advanced biopolymers for the construction of “purebiopolymer-based” and “mechanically reinforced
composite” gas separation membranes.
‌Pylypchuk,I.; Selyanchyn, R.; Budnyak, T.; Zhao,
Y.; Lindström, M.; Fujikawa, S.; Sevastyanova, O.
“Artificial Wood” Lignocellulosic Membranes:
Influence of Kraft Lignin on the Properties and
Gas Transport in Tunicate-Based Nanocellulose
Composites. Membranes (Basel). 2021, 11(3), 204
doi:10.3390/membranes11030204.

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

37

A Virtuous Cycle: Embedding the Energy Transition in Post-COVID-19 Recovery

A Virtuous Cycle: Embedding the Energy Transition
in Post-COVID-19 Recovery(2021 I2CNER Annual Symposium)(right side photos)
1. Tatsuro Ishibashi, President, Kyushu University
2. Toshio Kuroki, WPI Academy Director, JSPS
3. ‌Mr. Akihisa Matsuda, Deputy Director, Agency for Natural Resources andEnergy, METI
4. ‌(upper left to lower right)
Mr. Ross Matzkin-Bridger, Energy Attaché and DOE Director, U.S. Embassy
Tokyo; Prof. Benjamin McLellan, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto
University; Dr. Jill Engel-Cox, Director, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy
Analysis, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U. S.; Prof. Robert Gross,
Director, UK Energy Research Centre and Professor of Imperial College London

Since its inception, I 2 CNER has held an annual
symposium, which has evolved over time from an
event that celebrates the current research achievementsof its thematic research areas (three thrusts) to an
exploratory forum that focuses on a single research
topic that is highly relevant to I 2CNER’s research
portfolio and the international communityAdditionally,
to explore new ways to best represent their thematic
research areas, each of I 2 CNER’s divisions holds
international workshops with several researchers andengineers.

38

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

The I 2CNER Annual Symposium, held on January
26, 2021, welcomed Japanese and U.S. government
officials as well as world-class researchers to engage
in discussions on post-COVID energy transition
policies from the perspectives of Japan, the U.S.,
Europe, and Australia. A roster of 22 early-career
I 2CNER researchers also shared posters and oneminute presentations of their current research projects.
Academics, industry researchers, and members of
the public were in attendance. The theme of thesymposium was “A Virtuous Cycle: Embedding theEnergy Transition in Post-COVID-19 Recovery.”A Virtuous Cycle: Embedding the Energy Transition in Post-COVID-19 Recovery

January 26, 2021
MCs: Profs. Dino Klotz and Yukina Takahashi, I2CNER

Program
9:00 a.m.

Opening Remarks
Dr. Tatsuro Ishibashi, President, Kyushu University
Dr. Toshio Kuroki, WPI Academy Director, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science

9:00 a.m.

Introduction
Prof. Petros Sofronis, Director, I2CNER, Kyushu University

9:20 a.m.

Invited Lecture“Overview of Japan’s Green Growth Strategy”
Mr. Akihisa Matsuda, Deputy Director, International Affairs Division, Agency for
Natural Resources and Energy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

9:50 a.m.

Invited Lecture“U.S. Energy Policy in 2021 and Beyond”
Mr. Ross Matzkin-Bridger, Energy Attaché and DOE Director, U.S. Embassy Tokyo

10:20 a.m.

Invited Lecture“Scenarios of a Sustainable Energy Transition: Perspectives from the U.S.”
Dr. Jill Engel-Cox, Director, Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis, National
Renewable Energy Laboratory, U.S.

11:00 a.m.

Invited Lecture“Trade and Tribulations: The Reshaping of Australia’s Energy Supply Sector During
COVID-19”
Prof. Benjamin McLellan, Graduate School of Energy Science, Kyoto University andResearch Fellow at Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland

11:40 a.m.

One-minute presentations by I2CNER young researchers (*pre-recorded)
For a list of presenters, please see the attachment at the end of this program.

12:10 p.m.

Invited Lecture (*pre-recorded)“The UK’s Net Zero Target and Economic Recovery: What Are the Policy andTechnology Challenges to Clean Growth?”
Prof. Robert Gross, Director, UK Energy Research Centre andProfessor of Energy Policy and Technology at Imperial College London

12:40 p.m.

Wrap-upProf. Andrew Chapman, I2CNER, Kyushu University

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

39

Distinguished Visitors

Distinguished Visitors
The COVID-19 pandemic prevented I2CNER from hosting visitors in FY2020. Below, we again highlight our
distinguished visitors from FY2019, and we look forward to the time when we can once again collaborate inperson with our distinguished visitors.

May 21, 2019 Mr. Masaki Noke (right) Ambassador of theJapanese Embassy in Egypt

May 27, 2019 Prof. Peixue Jiang (center), Professor and Deanof the Department of Energy and Power Engineering, Tsinghua
University, China

October 2, 2019 Dr. Kamel Maziz, Director of Development
and External Partnerships; Dr. Kazutoshi Iida, Managing
Director; Dr. Laurent Prost, Materials Science Group Manager;
Dr. Paulo Wiff, Researcher, Air Liquide Laboratories

December 9, 2019 Dr. Reitumetse Obakeng Mabokela(center), Vice Provost for International Affairs and Global
Strategies, UIUC, USA

42

January 8, 2020 Mr. Shigeharu Kato (right), Executive Director,
Riken

40

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

20
20
I2CNER has typically hosted a significant number of visitors andstudents, but, in FY20, the number dramatically decreased due tothe COVID-19 pandemic.

Seminars

Seminars
The I2CNER Seminar Series (ISS)One of the most important goals of the I2CNER Seminar Series is to engage key members of the international communityfrom academia, national laboratories, industry, and government agencies (policy makers). In FY2020, the Institute hosted
four (non-Japanese) speakers for I2CNER Seminars. Cumulatively, 172 speakers have presented at 168 I2CNER Seminars.
Under the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the I²CNER Seminar Series was held virtually as I²CNER Webinars
and attracted participants not only from Japan but from around the world.

Selected ISS speakers
September 30, 2020
Prof. James F. Stubbins

Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,
USA
Title: Looking Forward Toward a Carbon Neutral
Japan During the Recovery

December 9, 2020
Prof. Bilge Yildiz

Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
Title: Energy-Efficient Hardware and Materials forBrain-inspired Computing

January 13, 2021
Prof. Ian M. Robertson

Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
Title: Discovering the Relationship Between Evolved
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

March 10, 2021
Prof. Klaus S. Lackner

Professor, Arizona State University, USA
Title: The Role of Direct Air Capture in the Evolving
21st Century Energy System

Institute Interest Seminar Series (IISS)
Since the inception of the Institute, young researchers have been presenting lectures at the Institute Interest Seminar
Series (IISS), the goal of which is to initiate interdisciplinary collaborations and train young researchers to present before
general scientific audiences outside their areas of expertise. Cumulatively, 332 speakers have presented at 196 seminars.
In FY2020, 29 speakers presented at 25 Institute Interest Seminars. Even during the pandemic, Zoom seminars effectively
reached 625 attendees.

Selected IISS speakers
October 21, 2020
Dr. George Harrington

Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust
Title: Much Ado about Nothing: Tailoring theConcentration and Mobility of Oxygen Vacancies
in Non-Stoichiometric Oxides for Electrochemical
DevicesNovember 18, 2020
Dr. Daisuke Takazaki

Advanced Energy Materials Thrust
Title: Degradation of Material in High-Temperature
Hydrogen Environment Simulating SOFC Working
Conditions

December 2, 2020
Dr. Md. Amirul Islam

Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust
Title: Pore Tailoring Concept to Enhance the Quality ofAdsorbents

January 20, 2021
Dr. Ryosuke Komoda

Advanced Energy Materials Thrust
Title: Effect of Ammonia Contained in Hydrogen Gas
on Hydrogen Embrittlement of a Low-Alloy Steel

February 17, 2021
Dr. Frantisek Miksik

Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust
Title: Advanced Materials for Adsorption Heat Energy
Storage -Nano-Tailored Silica

March 17, 2021
Dr. Zhe Tan

Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust
Title: Infiltration of Cerium into NiO-YSZ Tubular
Substrate for Solid Oxide Reversible Cell Using LSGM
Electrolyte Film

I2CNER Annual Report 202041

Conferences and Symposia

Conferences and Symposia“Frontier research of organic/hybrid materials,” for the 69th Symposium on
Macromolecules, The Society of Polymer Science
Online, September 16-18, 2020
Session organized by T. Matsushima.

2021 International Symposium on Catalysis for Renewable Energy and
Air Pollution Control
Online, November 21, 2020
Co-organized by M. Watanabe with Prof. Shintaro Ida, Kumamoto University, and the Limin Guo group at Huazhong
University of Science and Technology.
This symposium focused on new organic-inorganic catalyst for environmental cleaning.

I2CNER Thrust Workshop: Science and Technology for Carbon-Neutrality
Online, I2CNER, Fukuoka, Japan, January 22, 2021
Co-organized by H. Matsumoto, T. Tsuji, and M. Kubota
This workshop was important because it was the first Thrust workshop after the restructuring of I 2CNER and it
demonstrated how the Institute addresses studies toward a carbon-neutral society under the new Thrust structure.

International Hydrogen Energy Development Forum 2021
Hybrid meeting (On-site and online), Fukuoka, Japan, January 28, 2021
Organized by J. SugimuraThis forum aimed to discuss research, development and politics for introducing hydrogen technology, and has been held
16 years in a row in Fukuoka. The topics were in direct alignment with the objectives of the Advanced Energy Materials
Thrust. Due to COVID-19, the forum was held in a hybrid way (on-site and online).

2020 HYDROGENIUS and I2CNER Tribology Symposium
Hybrid meeting (On-site and online), Fukuoka, Japan, January 29, 2021
Organized by Y. Sawae
The aim of this symposium was to discuss the recent progress of the tribology research for hydrogen energy systems. The
topics were in direct alignment with the objectives of the Advanced Energy Materials Thrust. Due to COVID-19, the forum
was held in a hybrid way.

HYDROGENIUS, I2CNER and HydroMate Joint Research Symposium on
Hydrogen Materials Interactions
Online, Kyushu University, January 28-29, 2021
Co-organized by H. Matsunaga, B. P. Somerday, J. Yamabe, and M. Kubota
Topical symposium on hydrogen embrittlement, primarily with young researchers who are visible in the world in the fieldof hydrogen embrittlement research. Many participants from industry, academia, and government from many countries
gathered at this virtual conference.

42

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Plenary and Keynote Presentations

Plenary and Keynote Presentations
S. Fujikawa, “Development of Global CO2 Recycling Technology Towards “Beyond-Zero” Emission,” The Society ofChemical Engineering (Japan), Chemical Engineering Vision Symposium, March 21, 2020 (online)
B. Baran Saha, “Biomass derived activated carbons for adsorption heat pump applications,” Plenary Lecture in Indo-UK
Joint International Webinar on Current Trends in Chemical Process Technology and Materials Development, August 1920, 2020 (online)
B. Baran Saha, “COVID-19 Outbreak Impact on Japanese Economy and Academic Institutions,” keynote lecture,
International e-Conference on COVID-19 Outbreak: Impact on Economy and Society, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh,
August 20, 2020 (online)
T. Matsushima and C. Adachi, “Metal Halide Perovskites for Next-Generation LED and Transistor Applications,” 27th
International Workshop on Active-Matrix Flatpanel Display and Devices -TFT Technologies and FPD Materials (AMFPD20), September 1-4, 2020 (online)
H. Tuller, “Electrochemical Control of Oxide Thin Film Oxygen Stoichiometry: Applications to In-situ Defect and Transport
Analysis, Mechanical Actuation, and Electro-Optical Tuning,” Materials Science and Engineering Program Seminar, West
Virginia University, October 6, 2020 (online)
H. Tuller, “Playing with Defects Electro-Photo-Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Metal Oxides,” Department of Materials
Science and Engineering, MIT, October 9, 2020 (online)
J. Sugimura, “Tribological issues of seals for high pressure hydrogen,” Keynote, 19th Tribo-Prime Workshop, Poitier,France, October 15, 2020 (hybrid)
Y. Sawae, “Experimental study on synovial joint lubrication using natural articular cartilage and hydrogel cartilage
models,” Keynote, International Tribology Research Symposium 2020 (ITRS 2020), November 6, 2020 (online)
J. Sugimura, “Study of carbon materials for use in hydrogen energy systems,” Plenary, 2020 International Conference on
Engineering Tribology and Applied Technology (ICETAT 2020), November 7, 2020 (hybrid)
I. Taniguchi, “CO2 capture by amine-containing polymeric membranes: Mechanism of preferential CO2 permeation,”2020 Korea Membrane Society Fall Meeting (30th anniversary), November 19, 2020 (online)
B. Baran Saha, “Porous adsorbent materials and their composites for next-generation adsorption systems,” keynote
lecture, First Virtual International Conference on Advances in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems, Chennai, India,
December 4-5, 2020 (online)
S. Fujikawa, “CO2 capture and beyond,” Kyushu University – UC San Diego Joint Webinar Series, December 10, 2020
(online)I2CNER Annual Report 2020

43

Selected Awards

Selected Awards
DATE

RECIPIENTS’NAME

NAME OF AWARD

Feb. 21, 2021

Hisao Matsunaga

Acta Materialia and Scripta Materialia, Outstanding Reviewer
Award 2020

Jan.1, 2021

Tatsumi Ishihara

Catalysis Society of Japan Award (Academic field)

Dec. 9, 2020

Toshinori Matsushima, Chuanjiang Qin,
William J. Potscavage Jr,
Atula S. D. Sandanayaka,
Matthew R. Leyden,
Fatima Bencheikh, Kenichi Goushi,
Fabrice Mathevet, Benoît Heinrich,
Go Yumoto, Yoshihiko Kanemitsu,
and Chihaya Adachi

Nov. 3, 2020

Takeshi Tsuji

Oct. 29, 2020

Naoya Sakoda, Yukihiro Higashi

Best Paper Award, Japan Society of Thermophysical Properties

Sep. 14, 2020

Ryosuke Komoda

Division Award (Category: Encouragement Presented Paper),
The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers M & P Materials
and Processing DivisionSep. 8, 2020

Toshinori Matsushima, Chihaya Adachi

Best Paper Award, The Japan Society of Applied Physics

July 2020

Elif Ertekin2020 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Research, Grainger
College of Engineering, UIUC

Jun. 20, 2020

Yutaku Kita

Young Researcher Award, Heat Transfer Society of JapanMay 2020

Nicola PerryNSF CAREER Award

Prof. Tsuji receiving Nishinippon Cultural Award

44

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

IDW 2020 Best Paper Award, International Display Workshops

Nishinippon Cultural Award, Nishinippon Shimbun

Profs. Sakoda and Higashi receiving Best Paper Award, JSTP

Outreach Activities

Outreach Activities
Outreach Events
Local High School Students Visiting I2CNER (December 24, 2020)
Local high school students visited I2CNER as part of their chemistry club activities. They attended a lecture classpresented by I2CNER researchers and learned about carbon-neutral energy related topics. Prof. Matsumotogave a talk on “Electrochemistry Relevant to Environment and Energy” which can contribute to the creationof a sustainable and environmentally friendly society by changing the energy source from fossil to renewableenergies. The students and I2CNER researchers had an active discussion on the electrode reaction and effects ofsemipermeable membranes to solve students’ research theme.
WPI Symposium for High School Students (December 26, 2020)
An online symposium “Meet World-Class Researchers from the WPI” was held on December 26. The symposium
was mainly targeted at high school students and teachers. Prof. Taniguchi from I2CNER gave a lecture in Session 1,
titled “Future materials that connect the world,” along with 12 other speakers representing institutions of the World
Premiere International Research Center Initiative (WPI). At the end of the symposium, the students and researchers
engaged in a lively question and answer session.
Energy Week 2021 (January 22-29, 2021)
Kyushu University Energy Week 2021 was held January 22–29, 2021, featuring symposia concerning energy on
the theme of "Energy Intelligence Beyond Borders: Adapting in a Post-Pandemic Society.” For this year’s online
symposium, Kyushu University’s energy-related departments came together to organize international workshops
and those between industry, academia, and government as well as other events around the theme of “futureenergy,” which served as a forum for exchange and an international hub for energy researchers. The I2CNER Annual
Symposium, I2CNER Thrust Workshop, I2CNER-HYDROGENIUS Joint Research Symposium, and I2CNER-IMI Joint
International Workshop, were all held during Energy Week. During the workshops, there were many questions
and discussions that showed the enthusiasm from participants, academics, and researchers from institutions andindustries across Europe, Asia, U.S., and Japan.

Local High School Students Visiting I2CNERWPI Symposium for High School Students

I2CNER Thrust Workshop during Energy Week 2021

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

45

Outreach Activities

Press Releases and Media Coverage
Press Releases in FY2020
DATE

46

DESCRIPTION

Jun. 10, 2020

Prof. Seiji Ogo (Advanced Energy Materials Thrust)
Molecular Twist Makes One Catalyst Useful for Three Hydrogen Applications

Jul. 2, 2020

Prof. Takeshi Tsuji (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust)Mini-'Marsquakes' Measured by InSight Lander Show Effects of Sun and Wind

Jul. 14, 2020

Profs. Shigenori Fujikawa and Roman Selyanchyn (Multiscale Science and Engineering forEnergy and the Environment Thrust)
Molecularly Thin Interface between Polymers for Efficient CO2 Capture Membrane

Sep. 3, 2020

Profs. Chihaya Adachi and Toshinori Matsushima (Advanced Energy Conversion Systems
Thrust)Continuous and Stable Lasing Achieved from Low-cost Perovskites at Room Temperature

Sep. 16, 2020

Prof. Hisao Matsunaga (Advanced Energy Materials Thrust)Hydrogen, as an Alloying Element, Enables a Greater Strength-ductility Balance in an Fe-CrNi-based, Stable Austenitic Stainless SteelOct. 16, 2020

Profs. Shigenori Fujikawa and Roman Selyanchyn (Multiscale Science and Engineering forEnergy and the Environment Thrust)
Membranes for Capturing Carbon Dioxide from the Air

Nov. 4, 2020

Prof. Andrew Chapman (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment
Thrust)Impacts of COVID-19 on a Transitioning Energy System, Society, and International
Cooperation

Nov. 4, 2020

Profs. Takeshi Tsuji and Tatsunori Ikeda (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy andthe Environment Thrust)
Spatial and Temporal Influence of Rainfall on Crustal Pore Pressure Based on Seismic Velocity
Monitoring

Nov. 16, 2020

Profs. Takeshi Tsuji and Fei Jiang (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust)
New Phase of Modeling the Viscous Coupling Effects of Multiphase Fluid Flow

Jan. 22, 2021

Profs. Shigenori Fujikawa and Miho Yamauchi (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy
and the Environment Thrust)
Launch of the Kyushu University, Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies(K-NETs)

Mar. 5, 2021

Prof. Takeshi Tsuji (Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and the Environment Thrust)
Making Sense of Commotion under the Ocean to Locate Tremors Near Deep-sea Faults

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Outreach Activities

Media Coverage in FY2020
DATEMEDIA OUTLET

DESCRIPTION

Jun. 11, 2020

Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Prof. Seiji Ogo
Kyushu University, Kumamoto University and JST developed
one catalyst inspired by the structure of three types of naturalhydrogenase enzymes

Jul. 7, 2020

RikeLab (Webmedia)

Prof. Tsuyohiko Fujigaya
The catalyst solves the problems of fuel cell cost and durability

Sep. 3, 2020

Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Profs. Chihaya Adachi and Toshinori Matsushima
Continuous and stable lasing achieved from low-cost
perovskites at room temperatureJan. 31, 2021

Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Prof. Shigenori Fujikawa
Direct Air Capture of CO2 -A new technology for decarbonization-

Feb. 3, 2021

Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

Prof. Shigenori Fujikawa
Kyushu University establishes a new research center for CO2
capture and utilization in April

Feb. 22, 2021

Nihon Keizai Shimbun

Prof. Shigenori Fujikawa
Kyushu University tackles the challenge of developing aubiquitous CO2 capture device

Mar. 18, 2021

Nature Index, Asia PacificProf. Shigenori Fujikawa
Japan’s moonshot project to capture carbon

Profs. Shigenori Fujikawa and Miho Yamauchi participating in the KU press
conference on the launch of K-NETs
Prof. Seiji Ogo press release (Jun. 10, 2020)

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

47

I2CNER Structure

I2CNER Structure (as of April 1, 2021)
Organizational Structure

President of Kyushu University: Tatsuro ISHIBASHI
Executive Vice President for Research: Yoshio HISAEDA

I2CNER Director: Petros Sofronis

External Advisory Committee1

Associate
Director:

Associate
Director:

Administrative
Director:

TatsumiIshihara

Hiroshige
Matsumoto

Andrew
ChapmanInternal Programs Review Committee
Industrial Advisory Board3
Faculty Recruiting Committee

Science Steering Committee2

Next-RP
Research Center for Next Generation
Refrigerant Properties

Platform for International Collaborations and Partnerships

Streamlined Thematic Research Clusters
Advanced Energy Materials

Advanced Energy Conversion Systems

Multiscale Science and Engineering forEnergy and the Environment

Platform for Societal Implementation and Industrial Collaboration

48

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

I2CNER Structure1) The External Advisory Committee (EAC) makes recommendations on the current status of the Institute and its
future directions and provides the Director with a written report detailing their findings and recommendations. The
full list of members as of April 1, 2021 is as follows:• Dr. Deborah Myers (Chair), Argonne National Laboratory, USA• Dr. Kevin Ott (Vice-Chair), Retired, Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA• Prof. Ronald J. Adrian, Arizona State University, USA, National Academy of Engineering (NAE)• Prof. Fraser Armstrong, University of Oxford, UK, Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)• Prof. Michael Celia, Princeton University, USA, Nobel Laureate• Dr. Robert J. Finley, Illinois State Geological Survey, USA• Dr. Monterey Gardiner, BMW Japan (formerly with DOE), Japan• Prof. Reiner Kirchheim, University of Göttingen, Germany• Prof. Robert McMeeking, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA, National Academy of Engineering(NAE)• Prof. Tetsuo Shoji, Tohoku University, Japan2) The Science Steering Committee (SSC) is chaired by the Director, and its members are the two Associate
Directors and the lead PIs of the thrusts. The SSC is the body that reviews and advises on all matters of the Institute,e.g. planning and operation of research activities, budget implementation, international collaborations, andoutreach.

3) In FY2017, I2CNER established the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), whose members are prominent executives
from industry, government agencies, and national laboratories that advise I2CNER on opportunities for interactions
with industry and technology transfer. The first IAB meeting was held on February 1, 2018 and was attended by
9 out of 10 IAB members. The meeting provided invaluable inputs to I2CNER researchers on areas that industries
would have interest for promoting the development of new technologies. The full list of members as of April 1,
2021 is as follows:• Mr. Sumitoshi Asakuma, Director & Managing Executive Officer, Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd.
• Dr. Akio Fujibayashi, Technical Fellow, Steel Research Laboratory in JFE Steel Corporation• ‌Dr. Katsuhiko Hirose, Project General Manager, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Promotion Group in R&D
Management Division of TOYOTA Motor Corporation• Dr. Kuniaki Honda, Adviser, Hydrogen Energy Systems Society of Japan• Mr. Kazutoshi Ida, Managing Director, K.K. AIR LIQUIDE LABORATORIES• Mr. Tatsumi Maeda, Advisor, KYOCERA Corporation• Dr. Mark Selby, Chief Technology Officer, Ceres Power, USA• ‌Dr. Akira Yabe, Lead of Energy System and Hydrogen Unit, Technology Strategy Center in New Energy andIndustrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)• Dr. Akira Yamada, Senior Corporate Adviser, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Dr. Hiroyuki Yamamoto, General Manager, Technical Research Center in Mazda Motor Corporation

I2CNER Annual Report 202049

Personnel

Personnel (as of April 1, 2021)
Breakdown of Personnel(Total: 211)
23,
11%

Researchers by Title(Total: 141)PI

Principal Investigator (PI)

25,
12%

Research Assistant (RA)and Other Researcher

47,
22%

25,
18%

27,
19%

Professor
Assoc. Professor
21,
15%

20,
14%

Research Support Staff
116,
55%

Administrative Staff

Postdoc.
Research Assistant

25,
18%

23,
16%

Asst. Professor

Visiting Faculty

Statistics of Researchers by Title
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

50

Total

PI

Prof.

Assoc.
Prof.

Asst.
Prof.

Postdoc

Visiting
Faculty

Overseas

57

12

8

7

11

14

5

Japanese

84

13

13

18

12

6

22

% Overseas

40%

48%

38%

28%

48%

70%

19%

% Female

10%

4%

0%

12%

17%

20%

7%

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Finances

Finances

1USD = 100JPYWPI Grant($ million USD)
20
18
16
14
12
10

18.2

8
6

13.3

13.3

13.1

12.7

13.2

12.5

4

10.8

10.1

2

WPI
Academy
0.6

0FY2011 FY2012* FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020*WPI Grant of FY2012 includes the supplementary budget worth $5 million USD

Non-WPI Research Grants($ million USD)
35.0

MEXT* Allocation Funds, KU Competitive Funds,
Donations

30.0

4.8

2.8

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Commissioned
Research Project Funds from Industry/Government, etc.

1.8

25.0

1.7
20.0

1.7

1.5

15.0

26.8

26.0

27.0

1.5

21.2

10.0

0.6
5.0

6.6

14.9

0.8

1.6

14.1

1.6

16.0
11.3

14.6
8.9

0.0

FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013 FY2014 FY2015 FY2016 FY2017 FY2018 FY2019 FY2020*MEXT is an acronym for Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

51

Researcher List

Researcher List (as of April 1, 2021)
Administration
Director
Prof. Petros Sofronis
Associate Directors
Prof. Tatsumi Ishihara
Prof. Hiroshige Matsumoto

Principal Investigators
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems ThrustProf. Hiroshige Matsumoto (Thrust Lead PI)
Prof. Chihaya Adachi
Prof. Tsuyohiko Fujigaya
Prof. Andrew A. Gewirth, University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, USA
Prof. Tatsumi Ishihara
Prof. John A. Kilner, Imperial College London, UK
Prof. Thomas Lippert, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland
Prof. Kazunari Sasaki
Assoc. Prof. Aleksandar Tsekov Staykov
Prof. Yasuyuki Takata
Prof. Harry L. Tuller, Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
USA
Advanced Energy Materials ThrustProf. Masanobu Kubota (Thrust Lead PI)
Prof. Reiner Kirchheim, University of Göttingen, Germany
Prof. Seiji Ogo
Prof. Petros Sofronis
Dr. Brian Somerday, Southwest Research Institute, USA
Prof. Joichi Sugimura
Prof. Miho Yamauchi
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment ThrustProf. Takeshi Tsuji (Thrust Lead PI)
Assoc. Prof. Andrew Chapman
Prof. Shigenori Fujikawa
Prof. Bidyut Baran Saha
Prof. James Stubbins, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign,
USA
Prof. Hiroaki Watanabe
Prof. Xing Zhang, Tsinghua University, China

Advanced Energy Materials Thrust
Dr. Akihiko Anzai
Dr. Takashi Fukushima
Dr. Ming-Han Liu
Dr. Tomohiro Noguchi
Assoc. Prof. Yukina Takahashi
Assoc. Prof. Ki-Seok Yoon
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust
Asst. Prof. Nguyen Dinh Hoa
Platform for International Collaborations and Partnerships
Assoc. Prof. Kaveh Edalati (AECS Thrust)Prof. Kenshi Itaoka (MSEEE Thrust)
Asst. Prof. Dino Klotz (AECS Thrust)
Asst. Prof. Leonard Kwati (AECS Thrust)
Asst. Prof. Roman Selyanchyn (MSEEE Thrust)
Assoc. Prof. Ikuo Taniguchi (MSEEE Thrust)
Platform for Societal Implementation and Industrial
Collaboration
Assoc. Prof. Hackho Kim (AECS Thrust)
Research Center for Next Generation Refrigerant Properties
Prof. Yukihiro Higashi
Dr. Frantisek Miksik

Satellite Faculty & Postdoctoral Associates
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust
Assoc. Prof. Elif Ertekin
Prof. Andrew Gewirth
Assoc. Prof. Nenad Miljkovic
Asst. Prof. Nicola Helen Perry
Prof. Angus Rockett
Prof. Hong Yang
Advanced Energy Materials ThrustProf. Paul J. A. Kenis
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment ThrustProf. Kenneth Christensen
Asst. Prof. Kathryn Huff
Prof. James Stubbins

Full-time Faculty & Postdoctoral Associates
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust
Dr. Sumitomo Hidaka
Dr. Miho Isegawa
Dr. Chaerin Kim
Dr. Wu Kuan Ting
Dr. Huan Li
Assoc. Prof. Toshinori Matsushima
Prof. Naotoshi Nakashima
Assoc. Prof. Eiki Niwa
Dr. Ganasan Pandian
Dr. Lai Qiwen
Dr. Ganbaatar Tumen-Ulzii
Dr. Veeramani Vediyappan
Assoc. Prof. Motonori Watanabe
Dr. Toshihiko Yokota

52

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

Part-time Faculty & Postdoctoral Associates
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems ThrustProf. Etsuo Akiba
Asst. Prof. Kenichi Goushi
Dr. George Harrington
Prof. Kohei Ito
Asst. Prof. Yutaku Kita
Prof. Masamichi Kohno
Dr. Nuttavut Kosem
Asst. Prof. Qin-Yi Li
Assoc. Prof. Stephen Lyth
Assoc. Prof. Junko Matsuda
Prof. Shoji Mori
Assoc. Prof. Hajime Nakanotani

Researcher List

Assoc. Prof. Masamichi Nishihara
Assoc. Prof. Naoya Sakoda
Assoc. Prof. Tomohiro Shiraki
Asst. Prof. Juntae SongProf. Koji Takahashi
Assoc. Prof. Atsushi Takagaki
Asst. Prof. Naoki Tanaka
Asst. Prof. Hideaki Teshima
Dr. Zhe Tan
Asst. Prof. Zhenying Wang
Prof. Kazunari Yoshizawa
Advanced Energy Materials Thrust
Asst. Prof. Tatsuya Ando
Asst. Prof. Takuro Masumura
Assoc. Prof. Takahiro MatsumotoProf. Hisao Matsunaga
Asst. Prof. Takehiro Morita
Assoc. Prof. Hironobu Ozawa
Prof. Yoshinori Sawae
Asst. Prof. Hiroyoshi Tanaka
Prof. Toshihiro Tsuchiyama
Assoc. Prof. Tatsuya Uchida
Assoc. Prof. Kazuyuki Yagi
Assoc. Prof. Tetsuo Yamaguchi
Asst. Prof. Kosei Yamauchi
Asst. Prof. Takeshi Yatabe
Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment Thrust
Asst. Prof. Tatsunori Ikeda
Dr. Md. Amirul Islam
Assoc. Prof. Ken Kojio
Asst. Prof. Kaname Matsue
Assoc. Prof. Jin Miyawaki
Prof. Takahiko Miyazaki
Assoc. Prof. Atsuomi Shundo
Assoc. Prof. Kyaw Thu
Dr. Panlong Yu

Multiscale Science and Engineering for Energy and theEnvironment ThrustProf. Makoto Akai, National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology
Asst. Prof. Jiang Fei, Yamaguchi University, Japan
Prof. Benny Freeman, University of Texas at Austin, USA
Prof. Yasumasa Fujii, University of Tokyo, Japan
Prof. Katsuhiko Hirose, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Prof. Kuniaki Honda
Asst. Prof. Jihui Jia, China University of Petroleum
Dr. Seiichiro Kimura, Renewable Energy Institute, Japan
Prof. Toyoki Kunitake, Kitakyushu Foundation for the
Advancement of Industry Science and Technology, Japan
Prof. Atsushi Kurosawa, Institute of Applied Energy, Japan
Science and Technology, Japan
Dr. Osamu Nishizawa
Platform for Societal Implementation and Industrial
Collaboration
Dr. Munetaka Higuchi, Mazda Motor Corp., Japan
Assoc. Prof. Suguru Ikeda, Mazda Motor Corp., Japan
Dr. Soichiro Ikeda, Mazda Motor Corp., Japan
Dr. Hiroyuki Koga, Mazda Motor Corp., Japan
Dr. Junichi Shigeto, Mazda Motor Corp., Japan
Research Center for Next Generation Refrigerant Properties
Prof. Ryo Akasaka, Kyushu Sangyo University, Japan
Prof. Chieko Kondo, Nagasaki University, Japan
Prof. Akio Miyara, Saga University, Japan

Visiting Professors & Scholars
Advanced Energy Conversion Systems Thrust
Assoc. Prof. Daniel Orejon, University of Edinburgh, UK
Prof. Sushanta Mitra, University of Waterloo, Canada
Dr. Kenshi Mitsuishi, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Japan
Prof. Ken Okazaki, Tokyo Institute of Technology
Prof. Khellil Sefiane, University of Edinburgh, UK
Asst. Prof. Helena Tellez-Lozano
Advanced Energy Materials ThrustProf. Nikolaos Aravas, University of Thessaly, Greece
Asst. Prof. Mohsen Dadfarnia, Seattle University
Asst. Prof. Ryosuke Komoda, Fukuoka University, Japan
Dr. Kinya Kumazawa, Japan Institute for Promoting Invention
and Innovation
Assoc. Prof. Arnaud Macadre, Yamaguchi University, Japan
Dr. Akihide Nagao, Air Liquide Laboratories, Japan
Prof. Robert O. Ritchie, University of California, Berkeley, USA

I2CNER Annual Report 202053

Access Map

Access Map
Map of Fukuoka City

STEM 分野における諸外国の女性活躍エビデ
ンス
5min.

5min.
HakataStationTenjinStation

14min.

10min.

Fukuoka
Airport From Fukuoka Airport,Hakata Station, At Meinohama Station:or Tenjin Station:
Take a train on the Fukuoka City Subway
bound for “Meinohama” or “ChikuzenMaebaru/Karatsu/Nishi-Karatsu.”

34min.

15min.

Meinohama
StationIf your train’s destination is “Meinohama,”transfer to a JR Kyushu train bound for“Chikuzen-Maebaru/Karatsu/Nishi-Karatsu.”
If your train’s destination is “ChikuzenMaebaru/Karatsu/Nishi-Karatsu,”
no transfer is required at Meinohama Sta.

Kyudai
Kyudaigakkentoshi At Kyudaigakkentoshi Big Orange-mae/Central Library
StationStation:Transfer to Showa bus
bound forKyushu University’s
Ito Campus.

15min.

Campus Map

International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research(I2CNER), Kyushu University
Address: 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
Phone: +81 (0)92-802-6932 Fax: +81 (0)92-802-6939
Website: i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Facebook: www.facebook.com/I2CNER.news
Twitter: twitter.com/I2CNER

54

I2CNER Annual Report 2020

I2CNER Annual Report 2020
Phone
Website : i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp

The overhead view of the new I²CNER building portrays the *Keeling Curve, which rises over time, toindicate that I2CNER’s research will eventually contribute to the downward turn of this curve.
*In 1958, Charles David Keeling began making daily measurements of the concentration of atmosphericcarbon dioxide (CO2) at the Mauna Loa Observatory on the Big Island of Hawaii. Keeling’s measurements
are the first significant evidence of rapidly increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Phone
Website : i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp