Dr. Hiroshi Masuhara is one of the most reputable Japanese chemists, awarded The Purple
Medal (紫綬褒章) and The Order of Sacred Treasure, Gold Ray with Double Neckless(瑞宝中綬章), honored internationally The Porter Medal (corresponding to Nobel Prizein photochemistry), and Academicians of The Royal Academy of Belgium and National
Academy of Sciences India. This is due to his pioneering study on nano/micro molecularsystems exploring their new photochemical and photophysical phenomena by developing
time-resolved spectroscopy, imaging, and manipulation methods and by elucidating theirdynamics and mechanism. He has opened new interdisciplinary area of molecular photoscience, whose results are published as ~560 papers, ~120 reviews, and ~20 books. His
pioneering works have attracted many young researchers and graduate students. Now 63
doctors graduated/educated from Masuhara Laboratory/Project and 40 researchers
coached in Masuhara Project are working in the relevant areas of molecular photo-science
as professors and distinguished researchers in 10 countries including Taiwan.
This long developing academic research by Dr. Masuhara before shifting to NCTU in2008 is summarized as “Laser Nano Chemistry: Methodology and Molecular NanoDynamics”. This consist of 3 parts.

1)

Laser Nano Spectroscopy and Nano Photochemistry

Photophysical and photochemical dynamics of nano-crystals, nm-thin films and nmsurface/interface layers of solids were measured and analyzed with high energy andtemporal resolutions similar to those in solution. Ultrafast intersystem crossing, charge
separation, exciplex formation, and photothermal heating processes characteristic of the“solid” state were elucidated and first reported by the Masuhara group for aromatic
molecules, dyes, EDA complexes, TiO2, polymers, and resists. Spectroscopy of single
nanoparticles was examined as functions of their shape, size, morphology, internal
structure, and environment. Novel nm size effects on aromatic/polymer crystals andpolymer nanospheres were investigated and their origins were confirmed to be
structural confinement, namely, size-dependence of crystal lattice softening,molecular packing, and polymer conformation. These novel effects are characteristicof molecular material, and completely different from well-known nm size effects ofsemiconductors and metals which are due to electron confinement.
2) Laser Nano Manipulation and Chemistry of Photon Pressure
A focused near-infrared laser beam exerts mechanical force, called as photon pressure,on nanomaterials, enabling their trapping and manipulation. The optical trapping studies
have been conducted mostly by physicists and optical engineers, while its extension tochemistry was started by the Masuhara group. By examining various polymer andsupramolecular systems, Dr. Masuhara elucidated, for the first time, molecular
structure-photon pressure relation which opens a new field that could be coined“chemistry of photon pressure”. This is further being extended to trapping dynamics ofsingle nanoparticles in solution at room temperature. He also developed a method of 3dimensional trapping and manipulation of nanoparticles and applied it to fix thenanoparticles onto a substrate. The nanoparticles were freely patterned withresolution of a few ten nm in solution. Although the spatial resolution is less than thatof the 2-dimensional surface manipulation by a STM tip at low temperature under vacuum,much broader applicability is very important for semiconductors, metal nanoparticles,
biological material, cells, and protein crystals.
3) Laser Nano Ablation: Dynamics and Bio Application
Intense pulsed laser excitation of nano-sized droplets, aggregates, crystals, powders, andfilms generates high density excited states and intermediates. Their mutual interactions

and their successive absorption of excitation photons lead to ablation, expansion andsubsequent contraction, surface protrusion, and so on. The Masuhara group developed
time-resolved imaging methods to probe laser-induced morphological dynamics andcombined them with the time-resolved spectroscopy. They extended systematic studies
on nanosecond-, picosecond, and femtosecond laser ablation and related phenomena anddetermined rates of expansion, surface roughening, ablation, and contraction. They
demonstrated how electronic excitation of molecules in solids evolves and leads tomorphological changes. Based on these results, molecular mechanisms of laser ablation
was proposed; cyclic multiphotonic absorption mechanism for ns-excitation and atransient pressure mechanism due to very rapid electronic-vibrational energy
conversion for fs-excitation. All the processes are within the framework of a classic
Jablonski diagram without additional states and intermediates such as plasma. Hence laser
ablation and related dynamics are now understood as typical nonlinear photochemical
phenomena.
By utilizing the transient pressure induced by fs-excitation, Masuhara and his colleagues
unraveled novel laser ablation phenomena and developed new methodologies.
Femtosecond multiphoton excitation of molecular films gives discrete and multistep
etching, fs ablation of microcrystals in solution gives the smallest nanocrystal of a dyewith the diameter of 13 nm by top-down method, and the shockwave induced bytransient pressure can manipulate individual living cells from a substrate without
damage. Dr. Masuhara also succeeded in the preparation of proteins crystals withhigh quality and their model compounds by introducing femtosecond pulse into
supersaturated protein solution. In addition, they succeeded in controlling the crystal
growth with femtosecond multiphoton excitation. These results have important
implications in the area of bioscience.
Prof. Masuhara was invited as a Chair Professor of NCTU in April 2008 and stayed in
NCTU since then. Key research results of his Laser Bio/Nano Science Laboratory inDAC NCTU are classified into the below 3 topics. The research was carried out under
the strong support of ATU (Aiming Top University) Project of MOE and publishedas ~100 papers and presented as ~100 invited lectures.
1) Laser Trapping-Induced Molecular Crystallization and Crystal Growth
Dr. Masuhara and his group first demonstrated laser trapping-induced crystallizationahead of the world. They have studied systematically sequential behavior of nucleation,growth, and dissolution of amino acids and a protein. Here one representative example ofL-phenylalanine plate-like crystal is described. Its crystal is prepared by a focused
continuous-wave near-infrared laser beam even in unsaturated solution upon thelaser irradiation into the air/solution interface. One single crystal is generated fromthe focus and continuously grows two-dimensionally while being trapped by the laser.
The crystal growth is stopped when the laser power is decreased. The crystal size is kept
constant for a certain time period, and then the crystal starts dissolution. The growth anddissolution processes are directly followed under microscope and their rates aredetermined. Based on such approach Dr. Masuhara and his members concluded thatamino acid crystal is prepared and surrounded by a highly concentrated domain ofa few hundreds of micrometers consisting of amino acid liquid-like clusters. This
crystallization mechanism receives much attention as a seminal proposal from NCTU andmany international collaborations with Hokkaido and Saitama universities, Tokyo
Institute of Technology, and Nara institute of Science and Technology have been carriedout being supported by ATU Project.
2) Femtosecond Laser Trapping and Ejection of Dielectric Nanoparticles
We have found a novel trapping and ejection phenomenon of nanoparticle characteristicof femtosecond laser trapping in solution, which has never been reported by CW laser
trapping. The nanoparticles are trapped at the focus and then a rapidly and asymmetricallyalternative nanoparticle ejection is observed as perpendicular to the linear laser
polarization. Since that, a series of nanoparticles trapping experiments, such as
dependences of laser polarization, pulse width and nanoparticle density, have been
investigated in detail to elaborate this phenomenon. We propose that the unique
directional ejection is due to the formation of strongly packed nanoparticle assembly
during fs laser irradiation. In order to confirm the mechanism, we used different
nanoparticles, chemically modified the surface of nanoparticles, introduced a fluorescentprobe dye into the surface, and systematically extended experimental research. Trapping
well generated by femtosecond laser beam that attracts and gathers nanoparticles
repetitively. Inside the trapping well due to an intense femtosecond light field, thehydrophobic surface of nanoparticles enables the formation of an asymmetric assembly.
Scattering and gradient forces are induced and once the scattering force overcomes thetrapping force, the assembly is ejected out to the surrounding. It is worth noting that theassembly was directly observed after being ejected under a certain condition. Theirconclusion that a strongly packed assembly of nanoparticles are fabricated byfemtosecond laser pulse indicates a new potential methodology of light assisted
assembling of molecules and nanoparticles.
3) In-situ Patterning and Controlling of Living Cells by Femtosecond Laser
Femtosecond laser ablation induces bubbling in solution and a formed bubble expands
rapidly form the focus to the outside. This expansion generates supersonic jet loadingmechanical force on living cells and tissues located around the focus. The target cells are
not directly irradiated, so that their photochemical damages are not induced. Further
femtosecond laser ablation has superior features due to its photomechanical mechanism,
leading less decomposition at the focus too. This laser ablation bubbling method wascombined with photochemically and photothermally modified surface patterns, and novel
control of living cells was achieved. Femtosecond laser ablation of physiologicalsolutions generates shockwave and cavitation bubbles, and living cells are mechanicallymanipulated in solution and patterned on the modified surface of a glass. Femtosecond
laser ablation fabricating cytophobic and cytophilic domains enable us to form
living cell patterns and to study cell migration and cell–cell interaction. This method
will be one of possible useful methods to construct future living cell tips and devices. The
experimental studies were carried out under collaboration with Prof. F.-J.Kao of NYMU
and Profs. Y.-K. Li and F.-Y. Hsu of NCTU, and also Prof. Y. Hosokawa of Nara Instituteof Science and Technology.

CURRICULUM VITAE of Dr. Hiroshi MASUHARA
Born in Tokyo on March 29, 1944 as a sun of Ryoji and Midori MASUHARA
Education
Ph. D., in chemistry, Osaka University with Prof. Noboru Mataga (1971)
Mc. D., in chemistry, Tohoku University with Prof. Masao Koizumi (1968)
B. A., in chemistry, Tohoku University with Prof. Masao Koizumi (1966)
Academic position
Chair Professor, National Chiao Tung University (2008-present)
Chief Scientist, Hamano Life Science Research Foundation (2007-2008)
Professor Emeritus, Osaka University (2007-present)
Professor, Osaka University (1991-2007)
Professor, Kyoto Institute of Technology (1984-1991)
Research Associate, Osaka University (1972-1984)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Osaka University (1971-1972) with Prof. Noboru Mataga
Academy Members
Foreign Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, India (2010-present)
Foreign Member of Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium (1998-present)
Society Fellows and Honored Doctor
Emeritus member of Japanese Society of Molecular Science (2019 - present)
Emeritus member of Japanese Photochemistry Association (2017 - present)
The Chemical Society of Japan Fellow (2010-present)
IUPAC Fellow (2007 - 2011)
Doctor Honoris Causa de Ecole Nomale Superier de Cachan, France (2006-2013)
Highly Ranked Governmental Awards（Emperor of Japan）
The Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (2017), 瑞宝中綬章
The Purple Ribbon Medal (2008), 紫綬褒章

Scientific Awards and Prizes
Asian and Oceanian Photochemistry Association Award (2010)
Mizushima-Raman Lectureship, JSPS-India DST (2010)
Mukai Prize (2010)
Outstanding Scholar Award of Foundation for the Advancement of Outstanding
Scholarship, Taiwan (2008)
Spectroscopic Society of Japan Award (2006)
Porter Medal (European, American and Asian Photochemistry Association) (2006)
The Chemical Society of Japan Award (2006)
Kenjiro SAKURAI Memorial Award, Optical Industrial Technology DevelopmentAssociation (2005)
Osaka Science Prize (1994)
Divisional Award of the Chemical Society of Japan (1994)
Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton International Prize “Science for Art” Excellence de Da
Vinci, France (1993)
Japanese Photochemistry Association Award (1989)
Society Honor
Masuhara Lectureship Award was started in Asian and Oceanian Photochemistry
Conference (2012 - present)
Hiroshi Masuhara Festschrift of J. Phys. Chem. C, American Chemical Society (2009)
Hiroshi Masuhara Special Issue of Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, Royal
Society of Chemistry (2005)

Director of Group Research Project
Research Supervisor, PRESTO Project “Innovative Use of Light and Materials/Life”, JST(Japan Science and Technology Agency) (2008-2015)
Project Director of Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “MolecularNanodynamics”, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) (2004-2007),~1x 109 JPY
Project Director of Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “SingleOrganic Nanoparticle”, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) (19982001), ~5 x 108 JPY
Director, Masuhara Microphotoconversion Project, Exploratory Research for Advanced
Technology Program, Research and Development Corporation of Japan (19881994), ~2 x 109 JPY
Professional Activity (Society President, Adviser, and Important CommitteeMember)
Advisor for Australian Research Council Center of Excellence Project “Exciton Science”(2017-2022)

Advisor for Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “OpticalManipulation of Nano Materials”, Prof. Hajime Ishihara Project Leader, JapaneseSociety for Promotion of Science (JSPS) (2016-2021)
Advisor for Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “Photosynergetics”,
Prof. Hiroshi Miyasaka Project Leader, Japanese Society for Promotion of Science(JSPS) (2014-2019)
Advisor for Institute of Molecular Science, Okazaki, Japan (2013 - 2015)
Advisor for Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “Dynamic Ordering& Integrated Functions”, Prof. Koichi Kato Project Leader, Japanese Society for
Promotion of Science (JSPS) (2013-2018)
Advisor for Grand-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Area “Strong LightMatter Interaction”, Prof. Hiroaki Misawa Project Leader, Japanese Society for
Promotion of Science (JSPS) (2007-2011)
Committee Member of INPAC Program, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (2007- 2010)
Executive Committee Member of Chemical Society of Japanese (2007 - 2009)
Associate Member of Science Council of Japan (2006-2012)
Committee Member of Nano Program, Royal Dutch Academy (2003)
Committee Member of IAP Program, Ministry of Education of Belgium (2002 - present)
President of Asian and Oceanian Photochemistry Association (2002 - 2004)
President of Japanese Photochemistry Association (2000 - 2001)
Member of IUPAC Photochemistry Commission (1998 - 2001)
Executive Committee Member of Japanese Applied Physics Society (1997 - 2001)
Executive Committee Member of Japanese Photochemistry Association (1992 - 1995,1998 - 2000)
22 Guest Professorships in Japan, Taiwan, France, Belgium, China, and USA (IBM)
Editor, Editorial Board, and Advisory Board Members in 15 Journals
Organization of Conference, Workshop, Seminar, andSummer Course

Con
Dr. Masuhara and young professors of DAC NCTU Annually Organize SummerCourse and Workshop from 2012 to 2018. They invited 20 Japanese, 3 American, and3 Belgian Professors as lectures of the Tutorial Course, and the sum of the participants
is now 723. In 2017 and 2018, 20 Japanese and about 10 non-Taiwanese graduate
students joined us. The Workshop always follows the Summer Course where Japaneseand Taiwanese (outside of NCTU) professors presented the adv