Shinya Maenosono Associate Professor
School of Materials Science（Department of Materials Science・New Materials Design and Synthesis）

■Degrees

Ph.D from Tokyo University(2002)

■Specialties

Nanomaterials Chemistry, Colloid Chemistry, Functional Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering

■Research Keywords

nanoparticle, quantum dot, functional material, bio-nanotechnology

■Research Interests

Nanomaterial Technology: From synthesis to practical application
Our group fabricates new functional materials with a focus on nanoparticles. Our three main research projects are as follows. 1) Development of functional properties of colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles via higher-order structuringColloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots: QDs) exhibit a strong quantum confinement effect and, thus, can be considered as “artificial atoms”. Therefore, the function of a QD ensemble is determined not only by the physicochemical properties of a single QD, but also by the inter-dot interactions that vary with their higher-order structure. We synthesize QDs and their higher-order structures via a colloid chemical route, and investigate structure-property relations. 2) Application of magnetic nanoparticles to biotechnology and environmental technologyIn general, ferromagnetic materials only have ferromagnetic properties over a certain critical size. This is due to the disordering of magnetic moments becoming prominent, which is caused by thermal disturbance (superparamagnetism). The superparamagnetic nanoparticles are very important for medical applications, such as MRI contrast agents, magnetic immunodiagnostics, magnetic separation, and magnetic hyperthermia. Our research group concentrates on these applications of superparamagnetic nanoparticles. We synthesize MNPs, functionalize their surfaces, and develop basic techniques for medical and environmental applications.3) Development of biosensing technologies utilizing metalic nanoparticlesCurrent genetic diagnostics suffer from high-cost and time-consuming operations, because they usually need precise temperature control and/or expensive reagents. Recently, various biosensors using metalic, such as gold and silver, NPs have been proposed, e.g. LSPR sensors. Thus, easy-to-use and rapid analyses of DNA or protein become to be realized. We are currently developing novel biosensors based on original ideas and techniques, and apply them to ultra-sensitive biodetection systems in the near future.

■Publications

■Extramural Activities