Program-Specific Professor / PI

Kazuki Nakanishi

Research Interest

Sol-Gel Science, Porous Materials

Traditionally, glasses and ceramics have been fabricated using temperature as high as 1000 °C. A novel low-temperature route to fabricate such inorganic materials have recently been developed as “Sol-Gel” process. “Sol-Gel” is useful to synthesize porous materials (things like sponges) with highly controlled pore structures. Porous materials are widely used to seprate or purify chemical substances.

What I like about my science

Porous materials are prepared by inducing phase separation. All the beautiful structures are formed “spontaneously” in the system. All you have to do is just look at it!

Researcher Q & A

Where are you from?

I’m from Hirakata, Osaka, Japan.

Why did you become a researcher?

Ochanomizu-Hakase in Tetsuwan Atom was my first motivation to become a “doctor”.

What is your favorite experiment, theory, device, reagent, lab equipment? Why do you like it?

Electron microscope, because I can gaze endlessly at hidden “beauty” in the materials world.

What is your hobby?

Singing hymns, listening to classical music

Microstructure of hierarchical porous silica prepared by sol-gel process accompanied with phase separation.