Kimizuka Lab.

Research

Based on the advanced design of photofunctional molecules and their molecular self-assembly, we are working on the development of "Molecular Systems Chemistry," an academic discipline for designing molecular systems in which many functional molecules show valuable work (functions) in concert. In recent years, we have been working on (1) "Molecular self-assembly-based Photon Upconversion," which efficiently converts low-energy light into high-energy light, and (2) "Singlet Fission (SF) in designed molecular self-assemblies," which serves to amplify one photon into two excited triplet states. We also investigate (3) "Supramolecular Solar Thermal Fuels”, which allow us to store solar energy in photofunctional molecules and converts them on-demand into thermal energy, and (4) Photofunctional coordination nanostructures, which show electronic and spin states controlled by self-assembly. These studies will open new horizons in chemistry.