Takeshi Kakibe
Associate Professor | Ph.D. in Engineering
Applied Chemistry Course
Field of Applied Chemistry
Professor Kakibe teaches organic chemistry with an emphasis on reasoning rather than memorization. Given the near-infinite variety of chemical reactions, simply memorizing why each one proceeds as it does is, at least in his experience, an impossible task. In both his lectures and research supervision, he strives to explain the underlying "why" and to pursue research that students and colleagues alike can find genuinely interesting and elegant. His research centers on ionic liquids—salts that remain liquid at room temperature—which he applies to developing new secondary batteries and enhancing the functionality of biomass-based materials.
Developing Functional Materials from Biomass
What students can learn
Through the synthesis of functional biomass materials, students learn organic and polymer reactions and develop the practical ability to carry out these syntheses themselves. They also acquire a foundation in analytical chemistry by characterizing the resulting materials with a range of instrumentation.
This research focuses on synthesizing and evaluating high-performance materials derived primarily from plant-based biomass such as cellulose and lignin. Marine plastic pollution, a pressing environmental concern, stems in part from the widespread use of petroleum-derived plastics that resist degradation. By synthesizing alternative materials from plant sources, this work aims to develop biodegradable, environmentally friendly substitutes. It also explores new functional materials, such as films capable of absorbing carbon dioxide. The film pictured is made from the same raw material as paper, yet it is transparent and remarkably strong.
Developing Materials for Next-Generation Secondary Batteries
What students can learn
Through the development of next-generation secondary batteries intended to succeed current lithium-ion batteries, students gain expertise in both material synthesis—drawing on organic chemistry and polymer science—and electrochemical evaluation of battery performance.
Rechargeable batteries are ubiquitous in daily life, with lithium-ion batteries the most prominent example. Making stable use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power requires storing that energy, so secondary batteries will only grow in importance. A battery that stores more energy within the same weight and volume enables lighter, more compact designs—a crucial advantage for the electrification of automobiles. This research pursues materials capable of surpassing today's secondary batteries, centered on ionic liquids, the room-temperature liquid salts shown in the photograph.
