NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
TOKYO REGIONAL OFFICE

The National Science Foundation's (NSF) Tokyo Office periodically receives and disseminates reports on research developments in Japan that are related to the Foundation's mission. NSF-sponsored researchers currently working in Japan and senior NSF officials who visit Japan prepare many of these reports. These reports present information for use by NSF program managers and policy makers; they are not statements of NSF policy.

Special Scientific Report #00-01 (August 23, 2000)

Separation Process Research in Japan

Thomas W. Chapman, Program Director, Separation and Purification Processes in the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Engineering prepared the following report.  Dr. Chapman was in Japan from June 4-17, 2000, on a Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) senior invitational fellowship.  Professor Masataka Tanigaki of the Chemical Engineering Department at Kyoto University served as his host.  Inquiries about this report should be addressed to Dr. Chapman:  tchapman@nsf.gov.

Although I had been in Japan for a number of short visits in the past in my capacity as Professor of Chemical Engineering and Director of International Engineering Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I was eager to investigate more specifically Japanese research in the area of separation processes.  My current assignment at NSF involves the administration of research funds in this area.  Much of the current research activity in both the U.S. and Japan is now focused on the design and synthesis of functional materials for membranes or adsorbents for very selective chemical separations.  Indeed, such work is at the heart of the current developments in the field called nanotechnology.  The JSPS Fellowship program offered the opportunity for me to explore the state of such research in Japanese universities and to compare it with that being funded by our own NSF program. 

The daily itinerary and the names of institutions and researchers whom I visited during my two-week visit are appended.  Most of my first week was spent at Kyoto University (“Kyodai”), except for a quick overnight visit to Tokyo and interviews at Kyoto Institute of Technology.  During the second week I traveled further west from Kyoto, visiting researchers at Kyushu, Yamaguchi, and Hiroshima Universities.  Following my return to Kyoto, I was also able to visit Osaka University before returning home. 

Throughout my travels, all of the faculty and research associates whom I visited were extremely hospitable and helpful.  I was impressed with the time and effort they put forth to explain their research activities and to show me their laboratories.  I was impressed with how open everyone was in revealing his ideas and research objectives.  Another impressive aspect of my laboratory visits was that the students, both post-graduate and undergraduate, were prepared to explain their projects to me.  Most had posters mounted in the laboratories, mostly in English, that helped to illustrate their work.  The English-language ability of the young people was particularly impressive.  I regret that I am not able to reciprocate with a better knowledge of Nihongo. 

A fortuitous coincidence during my first week in Kyoto was the concurrent visit of a delegation of chemical engineering faculty from Dortmund University in Germany.  Kyodai and Dortmund were celebrating the tenth anniversary of a successful student exchange program.  Fortunately I was able to join in many of their joint activities, including laboratory tours, a joint research seminar, and some social activities.  The lab tours and the seminar gave me a very good overview of all the research programs in the chemical engineering department.  At the seminar I had an opportunity to make a brief presentation about NSF and about my separation-processes program. 

On my visit to Tokyo University, I met with Prof. Shin-ichi Nakao and colleagues.  Prof. Nakao is well funded by NEDO (MITI's New Energy Development Organization) and works in the area of membranes for reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, gas permeation, and pervaporation.  One approach for the latter applications is to graft linear-chain polymers into the pores of a rigid cross-linked matrix to prevent membrane swelling and loss of selectivity.  A challenging theoretical problem is to compute gas solubilities in these systems to use as a guide in synthesizing selective membranes.  Other work in Tokyo includes efforts on silica and zeolite membranes for gas separations and “gate” membranes that switch from hydrophobic to hydrophilic with changes in temperature.  The latter may be useful for metal-ion separations and for methanol fuel cell applications. 

At Kyoto Institute of Technology, Prof. Masaaki Teramoto and associates are also working on membranes for both gas and liquid separations.  For example, they use thermal or solvent-based phase inversion to synthesize membranes containing carriers for facilitated transport.  They are also producing carbon molecular-sieve membranes by pyrolyzing polyimide films. 

At Kyushu University there is work on extraction and reactions in supercritical water or carbon dioxide.  Prof. Katsuki Kusakabe is involved with inorganic membranes for gas separations as well as semiconductor synthesis and energy-related problems, such as coal conversion and desulfurization of diesel fuel.  His membrane work includes silica from sol gels, Y-type zeolites, and metal films with micron-scale holes.  Combinations of oxides from CVD on metal supports may yield desired pore sizes.  Commercial porous alumina tubes are used as a support for silica membranes.  Similarly, zeolite or carbon can be deposit on the alumina to produce gas-separation membranes, and metals can be added to produce catalytic membranes. 

Prof. Shintaro Furusaki, who is retired from Tokyo University, is still active in research at Kyushu University.  His projects include bioseparations by use of reverse micelles, molecular recognition adsorbents formed with surface-imprinted polymers, and molecular modeling of novel reagents for extraction of metal ions.   

Prof. Yasuhiko Arai at Kyushu University has a major program on supercritical fluids, in which he studies not only solubilities for extraction processes but also diffusion and reaction rates.  He is also studying adsorption of organic isomers from supercritical mixtures onto zeolites and crystallization phenomena. 

In Yamaguchi University, Prof. Ken-ichi Okamoto studies polymeric membranes for gas separations and pervaporation.  Adding functional groups, such as phosphonate or aromatics, improves normal polyimide membranes with respect to the selectivity-flux trade-off.  Similarly, they are looking at precursors and pyrolysis conditions to get improved carbon-sieve membranes.  Also, there is work on synthesizing various zeolite films on porous alumina tubes to form selective gas-separation membranes.  Supported silica membranes have been commercialized and are quite successful in dewatering solvents and alcohol by pervaporation. 

In Hiroshima, Prof. Masashi Asaeda is also working on inorganic membranes such as silica or zirconia from sol gels cast onto porous alumina tubes.  His laboratory is investigating many different oxides as applied to various organic solutions and solvent-drying operations. 

In Osaka, Professors Tomoshige Nitta and H. Takahashi are taking a molecular approach to modern chemical engineering.  They are doing advanced non-equilibrium molecular-dynamics calculations and using quantum chemistry to obtain the proper intermolecular forces.   

At Kyoto University I had the opportunity to visit with many of the faculty.  Three of the most relevant research groups were those of Professors M. Tanagaki, H. Tamon, and I. Hashimoto.  Tanigaki has worked extensively on extraction and liquid-membrane systems.  He has developed an interesting device, called the Electrostatic Pseudo-liquid Membrane Contactor.  This device uses an alternating electric field and specially shaped electrode to enhance mass-transfer rates but to prevent mixing between extract and raffinate phases in an aqueous/organic/aqueous system.  Prof. Tamon is working on various adsorbents, including silica gel, zeolites, and oxidized carbon for adsorption of unsaturated hydrocarbons and aromas.  His experimental work is augmented with  quantum mechanical calculations on adsorbed species.  Finally, Prof. I. Hashimoto, working with Associate Professor S. Hasabe, has built a very interesting, pilot-scale multi-stage batch distillation system, which can optimize component separation as well as energy use. 

Although my trip to Japan was necessarily quite brief, I feel that it was extremely productive.  The success of the trip was due to the excellent preparation and assistance of Prof. Tanigaki as well as the generous hospitality of my other hosts.  I learned a great deal that is already proving to be useful in my evaluation of research proposals to my NSF program.  I hope that I also provided some useful information to my hosts about related research activities in the United States.   

My general impressions of the Japanese research endeavors were that the faculty are very competent, committed, and hard working.  As I have observed before, there is excellent teamwork in the laboratories, with good cooperation among a group that consists of at least one senior professor, one or two associate professors, perhaps a post-doc, graduate students, and senior undergraduates.  On the other hand, I note that some universities are having trouble recruiting Japanese Ph.D. students so a number of the students and post-docs are foreign, as in the United States. 

The topics of research undertaken are quite similar to those in the U.S. separations community.  The major differences that I can note is that  there seems to be less molecular modeling activity in Japan, with a few notable exceptions.  Also, in the limited sample that I had, I felt that there was a good bit of similarity in the choice of topics across several universities.   

Although there is clearly much communication and collaboration between Japanese and American researchers (often thanks to JSPS fellowship support), several of the Japanese faculty regretted that there were not enough opportunities for young faculty to spend time in a U.S. laboratory.  It may be that, in some cases, the senior professor is reluctant to have the younger associates go away from their lab for an extended time. 

Finally, two other general observations are in order.  First, my host Prof. Tanigaki is actively involved in a national effort aimed at chemical engineering curriculum accreditation.  It will be interesting for Japan and the United States to compare their experiences in this effort, as the United States (ABET) has recently instituted new accreditation criteria and processes.  Second, I was gratified to meet with at least two Japanese professors who are actively involved in international-education efforts, an area of great interest to me also.  I had in the past already worked with Prof. Uchino at Kyushu University on a joint U.S.-Japan committee to help design English-language junior-year-abroad programs at Japanese national universities so that it would be easier for American students and others to experience the benefits of studying in Japan.  Prof. Uchino is now actively involved in such a program at his university.  Also, Prof. Kuboi at Osaka University has a great interest in internationalization of our young people.  He is also involved in student-exchange programs and their junior-year-abroad course.  I was intrigued by his suggestion that it may be possible to organize an interdisciplinary International Student Conference that would enable young people of our two countries and perhaps others to meet and to exchange ideas. 

In closing, I found my brief JSPS study tour in Japan to be extremely interesting, stimulating, and valuable.  I thank JSPS for the opportunity and for their generous support.  I encourage all U.S. faculty to consider applying for such an experience, and preferably a longer research stay.  I also thank my Japanese hosts and look forward to maintaining contact with them and to collaborating in the future.

Appendix: Itinerary for JSPS Study Tour of Separation-Process Research Laboratories and Professional Contacts

Saturday, June 3

9:15 am. Depart Washington, DC,  UA 805/809  

Sunday, June 4

4:30 pm.  Arrive Kansai airport, Osaka
Transfer by train to Kyoto (Haruka, 18 and 48 after hour)
Kyoto Royal Hotel (075-223-1234), near corner of Kawaramachi and Oike.   

 

Monday, June 5

Kyoto University
Meetings with Prof. Masataka Tanigaki and colleagues in the Department of Chemical Engineering, including Profs. H. Tamon, K. Higashitani, I. Hasimoto, K. Miura, H. Masuda, S. Hasabe, and a number of instructors, research associates, and graduate students.
(Prof. Tanigaki office: 075-753-5566, cell phone: 070-5438-8054, home: 075-781-7484;  tanigaki@cheme.kyoto-u.ac.jp)   

 

Tuesday, June 6

9:00 am.  Kyoto to Tokyo by train with Prof. M. Tanigaki
1:00 pm.  Meet with Prof. Kensaku Mizoguchi, Shizuoka University. Also met Mr. T. Yamaguchi, Manager of the Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan (SCEJ): 4-6-19 Kohinata, Bukyo-ku (Kyoritsu-Kaikan:5F), 03-3943-3527, 03-3943-8054 (fax).  
4:00 pm. Meeting with Prof. Hayao Nasu, Executive Secretary, Association for Studies on the Management of Surplus Nuclear Materials (042-573-2148, tnn2yjw2cm@mx4.ttcn.ne.jp)

6:30 pm. Dinner with Prof. Tanigaki, Prof. Nasu, and Ms. Kana Tanigaki of Yokogawa Electric Corp. at hotel.
Stay at Garden Palace Hotel, Ichigaya, 03-3813-6211.

 

Wednesday, June 7

10:00 am.  Visit to Prof. Shin-ichi Nakao (03-5841-7326), Prof. Tatsuya Okubo, and Assoc. Prof. Takeo Yamaguchi (03-5841-7346) , at the University of Tokyo, with  Prof. M. Tanigaki.

 

Wednesday, June 7

3:00 pm.  Visit NSF Tokyo Office,  U.S. Embassy, William Blanpied,  
033-224-5505, wblanpie@nsf.gov and Ms. Kazuko Shinohara, kshinoha@nsf.gov
http://twics.com/~nsftokyo/home.html  
5:30 pm. Train for return to Kyoto and Kyoto Royal Hotel  

 

Thursday-Saturday, June 8-10  

Meetings and discussions at Kyoto University, including laboratory tours, seminar, and joint meetings with a delegation of chemical engineering professors from Dortmund University in Germany.  Short presentation to the seminar of Kyoto and Dortmund faculty and students about the National Science Foundation.

 

Friday, June 9

Visit Kyoto Institute of Technology to meet Prof. Masaaki Teramoto (teramoto@chem.kit.ac.jp) and Assoc. Prof. Hideto Matsuyama (matuyama@chem.kit.ac.jp)  

 

Sunday, June 11

Odori performance in Kyoto, with Prof. & Mrs. Tanigaki
Afternoon train from Kyoto to Fukuoka (Hakata).
Sun Hills Hotel, Fukuoka, 092-631-3331, 092-651-8430 (fax)  

 

Monday, June 12

Visit Kyushu University, Fukuoka.
Meet Prof. Kenichi Uchino (092-642-3619; uchino@mine.kyushu-u.ac.jp) , Assoc. Prof. Katsuki Kusakabe, (kusaktcf@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp, 081-92-642-3552), Prof. Shintaro Furusaki (sfurutcm@mbox.nc.kyushu-u.ac.jp), Prof. Yasuhiko Arai (arai@chem-eng.kyushu-u.ac.jp), Dr. K. Uezu, Prof. C. Kinoshita, and Assoc. Prof. Y.Iwai.
Sun Hills Hotel in Fukuoka  

 

Tuesday, June 13

10:49 am. Train to Ube via Ogoori, arr 11:30 am (Hikari 102). 
Visit Yamaguchi University
1:00 pm. Meet Prof. Ken-ichi Okamoto(okamotok@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp, 0836-35-9961), Assoc. Prof. Hidetoshi Kita (kita@po.cc.yamaguchi-u.ac.jp, 0836-35-9962), and Research Associate M. Yoshino at Yamaguchi University.
Afternoon train to Hiroshima.
Hotel at Hiroshima train station.

 

Wednesday, June 14

Visit Hiroshima University
1:00 pm. Meet Prof. Masashi Asaeda, 0824-24-7719, 0824-22-7191 (fax) (asaeda@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp).  Also Prof. Shuji Sakohara (0824-24-7720), and Assoc. Prof. T. Tsuru (tsuru@ipc.hiroshima-u.ac.jp)  
Return to Kyoto by train. Stay at Seifu-so, Kyoto University guest house.

 

Thursday, June 15

Visit faculty at Kyoto University. Lecture to chemical engineering class.
Stay at “Seifu Kaikan”, Kyoto University guest house.

 

Friday, June 16

Continuing visits to Kyoto University faculty and their laboratories.
Afternoon visit to Osaka University.  Meet Prof. Tomoshige Nitta (nitta@cheng.es.osaka-u.ac.jp), Prof. Ryoichi Kuboi (kuboi@cheng.es.osaka-u.ac.jp), Research Associate H. Umakoshi, and Research Associate H.Takahashi.

 

Saturday, June 17

Meet with Prof. Tanigaki, Kyoto University, for final review and summary.
6:15 pm.  Depart from Kansai airport, Osaka, UA 810/208  
10:55 pm.  Arrive Washington, DC