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High Performance Materials Kondo Takashi Laboratory

High Performance Materials
Kondo Takashi Laboratory

Photonic materials and perovskite solar cells/Soft matters and amorphous materials

Metal-halide perovskite-type semiconductors

Metal-halide perovskite-type materials are a new semiconductor family. It has been revealed that these materials are promising for solar-cell applications. However, fundamental properties of these materials are not clearly understood.
We are now studying fundamental properties and novel crystal growth techniques of metal-halide perovskite-type semiconductors in order to realize innovative photonic devices.

Challenge from mechanical self-organization to elucidate the physical properties of nonequilibrium soft matter/amorphous material (Tanaka group)

Materials without a periodic structure, such as soft matter and amorphous materials, have unique mechanical and thermal properties that differ significantly from crystals and contribute to humankind in various fields. Until now, research on disordered systems has been based on the center-of-mass structure of particles, but the physical characteristics of these systems remain elusive. To overcome this situation, in addition to the conventional thermodynamic viewpoint, we are challenging to elucidate the structural features of non-equilibrium solid-state materials, such as glasses and gels, as well as the physical mechanisms behind universal and unique mechanical and thermal properties of these materials, from a new kinetic viewpoint of “mechanical self-organization” .

RSM of a perovskite heterostructure

Mechanical network of a glass and particle motion during destabilization

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My research theme during my graduate school years was organic nonlinear optical crystals. After several turning points, I shifted my research focus to semiconductor materials and ultimately arrived at studying metal halide perovskites. I have been able to utilize various experiences in this research, realizing that nothing is ever wasted. More than anything, I have come to strongly feel that connections with people have guided me to where I am today as a researcher.
An article summarizing the entire flow from the emergence to the current prominence of perovskite solar cells explains how interactions between people led to new discoveries. Although it covers only a small part of what I have experienced, it also introduces the roles played by me and those around me. Please take a look at the article below. I think you'll find it interesting as an unexpected story behind a major discovery.
'Document: The Birth of Perovskite Solar Cells'