About
Core-to-Core Program
The JSPS's Core-to-Core Program is designed to create top world-class research centers that partner over the long term with other core research institutions around the world in advancing research in leading-edge fields, on issues of high international priority, and in areas that contribute towards resolving prevailing problems in Asian and African regions. At the same time, the project aims to nurture the next generation of young researchers who will play pivotal roles in the future. Research targets for the Type B grant on Asia-Africa Science Platforms are topics considered to be of particular importance or significance to Asia and/or Africa and high priority within Japan.
Asian Research Network for Terahertz Molecular Science
Core Institutions
| Japan | Kobe University | Vietnam | Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology | Indian | Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur | Indonesia | Universitas Setia Budi | Thailand | Kasetsart University | Philippines | University of Philippines, Los Banos | Taiwan | National Taiwan University |
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Cooperating institutions
University of Fukui, Institute for Molecular Science、Shizuoka University, Tokushima University, Chiba University, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences (China), Kangwon National University (South Kore), Universitas PGRI Semarang (Indonesia), De La Salle University(Philippines), University of Philippines, Diliman (Philippines), Academia Sinica (Taiwan)
Outline of the selected project's research
In light of the central role it has played in the development of terahertz molecular science, Kobe University's Molecular Photoscience Research Center aims to establish a research network in Asia. This network will bring together Taiwan and India, where extensive basic research has been conducted, and other Asian countries (the Philippines, China, Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam), where rapid industrialization has increased the need and potential for applied research in this field.
Terahertz molecular science is the study of interactions of molecules and materials with terahertz waves. There is a need to establish an academic society and develop industrial applications in this field, especially in Asia, a region of rapid economic development. This project aims to integrate basic research in terahertz molecular science and its industrial applications, creating novel research through which Asia will lead this field.
Collaborative Research Outline
Subject 1: Observation and theoretical calculation of low-frequency vibrational spectra of molecular crystals
We will measure low-frequency spectra of molecular crystals and crystalline polymers at low temperatures and perform density functional theory calculations. The measurement systems will be extended to large molecular systems such as lipid bilayers and proteins. We will perform terahertz spectroscopic measurements and quantum chemical calculations on molecules and materials important for agriculture, environment, biotechnology, etc.
Subject 2: Low-frequency dynamics of liquids and solutions
We will measure liquid dynamics of water and aqueous solutions and perform theoretical calculations of low-frequency modes to clarify relationship among molecular interactions, dynamic behavior, and terahertz spectra. We will elucidate the terahertz band dynamics of new solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents, which are attracting attention as solvents for green chemistry.
Subject 3: Structural and Dynamical Behaviors of Polymers by Broadband Vibrational Spectroscopy
The structures and physical properties of polymers have been studied in the mid-infrared region using chemometric and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy, and this will be extended to the terahertz band to establish this as a basic technique for diagnosing polymer degradation. Dynamics of water molecules around polymers will be clarified by measuring terahertz spectra of water-soluble polymers and by theoretical calculations.
Subject 4: Development of terahertz time-domain spectrometers and measurements of molecular systems by using these systems
We will develop a high-performance terahertz time-domain spectroscopy system for excitation wavelengths from 1.55-m. This is an inexpensive, fast, high performance system with high sensitivity. We will demonstrate high-speed and high-sensitivity molecular measurements using the above terahertz spectrometer.