Division of Materials Science?Structure of the Division

The Division of Materials Science consists of three courses: the course in inorganic and metallic functional materials; the course in properties of polymers and composites; and the course in polymer and environmental chemistry. The division provides education and research for the acquisition of advanced knowledge and its application to materials science and related research fields by cooperating among the three courses. Research fields, faculty, and research contents for each course are listed in the table below.

Course Title	Research Filed	Research Contents
Inorganic functional materials	Metallic materials	Research on the higher functionality and properties of metallic materials by nano/meso-structure control and its application, for example, highly laminated materials, nanostructured materials, crystalline alignment control materials, surface modification by plasma nitridation, hydrogen storage alloy using hydrogen, cell materials, and energy related materials such as hydrogen separation membrane studies.Analyses based on solid- state physics and inorganic chemistry in the mechanical properties and thermophysical properties of glass and applications for the sophistication in the production process of glass for electronic equipment have been research topics. By measuring phase transition of ferroelectric single crystal by a device that has top world-class temperature resolution with developed PC control, a clue to clarify interaction of particles has been explored.
Inorganic functional materials	Ceramics materials
Properties of Polymers and Composites	Polymer and interface science	Polymer and interface science field, which covers polymer microsphere using various PVA and functional polymer as protective colloid and the synthesis of functional PVA, and applied electrochemistry field, which covers ionic conductive ceramic thin film made by vapor deposition, fuel cell, and precise polymerization by colloid hydrogen in alkaline ion water and ph control have been research topics.
Properties of Polymers and Composites	Polymer properties	Basic properties of polymer materials, structure (from chemical structure to higher order structure) and properties of polymer have been a particular study focus. We are trying to create newly functional materials (low temperature, environmentally conscious, electron, optical materials, etc.). Research on the designing of composite materials and applied research on response performance of handiworks has also been carried out.
Polymer and Environment Chemistry	Polymer materials chemistry	Synthesized amphiphilic polymers composed of various elements and research on the function of supramolecular complex. Synthesize new polymer materials derived from natural polymers such as chitin, and research the molecular recognition on biomimetic of those polymers and advanced functions useful for environmental conservation.
	Environmental material science	The basis and application of biodegradable organic polymer with super functions produced by microorganisms found in Shiga Prefecture and the surrounding area and new microorganism enzyme which has a superior asymmetric synthesis function and a few microorganism enzymes important for practical use and the ability to hydrolyze low degradablity polymer have been studied by combining various research methods.
	Materials for Environmental Improvement	Research has been conducted on the recycling technology of polymer materials for environmental conservation and effective use of resources; the prevention of soil-borne diseases for agricultural crops without disturbing the ecosystem by using polymer materials which can capture microorganisms alive; and the effective use of ferrite sludge generated from the treatment of experimental wastewater.