Changing the shape of molecules freely with the power of electricity and catalysts.
Manufacturing (Saitama University Research Seed Collection 2025-27 p.45)
Electrochemistry, catalyst, (bio) alcohol, aldehyde, ester, acetal, carbon neutral, renewable energy, hydrogen.
By slightly adjusting the shape of a molecule, its function can change dramatically. For example, ethanol brings about a pleasant intoxication, but acetaldehyde, which is derived from ethanol by removing two hydrogen atoms, is the source of hangovers. Industrially, functional molecules such as aldehydes and esters are synthesized from alcohol as a raw material, helping to create products around us. Until now, alcohol has been converted using heat (obtained by burning fossil resources) and oxidants (reagents that pull out hydrogen), but the combustion of fossil resources leads to carbon dioxide emissions, and oxidants generate a large amount of waste. We are pioneering a new alcohol conversion process driven by "electric power" generated from sources like solar power. The key lies in catalytic membranes and ion exchange membranes. By working together, these can create high-value-added molecules from alcohol. This reaction also simultaneously produces hydrogen, which is the next-generation energy source.
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Hitoshi Ogihara, Professor Graduate School of Science and Technology, Department of Materials Science, Basic Materials Area 【Recent Research Themes】 ● Electrochemical conversion of organic molecules other than alcohols ● High value-added conversion of carbon dioxide through electrochemical reduction ● Development of solid catalyst reactions for the high value-added conversion of carbon dioxide and methane
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【Appeal Points to the Industry】 ● A clean material conversion process that does not emit carbon dioxide ● A material conversion process using electricity derived from renewable energy ● A compact electrolysis unit allows for "on-demand" reactions anywhere ● Selectively synthesizes esters, aldehydes, and acetals from alcohol ● Can simultaneously synthesize hydrogen, a next-generation energy source 【Examples of Practical Applications, Use Cases, and Utilization】 ● Production of methyl formate (an important intermediate in the chemical industry) through the electrolysis of methanol ● Production of acetals (raw materials for fragrances, etc.) through the electrolysis of ethanol ● Production of acetaldehyde (industrially synthesized on a large scale as a raw material for ethyl acetate) through the electrolysis of ethanol
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The Saitama University Open Innovation Center is a center that functions as a liaison office for industry-academia-government collaboration. It consists of three departments: the Industry-Academia-Government Collaboration Department, the Intellectual Property Department, and the Startup Support Department, each staffed with coordinators well-versed in various fields. The center's activities include solving technical challenges in companies, supporting the implementation of joint research, and conducting technology transfer aimed at introducing and utilizing Saitama University's intellectual property.