Research Groups
Research Groups
INOEL’s eight domains of research & development
Next Generation Wet-processed Thin Films :
Achieving New Thin Films for GX and DX by Wet
Processes
We are researching and developing highly functional thin films by wet processes, aiming for environmentally friendly
(GX) and digital manufacturing (DX). We achieved the world’s highest performance of water vapor barrier film by wet
process (2022). This technology will contribute a wide range of industries, including flexible devices and the
packaging field. We are also developing OLED panels using printing processes. We are promoting research on new thin
films, both organic and inorganic, focusing on wet processes for next generation technology. (Professor Yoshiyuki
Suzuri, Assistant Professor Sun He, Researcher Song Luyang )
Organic & Next-generation Solar Cells (OPV, PVSC):
Realizing thin, light,
transparent and highly-efficient solar cells
We are developing organic photovoltaic solar cells (OPVs) and perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) that have promising
features such as thinness, light weight, flexibility, translucency, designability, and power generation
characteristics under indoor light. In collaboration with Frontier Center for Organic Materials, companies, and
research institutes, we explore, develop, and evaluate materials using appropriate device structures. Specifically,
we are investigating organic photovoltaic materials, non-fullerene acceptors, charge transport materials,
self-assembled monolayer molecules, and perovskite materials. We are also developing technologies for single cells
with high efficiency and reliability, transparent solar cells, and tandem solar cells. We are aiming for
applications such as see-through solar panels for windows, flexible solar panels, and energy harvesting cells for
IoT devices. (Prof. Takeshi Sano)
High density thin film device :
Realizing new thin film electronic devices
We are developing processes that use printing methods such as inkjet and offset to form metals, insulators, and
organic materials with fineness and quality comparable to photolithography.
We are also developing the use of this technology to fabricate high-density thin film devices such as stacked
circuits, digital circuits, organic thin transistors, and physical sensors.
These high-density thin film devices are expected to be applied to backplanes such as large-screen OLSD displays and
flexible electronic paper, and sensors that have the tactile sensation of human hands and feet.( Reseach Professor
Makoto Mizukami, Associate Professor Yasunori Takeda )
Flexible Technologies :
Creating new value with flexible technology
Through “Needs First” academia-industry collaboration, we develop key technologies for flexible organic electronics
products that create new values such as thin thinness, light weight, flexible design, etc. We develop world-leading
cutting-edge technologies in the fields of flexible substrates (ultra-thin glass, stainless steel foil and barrier
films), gas barrier(deposition technology, evaluation technology), flexible encapsulation and printing. In addition,
by applying the developed technologies, we fabricate various flexible devices such as flexible OLED and Solar cell.
(Prof. Takeshi Sano, Miho Sugimoto, Academic-Industrial Collaboration Associate Professor）
Flexible Electronics :
Creating new value with technology of flexible
electronics
Through “Needs First” academia-industry collaboration, we develop key technologies for flexible organic electronics
products that create new values such as thin thinness, light weight, flexible design, etc. We develop world-leading
cutting-edge technologies in the fields of flexible substrates (ultra-thin glass, stainless steel foil and barrier
films), gas barrier, flexible encapsulation, printing and roll-to-roll. In addition, by applying the developed
technologies, we fabricate various flexible devices. ( Tadahiro Furukawa, Reseach Professor)
Inkjet :
Creating new manufacturing with printing technology
Inkjet that can precisely jet ink droplets whose diameter is a fraction of human hair and in an invisible size to
freely draw images and patterns having millions, tens of millions or hundreds of millions of dots is a kind of magic
pen. Capable of precisely arranging droplets by digital control is attracting attention as a next-generation
production technology known as digital fabrication, including not only the creation of documents or photographic
images but also illustrations on cloth and construction materials and the manufacture of electronic elements and 3D
objects. We are engaged in the development of technology to jet high-viscosity ink and thorough analyses of
phenomena where droplets are formed in an infinitesimal period of time in microseconds. (Shinri Sakai,
Academic-Industrial Collaboration Professor)
Invention of the advanced batteries having the high safty and energy density
Lithium-ion batteries have become an important tool in our lives such as portable devices and electric vehicles. The
development of the advanced batteries having the high safety and energy density have atrracted much attntion to
enrich our lives. Our group is working with the companies from the research and development of the advanced
materials and batteries to the construction of the mass production processes for the batteries. The characteristics
of our group is to develop a consistent process from basic research to the mass production for the batteries.
(Masanori Morishita, Research Professor)
Soft Sensing Devices
– Connecting People and Information –
The Soft Sensing Research Group is advancing the field of printed electronics by developing flexible sensors—including
those for pressure, temperature, strain, and humidity—crafted on flexible substrates using functional hybrid inks and
advanced printing processes. A primary focus lies in enhancing performance by creating hybrid inks that combine multiple
functional materials. These sensors have wide-ranging applications across industries such as healthcare, medical,
logistics, and robotics. The group also emphasizes the importance of flexible hybrid electronics (FHE), which integrate
Si-LSI chips with high-performance circuits and sensors on flexible substrates to create practical, multifunctional
systems. Dedicated to sustainability, the group is driving innovations in “sustainable electronics,” aiming to promote a
circular economy and support global ecological initiatives.(Daisuke Kumaki, Research Professor)
