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Organic and polymer materials are widely used in human life and for advanced technologies. Molecular soft materials which exhibit dynamic functions, environmental benignity, and self-organized structures obtained with low energy cost will be needed as materials for the next generation. For functionalization of these molecular materials, the control of molecular assembly processes and the construction of organized structures are significantly important. Liquid crystal that possesses organized molecular structures and dynamic properties is one of the versatile organic materials. The approaches of this laboratory towards super-functional molecular systems, involve design, synthesis, characterization, and functionalization of organic and polymer materials such as liquid crystals, supramolecular assemblies, gels, and organic/inorganic hybrid materials. Functional polymer materials with electric and optic properties are also studied for potential application to molecular nano-devices. Moreover, polymer/calcium carbonate hybrid materials are prepared through self-organization processes by mimicking biomineralization.
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