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Department of Materials and Chemistry

Materials and Chemistry

Contributing to industrial competitiveness enhancement by synergistic interaction between materials and chemical technologies

We are developing technologies to enhance added value of functional chemicals, and to realize practical use of new materials, with strengthening value chains of materials through synergistic interaction between materials and chemical technologies in mind. Thus, we are aiming to contribute to the primary materials and chemical industries.

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New Research Results

Development of Electrodes for Measuring Blood Glucose Levels

Researchers at AIST, Techno Medica Co. Ltd., Tohoku University, Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd. and JEOL Ltd. have developed a compact sensor that can measure blood glucose levels (glucose concentration) without removing foreign substances from blood using an electrode without precious metals.
Blood glucose levels can be measured electrochemically by detecting hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which is generated when glucose is oxidized by the enzyme (glucose oxidase: GOx). The H2O2 decomposed at a platinum (Pt) working electrode, and relating the current is used to determine the glucose concentration. However, since the decomposition potential suitable for detecting H2O2 overlaps with the decomposition potential of dissolved oxygen and vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in blood, it is necessary to remove these interfering substances beforehand for accurate measurement. In conventional sensors using Pt electrodes, H2O2 is decomposed at a decomposition potential unaffected by dissolved oxygen, and vitamin C is often removed by a interfering substance removal membrane. In this study, a working electrode(PB/G/PSS) was developed by immobilizing Prussian Blue (PB), which reacts with H2O2, into graphene-coated porous silica spheres (G/PSS). This electrode was used to shift the decomposition potential of dissolved oxygen and vitamin C, thereby enabling the development of a sensor capable of measuring H2O2 without interference from these substances. The developed glucose sensor can measure blood glucose concentration in a wider range of 0 to 270 mg/dL, including the concentration range of fasting blood glucose (glucose concentration: 70 to 100 mg/dL). Furthermore, we have confirmed that using PB/G/PSS for both the working and reference electrodes maintained sensor performance, leading to the successful development of a precious metal-free sensor.
The newly developed glucose sensor, which does not require a mechanism for removal of interfering substances, promotes miniaturization of blood gas analyzers that can measure blood glucose and lactate levels. Demand for such analyzers has been increasing in recent years. Moreover, since the sensors do not use precious metals such as Pt, the sensor contributes to stable supply and lower manufacturing costs

Figure of new research results Materials and Chemistry

Overview of the developed glucose sensor
*Figure modified from Yoshida et al. (2025)

Driving the Ammonia Nitrogen Recycling with "Prussian blue"

AIST Researchers and FUSO Corporation (hereinafter referred to as "FUSO") have developed a technology to recover ammonium ions (NH4+) from industrial wastewater, reducing their concentration to a level suitable for discharge into sewage. Additionally, the recovered NH4 is concentrated to a level suitable for use as a resource.

Ammonia and other nitrogen compounds are valuable substances used in fertilizers and industries, but their discharge into the environment contributes to environmental pollution. Therefore, international efforts are being made to recover and reuse nitrogen compounds within the nitrogen cycle. Ammonia in industrial wastewater exists primarily as NH4+, highlighting the need for technology that can recover and recycle it so that NH4+ is not wasted.

By replacing iron in Prussian blue, a blue pigment, with zinc, we previously developed a material capable of selectively adsorbing NH4+, and desorbing it into a highly concentrated solution. Now, we have developed a continuous adsorption-desorption system and demonstrated its effectiveness in recovering NH4+ in actual zinc plating wastewater. We are preparing to ship samples of the adsorbent soon. The domestic wastewater treatment market is currently valued at approximately 3 trillion yen, and this technology is expected to play a significant role in this market.

Figure of new research results Materials and Chemistry

Ammonia nitrogen circulation technology: a system that preferentially collects and concentrates ammonia in wastewater

Other research organizations

Research Laboratory

Open Innovation Laboratory

Since FY 2016, as a part of the “Open Innovation Arena concept” promoted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), AIST has created the concept of “open innovation laboratories” (OILs), collaborative research bases located on university campuses, and has been engaged in their provision. We are planning to establish more than ten OILs by FY 2020.

AIST will merge the basic research carried out at universities, etc. with AISTʼs goal-oriented basic research and applied technology development, and will promote bridging research and evelopment and industry by the establishment of OILs.

Cooperative Research Laboratories

In order to conduct research and development more closely related to strategies of companies, we have established collaborative research laboratories, bearing partner company names.

Partner companies provide their researchers and funding, and AIST provides research resources, such as its researchers, research facilities, and intellectual property. The loaned researchers of companies and AIST researchers jointly conduct research and development.

By setting up cooperative research laboratories, we will accelerate the commercialization of our goal-oriented basic research and application research with partner companies.

  • VALQUA-AIST Cooperative Research Laboratory for Advanced Functional Materials
  • DIC-AIST Cooperative Research Laboratory for Sustainability and Materials
  • Niterra-AIST Carbon Neutral Advanced Inorganic Materials Cooperative Research Laboratory
  • NOF-AIST Smart Green Chemicals Cooperative Research Laboratory
  • Asahi Kasei-AIST Sustainable Polymer Cooperative Research Laboratory

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