Topic: Eco-friendly Materials Design, Processing and Development for Future Ceramics Applications

Lecturer: Prof. Tohru Sekino

Time: January 14th, 2026, 14:00, UTC+8

Venue: First Floor, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology For Materials Synthesis and Processing

Host: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology For Materials Synthesis and Processing

Biography: Tohru Sekino joined Osaka University as a research assistant in 1990, was promoted to associate professor at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (ISIR) in 1999, and became an associate professor at Tohoku University in 2007. In 2014, he was appointed as a full professor at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research (SANKEN), Osaka University. In 2020, he assumed the role of Director of SANKEN. He is dedicated to cutting-edge research in ceramics and related nanomaterials. He has published over 442 peer-reviewed papers, which have been cited more than 11,100 times (excluding self-citations), and holds over 45 registered patents. He has received numerous awards, including the Distinguished Research Achievement Award from the Japan Powder Metallurgy Association (SPM Award) and the IUMRS Frontier Materials Scientists Awards.

Abstract: Facing environmental and energy issues, eco-materials are key for reducing impact and energy use. This paper reviews our group’s recent ceramic and inorganic material progress. Chemically synthesized nanostructured oxides: TNT excels in photocatalysis; a new method enables one-pot synthesis of visible-light-responsive TNT. Seaweed-shaped alkaline titanates purify water well. Bulk ceramics usually need high-temp sintering, but cold sintering process (CSP) is emerging. Our modified CSP densities nanosized materials below 300℃. We show calcium phosphate-based sintered bodies and their traits, and achieve low-temp silicon nitride densification. Recent CSP uses in energy materials will be noted.

Rewritten by: Mei Mengqi

Edited by: Liang Muwei, Li Tiantian

Source: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology For Materials Synthesis and Processing