This research division conducts basic research and technology development mainly related to direct CO₂ capture from the atmosphere, based on separation membranes.
While the membrane separation method is expected to be most cost-effective among the CO₂ capture technologies, direct air capture (DAC) from the atmosphere has been impossible with conventional separation membranes due to their extremely low gas permeability. We have tackled these challenges and developed an innovative separation nanomembrane with an overwhelmingly high CO₂ permeability based on our original nanomembrane technology. Thus, Nanomembranes greatly elevate the possibility of capturing CO₂ from the atmosphere by membrane separation. In addition, membrane separation systems have the unique advantages of low cost, high size scalability, and they are installable anywhere. By making full use of these features, we aim to realize direct CO₂ capture from the atmosphere anywhere and everywhere (ubiquitous CO₂ collection).
CO₂ Capture Research Division

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Member
Division Head
Professor
Shigenori Fujikawa
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research
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Professor
Shigenori Fujikawa
International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research
fujikawa.shigenori.137@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp
- Research Interest
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nanomaterial chemistry, membrane science, surface science
- Keywords
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nanomembrane, nanostructure, nanomaterial chemistry, membrane science
- Research Overview
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My current research topic is to create new functional nanomaterials by controlling the material structure and size of the interface based on materials chemistry.
In general, nanomaterials have unique properties that are different from those of bulk materials because the surface occupies a large proportion of the material. Taking advantage of this, our research involves creating various nanomaterials with structures and sizes designed by chemical approaches. In particular, we are currently focusing on the development of nanometer-thick membranes with large planar size and self-sustainability for selective CO₂ separation.
Research Professor
Atsushi Takahara
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
takahara.atsushi.150@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp
- Research Interest
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Polymer Science, Surface Material Science
- Keywords
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Polymer Structure, Physical Properties of Polymers, Polymer Nanocomposites,Poymer Surface and Interfaces, Polymer Degradation and Stability, Quantumn Beam Science
- Research Overview
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On the basis of chemistry, I have been engaged in the research of structure-properties relationships of polymers.
1) Analysis of fatigue behavior of polymeric materials based on in situ nonlinear viscoelastic measurements.
2) Surface molecular aggregation state and surface molecular motion of polymeric solids.
3) Precise design and physical properties of polyelectrolyte brushes.
4) (Organic/inorganic) nano hybrids on the basis of precise interfacial design of natural inorganic nano fibers.
5) Surface structure and properties of fluoropolymers.
6) Analysis of structure and properties of polymers by quantum beam.
7) Polymer degradation and stability
Associate Professor
Roman Selyanchyn
Kyushu University International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research
romanselyanchyn@i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp
- Research Interest
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material science and engineering, environmental engineering
- Keywords
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gas separation, membranes, carbon dioxide, thin-films, composites, gas sensors, polymers, hybrid materials, nanomaterials
- Research Overview
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My ongoing research is broadly devoted to the development of membranes for different gases separation. Specifically I am interested in the separation of the carbon dioxide from the complex mixtures, for example from flue gas of the conventional power plants where CO₂ should be separated from nitrogen. For membrane development I study how different polymers can be optimally assembled in the thin-film composite membranes in order to achieve efficient CO₂ separation from other gases. Also I study how advanced nanomaterials (e.g. metal organic frameworks) can be beneficially incorporated in the membranes to improve their properties. Besides the fundamental material science research I also perform chemical processes simulations to understand how the membranes should be used in realistic devices aimed to achieve wide-spread capture of the environmental CO₂.
Assistant Professor
Takeo Nakano
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
nakano.takeo.680@m.kyushu-u.ac.jp
- Research Interest
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synthetic organic chemistry, structural organic chemistry, nanomaterial chemistry
- Keywords
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π-conjugated molecule, surface chemistry, gas separation membrane
- Research Overview
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"My current study is chemical modification of the organic thin film surface to improve the CO₂ separativity.
For ultrathin film, the surface conditions could be important factors to realize the selective CO₂ permeance. My research topc is the chemical modification of the separation membrane surface with detailed elucidation of its conditions. Additionally, the design of the molecules to improve the CO₂ separativity is also underway.
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YingJun An
Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Nutthon Yokachuksuse
Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Sinan Feng
Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Yucheng Zhang
Post-doctoral Fellow
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Shinichi Murata
Research Technician
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Hirofumi Notsuka
Research Technician
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Keiko Nakahara
Research Technician
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies
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Motoko Teranishi
Research Technician
Research Center for Negative Emissions Technologies