About
Molecules × Order = Function: Soft engineering for people and society
Our perspective
At the Laboratory of Polymer Materials Chemistry, we create soft, smart materials by designing molecular structures and collective states. We focus on soft materials with ordered structures, and on understanding and applying the functions that emerge from them.
We do not see molecules merely as building blocks. Molecules interact, behave collectively, select their own arrangements, form structures, and change their roles in response to external stimuli. Drawing out this autonomous ordering and functional emergence is central to our research.
We are building a “sociology of molecules”—a framework for enabling molecules to work together in organized ways. By revealing the essential relationship between structure and function, we aim to establish new principles for the design of next-generation smart materials.
At the molecular scale, we pursue soft engineering for people and society. In our laboratory, molecules become materials.
Our mission
To uncover the principles by which molecular organization gives rise to macroscopic order and function, and to create materials that can serve society.
Our vision
To continue advancing a science of emergence that extends from molecules to the macroscopic world and, ultimately, to the universe.
We investigate a fundamental question in materials chemistry: how does the material world come into being? An individual molecule is microscopic. Yet when molecules are thoughtfully designed and assemble in ordered states, macroscopic structures and functions emerge. We see this hierarchical emergence as central to the nature of materials and as a clue to understanding how the universe itself is organized.
Through molecular design and control of collective order, we make microscopic structures visible and transform them into tangible macroscopic functions. These advances can lead to next-generation technologies, including soft robotics and optical materials.
Guided by molecular engineering and emergence, we aim to expand materials chemistry and build a scientific framework that sees molecules, materials, and the universe as a continuous hierarchy.
Awards
Awards and honors received at academic meetings and within the university (69 entries, newest first).
- Kosai Award, 2026 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Maki Ogata (D2)
- KJF-ICOMEP 2026 Best Poster Award
- Ryo Ishida (M2)
- Excellent On-Demand Presentation Award, 75th SPSJ Annual Meeting (2026)
- Ryo Ishida (M2)
- FY2025 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
- Ryota Morimoto (M2)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, Young Researchers' Seminar FY2025, Japan Society of Polymer Processing
- Ryo Ishida (M1)
- Wakaba Award, 2025 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Rina Tanigawa (M1)
Shusuke Yamaoka (M2) - RU–IITH Joint Symposium (2025) Best Poster Award
- Ryoga Ishida (master's course)
- Excellent On-Demand Presentation Award, 74th SPSJ Annual Meeting (2025)
- Ryota Morimoto (M2)
- FY2024 Dean's Award for Young Faculty Encouragement, College of Life Sciences
- Kohsuke Matsumoto, Assistant Professor
- FY2024 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
- Maki Ogata (M2)
- 11th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2025) Best Poster Award
- Abhilash Sahu
- 11th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2025) Best Poster Award
- Andriani Furoida
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 14th CSJ Chemistry Festa
- Tatsuya Ishibe (M2)
- Wakaba Award, 2024 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Renzaburo Otani (M2)
- 10th Japanese-Italian Workshop on Liquid Crystals (JILCW2024) Premio Iride
- Maki Ogata (M2)
- The 7th International Conference on Material Strength and Applied Mechanics (MSAM 2024) Best Oral Presentations Award
- Kohsuke Matsumoto, Assistant Professor
- FY2023 Paper Award, Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Kyohei Hisano, Seiya Kimura, Tomoki Shigeyama, Atsushi Shishido (Tokyo Tech), Osamu Tsutsumi
- Wakaba Award, 2023 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Mina Matsuda (M2)
- Basic Science International Conference (BaSIC 2023) Best Presenter Award
- Andriani Furoida (D2)
- Student Presentation Award, 103rd CSJ Annual Meeting (2023)
- Tomoki Shigeyama (D2)
- FY2022 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
- Yuki Shikata (M2)
- 10th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2023) Best Poster Award
- Yuki Shikata (M2)
- 10th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2023) Poster Award
- Yurika Kayashima (M1)
Andriani Furoida (D2) - 4th Materials and Devices Collaborative Research Award
- Osamu Tsutsumi, Kyohei Hisano, Atsushi Shishido (Tokyo Institute of Technology)
- FY2021 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
- Maki Yanagihara (M2)
- ASTER Forum 2021 ASTER Forum Corporate Award
- Tomoki Shigeyama (D1)
Maki Yanagihara (M2) - Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 11th CSJ Chemistry Festa 2021
- Yuki Shikata (M1)
- Optics of Liquid Crystals 2021 (OLC2021) Shimakutuba Award
- Andriani Furoida (D1)
- Wakaba Award, 2021 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Shodai Hayashi (M2)Details
- FY2020 Dean's Award for Young Faculty Encouragement, College of Life Sciences
- Kyohei Hisano (Assistant Professor)
- Kosai Award, 2020 Online Research Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Rina Masaki (M1)
- Wakaba Award, 2020 Online Research Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Maki Yanagihara (M1)
Kyoko Yuasa (M2) - Excellent Poster Award, 69th Symposium on Macromolecules (2020)
- Kyoko Yuasa (M2)
- Publicity Award, 69th Symposium on Macromolecules (2020)
- Tomoki Shigeyama (M2)
- FY2019 Outstanding Paper Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Yuki Kuroda (M2)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 9th CSJ Chemistry Festa 2019
- Tomoki Shigeyama (M1)
- Nippon Steel Engineering Award, 7th Deep Tech Grand Prix (organized by Leave a Nest Co., Ltd.)
- “+R Soft Materials Chemistry Institute”Details
- FY2018 Outstanding Paper Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Seiya Kimura (M2)
- 8th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2019) Poster Award
- Tomoki Shigeyama (undergraduate, 4th year)
- The 4th International Conference on Aggregation Induced Emission RSC Materials Chemistry Frontier and Science China Chemistry Best Poster Awards
- Yuki Kuroda (M1)
- The 4th International Conference on Aggregation Induced Emission MDPI Polymers and ACS Omega Innovation Awards
- Kyohei Hisano (Assistant Professor)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 8th CSJ Chemistry Festa 2018
- Seiya Kimura (M2)
- Publicity Award, 67th Symposium on Macromolecules (2018)
- Seiya Kimura (M2)
- Excellent Poster Award, 67th SPSJ Annual Meeting (2018)
- Seiya Kimura (M2)Details
- FY2017 Outstanding Paper Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Fumika Mitsuhashi (M2)
- 7th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2018) Poster Award
- Arruri Sathyanarayana (postdoctoral researcher)
Yusaku Tamaki (M1) - Excellent Poster Award, 66th Symposium on Macromolecules (2017)
- Fumika Mitsuhashi (M2)Details
- 21st International Symposium on Advanced Display Materials & Devices (ADMD 2017) Poster Award
- Anukul Preeyanuch (D2)Details
- Publicity Award, 66th SPSJ Annual Meeting (2017)
- Fumika Mitsuhashi (M2), Osama Younis (postdoctoral researcher), Toshiki Kudo (College of Life Sciences, class of FY2016) (joint)
- FY2016 Outstanding Paper Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Ryo Kawano (M2)Details
- 6th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2017) Best Poster Award
- Yui Maruoka (M1)
- 6th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2017) Poster Award
- Ryota Fukuhara (M1)
Manami Nakata (M1) - FY2015 Outstanding Paper Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Yuki Muguruma (M2)Details
- FY2015 Award of the Dean of Student Affairs, Ritsumeikan University
- Kaho Sakamoto (undergraduate, 4th year)Details
- 5th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2016) Best Poster Award
- Shun Sakurai (undergraduate, 4th year)
- 5th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2016) Poster Award
- Ryota Fukuhara (undergraduate, 4th year)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 5th CSJ Chemistry Festa 2015
- Kaho Sakamoto (undergraduate, 4th year)
- Student Presentation Award, 95th CSJ Annual Meeting (2015)
- Osama Younis (D2)
- FY2014 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Nana Sugimoto (M2)
- 4th International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2015) Poster Award
- Kyosuke Nakamura (M1)
Yuki Muguruma (M1) - 3rd International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2014) Poster Award
- Nana Sugimoto (M2)
Ryohei Watanabe (M1) - FY2013 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Sho Tamai (M2)
- Poster Award, 63rd Symposium on Coordination Chemistry (2013)
- Nana Sugimoto (M1)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 3rd CSJ Chemistry Festa 2013
- Nana Sugimoto (M1)
- Kosai Award, 2013 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Liquid Crystal Society
- Nana Sugimoto (M1)
- FY2012 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award, Graduate School of Life Sciences
- Masakazu Tamaru (M2)
- 1st International Symposium on Functionalization and Applications of Soft/Hard Materials (2013) Poster Award
- Nana Sugimoto (undergraduate, 4th year)
- Excellent Poster Presentation Award, 2nd CSJ Chemistry Festa 2012
- Masakazu Tamaru (M2)
Sho Tamai (M1) - Poster Award, 61st Symposium on Coordination Chemistry (2011)
- Masakazu Tamaru (M1)