Ritsumeikan Universit, Mechanical Engineering Department
Mechanical Electrical Thin Film Lab（Kobayashi's Lab ）
Welcome
Our laboratory is engaged in the development of functional materials, including thin-film materials and atomic-layer nanomaterials such as MXenes and graphene, for applications in photovoltaic devices and sensors. We value creating an environment where students can actively engage in research, and we encourage them to develop their expertise and deepen their understanding through creativity, innovation, and continuous learning.
Future Research Direction
Our research focuses on interfacial phenomena involving the interaction of light, electricity, and mechanical stimuli. We are currently conducting research on sensors, photovoltaic devices, and artificial synapses. Looking ahead, we aim to integrate these research areas and establish new information-processing and computing frameworks based on the understanding and control of interfacial dynamics.
Access
Thin-Film Mechanical and Electronic Materials Laboratory Excel 3 Building, 2nd Floor Ritsumeikan University 1-1-1 Noji-Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577, Japan
Taizo Kobayashi's Research Office East Wing, 6th Floor
Member
In the 2026 academic year, 21 graduate and undergraduate students are actively engaged in research on thin-film materials, their properties, and device applications, while developing their research skills through collaborative learning and hands-on experimentation.
Research topics
Experimental room
Our research focuses on creating novel functionalities through the synergistic integration of advanced materials and microfabrication technologies. These materials include energy materials for photovoltaic devices, sensor materials, and nanomaterials such as graphene.
Research Achievement
This page provides a list of our research achievements, including journal publications, conference presentations, and other academic activities.
NEWS
July 2026
Prof. Sergio Giraldo from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) is visiting our laboratory for collaborative research.
April 26–May 1, 2026
Prof. Taizo Kobayashi, Assistant Professor Saiki Kitagawa, and graduate student Kishima presented their research at the MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit (USA).
March 22, 2026
Congratulations to our students! Seven graduate students completed their master's degrees and ten undergraduate students graduated.
March 17, 2026
Graduate student Otonashi and undergraduate student Sawada presented their research at the Spring Meeting of the Japan Society of Applied Physics.
December 2025–February 2026
Arnau Torrens from UPC conducted collaborative research in our laboratory as part of the SOLIS Project.
November 19, 2025
The SOLIS international collaborative research project was officially launched.
SOLIS project
Solar Cells-Inspired Inorganic Semiconductor Synaptic Systems for Low Energy Edge Computing and Visual Learning The project brings together researchers from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Spain), University of Verona (Italy), Tallinn University of Technology (Estonia), University of Liverpool (UK), University of the Western Cape (South Africa), University of the Philippines Diliman (Philippines), and Ritsumeikan University.
November 10–12, 2025
Graduate students Kurokawa and Hamuro presented their research at the 42nd Symposium on Sensors, Micromachines and Applied Systems.
November 6–9, 2025
Prof. Taizo Kobayashi was shortlisted in the Engineering and Technology category of the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025, an international forum highlighting breakthrough research and innovation, and attended the summit in Berlin, Germany.
July 25, 2025
A research proposal by Prof. Taizo Kobayashi was selected for the JST FOREST Program (Fusion Oriented REsearch for disruptive Science and Technology).
April 1, 2025
Assistant Professor Saiki Kitagawa joined our laboratory.
January 2025
Prof. Zacharie Jehl (UPC) completed his research stay in our laboratory.
November 2024–January 2025
Prof. Zacharie Jehl from UPC visited our laboratory for collaborative research.
November 13–15, 2024
Graduate students Ms. Akasaka, Mr. Ogata, and Mr. Chen presented their research at the International Conference on Microprocesses and Nanotechnology (MNC2024).
October 2024
Dr. Kunal J. Tiwari from UPC visited our laboratory for collaborative research.
September 10, 2024
Our research on selenium photovoltaic devices was featured by the international media outlet pv magazine.！
August 27, 2024
Our paper, "TiO₂/Se heterojunction photovoltaic device made from Se/Te/Se stacked precursor" was accepted for publication in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells. This work was conducted in collaboration with Prof. Zacharie Jehl (UPC).
August 15, 2024
Our paper, "Water-splitting Reactor Comprising a Combination of TiO₂-based Photoelectrochemical Cell and Serially Connected TiO₂/Se Heterojunction Photovoltaic Devices" was published in Sensors and Materials.
April 5, 2024
Research on transparent Ag nanowire/graphene electrodes for flexible photovoltaic devices was accepted for publication in the Transactions of the Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan.
March 2024 A paper published by our alumnus Dr. Yusuke Adachi during his doctoral studies was selected as a Wiley Top Downloaded Article.
LINKs
Ritsumeikan University
College of Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University
Mechanical Engineering Department, Ritsumeikan University
Access to Ritsumeikan University
International Collaborative Research Projects
UPC, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya(UPC))