Aqua Materials
A robust material having water as a major component? Such idea of “aqua materials” (or “aqua plastics”) sounds like science fiction? Think biomaterials – some of them are really strong! Bio-inspired, we construct materials that are assembled in aqueous media and/or have water as a major component, enabling both robustness and stimuli-responsiveness. Addressing the noble goal of Sustainability, our aqua materials are capable of facile assembly/disassembly that leads to easy fabrication and recycling. In terms of function, separation membranes and photonic materials are our primary targets.