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Paper Science Lab
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The lab develops environmentally friendly materials from cellulose nanofibers.
AboutAbout the lab
Environmentally friendly advanced materials made from nanomaterials
The Paper Science Lab studies the structure and properties of nanomaterials produced by living organisms in order to create environmentally friendly advanced materials.
In particular, the lab works on the structure of cellulose nanofibers (nanocellulose) derived from plants, and on improving their functionality.
Its research is wide-ranging, from precise structural analysis of a single nanofiber to transparent paper, light-transmitting thermal insulation, and composite materials with plastics.
Key terms
- Cellulose nanofibers
- Nano-sized fibers made by loosening cellulose, the main component of plants, into strands too thin to see
- Atomic force microscope
- A microscope that traces a surface with a fine needle and images its bumps and dips down to the scale of atoms and molecules
- Aerogel
- A light, highly porous solid made by replacing the liquid in a gel with gas. It conducts heat poorly
NewsLab news
A master's student won the Outstanding Poster Award at the Annual Meeting of the Cellulose Society of Japan
A collaborative researcher in agriculture won the Hayashi Jisuke Memorial Award of the Cellulose Society of Japan
In joint research with Osaka University and others, plastic-like materials were formed from wood-derived nanofibers
A master's student received the President's Award of the University of Tokyo
ResearchResearch themes
The lab aims to understand the structure and properties of nanomaterials produced by living organisms and to create environmentally friendly advanced materials. Centered on cellulose nanofibers, it carries out work ranging from fundamental research on structure to the development of materials such as transparent paper and thermal insulation.
*Illustrative imageStructural analysis of nanofibers
The lab accurately measures the strength and stiffness of a single cellulose nanofiber and examines its surface structure at the atomic level. Using an atomic force microscope, it also analyzes cross-sectional shapes and length distributions.
*Illustrative imageTransparent paper
Drying a nanofiber dispersion produces "transparent paper" made from wood. Taking advantage of its low oxygen permeability and its resistance to expansion and contraction with heat, the lab aims to use it in electronic devices and packaging materials.
*Illustrative imageComposite materials with plastics
This research combines nanofibers with plastics to make them stronger or to reduce the amount of plastic used. Making use of the ability of nanofibers to mix water and oil, the lab is also developing environmentally conscious manufacturing methods.
*Illustrative imageLight-transmitting thermal insulation
Materials such as aerogels made from nanocellulose transmit light well and conduct heat very poorly. The lab works on solving the challenges of practical use for windows in houses and automobiles.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Paper Science Lab consist of faculty, technical assistants, project researchers, collaborative researchers in agriculture, and doctoral, master's, and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorTsuguyuki SaitoPublications ↗
- Associate ProfessorShuji FujisawaPublications ↗
- Assistant ProfessorKazuho DaichoPublications ↗
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RelatedLabs similar to Paper Science Lab
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Cellulose Chemistry Lab (Isogai Special Lab)Faculty of Agriculture, Major in Bio-based Materials ChemistryCellulose chemistry, cellulose nanofibers, TEMPO oxidation
Wood Chemistry LabFaculty of Agriculture, Major in Bio-based Materials ChemistryElucidation of the chemical structures of plant cell wall co…
Forest Chemistry LabFaculty of Agriculture, Major in Bio-based Materials ChemistryDegradation and synthesis of wood components (cellulose, hem…The information on this page is compiled by the LabLog team from the lab's public information and interviews. For corrections or removal requests, please contact LabLog, not the lab.
Report an errorAbout the images
The top and research theme images are illustrative and were not taken at the lab. They are cropped from Wikimedia Commons images. Cropped CC BY-SA images are provided under the same CC BY-SA license as the original (version shown on each line).
- Top image: “Nanocellulose” Innventia / Public domain (cropped)
- Structural analysis of nanofibers: “AFM Innventia nanocellulose” Innventia / Public domain (cropped)
- Transparent paper: “Nanocellulose solar cell” Masaya Nogi, Makoto Karakawa, Natsuki Komoda, Hitomi Yagyu & Thi Thi Nge / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Composite materials with plastics: “Particles in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) oil-in water emulsion seen through an optical microscope” Kushina Dahlia / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Light-transmitting thermal insulation: “TOCNF-bPEI aerogel” 938810LMRP / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (高分子材料学研究室): “BiodegradablePlasticUtensils2” Scott Bauer / Public domain (cropped)
- Related lab (セルロース化学研究室
（磯貝特別研究室） ): “Cotton boll nearly ready for harvest” Michael Bass-Deschenes(Commons User Mike Bass-Deschênes) / CC BY 2.0 (cropped) - Related lab (木材化学研究室): “Pine log cross-sections, Teutendorf” Radomianin / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (森林化学研究室): “Trametes versicolor 2025 G1” George Chernilevsky / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
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