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Ichitsubo Lab
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The lab controls the microstructure and structure of materials to create new functions that support energy technologies.
AboutAbout the lab
Controlling microstructure and structure to create new functions.
The Ichitsubo Lab researches and develops materials that show new functions by controlling their microstructure.
The foundation of this work is the study of various phase transformations, which Professor Ichitsubo has pursued as his lifework.
The lab mainly works on materials related to energy issues, such as electrode materials for rechargeable batteries and thermoelectric conversion materials.
Using X-ray structural and spectroscopic analysis, electron microscopy, femtosecond laser spectroscopy, and other techniques, the lab investigates the link between microstructure, structure, and function.
Key terms
- Phase transition
- A change in the structure or state of a substance to a different one depending on conditions such as temperature and pressure
- Carrier ion
- An ion that moves back and forth between the positive and negative electrodes in a battery and carries electric charge
- Thermoelectric conversion
- The function of generating electricity directly from a temperature difference, which makes it possible to use heat that would otherwise be discarded
NewsLab news
A doctoral student received the E-IMR Student Award at the 150th Lecture Meeting of the Institute for Materials Research
Students received the Outstanding Presentation Award and the Best Poster Award from the Research Group on Fundamental Functions of Lattice Defects of the Japan Institute of Metals and Materials
Press release: the lab built a prototype of a magnesium rechargeable battery that operates at room temperature with a high electromotive force
Press release: the lab developed nanosheets that can store heat at 100°C or below at high density
Students received the Best Poster Award, the Excellent Poster Award, and the Graduate Student Association Award at the 147th Lecture Meeting of the Institute for Materials Research
ResearchResearch themes
Based on materials microstructure science, crystal structure science, thermodynamics and statistical thermodynamics, micromechanics, electrochemistry, and quantum chemistry, the lab aims to develop materials that show new functions by controlling their microstructure and structure. The investigations use X-ray structural and spectroscopic analysis, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, femtosecond laser spectroscopy, electromagnetic acoustic resonance, and other methods.
*Illustrative imageElectrode materials for rechargeable batteries
When carrier ions move in and out inside a battery, phase transitions accompanied by large strain occur. The lab develops electrode materials with robust structures that remain stable even under such conditions, and also aims to build new battery systems.
*Illustrative imageInnovative thermoelectric materials
The lab aims to convert directly into electricity the vast amount of energy that is discarded unused as low-temperature waste heat below 300°C. It works on developing environmentally friendly, high-performance bulk thermoelectric conversion materials.
*Illustrative imageTransformations in structural and biomaterials
With practical application in mind, the lab investigates how transformations occur in structural materials and biomaterials. Targets include the ω transformation in titanium alloys used as biomaterials and the rafting phenomenon in Ni-based superalloys used for blades in power plants and aircraft.
*Illustrative imagePhase transitions induced by external fields
The lab deals with various phase transitions caused by vibration, light, electric fields, stress fields, and magnetic fields. The structure of glass is heterogeneous at each hierarchical level, and by controlling this heterogeneity, the lab aims to discover glasses that show new physical properties.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Ichitsubo Lab include faculty, research fellows, a secretary, and doctoral and master's students. Faculty from the Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences also take part in supervision.As of 2026
- ProfessorTetsu Ichitsubo
- Associate ProfessorNorihiko Okamoto
- Assistant ProfessorHongyi Li
- Assistant ProfessorYuki Nakata
- Assistant ProfessorKohei Shimokawa
- Project Assistant ProfessorXiatong Ye
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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: “Magnesium crystals” Warut Roonguthai / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Electrode materials for rechargeable batteries: “Lithium-cobalt-oxide-3D-polyhedra” Ben Mills / Public domain (cropped)
- Innovative thermoelectric materials: “ModułPeltiera” Jaroslaw Jankowski DG at Polish Wikipedia / Public domain (cropped)
- Transformations in structural and biomaterials: “Root analogue ceramic dental implant vs titanium screw type implant” Logicwhatelse / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Phase transitions induced by external fields: “Obsidian & devitrified obsidian gravel (Obsidian Cliff, Yellowstone, Wyoming, USA) 4” James St. John / CC BY 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Kato Lab): “Metalic Glas Vitreloy4” Björn Gojdka / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Xu Lab): “EBSD orientation map of ferrous lath martensite” Tiberio / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Suto-Ando Lab): “Tellurium crystals” Hi-Res Images of Chemical Elements / CC BY 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Saida Lab): “U.S. Department of Energy - Science - )” U.S. Department of Energy from United States / Public domain (cropped)
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