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Functional Materials Mechanics Lab
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The lab measures, visualizes, and elucidates invisible phenomena inside solids.
AboutAbout the lab
Measuring and understanding the invisible.
The Functional Materials Mechanics Lab uses measurement and observation techniques to reveal "invisible phenomena," such as microscale deformation and phase transformation inside materials and physical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale.
Using acoustic measurement, nanotechnology, and sensing technology, the lab visualizes invisible phenomena inside solids and works to understand their essence, taking on the challenge of creating new technologies.
The lab pays particular attention to changes in electrical and magnetic properties that appear when a solid is deformed, and also applies this to ultra-sensitive gas sensors and molecular sensors.
Key terms
- Nanogap
- An extremely small gap of about 1 nanometer between metal nanoparticles. The term also refers to structures that have such a gap.
- Resistance spectroscopy
- This lab's method: it measures the response of a piezoelectric body while changing the electrical resistance of a thin film, and evaluates the state of the thin film from the peaks.
- Resonant ultrasound spectroscopy
- A method that makes a material resonate with sound (vibration) and analyzes its natural frequencies to quantify properties such as elasticity.
- Colloidal glass
- A model material for glass (amorphous solids), made by treating colloidal particles as if they were atoms.
NewsLab news
Paper on synchronizing a confocal microscope and a signal generator accepted
Assistant Professor Kanta Adachi receives the 2025 Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME) Encouragement Award (Research)
A master's student receives the Contribution Award from the Kansai Student Chapter of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Professor Nobutomo Nakamura selected for the Outstanding Reviewer Awards 2025
Paper on platinum with nanometer-scale gaps accepted (a master's student is the first author)
ResearchResearch themes
The Functional Materials Mechanics Lab aims to visualize and elucidate "invisible phenomena," such as microscale deformation and phase transformation inside materials and physical phenomena occurring at the nanoscale, using its own measurement and observation techniques. Based on these techniques, the lab also fabricates precise nanogap structures and works to create new functions such as ultra-sensitive gas sensors and molecular sensors.
*Illustrative imageNanogaps and Ultra-Sensitive Sensors
Using resistance spectroscopy based on ultrasonic technology, the lab precisely fabricates structures in which metal nanoparticles are arranged with gaps of about 1 nanometer, and is developing hydrogen gas sensors and biosensors that distinguish molecular size.
*Illustrative imageMaterial Properties Studied with Ultrasound
Using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy, the lab makes materials resonate with sound and analyzes their natural frequencies to investigate internal stiffness, flaws, and signs of phase transformation. It also quantifies properties at cryogenic and high temperatures, as well as changes in materials that grow over time.
*Illustrative imageHigh-Speed Observation of Particles in Colloidal Glass
As a model of glassy materials, in which the motion of atoms cannot be observed directly, the lab uses colloidal glass made of colloidal particles. Using high-speed observation that combines confocal laser microscopy and high-frequency technology, it tracks the motion of each individual particle in real time.
*Illustrative imageUltrasonic Sensors for Detecting Cracks in Piping
This research detects stress corrosion cracking in the piping of nuclear power plants and chemical plants using a non-contact, point-focusing electromagnetic ultrasonic sensor. The method is not affected by how the sensor is pressed, so even people with no experience in crack inspection can now inspect with good reproducibility.
MembersFaculty
The members of the Functional Materials Mechanics Lab are faculty, visiting researchers, and master's and undergraduate students.As of 2026
- ProfessorNobutomo Nakamura
- Assistant ProfessorKanta Adachi
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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: “Spherical Tungster Carbide under Scanning Electron Microscope” Gabriela P. / CC BY 4.0 (cropped)
- Nanogaps and Ultra-Sensitive Sensors: “Gold nanoparticles as indicators” Valeg96 / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Material Properties Studied with Ultrasound: “Ultrasonic Testing Machine showing readings” Abhijit Nandi / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- High-Speed Observation of Particles in Colloidal Glass: “SEM Image of Colloidal Particles” Yasrena / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Ultrasonic Sensors for Detecting Cracks in Piping: “Stress-Corrosion-Cracking-caused-by-weld-stress-01” CEphoto, Uwe Aranas / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Micro Dynamics Lab): “Universal testing machine” Ganitz / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Processing Physics Lab): “Cnc plasma cutting” Devaes at English Wikipedia / (Original text: Devaes (talk)) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Joining Microstructure Design Lab [Joining and Welding Research Institute]): “Stainless pipe weld joints” Flattrackers and Caferacers Parts and bikebuilds / CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped)
- Related lab (Solid Mechanics Lab): “The brittle fracture surface of low-carbon steel” DanilovVA / CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)
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