The education and research in our laboratory are introduced. Our research and concept for rubber materials are briefly described in this paper. To improve the properties of rubber materials such as crosslinked rubber, block copolymers and polyurethane, we have tried to control the crosslinking structure, strain-induced crystallization and microphase structure by blending, heating, heat elongation and supercritical CO₂ method. For instance, strengthening occurred by enhancing the strain-induced crystallization in the blends and by forming stacked domain structure in the polyurethane.

The laboratory for Properties of Nanomaterials I (Sakurai Group) at Department of Biobased Materials Science, Faculty of Fiber Science and Engineering, Kyoto Institute of Technology is introduced in terms of research works established (by highlighting graduated PhD students' names and their thesis titles, as well as their publications), current topics of researches under the keywords and some of strong collaborators in Japan as well as those all over the world. The experimental apparatuses belonged to the laboratory are also presented. Especially, the apparatus enabling X-ray scattering at the SAXS/WAXS beamlines of the synchrotron facilities (KEK-PF and SPring-8) along with the two-dimensional extension of polymeric specimens such as thermoplastic elastomers and natural rubbers at a given temperature (in the range of RT ～100 °C) is described with images of the apparatus. By using this apparatus, research works supported by the CREST project for the strain-induced crystallization of the natural rubbers are currently being in progress.

Green Resources Chemistry Laboratory of Nagaoka University of Technology conducts an educational program for the science of technology (Gigaku) which is produced to create a new industry by studying technology scientifically, aiming to establish a new chemistry with natural rubber as a resource biosynthesized by various plants, i.e., natural rubber chemistry. In this educational program, it is important for students to understand the role of advanced analytical instruments in corporate research and development, to acquire the knowledge necessary to operate them, and to use them in the place of practice. Therefore, we perform the study on the establishment of natural rubber chemistry, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), size exclusion chromatograph (SEC), Zeta potential/particle size analyzer, 3D transmission electron microscope (3D-TEM), focused ion beam scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM, i.e., 3D-SEM), universal tester, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), centrifuge, kneader, hot press machine and so forth. In the present article, we describe various NMR methods for natural rubber, which are the most important for the educational program of the science of technology in the Green Resources Chemistry Laboratory, and then introduce the progress on the establishment of natural rubber chemistry.

Our research goal is to create a new research framework called biocomposite. A new framework leads to new discoveries. In addition, we aim to build an international research network and gain international admiration. Via such research activities, we would like to nurture researcher who can bring about such innovations that will energize Japan. Each researcher is a small person, but it is important that his or her thoughts are “big”. If they are passionate and really excited, their research will be successful. We are promoting the development of such human resources in Toyota Technological Institute.

In this article, the first, I introduce the roots and history of Chemistry of Dynamic Molecules Laboratory in Nagasaki University together with my previous works. Next, my recent three works, polyurethane elastomers crosslinked by polyrotaxanes, easily peelable pressure sensitive adhesives, and redox-active ionic liquids are described. Although it is not possible for you to visit my laboratory easily due to the serious situation of coronavirus infection, I hope you get a feel as if you were visiting my laboratory.