Block polymers possessing both hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and multiple ionic poly(amino acid) (PAA) were synthesized precisely. A polymerizable reactive group was introduced quantitatively to the end of PAA by end-functionalization of the polymers. After preparation of micelle in water by using PEG-PAA block polymers, stable nanoparticles were prepared by polymerization of the polymerizable end group in the core of the micelle. Anionic poly(L-glutamic acid)(PGlu), cationic poly(L-lysine)(PLys) and hydrophobic poly(L-alanine)(PAla) were selected as the PAA segment. A new method to introduce ionicity while preventing gelation by deprotection of a hydrophobic protecting group in PAA after creating the target shape was studied. By deprotecting in an associated state, it is considered that ionicity can become stable by utilizing the dispersion stability of the PEG chain, and the introduction of multiple ionicity is possible. From the results of fluctuation of zeta potential and dispersibility, it was clarified that multiple ionicity can be introduced in the particle form. From these results, it is assumed that ionicity is easily introduced to the nanoparticle or material by using PEG-PAAs. These ionic polymers and nanoparticles are promising for medical and cosmetic fields, and as materials for inks or paints.

The development of surface coatings that repel biomolecules and cells is required in various fields ranging from medicine to industry; however, the development of materials remains challenging, partly because the mechanism of anti-adhesion is often unknown. In addition, the design of surfaces with anti-adhesion properties using information science methods will be discussed, as well as future prospects for material design.

As we approach the 60th anniversary of the introduction of electrostatic coating in Japan, we look back on the evolution of electrostatic coating apparatus in response to changes in the environment surrounding industrial coatings, with a focus on the automotive industry. This paper traces the evolution of bell-type electrostatic coating apparatus that has been developed in response to the needs that have arisen in each period, particularly the reduction of direct material costs, improvement of finish quality, reduction of energy consumption, and reduction of environmental load. Furthermore, this report describes the future direction for how to contribute to GX (Green Transformation), an international social initiative aimed at becoming “carbon neutral” and “carbon negative”.

The world’s highest-performance solar cells are Ⅲ-Ⅴ compound semiconductor multijunction solar cells. Due to their high performance, they are especially used for space applications. However, because of their high manufacturing cost, the market size of multijunction solar cells is small. In this paper, we describe the development of Ⅲ-Ⅴ compound multijunction solar cells, and the low-cost manufacturing technology that we are currently promoting. We discuss smart stack technology which can easily bond various semiconductors such as Si and Ⅲ-Ⅴ materials, and hydride vapor phase epitaxy which can grow Ⅲ-Ⅴ compound semiconductors at low cost.

Physical properties exhibited by quantum dots, such as quantum confinement effects, are interesting both as a subject of basic research and in terms of functional materials and device applications, and can be put to use in a wide range of application areas. Here, we describe the usefulness of colloidal quantum dots as optoelectronic device materials, as well as issues to be addressed for their functionalization. In addition, the current status and future prospects of solar cell applications utilizing the characteristics of colloidal quantum dots will be presented.