In our laboratory, recovery of valuable resources and removal of harmful substances are investigated based on liquid-phase separation technologies. To achieve these issues, the development of separation materials, quantitative evaluation of separation properties with the materials, and separation process design are consistently conducted.

1. Recovery of Valuable Resources.

Considering limited reserves of rare metal resources in our country, establishing new rare metal resources independent of overseas sources is essential to maintain or promote modern high-tech industries.
Consequently, possessing technologies to recover our own rare metal resources from untapped sources is crucial from the perspective of "resource security."
Furthermore, in recent years, waste containing rare metals, mainly from discarded electronic products, has garnered attention as "urban mines," representing a new potential source of rare metal resources.
In our laboratory, we conduct research using liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption, and ion exchange methods for the separation and recovery of valuable metals from these untapped resources and urban mines.

2. Removal of Harmful Substances.

In industrial wastewater, harmful substances requiring treatment are often present. Along with recent strengthening of environmental regulations, "end-of-pipe technologies" to remove harmful substances before discharge point of factories is required. Additionally, many harmful substances are found in groundwater and natural water, removal technologies for these are required as well.
In our laboratory, we conduct research utilizing adsorption and membrane separation methods to address the removal processes of organic hazardous substances (such as organic amines) in industrial wastewater and inorganic hazardous substances (like arsenic and boron) in environmental water.