A series of aliphatic polyesters has been synthesized by the enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of biobased monomers as environmentally benign elastomers. A transparent elastomer has been obtained by the crosslinking of polyepoxyricinoleate using diacid anhydride. Also, a thermoplastic elastomer has been obtained from copolyesters containing alkyl side chain.

Standard inkjet printing technology has become an important tool for industrial mass production. We demonstrate that by using this technology, low-cost-paper- and plastic-substrate-based chemical sensing devices for healthcare and environmental analysis can be fabricated on a single inkjet printer.

Recycling of waste solvent after removal of VOCs from the solvent is necessary for reducing its treatment cost and environmental load. A new technology was developed for recycling the waste solvent by vacuum evaporation with air flow to evaporate VOCs efficiently and separate them from the waste solvent in real time.

The taste sensor system we have developed can quantify taste. This system mimics human gustation and enables food and beverage analysis and food evaluation. We will demonstrate the analysis and present examples of sales increases actually obtained through the use of this system in collaboration with local businesses.

Our laboratory's research goal is the development of highly sensitive and selective chemical sensors and bioimaging probes. Here, we present (1) novel bright fluorescent and chemiluminescent dyes for various target analytes, (2) functional MRI contrast agents for specific target detection, and (3) fluorescent probes for selective bioimaging.