Core Technologies & Focus Areas

Energy & Environment

By making the best use of electrochemistry and polymer synthesis techniques, we have been focusing on the development of materials for energy storage devices. We have already developed a high-safety solid polymer electrolyte for use in lithium secondary battery as well as materials for capacitors with 10 times the charge density of a conventional capacitor. We have also been developing materials for solar power devices, in addition to conducting the recovery and regeneration of resources.

R&D Topics	Powerful storage device parts, Solid polymer electrolytes for lithium batteries, Rare metal recovery technologies

Polymer Gel Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries

Polymer gel electrolytes are expected to be useful and highly safe materials for the manufacture of larger lithium batteries. Only 2-3% of our polymer additives is needed to obtain this gel electrolyte. The gel also has good compatibility with the electrolyte solution, good elasticity as well as excellent liquid absorbance properties.

Gel electrolyte (3% polymer)

Solid Polymer Electrolyte Film for Lithium Batteries

We have developed a solid polymer electrolyte film some tens of microns thick by the application of heat or UV irradiation treatment of a solid polymer electrolyte. Using our film means a separator is no longer needed and it is possible to reduce the number of members required in a lithium battery. We are also developing an all-solid-state lithium secondary battery in cooperation with the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) using this film. This new technology will support our life from the perspective of both energy and environment.

Solid polymer electrolyte film

Technologies for Rare Metal Reclamation

We are developing our resource recycling business and have perfected technologies for the reclamation of rare earths, rare metals and mercury, etc. from fluorescent tubes. Currently, in order to promote the efficient use of resources, we are putting effort into developing new reclamation technologies for rare metals.

Materials recycling facility