The Physical Science Group in the Asahi Laboratory consists of two groups: the “Physical Chemistry Group” and the “Electrochemistry Group”. The Physical Chemistry Group mainly focuses on research related to the "solid-state chirality" of chiral materials, while the Electrochemistry Group conducts research mainly focused on "bio-sensors, chemical sensors, and optical device applications using conductive mesoporous thin films”. The main laboratories (2nd and 3rd floors) and office (3rd floor) are located in the Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences (TWIns, Building 50). Additionally, we utilize facilities and equipment at the Material Characterization Central Laboratory (B1F, Building 55), the Nanotechnology Research Center (2F, Building 121), the Kagami Memorial Research Institute for Materials Science and Technology (Building 42), and occasionally at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Ibaraki prefecture. By effectively utilizing these resources, both within and outside of Waseda University, we can promote “world top-level original research”. We actively engage in joint research with domestic and international universities, research institutes, and companies, with the goal of “contributing to society”. Below is a partial list of research projects undertaken by our group. We also welcome master's and doctoral students from foreign universities. If you are interested, please contact Prof. Asahi (tasahi@waseda.jp).

　The left-right asymmetry or “chirality” that abounds in nature raises various questions for us humans. For example, amino acids have D- and L-isomers, but the amino acids constituting proteins in living organisms are exclusively the L-isomers. Similarly, sugars have mirror isomers, but the sugars in DNA in living organisms are exclusively the D-isomers. This phenomenon is known as the homochirality of life. The reason why life is composed of L-form amino acids and D-form sugars remains an unsolved conundrum that also relates to the origin of life. Therefore, it is important to determine which chirality is used in pharmaceuticals, seasonings, sweeteners, and flavoring agents that act on living organisms with homochirality.
　The Physical Chemistry Group in the Asahi Laboratory is conducting research focused on the “solid-state chirality” of chiral materials. While evaluation of chirality in the solution state is relatively easy by measuring chiroptical properties (optical activity and circular dichroism) using conventional spectroscopic apparatuses such as a polarimeter or CD spectrophotometer, measuring chiroptical properties in the solid state such as crystals and oriented thin films is difficult (often impossible) due to the anisotropic nature of the solid state. However, we have developed an original apparatus called the “Generalized-High Accuracy Universal Polarimeter (G-HAUP)”, which enables us to measure chiroptical properties of the solid state. The G-HAUP can be used to measure chiroptical properties of organic and inorganic chiral materials in the solid state. By using the G-HAUP, we can approach the “mystery” of the chirality of organic and inorganic chiral materials in the solid state.

Research themes
１． Physicochemical study of the chiral drug thalidomide
２． Symmetry breaking in high-Tc cuprate superconductors
３． Measurement of chiroptical properties in the solid state using the G-HAUP
４． Research on new communication devices
５． Research on thermal energy conversion by liquid crystals

　Recently, much attention has been focused on developing technologies to create innovative functional materials by controlling the nanoscale structure of materials and the nanoscale spaces created by these structures. “Conductive mesoporous films” are inorganic structures (metals and conductive inorganic materials) that have a large number of controlled microscopic spaces (pores) with diameters of 2-50 nm, exhibiting electrical conductivity. Compared to typical inorganic porous materials such as zeolites and mesoporous silica, these materials offer significant advantages in terms of high electrical conductivity, various electrical, magnetic, and optical properties, and catalytic activity due to their nanoscale spaces. Through advanced research utilizing “original measurement techniques” such as electrochemical analysis systems and newly developed optical systems, we contribute to the creation of “dream materials” by analyzing and understanding the relationship between nanostructures with various architectures and physicochemical properties, and applying them to sensor devices and optical devices.