Akira Fujishima
Encyclopedia
is a Japan
ese chemist
, professor emeritus, University of Tokyo
known for significant contributions to the discovery and research of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of titanium dioxide
(TiO2).
, and in 1971 his Ph.D. (Engineering) at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo.
In 1967, while working on his Ph.D. under the supervision of professor Kenichi Honda (本多 健一), he discovered the phenomenon of photocatalytic water decomposition (water photolysis) when he exposed a titanium dioxide electrode to strong light, later called the Honda-Fujishima effect.
The discovery of self-cleaning properties of titanium dioxide by the group under his supervision initiated a revolution in the ceramic
, glass
, and other industries (see e.g., self-cleaning glass
).
On completing his Ph.D. in 1971 he became assistant professor at Kanagawa University
but returned to the University of Tokyo in 1975 as assistant professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry. He was promoted to associate professor in 1978 and professor in 1986 within the same department. He became professor emeritus in 2003 and special university professor emeritus in 2005.
In 1989 he was appointed executive director of the Chemical Society of Japan
. In 1998 he became chief of the optical science group at Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology Research, and president of the Japanese Photochemistry Association.
In 1999 he was founder editor-in-chief of the editorial panel of the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews
In 2001 he was nominated vice president of the Chemical Society of Japan, becoming its president in 2006.
In 2002 he was research supervisor for the development of advanced nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage at the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
In 2003 he became president of the Electrochemical Society of Japan.
and chairman of the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology.
In 1983 he was awarded the Asahi Prize
from the Asahi Shinbun. He received the Award for Research Excellence from the Electrochemical Society of Japan in 1987.
In 1998 he received the Inoue Harushige Award for technical innovation from the Research Development Corporation of Japan and the Innovations in Real Materials Award.
In 1999 he received the Award of the Electrochemical Society of Japan 1999 and in the following year, 2000, the Chemical Society of Japan Award
In 2003 he was the recipient of the Heinz Gerischer Award of the European Section of The Electrochemical Society
and Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon. The following year he was further recognised in his own country when in 2004 he received both the Japan Prize
and the Japan Academy Prize
In 2006 he received the National Commendation for Invention Award and the Kanagawa Culture Award.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese chemist
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
, professor emeritus, University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
known for significant contributions to the discovery and research of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...
(TiO2).
Career and research
In 1966 he earned his B. A. (Engineering) at the Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National UniversityYokohama National University
, or is a national university in Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It offers Doctoral degrees in education as part of a coalition with Tokyo Gakugei University, Saitama University, and Chiba University. It is noted for its Business Administration program.-History:The predecessor...
, and in 1971 his Ph.D. (Engineering) at the Graduate School of Engineering, University of Tokyo.
In 1967, while working on his Ph.D. under the supervision of professor Kenichi Honda (本多 健一), he discovered the phenomenon of photocatalytic water decomposition (water photolysis) when he exposed a titanium dioxide electrode to strong light, later called the Honda-Fujishima effect.
The discovery of self-cleaning properties of titanium dioxide by the group under his supervision initiated a revolution in the ceramic
Ceramic
A ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling. Ceramic materials may have a crystalline or partly crystalline structure, or may be amorphous...
, glass
Glass
Glass is an amorphous solid material. Glasses are typically brittle and optically transparent.The most familiar type of glass, used for centuries in windows and drinking vessels, is soda-lime glass, composed of about 75% silica plus Na2O, CaO, and several minor additives...
, and other industries (see e.g., self-cleaning glass
Self-cleaning glass
Self-cleaning glass is a specific type of glass with a surface which keeps itself free of dirt and grime.-Introduction:The field of self-cleaning coatings on glass is divided into two categories: hydrophobic and hydrophilic....
).
On completing his Ph.D. in 1971 he became assistant professor at Kanagawa University
Kanagawa University
, abbreviated to is a private university in Japan. The main campus is located in Rokkakubashi, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.- History :The university was founded in 1928 by as . It was an evening school for the working youth...
but returned to the University of Tokyo in 1975 as assistant professor in the Department of Applied Chemistry. He was promoted to associate professor in 1978 and professor in 1986 within the same department. He became professor emeritus in 2003 and special university professor emeritus in 2005.
In 1989 he was appointed executive director of the Chemical Society of Japan
Chemical Society of Japan
The Chemical Society of Japan is a learned society and professional association founded in 1878 in order to advance research in chemistry. The mission of the CSJ is to promote chemistry for science and industry in collaboration with other domestic and global societies.-History:The organization...
. In 1998 he became chief of the optical science group at Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology Research, and president of the Japanese Photochemistry Association.
In 1999 he was founder editor-in-chief of the editorial panel of the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology C: Photochemistry Reviews
In 2001 he was nominated vice president of the Chemical Society of Japan, becoming its president in 2006.
In 2002 he was research supervisor for the development of advanced nanostructured materials for energy conversion and storage at the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).
In 2003 he became president of the Electrochemical Society of Japan.
and chairman of the Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology.
Awards and honours
Akira Fujishima has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and honours.In 1983 he was awarded the Asahi Prize
Asahi Prize
The Asahi Prize is a prize awarded by the Japanese newspaper the Asahi shimbun for achievement in scholarship or the arts that has made a contribution to culture or society. It was established in 1929. Many recipients of this prize have later been honoured with a Nobel Prize...
from the Asahi Shinbun. He received the Award for Research Excellence from the Electrochemical Society of Japan in 1987.
In 1998 he received the Inoue Harushige Award for technical innovation from the Research Development Corporation of Japan and the Innovations in Real Materials Award.
In 1999 he received the Award of the Electrochemical Society of Japan 1999 and in the following year, 2000, the Chemical Society of Japan Award
In 2003 he was the recipient of the Heinz Gerischer Award of the European Section of The Electrochemical Society
The Electrochemical Society
The Electrochemical Society is a learned society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of electrochemistry and solid-state science and technology. It was founded in 1902 as the American Electrochemical Society...
and Japan's Medal with Purple Ribbon. The following year he was further recognised in his own country when in 2004 he received both the Japan Prize
Japan Prize
is awarded to people from all parts of the world whose "original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind."- Explanation :...
and the Japan Academy Prize
Japan Academy Prize
Japan Academy Prize may refer to:*Imperial Prize of the Japan Academy, an award of the Japan Academy to non-members in recognition of outstanding academic achievements....
In 2006 he received the National Commendation for Invention Award and the Kanagawa Culture Award.