Akira Fujishima

Akira Fujishima (藤嶋 昭, Fujishima Akira, b. March 10, 1942) is a Japanese chemist and president of Tokyo University of Science.[1] He is known for significant contributions to the discovery and research of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of titanium dioxide (TiO2), which is also known as the Honda-Fujishima effect.[2]

Akira Fujishima
Akira Fujishima
Born (1942-03-10) March 10, 1942
Tokyo
CitizenshipJapan
Alma materYokohama National University
University of Tokyo
Known forDiscovery of photocatalytic and superhydrophilic properties of TiO2
AwardsAsahi Prize (1983)
Japan Prize (2004)
Japan Academy Prize (2004)
Order of Culture (2017)
Scientific career
FieldsPhotoelectrochemistry
TiO2 Photocatalysis
Photofunctional Materials
Diamond Electrochemistry
Doctoral advisorKen'ichi Honda

Career and research

In 1966 he earned his B. A. (Engineering) at the Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, and in 1971 his Ph.D. (Engineering) at the Graduate School of Engineering, the 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.[3] 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).[4]

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.[5]

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[6] In 2001, he was nominated vice president of the Chemical Society of Japan, becoming its president in 2006.[5]

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.[5] In 2010, Fujishima became the ninth president of Tokyo University of Science.[1]

Recognition

Akira Fujishima has been the recipient of many prestigious awards and honours.

In 1983 he was awarded the Asahi Prize from the Asahi Shimbun.[5] He received the Award for Research Excellence from the Electrochemical Society of Japan in 1987.[5]

In 1998 he received the Inoue Harushige Award for technical innovation[5] from the Research Development Corporation of Japan and the Innovations in Real Materials Award.[5]

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[5]

In 2003 he was the recipient of the Heinz Gerischer Award of the European Section of The Electrochemical Society[4][5] 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[5]

In 2006 he received the National Commendation for Invention Award and the Kanagawa Culture Award.[5]

In 2012 he received the Laurea Honoris Causa in chemistry of the environment from the University of Turin.

In 2017 he received the Order of Culture from the Emperor of Japan.

References
  1. https://www.tus.ac.jp/info/president/
  2. Yu Tatsukawa (12 May 2005). "Discovery and applications of photocatalysis —Creating a comfortable future by making use of light energy". Japan Nanonet Bulletin (44). Archived from the original on 2005-06-08.(Originally published in Japanese 2 December 2003)
  3. Fujishima, Akira; Honda, Kenichi (7 July 1972). "Electrochemical Photolysis of Water at a Semiconductor Electrode". Nature. 238 (5358): 37–38. Bibcode:1972Natur.238...37F. doi:10.1038/238037a0. PMID 12635268. S2CID 4251015.
  4. Akira Fujishima, Heinz Gerischer Award Archived January 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "KAST Kanagawa Academy of Science and Technology". Archived from the original on 17 April 2011. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  6. Akira Fujishima. "Editorial". Archived from the original on 25 August 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
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