We have been developing novel functional ionic liquids and applied to new chemistry and biology. Especially we are enthusiastically researching two topics as follows.
(1) Biorefinery with the novel ionic liquids. The ionic liquids enable bioethanol production at low energy cost, which is required to industrialize second generation bioethanol.
(2) Ionic liquids as non-aqueous solvents in life sciences. Dimethyl sulfoxide has been recognized as a universal solvent in life sciences; for example, dissolution of hardly-soluble drugs and cryopreservation of cells. However, it has toxic effect. We have developed low-toxic ionic liquids and propose them as new standards.
