Reasearch - Safe Food, Clean Water and Energy for All

Technology to selectively separate organic substances with porous coordination polymer

Porous coordination polymers have many nanometer-sized pores and can incorporate substances into the pores. The purpose of this study is to develop a technique for selectively separating organic substances that are difficult to separate using porous coordination polymers. So far, we have studied the application of this technology to the separation of odors generated by algal blooms in eutrophic lakes[1]. Currently, we are working on the development of technology to selectively separate pharmaceuticals in wastewater and toxic substances in biomass.

  1. Tosa et al.: Journal of Water and Environment Technology, 22(6), 128 (2022)

Technology to purify polluted water to produce safe water

Safe water is essential for human life. The purpose of this research is to develop a technology that can purify water contaminated by microorganisms and chemicals to obtain safe water. So far, we have developed a technology to improve water quality using a wooden water reservoir made of wood containing natural antibacterial components[1] and a technology to disinfect domestic wastewater using a bromine disinfectant[2]. Currently, we are working on improving the technology to produce safe and tasty tap water in a membrane filtration water purification plant.

  1. Tosa et al.: Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering, 39(8), 464 (2010).
  2. Tosa: Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering, 51(6), 327 (2022).

Technology to produce clean fuel from biomass

Biomass is a carbon-neutral, renewable resource for materials and fuels. The objective of this research is to develop a chemical process to produce clean biofuels from biomass. So far, we have developed a technology to produce biodiesel fuel from vegetable oil containing hazardous substances and at the same time decompose the contained hazardous substances [1-3]. Currently, we are working on improving the technology to produce gaseous fuel (biogas) from biomass using microorganisms.

  1. Tosa and Ishizuka: Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2, 1 (2017).
  2. Tosa et al.: Journal of Environmental Conservation Engineering, 48(2), 84 (2019).
  3. Terawaki and Tosa: Chemmical Engineering Transactions, 80, 247 (2020).