At the Nagoya Institute of Technology in Japan, Dr. Shirai’s laboratory researches ceramic-based material synthesis for applications ranging from pollutant removal to space. With Anton Paar’s Monowave 400 series and Cora 5001 Raman spectrometer, the team can control microwave synthesis, monitor reactions in real time, improve reproducibility, and generate reliable process data for research and industrial development.
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Ceramic material synthesis at Nagoya Institute of Technology
At Nagoya Institute of Technology in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Dr. Shirai’s laboratory specializes in material synthesis, especially ceramics. His team develops materials with practical value for daily life, health, environmental protection, and advanced applications, including materials that can decompose and remove air pollutants and materials suitable for use in space.
To understand not only the final product but also the reaction process, the laboratory uses Anton Paar’s Monowave 400 and Monowave 400R microwave synthesis systems together with the Cora 5001 Raman spectrometer.
Monitoring the reaction process as it happens
With previous equipment, the team could synthesize materials but could not observe the reaction process itself. By combining microwave synthesis with Raman spectroscopy, Anton Paar’s system allows the researchers to measure chemical reactions directly during the process.
For ceramic-based material synthesis, this real-time insight helps researchers understand the reaction pathway and improve process control.
"Anton Paar’s instruments deliver highly reproducible results … and the fact that anyone can perform the analysis is a big advantage."
Dr. Kato Kunihiko - Researcher at the Nagoya Institute of Technology
Reproducible results independent of operator experience
Dr. Shirai emphasizes the reproducibility of Anton Paar’s instruments. With earlier systems, results could vary depending on who was operating the equipment. The Monowave systems help reduce this variation because analysis and synthesis can be performed consistently, even by users with different levels of experience.
The instruments also offer flexible functionality that is practical for daily use in academic research. Researchers can choose from different modes and adjust microwave power and heating methods according to the synthesis task.
Temperature control and visualization
Monowave’s testing containers are designed with temperature measurement in the lid, enabling accurate temperature monitoring inside the solution during microwave irradiation.
The system also provides visual insight into the process: one camera supports Raman spectroscopy, while a video camera records changes in color and shape inside the testing container. By linking these visual observations with Raman data, Dr. Shirai’s team can better understand how reactions progress and how target materials are formed.
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