معرفی
Kenta Motobayashi is an Associate Professor at Nagoya Institute of Technology's Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Applied Physics, with concurrent appointment as a PRESTO Researcher at Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) through 2027. His research focuses on interfacial electrochemistry using advanced spectroscopic techniques, particularly studying ionic liquid/electrode interfaces.
His educational background includes a Doctor of Science from the University of Tokyo (2011), where he completed his doctoral studies in the Department of Advanced Materials Science at the Graduate School of Frontier Sciences. Prior to his current position at Nagoya Institute of Technology, he served as an Assistant Professor at Hokkaido University's Catalysis Research Center from 2011-2015.
Motobayashi's research interests span ionic liquids, electrochemistry, and surface science, with particular expertise in vibrational spectroscopy techniques for studying electrode/electrolyte interfaces. His work bridges fundamental understanding of interfacial phenomena with applications in energy conversion and storage. He has developed innovative in situ spectroscopic methods to probe buried electrochemical interfaces, revealing molecular-scale mechanisms of electrochemical reactions in non-aqueous electrolytes.
His publication record shows a consistent focus on interfacial phenomena in ionic liquids, with recent work expanding into CO2 electroreduction, metal electrodeposition, and sensor development. The research demonstrates strong methodological continuity using surface-enhanced spectroscopic techniques while addressing increasingly complex electrochemical systems relevant to energy technologies.
- The Chemical Society of Japan Young Generation Special Lecture Certificate (2019)
- Nagoya Institute of Technology Young Researcher Innovator Encouragement Award (2018)
- Best Poster Award, 8th International Symposium on Surface Science (2017)
- Excellent Poster Award at the 5th Ionic Liquid Symposium (2014)
- Japan Surface Science Society Lecture Encouragement Award (2011)
Motobayashi has secured significant research funding as principal investigator, including a major JST PRESTO grant developing ionic liquid-based CO2 capture and electrolysis processes. His research program combines fundamental studies of interfacial structure with practical applications in energy conversion, supported by multiple competitive grants from JSPS and industry partners including Toyota. He actively contributes to academic service through committee memberships in the Electrochemical Society and Chubu Chemical Academic Association.
