About Our Team

The goal of this team is to understand the elegance and beauty in biological and geological energy-conversion processes in order to develop a sustainable energy production strategy which is in harmony with nature. To this end, the team is working on the development of biologically inspired catalysts and their application for chemical synthesis. Specifically, the solar-powered chemical synthesis in photosynthetic organisms has inspired us to develop innovative water splitting catalysts using only earth-abundant elements. This is a critical prerequisite necessary to use water as a resource for chemical synthesis. In parallel with our study on the solar-powered ecosphere, the team has also focused on replicating the unique chemical energy-harvesting systems found in the deep sea. The lack of sunlight has led these systems to develop intricate and elegant strategies for the interconversion of chemical, thermal, and electrical energy, thus allowing chemical synthesis using earth-abundant elements. We expect that understanding unique systems, such as those found in the dark depths of the oceans, will inspire new avenues of research in chemistry and technology - just as photosynthesis was the major inspiration for solar energy conversion.

Research Interest: Water Splitting Catalyst, Bacterial Extracellular Electron Transfer, and Electrochemistry in Deep-sea Hydrothermal Ecosystems

New Topics

2024.4.16
Hideshi Ooka, Research Scientist, and Yoko Chiba, Senior Scientist received the 2023 RIKEN CSRS Incentive Award!
2024.3.19
Original paper entitled Temperature and Pressure Dependence of Hydrothermal Electrodeposition of Molybdenum Sulfide was published in ACS Appl. Energy Mater.
2024.3.1
An introductory article to Dr. Yoko Chiba was published in Angew Chem.
2024.2.29
Our paper which analyzed the factors determining enzymatic activity was highlighted on RIKEN Press Release.
2024.2.29
Original paper entitled Magnesium silicate chimneys at the Strytan hydrothermal field, Iceland, as analogues for prebiotic chemistry at alkaline submarine hydrothermal vents on the early Earth was published in Prog. earth planet. sci.
2024.2.26
Original paper entitled Rationalizing the Influence of the Binding Affinity on the Activity of Phosphoserine Phosphatases was published in Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.
2024.1.17
Original paper entitled Acid-stable manganese oxides for proton exchange membrane water electrolysis was published in Nat. Catal.
2023.12.28
Original paper entitled Gas fermentation combined with water electrolysis for production of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer from carbon dioxide by engineered Ralstonia eutropha was published in Bioresour. Technol.
2023.12.13
Our research about maximizing enzymatic activity was highlighted on RIKEN Research Highlight. A Japanese interview with Dr. Ooka can be found here.
2023.11.20
Original paper entitled Hydrothermal electrochemical flow reactor to independently control temperature, pressure, and potential for manganese oxide electrodeposition was published in Ceram. Int.
2023.11.9
Original paper entitled A Non-Rate-Determining Redox Process Dictates the Oxygen Evolution Tafel Slope of MnO2 was published in J. Phys. Chem. C
2023.8.24
Original paper entitled Thermodynamic principle to enhance enzymatic activity using the substrate affinity was published in Nat. Commun.
2023.6.14
Original paper entitled Osmotic Energy Conversion in Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents was published in ChemRxiv.
2023.5.30
Original paper entitled Dissipation Lifetime of Catalysis as a Dynamical System was published in ChemRxiv.
2023.5.16
Original paper entitled A Non-Rate-Determining Redox Process Dictates the Oxygen Evolution Tafel Slope of MnO2 was published in ChemRxiv.
2023.4.24
Original paper entitled Nonenzymatic anaerobic ammonium oxidation through a hydrazine intermediate was published in ChemRxiv.
2023.3.22
Ryuhei Nakamura, Team Leader, and Ailong Li, Research Scientist, received the RIKEN BAIHO Award (RIKEN Excellent Achievement Award)!
2023.3.16
Original paper entitled Hybrid Structure Analysis: Accurate and Precise Determination of the Structure Parameters of Mono- and Bimetallic Spinels by Iterative and Alternating Refinements of Powder X-ray Diffraction and X-ray Absorption Fine Structure was published in Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn.
2023.3.10
Original paper entitled Diverse Phosphoserine Phosphatases Exhibit Maximum Activity at an Intermediate Binding Affinity in Accord with the Sabatier Principle of Catalysis was published in bioRxiv.
2023.2.3
Original paper entitled Universal Design Principle to Enhance Enzymatic Activity using the Substrate Affinity was published in bioRxiv.
2022.12.8
Our research about controlling catalyst selectivity using the reaction environment was highlighted on RIKEN Research Highlight.
2022.10.14
Recruitment for Research Scientists to work on Systems Chemistry are posted on Nature careers.
Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist (W22116)
2022.10.14
Recruitment for Research Scientists who can predict theoretical hypotheses about chemical reaction networks and identify experimental guidelines for their verification are posted on Nature careers.
Seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher or Research Scientist (W22117)
2022.10.12
Article about our results of diagnosing aquaculture environment by observation and electrochemical measurement of marine earthworms is posted on Science Japan.

Regulation of the electrocatalytic nitrogen cycle based on sequential proton–electron transfer

2022.8.10
Original paper entitled Tracing and regulating redox homeostasis of model benthic ecosystems for sustainable aquaculture in coastal environments was published in Front. Microbiol.
2022.6.27
Shuang Kong, Postdoctoral Researcher, was featured in RIKEN People. The title is ‘Green hydrogen goals’.
2022.6.24
Our research about the cobalt manganese oxygen evolution catalyst was highlighted on RIKEN Research News.
2022.2.15
Our press release about the cobalt manganese oxygen evolution catalyst was posted on RIKEN Research News.
2022.2.14
Original paper entitled Enhancing the stability of cobalt spinel oxide towards sustainable oxygen evolution in acid was published in Nat. Catal.
2022.1.31
Original paper entitled Multi-Regression Analysis of CO₂ Electroreduction Activities on Metal Sulfides was published in J. Phys. Chem. C.
2021.7.23
Original paper entitled Electrochemically induced metal-vs.ligand-based redox changes in mackinawite:identification of a Fe³⁺-and polysulfide-containing intermediate was published in Dalton Trans.
2021.5.20
Article about our research on Nickel CO₂ Reduction catalyst is posted on RIKEN Research Highlight.
2021.5.10
Original paper entitled Non-zero Binding Enhances Kinetics of Catalysis: Machine Learning Analysis on the Experimental Hydrogen Binding Energy of Platinum. was published in ACS Catal.
2021.5.4
Review paper entitled The Sabatier Principle in Electrocatalysis: Basics, Limitations, and Extensions was published in Front. Energy Res.
2021.3.17
Original paper entitled Thioester synthesis through geoelectrochemical CO₂ fixation on Ni sulfides was published in Commun. Chem.
2021.3.2
Original paper entitled In situ FTIR study of CO₂ reduction on inorganic analogues of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase was published in Chem. Commun.
2021.2.26
Article about our research on molybdenum sulfide electrocatalysts is posted on RIKEN Research News.
2021.2.5
Hideshi Ooka, Research Scientist, was awarded the Poster Award from RIKEN! The title was 'Development of Multi-Electron Transfer Theory Based on In-Situ Spectroelectrochemistry and Machine Learning'.
2020.12.4
Original paper entitled Atomic-scale evidence for highly selective electrocatalytic N−N coupling on metallic MoS2 was published in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
2020.9.15
Original paper entitled CO2 reduction driven by a pH gradient was published in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
2020.6.16
Original paper entitled Multi-omics analysis on an agroecosystem reveals the significant role of organic nitrogen to increase agricultural crop yield was published in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.
2020.6.10
Our joint research on digitalization of the complex interactions between plants, microbes and soil in an agricultural field and importance of organic nitrogen in crop production was covered in RIKEN press release.
農業生態系のデジタル化と作物生産における土壌有機態窒素の重要性に関する当チームの共同研究成果が理研プレスリリースに掲載されました。
2020.6.5
Our research on a friendlier way to deal with nitrate pollution was covered in RIKEN press release.
酵素の仕組みを再現した硝酸還元触媒に関する当チームの研究成果が理研プレスリリースに掲載されました。
2020.6.5
Articles on our research about the origin of life and electricity occurring in deep ocean hydrothermal vent was covered in multiple news papers.
深海熱水噴出孔で発生する電気と生命の起源に関する当チームの研究内容が複数の新聞で取り上げられました。
2020.6.5
Hideshi Ooka, Special Postdoctoral Researcher, was awarded the 2019 Encouragement Award from RIKEN!
基礎科学特別研究員の大岡英史君が理研から2019年度理研奨励賞を受賞しました！
2020.6.5
Yoko Chiba, Research Scientist, was awarded the 2020 JSBBA Award for Young Women Scientists from Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry!
研究員の千葉洋子君が日本農芸化学会から2020年度農芸化学若手女性研究者賞を受賞しました！
2020.4.1
Original paper entitled Thioester Synthesis by Geoelectrochemical CO2 Fixation on Ni Sulfides was published in ChemRxiv.
2020.4.1
Original paper entitled Enzyme Mimetic Active Intermediates for Nitrate Reduction in Neutral Aqueous Media was published in Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
2019.11.30
Original paper entitled A reduced imidazolium cation layer serves as the active site for electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction was published in Applied Catlysis B: Environmetal.
2019.10.18
Original paper entitled Shift of the optimum binding energy at higher rates of catalysis is published in The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. 理研プレスリリース
2019.10.9
Our research on Mn catalyst with long-term stability is posted on RIKEN RESEARCH FALL 2019.
2019.6.21
Original paper entitled Metals likely promoted protometabolism in early ocean alkaline hydrothermal systems is published on Science Advances.
東工大プレスリリース
2019.6.10
Original paper entitled Phase-selective hydrothermal synthesis of metallic MoS2 at high temperature is published on Chemistry Letters.
2019.6.7
Article about our research on Mn water oxidation catalyst is posted on RIKEN Research Highlight.
2019.5.22
Original paper entitled Electrochemical characterization of manganese oxides as a water oxidation catalyst in proton exchange membrane electrolysers is publushed on Royal Society Open Science.
2019.3.14
Original paper entitled Stable Potential Windows for Long-Term Electrocatalysis by Manganese Oxides Under Acidic Conditions is published on Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
理研プレスリリース
Press release
Highlighted by ChemistryViews
Highlighted by nature energy
2019.2.1
Original paper entitled Microfluidic Reactors for Carbon Fixation under Ambient-Pressure Alkaline-Hydrothermal-Vent Conditions is published on Life.
2018.12.9
Review paper entitled Electrochemistry at deep-sea hydrothermal vents: utilization of the thermodynamic driving force towards the autotrophic origin of life is published on ChemElectroChem.
2018.10.16
Dr. Nakamura received "DICP Zhang Dayu Young Investigator Lectureship"!
Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3
Web page in Chinese
2018.10.10
Review paper entitled Chemical Diversity of Metal Sulfide Minerals and Its Implications for the Origin of Life has been published on Life.
2018.10.4
Article about our research on denitriication catalysts was published on RIKEN RESEARCH FALL 2018.
チームの研究がRIKEN Research FALL 2018の記事に掲載されました。
2018.8.7
Original paper entitled Preparation of polyoxometalate-based photo-responsive membranes for the photo-activation of manganese oxide catalysts is publised on JoVE.
2018.5.18
Original paper entitled Deep-sea hydrothermal fields as natural power plants is published on Chemelectrochem.
2018.5.15
チームのデータ駆動型化学触媒設計に関する研究が理研プレスリリースに掲載されました。
2018.5.15
Original paper entitled Design strategy of multi-electron transfer catalysts based on a bioinformatic analysis of oxygen evolution and reduction enzymes is published on Molecular Informatics.
2018.4.4
Original paper entitled Geoelectrochemical CO production: implications for the autotrophic origin of life is published on Science Advances.
2018.3.29
チームの温和な環境で働く人工脱窒触媒に関する研究が理研プレスリリースに掲載されました。
2018.3.22
Ooka-kun was awarded the Merit Award and the Dean Award from the University of Tokyo!
大岡君が東京大学工学系研究科長賞とMerit Awardを受賞しました！
2018.3.5
Original paper entitled Structural change of molybdenum sulfide facilitates the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction at neutral pH as revealed by in situ Raman spectroscopy is published on Chinese Journal of Catalysis.
2018.2.16
Original paper entitled Evidence that crystal facet orientation dictates oxygen evolution intermediates on rutile manganese oxide is published on Advanced Functional Materials.
2018.2.15
Original paper entitled Selective electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite to dinitrogen based on decoupled proton-electron transfer is publised on Journal of the American Chemical Society.
2018.2.5
Original paper entitled Anodic and cathodic extracellular electron transfer by the filamentous bacterium Ardenticatena maritima 110S is published on frontiers in Microbiology.
2017.8.14
Original paper entitled Design of metal-to-metal charge-transfer chromophores for visible-light activation of oxygen-evolving Mn oxide catalysts in a polymer film is published by Chemistry of Materials.
2017.7.21
Original paper entitled Efficiency of oxygen evolution on iridium oxide determined from the pH dependence of charge accumulation is published by The Journal of Physical Cheistry C.
2017.6.23
Dr. Nakamura's interview article is posted on RIKEN People (New energy ideas from the sea’s dark depths)
2017.6.1
海洋研究開発機構との共同研究に関する記事が朝日新聞、日経産業新聞に掲載されました。（海洋研究開発機構, 理研共同プレスリリース）
2017.5.10
Review paper entitled Element strategy of oxygen evolution electrocatalysis based on in situ spectroelectrochemistry is accepted by Chemical Communications.
2017.5.9
海洋研究開発機構との共同研究に関する記事が日刊工業新聞、日経産業新聞に掲載されました。（海洋研究開発機構, 理研共同プレスリリース）
2017.5.7
海洋研究開発機構との共同研究に関する記事が毎日新聞に掲載されました。（海洋研究開発機構, 理研共同プレスリリース）
2017.5.1
海洋研究開発機構との共同研究に関する記事が読売新聞に掲載されました。（海洋研究開発機構, 理研共同プレスリリース）
2017.4.28
Our joint research with JAMSTEC is featured by Chemistry World (Hydrothermal vents generate deep-sea currents).
2017.4.28
海洋研究開発機構との共同研究に関する記事がプレス発表されました。（深海熱水系は「天然の発電所」深海熱水噴出孔周辺における自然発生的な発電現象を実証～電気生態系発見や生命起源解明に新しい糸口～）
Our joint research with JAMSTEC is issued in a press release (Deep-sea Hydrothermal Systems are “Natural Power Plants”-New clues to the discovery of electric ecosystems and elucidation of the origin of life-).
2017.4.5
Original paper entitled Spontaneous and Widespread Electricity Generation in Natural Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Fields is published by Angewandte Chemie International Edition.
2017.3.7
Our joint research with National Institute of Martial Science and Osaka University about bacterial extracellular electron transfer was featured by Science Impact Ltd (Pioneer the Physical Chemistry of Biological Electron Transfer based on Bacterial Extracellular Electron Transport.
2017.3.3
Our joint research with Seoul National University is highlighted in RIKEN News (Manganese oxide nanoparticles exhibit new catalytic pathway).
2017.2.23
Dr. Nakamura and Prof. Nam of Seoul National University organized 2nd SNU Solar Fuel Materials Forum.
2017.2.4
The article about bioinspired ammonia synthesis was selected to front cover of J. Phys. Chem. C.
2017.1.25
人工マンガン触媒に関する研究が化学工業日報に掲載されました。（理研プレス発表）
2017.1.20
人工マンガン触媒に関する研究が日経産業新聞に掲載されました。（理研プレス発表）
2017.1.5
水電解に関する総説がElectrochemistryに掲載されました。（Mn酸化物の特異な電気化学的挙動から見えてきた高活性酸素発生触媒の創製への指針)
2016.12.28
Original paper entitled Mechanistic Investigation of Water Oxidation Catalyzed by Uniform, Assembled MnO Nanoparticles is published by Journal of the American Chemical Society.
2016.11.15
Original paper entitled Molybdenum Sulfide: A Bioinspired Electrocatalyst for Dissimilatory Ammonia Synthesis with Geoelectrical Current is published by The Journal of Physical Chemistry C.
2016.10.25
Original paper entitled Stability of organic compounds on the oxygen-evolving center of photosystem II and manganese oxide water oxidation catalysts is published by Chemical Communications.
2016.10.19
Dr. Nakamura was invited to Solvay Conference.
中村チームリーダーがSolvey Conferenceより招待を受け講演を行いました。
（24th Solvay Conference on Chemistry: "Catalysis in Chemistry and Biology")
2016.8.5
電位変化による生態系診断に関する研究が日刊工業新聞に掲載されました。
2016.6.23
Dr. Nakamura and Dr. Kitadai of ELSI organized a workshop "The Drive to Life in Submarine Hydrothermal Systems", held on June 28th at Earth Life Science Institute, Tokyo Institute of Technology.
2016.5.11
Dr. Nakamura and Prof. Nam of Seoul National University organized 2016 SNU Solar Fuel Materials Forum.
2016.4.21
Dr. Nakamura got a prize of Young Scientist Award from Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology!
中村チームリーダーが科学技術分野の文部科学大臣表彰若手科学者賞を受賞しました！（理研広報ページ)
2016.4.20
The article about our research is published on Manual of Environmental Microbiology 4. (Chapter 5.1.4 Microbial electrochemical technologies producing electricity and valuable chemicals from biodegradation of waste organic matters)

The article of Dr. Nakamura's interview is posted on CSRS web page. (Electron Life - Seeking biological electron transfer in the field of electro-microbiology)
2016.3.22
Dr. Yamaguchi received RIKEN Researcher Incentive Award.
山口研究員が第七回理研研究奨励賞を受賞しました。　
2016.3.7
チームの研究が理研ニュース　研究最前線に掲載されました。
2016.1.26
The articles about our research are published on Solar to Chemical Energy Conversion.
(CO₂ Reduction Using an Electrochemical Approach from Chemical, Biological, and Geological Aspects in the Ancient and Modern Earth / Water Splitting Using Electrochemical Approach)
2016.1.13
The article about our research is posted on It Ain't Magic. (Electrolithoautotrophs)
2015.12.27
The article about our research is posted on It Ain't Magic. (Black smokers and electroecosystems
2015.12.16
The article about our research is posted on RIKEN press release. (A bacteria's double life: living off both iron and electricity)
2015.11.10
電気で生きる微生物についての研究がNewton誌に掲載されました。（理研プレス発表)
2015.11.2
電気で生きる微生物についての研究が産経新聞に掲載されました。（理研プレス発表)
2015.10.5
電気で生きる微生物についての研究が読売新聞、日刊工業新聞、フジサンケイビジネスアイに掲載されました。（理研プレス発表)
2015.10.2
Original paper entitled Draft Genome Sequence of a Heterotrophic Facultative Anaerobic Thermophilic Bacterium, Ardenticatena maritima Strain 110ST is published on genome Announcements.
2015.9.25
Original paper entitled "From chemolithoautotrophs to electrolithoautotrophs: CO2 fixation by Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria coupled with direct uptake of electrons from solid electron sources" has been published on frontiers in Microbiology.
2015.9.4
Original paper entitled "Thermoelectricity Generation and Electron?Magnon Scattering in a Natural Chalcopyrite Mineral from a Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent" has been accepted by Angewandte Chemie.
2015.8.13
チームの水分解実験がRIKEN : Colors 知の旅人たち全章で紹介されました。
2015.8.5
チームの研究が広報誌RIKENに掲載されました。
2015.7.5
Original paper entitled "Electron Extraction from an Extracellular Electrode by Desulfovibrio ferrophilus Strain IS5 Without Using Hydrogen as an Electron Carrier" is published on Electrochemistry.
2015.6.23
Two papers (PNAS 2013/Nature Communication 2013) have received enough citation to be the top 1% of its academic field based on a highly cited threshold for the field and publication year, as of January/February 2015(Web of Science)!
２つの論文(PNAS 2013/Nature Communication 2013) が高被引用論文上位１％に選定されました(Web of Science)!
2015.6.12
Original paper entitled "Sulfur-Mediated Electron Shuttling Sustains Microbial Long-Distance Extracellular Electron Transfer with the Aid of Metallic Iron Sulfides" is published on Langmuir.
2015.3.11
第3回MERIT camp運営委員会にて、大岡君が最優秀賞を受賞しました。
2014.12.17
第33回固体・表面光化学討論会にて、山口君が優秀講演賞を受賞しました。
2014.11.11
日本化学会秋季事業　第4回CSJ化学フェスタ2014 にて開催された学生ポスター発表で、森君の発表が優秀ポスター発表賞を受賞しました。
2014.10.3
The article about our research is published on RIKEN RESEARCH. ( "Bioinspired catalyst splits water"P.27)
チームの研究がRIKEN RESEARCHの記事に掲載されました。 ( "Bioinspired catalyst splits water"P.27)
2014.9
Original paper entitled "Electrochemical CO2 Reduction by Ni-containing Iron Sulfides: How Is CO2 Electrochemically Reduced at Bisulfide-Bearing Deep-sea Hydrothermal Precipitates?" is published on Electrochemica Acta
チームの研究がRIKEN　NEWSの「Spot NEWS」に掲載されました。（(「中性の水を分解する人工マンガン触媒」P.13 )
2014.8
Original paper entitled "Bound Flavin Model Suggests Similar Electron-Transfer Mechanisms in Shewanella and Geobacter" is published on Chemelectrochem

中村チームリーダーの解説記事が雑誌触媒に掲載されました。（「プロトン共役電子移動制御による中性pH駆動型のMn系酸素発生触媒の開発」）
2014.7
読売新聞夕刊に深海発電についての記事が掲載されました。
化学工業日報、日刊工業新聞、日経産業新聞、化学新聞に水分解のための人工マンガン触媒についての記事が掲載されました。

Original paper entitled "Cell-secreted Flavins Bound to Membrane Cytochromes Dictate Electron Transfer Reactions to Surfaces with Diverse Charge and pH" is published on Scientific reports
2014.6
Original paper entitled "Regulating proton-coupled electron transfer for efficient water splitting by manganese oxides at neutral pH " is published on Nature Communications
Nature Communicationsに掲載の論文”Regulating proton-coupled electron transfer for efficient water splitting by manganese oxides at neutral pH”がNature Japanの注目論文として掲載されています。(「中性pHにおける酸化マンガンによる高効率水分解を目的としたプロトン共役電子移動の調節」)
2014.5
Original paper entitled "In situ UV-vis Absorption Spectra of Intermediate Species for Oxygen-Evolution Reaction on the Surface of MnO2 in Neutral and Alkaline Media" is published on Electrochemistry
2014.4
Original paper entitled "Light-induced cell aggregation of Euglena gracilis towards economically feasible biofuel production" is published on RSC Advances.