Company OverviewCompany
| Company Name | MINERVA LIGHT LAB. (Limited Liability Company) |
|---|---|
| Director | Takeko Matsumura |
| Capital | 3,000,000 yen |
| Business Description | Rapid, low-cost manufacturing of luminescent materials using microwave technology, provision of microwave science and technology |
| Employees | 4 persons |
| History | April 2003: Moved into Kyoto Keihanna Venture Center Incubate Room May 2003: Established Minerva Light Lab LLC at the same location August 2006: Relocated to General Lab Building 2F May 2017: Reached 14th year of business. Shigenobu Yano becomes advisor. Retired in 2018. |
| Company Establishment | May 2003 |
| TEL & FAX | 0774-95-0189 |
| mll.minerva＠gmail.com ※The "@" is capitalized for spam prevention. | |
| URL | http://www.mll.jp/ |
| Management Philosophy | Minerva Light Laboratory, based on university research achievements in microwave chemistry, aims for technological innovation by incorporating energy-saving, high-efficiency microwave synthesis methods as manufacturing processes. To support research on microwave application measurements, we develop new technologies, measurement methods, and devices. In particular, we aim to build networks that can utilize mutual advantages by actively interacting with universities and national research institutes. |
| Technical Overview |
|
GreetingsGreetings
Takeko Matsumura, Director, MINERVA LIGHT LAB LLC
Minerva Light Lab started as a university venture based on research on "Rapid, high-efficiency synthesis of luminescent complexes using microwaves." Currently, our main activities include consulting on microwave chemical processes, custom production of low-cost, high-purity complex reagents using microwaves, and development of microwave equipment. The application fields of microwave chemistry in Japan are expanding year by year, and its application to future industries is expected. Microwave chemical technology, which features energy saving, environmentally friendly clean processes, and reduced work time, is a technology that will innovate future industrial structures. Literally, "every day is microwave," I hope to strive for the establishment and dissemination of microwave chemistry as a new science and technology.
- Fifteen years' activity of Minerva Light Laboratory
- 1. Concept of reflux microwave oven and rapid synthesis of platinum group complexes, Pacifichem 1995, Hawaii
Hosted international conference (jointly with Professor Yanagida)
International Conference on Microwave Science, 2002/11/21-23, Nara - 2. Establishment and development of Minerva Light Lab (2003)
- 3. Development of microwave reaction equipment (2003-2004)
Green Motif I (IDX, Osaka University, etc.) → J Science Lab (2009～)
Publication of "Microwave Thermal Catalysis that Changes Chemistry" - 4. Development of semiconductor microwave precision microwave reaction equipment (2005-2006)
Jointly with Cronyx Electronics (first corporate Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)) - 5. Received Excellence Award at 4th Koto Business Competition in Himeji (2006)
- 6. Real-time monitoring precision microwave reaction equipment (2008)
- 7. Precision improvement of microwave reaction equipment using semiconductor microwave sources (2009-2010)
- 8. High-speed, energy-saving synthesis of Ru(II) complexes using flow microwave equipment
Jointly with AIST Tohoku Center (Ikeda Bank grant) → Commercialization (AIST, IDX) - 9. Recycling of useful plant components using microwave technology (2009-2010)
Microwave plant dyeing (commissioned classes by Kyoto Prefecture) - 10. Contract manufacturing of high-quality luminescent dyes by microwave synthesis (MW precision synthesis products)
- 11. Development of semiconductor microwave source precision microwave equipment
Development of flow type and resonance type precision microwave equipment
(From 2012 to 2017: Manufacturing support projects, regional cluster projects, economic gardening)
Company Characteristics
We value the intellectual careers of our researchers as technical assets.
Through collaboration with companies enthusiastic about technological innovation, we aim to contribute to industry by developing new microwave equipment, microwave synthesis of organic EL luminescent materials, and consulting on microwave chemical processes.
Additionally, the Microwave Application Measurement Department conducts measurements and consulting using Electron Spin Resonance (ESR).
Welcome to Minerva Light Lab - small but with big dreams!
■Microwave Science and Me: Takeko Matsumura
- 1970s
- Electrochemistry of complexes, ESR of complexes (domestic research at University of Tokyo, synthesis of Ir complexes)
- 1980s
- Electrochemistry, physical chemistry of Ru(II), Os(II) complexes
- 1990s
- Rapid synthesis of complexes using microwaves, development of reflux microwave oven, research on Ru(II) complexes
- 1993
- Published paper on reflux microwave oven in Chemistry and Education
- 1994
- Chemistry Letters, development of reflux microwave oven, application to complex synthesis
- 1995
- Pacifichem 1995, invited lecture by Professor Gedye, met Professor Yanagida
- 1996 onwards
- Attended international conferences abroad, few Japanese participants, accompanied by Yanagida lab members
- 2002
- Hosted International Conference on Microwave Science in Nara New Public Hall (first in Japan)
- May 2002
- Established Minerva Light Laboratory
- May 2003
- Established Minerva Light Lab LLC, Scientific Research Funds (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)), Frontier grants (Kyoto Prefecture), Nissan Science Foundation science education grants
- 2004
- Co-authored "Microwave Media that Changes Science" with Professor Yanagida (sold out in 2006), co-developed and sold "Green Motif I" with Tokyo Electron IDX, exhibited at patent distribution seminar
- 2005
- Organized microwave science session at Pacifichem 2005, science education activities
- 2006
- Focused on microwave science processing technology consulting (ongoing)
- June 2006
- Completed prototype of semiconductor precision microwave high-speed reaction equipment (jointly with Cronyx Co., Ltd., Corner Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- 2006
- Welcomed Professor Yamauchi (Kyoto University Emeritus Professor) to Microwave Application Measurement Department, and Professor Goto (Kyoto University Emeritus Professor)
- 2017
- Welcomed Professor Yano (Nara Women's University Emeritus Professor) to Advanced Photomedical Science Department (until March 2018)
Staff IntroductionStaff
Microwave Chemistry Department
- Department Head
- Takeko Matsumura
- Nara University of Education Emeritus Professor
Business AreasBusiness areas
Dissemination of Environmentally Friendly Microwave Chemistry
Technical development and consulting for new microwave synthesis methods and manufacturing processes
- Provision of microwave technology for science processing
- Contract manufacturing of microwave synthesized chemical products (metal complexes)
- New organic electroluminescence (OEL) materials
- Functional luminescent complexes (Ru(II), Ir(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) complexes, etc.)
Provision of Microwave Reaction Equipment
We sell microwave reaction equipment tailored to needs, such as Green Motif Ic and various semiconductor precision chemical reaction equipment (see Product 2), and introduce various microwave reaction equipment.
Public Research FundsNational research fund
Division of duties regarding public research funds = Responsibility system for operation and management of public research funds
- Chief Management Officer Director: Takeko Matsumura
- Oversees the entire organization and bears final responsibility for the operation and management of competitive funds.
- General Management Officer Director: Takeko Matsumura
- Oversees the entire organization for the operation and management of competitive funds.
- Department Head Microwave Research Department Head: Takeko Matsumura
- Has substantial responsibility and authority for the operation and management of competitive funds in the Microwave Research Department.
- Department Head Application Measurement Department Head: Atsushi Yamauchi
- Has substantial responsibility and authority for the operation and management of competitive funds in the Application Measurement Department.
- Public Research Fund Management Regulations
- Established: August 2007 (Revised November 2017)
Previously Commissioned Scientific Research FundsScientific research fund
2004 Fiscal Year Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
- Principal Investigator
- Name: Takeko Matsumura
- Affiliated Research Institution/Department/Position
- Minerva Light Lab LLC, Microwave Chemistry Department, Chief Researcher
- Research Topic
- Selective synthesis of luminescent substances by microwave thermal catalytic action and development of environmentally friendly reaction processes
- Research Content
- Green chemistry innovates conventional synthetic chemical processes and pursues environmentally friendly chemical processes. Microwave heating is a science and technology that plays a part in this. This research focuses on the catalytic action of microwave heating, regards it as microwave thermal catalytic action, targets luminescent substances that occupy an important position in the highly information-oriented society, develops rapid, high-yield synthesis methods by microwave thermal catalytic action, and conducts basic research on physical properties. At this time, reactions are conducted under effective microwave heating conditions such as high dielectric constant, high boiling point alcohol solvents, phase transfer catalysts, and solvent-free conditions, and microwave thermal catalytic action is examined. Also, luminescence characteristics and molecular alignment in various matrices (liquid crystal state, glass state, in polymers) are examined in detail, and the luminescence mechanism is elucidated at the molecular level. Based on these results, luminescent devices are prototyped and evaluated. Through this series of research, environmentally friendly chemical processes for luminescent substances are developed and applied.
2006 Fiscal Year Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
- Principal Investigator Name
- Atsushi Yamauchi
- Affiliated Research Institution/Department/Position
- Minerva Light Lab LLC, Microwave Application Measurement Department, Chief Researcher
- Research Topic
- Research on synthesis and magnetic properties of new chiral organic radical liquid crystals
- Research Content
- Successfully synthesized new chiral organic radicals containing chiral dinitroxyl radicals in the core. Research progressed focusing on clarifying the characteristics of linear molecules that chemically bond to the core. Since the synthesized molecules all show paramagnetic liquid crystallinity, first, liquid crystal properties were clarified optically, and further, magnetic susceptibility and ESR were measured to clarify their orientation characteristics, and the effects of magnetic fields on paramagnetic liquid crystals were examined in detail.
2018 Fiscal Year Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
- Principal Investigator Name
- Shigenobu Yano
- Affiliated Research Institution/Department/Position
- Minerva Light Lab LLC, Advanced Photomedical Science Department Head
(Changed affiliated institution to Nara Women's University in 2018) - Research Topic
- Development of next-generation cancer-selective advanced photomedical precious metal complexes with life system pigments as ligands through medical-engineering collaboration
- Research Content
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) are attracting attention as low-invasive cancer treatment and diagnostic methods with high QOL. This research hybridizes tumor-selective functional molecules (sugar, folic acid) and precious metals with natural product-derived life system pigments to develop ultra-selective advanced photomedical compounds for cancer cells, and aims to realize clinical development through a strong medical-engineering collaboration system with clinical medical scientists.
Public Research Fund Management Regulations
Established: August 2007 (Revised April 2018) (Revised September 2019)
AccessAccess
- From Kintetsu 'Keihanna Line Gakken Nara Tomigaoka Station' direction
- ■Taxi (about 10 minutes)
- ■Bus
- Route 47 (about 10 minutes)
- Route 41 (about 15 minutes)
- From JR 'Hosono Station' direction
- ■Taxi (about 10 minutes)
- ■Bus (about 10 minutes)