Change the World with a Small Glass Chip [Excerpt from T-Time Vol. 9 / 2005.12]

We interviewed Prof. Takehiko Kitamori of Institute of Microchemical Technology, who has been playing the leading role in ventures launched by the School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo.

Q: First of all, please tell us about your research.
A: There are two researches on industrial application and new chemistry.
Firstly, I’ll tell you about the industrial application. As you know, semiconductors are small chips on which electrical circuits are integrated, enabling advanced information processing. With the same concept, we are working on the “chips”, which integrate various chemical processes such as reaction, formation, analysis, synthesis and cell culture. We call it Microchemical Chip. It is a study to invent revolutionary science technologies to integrate analytical and synthetic processes, including diagnosis of cancers and allergies, analysis of environmental pollutant and medication synthesis, on a single chip of the same size as a prepared slide.
Secondly, aiming for new chemistry, we are studying the chemical reaction or nature of substance when the size of the container going down to several hundreds or tens nanometers, like recently known as nano-technology.
Q: What made you launch the company as university venture?
Production of the microchips requires advanced technology. It took 4 hundred million yen for facilities and two and a half years for establishing techniques. As we understood it would be difficult for other laboratories to invest the same, we supplied microchips free of charge to industrial and academic researchers who had an interest in our project and needed the microchip for their study. With the increasing demands, however, we could not keep up with production and secure even for our own use. We needed to hire technicians for production and provide the chips at actual cost. As these services are not allowed in public projects of university, local government and government, we launched the company.
Q: Does Institute of Microchemical Technology offer products other than the microchips?
A: We also offer thermal lens microscopes, or detectors, which enable detecting and measuring vanishingly scare substance sensitively. When analyzing substance in the microchips, we need to know what kind of and how much reactions are developed. However, the substance to analyze is of an extremely small amount and can be detected only by this microscope. In its origin, the microchips are by-products of the detectors.

[Difficulty in the productization]
No matter how significant the principles and discovery are, the usefulness of the products is uncertain before people actually use them. Sophisticated technology would be meaningless if people can not handle it. On the other hand, a product with good usability for people is considered excellent. We should realize that high technology is not equal to a good product.

[Our pride]
We, the staffs of IMT, are proud that we have been getting income by selling goods, instead of idea, technology, patent or information. Licensing would be an option for university to make a profit, utilizing their knowledge, however, we believe that, a venture company, a manufacturer, should manage our business by selling our products. It would be difficult to continue the company and keep contributing to the society unless we sell useful “goods”.
Q: Could you tell us your visions to the future of Institute of Microchemical Technology?
A: At present, it is only researchers who are interested in using these chips. In the future, we are going to offer products can be used in factories and at home. For example, currently blood testing requires advanced technology and apparatus. If we could produce analysis equipment, using the microchip, usable by anyone and anywhere, blood testing and diagnosis might be possible in not only big hospitals and even at home in the future. Likewise, on-site or on-spot detection of chemical substance would prevent food allergy and intoxication as well as eliminate anxieties about terrorism using chemical or biochemical weapons. We would like to develop and disseminate technologies to bring relief of “knowing in advance” through the microchips.
Q: Please tell us your dream and give a message to T-time readers.
A: Important thing is what had a positive impact on people through my research and educational works. We have to do something impressive to people. I hope to do a job which could be reputed to be a good job or good technology, and to make everyone happy with them. Try to do impressive jobs!

Prof. Takehiko Kitamori More Information: Prof. Takehiko Kitamori ( Department of Applied Chemistry, School of Engineering ) URL: http://www.appchem.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/appchem/labs/kitamori/top_e.htm

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