Professor Hiroshi Kageyama stands as a distinguished scholar in materials science at one of Asia's premier research institutions, holding a professorship in the Graduate School of Engineering at Kyoto University. His academic journey began at Kyoto University itself, where he earned his PhD from the Department of Chemistry before establishing his independent research program that has spanned over two decades. Professor Kageyama maintains a significant affiliation with Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), a World Premier International Research Center fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between cell biology and materials science. His laboratory within the Department of Energy and Hydrocarbon Chemistry has become a renowned hub for innovative research in advanced inorganic materials synthesis and characterization. His career progression from position held since May 2003 to his current professorship reflects his sustained contributions to the field of solid state chemistry.
Professor Kageyama's groundbreaking research has significantly advanced materials science through the discovery and development of novel inorganic compounds with exceptional functional properties. His team's serendipitous discovery of rare cluster compounds in 2022 opened new pathways for understanding complex chemical bonding in condensed matter systems, while his development of highly conductive antiperovskites with soft anion lattices in 2021 represented a major breakthrough in solid-state ionics with implications for next-generation energy storage technologies. With over 20,250 citations reflecting the substantial impact of his work, his research on controlling oxynitride properties through strain engineering has provided fundamental insights into structure-property relationships in functional materials. His contributions to bringing order to hydrogen energy devices have been particularly noteworthy, establishing new design principles for clean energy conversion systems that have attracted international attention and recognition.
Beyond his laboratory achievements, Professor Kageyama has established himself as a leading voice in the international materials science community, evidenced by his recent invitation to present at the prestigious Collège de France in March 2024 on mixed anion compounds. His continued publication record in high-impact journals, including multiple Nature Index publications in 2024, demonstrates sustained research excellence and relevance to contemporary scientific challenges in energy materials. The recognition of his contributions through the prestigious Inoue Prize for Science in 2019 underscores the significance of his work to the broader scientific enterprise. As he continues to explore the frontiers of solid state chemistry, Professor Kageyama's research program promises to yield further insights into designing materials with tailored properties for sustainable energy applications. His leadership in training the next generation of materials scientists ensures that his methodological approaches and scientific vision will continue to influence the field for years to come.
