History of Photocatalyst

1968
  • Fujishima Akira, the graduate student from Engineering school of University of Tokyo, discovered the mysterious Photocatalyst features of semiconductor TiO2.
1971
  • Fujishima Akira earned PhD degree, served as a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering of Kanagawa University.
1972
  • Fujishima Akira delivered the academic paper on Photocatalytic property of TiO2. His findings suggested that light energy can be transformed into chemical energy through specific mechanism. In the age of global energy crisis, his research proposed an alternative energy source and thus drew attention of researchers around the world. His discovery was even referred as “Fujishima Effect”. The following studies yet showed that Photocatalyst can not process materials in a large amount, so it was not applied for the development of novel energy source for a period of time since then.
1975
  • Fujishima Akira went back to the Faculty of Engineering at University of Tokyo as a lecturer. His main research area was still on Photocatalyst.
1976
  • Association of PhotoChemistry” was founded in Japan.
1978
  • Fujishima Akira was promoted as Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at University of Tokyo.
1979
  • “The Surface Science Society in Japan” was founded.
1982
  • Fujishima Akira and Honda Kenichi were awarded “Asahi Shou” for their research. The “Asahi Shou” award was originated by Asahi News in 1929 to encourage researchers who contribute greatly to the industry, culture, or the society in liberal or natural science.
1986
  • Fujishima Akira was promoted as Professor of Faculty of Engineering at University of Tokyo. His teaching and research subjects were on photo-electrochemistry and functional materials.
1990
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1992
  • “The 1st International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air” was held in Toronto & Ontario, Canada.
  • ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst-processed textiles had been well-developed and commercialized.
1994
  • The 1st symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
1995
  •  Fujishima Akira was promoted as Professor of Engineering Department at University of Tokyo.
  • The 2nd symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
  • The first generation of ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst was marketed.
1996
  • The 3rd symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
  • The 2nd International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air was held in Cincinnati, U.S.
1997
  • The 4th symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
  • The 3rd International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air was held in Orlando, U.S.
  • The second generation of ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst was marketed.
1998
  • Fujishima Akira took over the president position in the Association of Photochemistry.
  • Fujishima Akira received “Inoue Harunari Award”for the research on multi-functionality of TiO2 Photocatalyst. The “Inoue Harunari Award” was originated by Inoue Mr. Harunari, the first director of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, to encourage researchers whocontribute to the industrial development in Japan.
  • Fujishima Akira took over the Lab leader position of PhotoScience key research in KAST.
  • The 5th symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo. Canadian scholar Nick Serpone made a lecture entitled “Recent Advances in Our Understanding of the Redox Chemistry in Heterogeneous Photocatalysis with TiO2 Particulates”. Besides, Professor Fujishima Akira, Kazuhito Hashimoto, and 渡部俊也 gave a joint speech on Development of Photocatalyst Surface Mechanism: Ultrahydrophilic and Ultrahydrophobic “. In addition, Dr. 竹内浩士、根岸信彰、指宿堯嗣, from Technology research institute of resource and environment, held a speech on Development and Application of air purification material of Photocatalyst.
  • The third generation of ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst was marketed, which has overcome the bottleneck of fixation technology to be able to apply by direct spraying.
1999
  • Fujishima Akira took up the post of the chief editor of “Photochemistry Review”.
  • Fujishima Akira earned the 52nd “Japanese Chemistry Association Award” for the application of PhotoFunctional interface chemistry.
    “Japanese Chemistry Association Award” represents the highest honor among the 8 awards issued by Japanese Chemistry Association and has been issued annually since 1933.
  • The 6th symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
  • The 4th International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air” took place in Albuquerque, U.S.
    The market share of ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst has exceeded 90%.
2000
  • The Research Center for Advanced Science Technology in University of Tokyo Founded the “Photofunctional Material Research Association” and appointed Fujishima Akira as President; the bulletin “Photocatalysis” was published to promote standardization of Photocatalyst.
  • The 5th International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air” was held in London, England and Ontario, Canada.
  • The fourth generation of ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst was marketed with the breakthrough of visible light-responsiveness.
2001
  • Fujishima Akira took over the Vice President position in Japanese Chemistry Association.
  • Fujishima Akira was assigned to research on “the principles and techniques of photofunctional interface” by Japanese Ministry of Education. He also took up the post of Rpresentative in a specific domain of photofunctional interface.
  • The 6th International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air was held in London, England and Ontario, Canada.
2002
  • Fujishima Akirawas elected to be the Chairman in Photocatalyst Standardization Committee.
  • Fujishima Akira was appointed as the executive officer in the 14th International Conference on Chemical Transition of Solar Energy.
  • The 9th symposium “Current Advances on Reactive Photocatalyst” was held at University of Tokyo.
  • The 7th International Conference on TiO2 Photocatalytic Purification and Treatment of Water and Air took place in Toronto & Ontario, Canada.
  • ARC-FLASH Photocatalyst was officially introduced into Taiwan.
2003
  • Fujishima Akira retired from University of Tokyo and served as Director of the Kanagawa Science and Technology Academy.
  • Fujishima Akira was awarded Honorary Professor from University of Tokyo.
  • CMC Publishing, Japan published the book “Current Trends in the Techniques of Water-Dissociating Photocatalyst”, written by several tens of scholars including Fujishima Akira and explained in detail the water decomposition process of Photocatalyst.