“The Research Center for Thermal and Entropic Science” was founded in April 2019 to extend valuable thermodynamic studies conducted in its predecessor four institutes: the Research Center for Structural Thermodynamics (2009-2018), the Research Center for Molecular Thermodynamics (1999-2008), the Microcalorimetry Research Center (1989-1999), and the Chemical Thermodynamics Laboratory (1979-1988).
The center is consisting of four research divisions and one international collaboration division explained as follows, (1) Molecular Entropy Science Division that scientifically discusses entropy from the molecular level based on structural thermal science, (2) Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics / Soft Matter Division concentrating on detecting physical properties and reactions in non-equilibrium states, (3)Research and Development Division of Microscale Thermodynamic Measurements and Nano-calorimetry, and (4) Micro-biocalorimetry Division to explore accurate thermal science of biological materials and living cells. (5) International Collaboration Division works to promote joint researches with numerous groups and institutions in Japan and overseas. Several kinds of lab-made adiabatic calorimeters, relaxation and ac calorimeters to measure accurate and high-resolution heat capacity, a high-stability thermo-monitor for biological specimens, a micro-bomb combustion calorimeter, a high-pressure ac calorimeter and magnetic angle-resolved heat capacity measurement systems are equipped. Phase transitions and detail structures of thermal excitations in various molecular magnets, molecular (super)conductors, spin clusters, single-molecule magnets, liquid crystals, plastic crystals, and glass, as well as biomolecules such as proteins, enzymes, and nucleic acids are research targets. Advanced thermal sciences based on accurate measurements of thermodynamic quantity such as entropy, enthalpy, Gibbs energy as well as thermal conductivity are performed in the center.