Rate My Professor Toshiyuki Nohira

Toshiyuki Nohira is a Professor at the Institute of Advanced Energy, Kyoto University, affiliated with the Graduate School of Energy Science in the Energy Materials Science Course and the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Industrial Chemistry. He completed his undergraduate studies in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Kyoto University, followed by a Master of Engineering in Nuclear Engineering from the Graduate School of Engineering and a Doctor of Engineering in Energy Applied Engineering in 1998. His research centers on high temperature electrochemistry, encompassing molten salt electrolysis for producing advanced materials such as silicon for solar cells, titanium plating, tungsten films, rare-earth iron alloys, and sustainable processes for water electrolysis, batteries, and fuel cells. Nohira's laboratory develops innovative electrochemical methods, including new molten salt systems for electrodeposition of Si, Ti, and W, recycling of rare-earth metals from magnets, and diamond synthesis.

Nohira began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Kyoto University in 1998, advancing to Associate Professor in 2007 and Professor thereafter. He has supervised doctoral research on topics like electrolytic reduction of SiO2 and potassium-ion batteries. In addition to research, he holds leadership roles such as Director of the Integrated Research Center for Carbon Negative Energy Science (2025-2027), Vice-Director of the Environmental Safety and Health Organization, and chairman of various energy research and safety committees. A Fellow of The Electrochemical Society of Japan since 2021, he has received the Annual Technology Award from the Environmental Resource Engineering Society (2025), Scientific Achievement Award and Technical Development Award (2020), Molten Salt Prize (2019), multiple Excellent Paper Awards (2014, 2010, 2006, 2000), Young Scientists’ Prize from MEXT (2009), and Sano Award (2006). Notable publications include 'A New Concept of Molten Salt Systems for the Electrodeposition of Si, Ti, and W' (Accounts of Chemical Research, 2023), 'Amide-Based Ionic Liquid Electrolytes for Alkali-Metal-Ion Rechargeable Batteries' (The Chemical Record, 2023), 'Novel High-Temperature Alkaline Water Electrolysis Using Molten KOH–H2O System' (Journal of The Electrochemical Society, 2023), and 'Highly Efficient Water Electrolysis Using NaOH–KOH Hydrate Melt' (Electrochemistry, 2024). His over 400 publications demonstrate substantial impact on sustainable energy and materials science fields.